Visitors : Bell (regular guest and soon to be member)

 

 

 

 

President Michele Beaton welcomed guests and members to the meeting and  declared the AGM open.

 

Presidents report was as per Lynda’s report presented at the changeover. It was moved to be accepted and was seconded.

 

Club financial report was presented by Jim Ricard. As per the data we are currently in deficit. It is the result of high minimum charge for breakfast at the hotel Armitage. There is a need to either negotiate the minimum amount being charged or possibly look at increasing the subs. Increasing the subs however can only happen in July 2024. In essence we have to look at re negotiating our current arrangements with Armitage hotel.

 

Officers election. We do not have an president elect yet. If you have any ideas please get in touch with Michele or Indeevar.

Another position that will need to be filled shortly is the Secretary. Simon will be relinquishing from his secretary duties at the end of the year. Simon pointed out that it is one of the best job in the club. It is not demanding and you get to know the Ins and outs of the functioning of the club and you also get to tell the president that you cannot do that. Simon will not be departing from the club so he will be there to mentor whoever picks the job. Michele reinforced Simons position and encouraged people to consider the role.

 

During the year we raised around $46,000. It included money from events such as treasured art, in house auction fund raiser, District grants, members donating money, K valley cycle way, quiz night etc.

The cost of the fundraising or organising the events was about $21,000.

 

We have also given away $33,487. Rhonda then explained where the money was given away. More details are in the report circulated earlier. RYDA, books to Vanuatu, TGA community food bank, Graeme Dingle foundation, outward bound student etc.

As a club we have performed really well especially if we look at the net amount given away and amount of time we spent on making these events successful.

 

Kathy proposed if we could put a value to the time we put into our work. After a brief discussion Wayne reported that as a district requires this information and president is meant to collect this information and put id district wide. Report was moved to be accepted and seconded.

AGM was declared closed at this time.

 

 

Rod Large then shared his experience about how to attract young new members to our club as Rotary clubs across the globe are struggling to retain memberships. We need to increase our social media outreach with platform such as Facebook. He shared one such experience where one advert on Facebook attracted 6 new members in Milford. Even though they did not want to join in for the meetings but were very interested in projects and be part of the club in that space. One solution could be to have a satellite club such as New Generation Rotary that entails loose meetings and members would discuss the project and members can be part of the work we do and yet not have the full time commitment or attend weekly meetings. We will need endorsement from the district governor and do other formalities.

Anyone who is interested in this new idea please get in touch with Rod. Work shall begin in early 2024.

Michele also added that we can also look at multi-Tier system for our club membership. It is crucial to attract younger people. We can become the platform for younger generation to express their need to make a difference in this world.

 

Dean Thompson: Last membership drive last year was not as successful as we would have liked. Dean encouraged members to use the Crystal palace event to promote Rotary without making it too Rotary. So, Members please turn up in force and make a difference.

 

Phil Mangos: Volunteers needed for the Crystal palace event. Please see the sheet for any gaps members can fill.

 

Indeevar Duhan: Application for outward bound completed by Ben Faulkner has been accepted by the board and we confirm our contribution for his endeavour.

 

Viv Richards: We are looking for items for the Raffle for the behind closed door event. Christmas cakes are also on the menu, if someone is able please help us make some more so we can sell. We are still looking for sponsors. Tell your friends about the event and we hope for a successful event.

 

Henry Kayser: On Saturday November 4^th 2023 from 1000-1600 hours we are looking for volunteers at 7 different location. Volunteers needed to welcome people, ensure people have arm bands and general security. 2 shifts are in place 1000-1300 and 1300-1600. We have 3 volunteers we need 25 more. Please get in touch with Henry and Shiv ASAP

 

 

Simon Beaton: Our clubs Lectern is up for grab. It is a functional Lectern and needs a new home. Unless someone adopts it, it will be euthanised.

 

Michele Beaton: Well done all the members who organised the “Taking back our beach”. Thank you all for their work and making it happen.

 

Guess who is coming to dinner: Dates are 18^th and 25^th November.

 

Doug Bell’s Induction: Hopefully we will have it done in the next couple of weeks. No dates yet however we will fit it in between committee meetings.

 

Regionalisation project: Restructuring of our national Rotary structure. We will be choosing a primary and a secondary group. We need to decide which groups we want to be part of. Summary will go out through email and we can make comments on which way we need to go. We will also have club health survey going out in November.

 

 

Dan Allan: Dan talked about Halloween. Some of the Rotarians who celebrated Halloween over the years.

Jim and a mate were working on a construction site where they found a skeleton in a closet. They took it to the police and found out it was the 1956 national hide and seek champion.

Indeevar told his boss I am coming into work during Halloween and I will be a ghost. I will be there but you won’t see me.

Pat was feeling under the weather last Halloween. The doctor said because its October you have a choice of a regular colonoscopy or a pumpkin spice one!

Wayne and Christine went to Halloween party last year as ghosts. Wayne must have had his hearing aid turned down and misunderstood what Christine had told him. They had been in a party for a while and Christine said No No No I said practice your moaning not mooning.

Lisa was into trick and treating with her sibling when they knocked on a port-a-loo. The sibling said are you sure this is the right place, I am sure the best candy comes from the smit house.

Simon and Michele celebrated Halloween at their home last year. Simon was reading a paper and having a beer and Michele said I got blisters from the broom and Simon said next time use the car.