The Rotary Club of Edinburgh

Bulletin 2,040 - 6th January 2005

REVIEW

ATTENDANCE

At the sons and daughters day lunch we had 75 members, 5 visitors and 4 guests.

SITUATIONS VACANT

Bill Barr is looking for assistance with the organisation of a number of Community Service projects. Volunteers and assistance is urgently required to help with some of the most worthwhile activities supported by the Club. If you can help, please contact the person named beside the vacancy.

Edinburgh Headway Group - Bill Bryden
Drivers and Committee Members
Macmillan Cancer Relief - Reg. Robinson
Identification of location sites for cash collection cans (e.g. Clubs, Shops, Restaurants etc.).
Stockbridge House/Leith Age Concern - Drew Wightman
General support.
The Seagull Trust - Reg. Robinson
General support.

The Rotarians listed should be contacted direct for further information on the organisation with which they are involved and to learn what would be expected from a volunteer.

ROTARY CENTENARY DISTRICT CONCERT

The Centenary Concert is to be held on Sunday 27 February 2005 at 3.00pm in the Usher Hall.

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is going to be conducted that afternoon by Vassily Sinaisky. The programme will include music by Elgar, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky, and the lead violin is to be played by Tasmin Little.

It is proposed that the upper circle be reserved for 20 young people sponsored by members of our club at £10 each. We also want you to come to a unique celebration in the history of the Rotary Club. Apply to Fred Lawson for your ticket at a price of £19. It is hoped proceeds will support Schools music Departments in our area.

FOCUS

ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS

You should not judge a book by its cover. RYLA Camps only have to be mentioned to be a turn off for most of our members. However Colin Mackay did some research last summer and was pleasantly surprised. Far from being a pale reflection of Scout camp, the RYLA formula is distinctive and frequently caters for people who slip the net of teenage activities.
Harry Smith is one of the organisers. The camp is held at The Abernethy Trust on the banks of Loch Tay. There are two one-week courses each taking 54 people, selected by Rotary Clubs throughout the District. The age group is 15 to 18 years old. Youngsters are selected from schools, apprentices or trainees. With such varied backgrounds, this is not an elitist programme but the candidates have to be interviewed and carefully selected to ensure that everyone will get the most out of the experience. It is also important that their parents are supportive.

Despite the title, this scheme is not about judgement. The only report is by the participants to their sponsoring Rotary club.

The centre provides a series of outward-bound type activities. These include kayaks, and canoes, rope work, climbing, hill walking and an overnight bivouac. The Rotary Club organises instructors and councillors for the groups. The groups are expected to organise themselves, with day team leaders giving everyone a turn to develop their own organisational skills.

With a day starting at 7.00am and finishing at 11pm, organisers and candidates are universally knackered at the end of the week. Working together and relying on all members of the team, it is hoped that the course will improve their confidence and self esteem.

The cost is £300 a student. This includes for comprehensive insurance, instructors and child protection.

PRATTLE

CENTENARY COOK BOOK

Share your favourite recipes and get your name in print in the cookbook being compiled by Jacqueline Easson for the Club. Your help is vital to the success of this lavish production, which we hope will be a joy for all!

ALMONER'S REPORT

George Holmes reported that Tom Willis was chirpy in the middle of December, after surgery at The Royal Infirmary where he was given a heart by-pass. Loudon Hamilton has returned home and is still frail. David Thomson is now back after his heart treatment. Liz McSwan has dropped something on her foot breaking some bones and we cannot expect to see her for some weeks.

On the brighter side, Oliver Doran was congratulated at lunch before Christmas for his eighth grandchild!

CHARITY FILM PRESENTATION 16th Jan.

The Inner Wheel Club have booked THE Dominion Cinema for an exclusive showing of Vanity Fair (a period drama), starring Reese Witherspoon, Gabriel Byrne & Jim Broadbent on Sunday afternoon 16th January meeting at 4.45, with the film starting at 5.10pm. The entertainment is in aid of Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association. The tickets are only £5.00 or £6.90 for sofa seats and can be obtained from Margaret Cavaye (tel. 667-7136) or the cinema (tel. 447-4771). The Inner Wheel Club would greatly appreciate your support.

COMPETITION

Entries for the bulletin competition are due in by Wednesday 12 January.

THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER

Thursday 13 January 2005: Mike Chad - Rotary Community First Responders
Vote of Thanks: Bill Barr

NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER

Thursday 13 January 2005: Business meeting - Judith Sischy and Forbes Ridland
Vote of Thanks: Bill Cantley

PREVIEW

Judith is going to tell us the plans of the Fund Raising Committee, which has a varied programme of ideas. It is hoped that Forbes will provide an update on Rotary Hope for Africa.