The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2201 - 20th March 2008
Last Meeting Thur 13th March
Robin Wilson shared the sad news of the death of our Assistant Secretary, David Thomson, on Tuesday. He had a massive heart attack on his way home from the Rugby International. Robin gave a short and moving eulogy commenting on his life, his work, his interests, his Church and his Scouting and of course sent our warm sympathy to his wife Aileen and his son and daughter. As a scrum half David had played for Glasgow Academicals and Glasgow and so greatly enjoyed last week’s game. Robin struck just the right note with this poem.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Presentation.
After the Loyal Toast, President Robin made a presentation to Cherine, who had been in charge of the Restaurant and looked after us so well, but was nowleaving Barcelo Hotels. Cherine gave a suitable replySecretary’s Business.
Bill Barr announced there were present 62 Rotarians, 2 visiting Rotarians and 2 guests.Our speaker next week will be Rebecca Powell on “The Scout Jamboree”. The vote of thanks will be by Douglas Osler. Next Bill reminded members of the visit of the incoming exchange team of four ladies from Colombia in September 2008 Any member who could help host them should contact Bill or Archie Bell. He spoke again of the Fund Raising Ceilidh, our main fund-raising event of the year in the Edinburgh Academy Hall on Saturday 10th May.Tickets would be on sale shortly at a cost of £30 to £35.Contact Fergus Gillies or Rajik Naik. Bill then announced an event being run by the Rotary Club of Strathendrick in the form of a Classic Car Tour for Classic and Sports Cars from Fintry in Perthshire for 120 miles on Sunday 13th April. It was in aid of Rotary Charities. Thereafter Bill advised members of the forthcoming visit by Alan Jagger,President of RIBI to Edinburgh Breakfast and Edinburgh Braids on 22nd and 23rd April respectively. See diary entry for times - names to Bill as soon as possible.Visiting Rotarians. Our President welcomed Adrian McDowall from the Rotary Club of Desmoines who exchanged greetings; and Jim Raitt from Musselburgh, who is District Sports Officer.[ 2 more CDs away]
Speaker - Ruth Allan on “Project Scotland”
President Robin welcomed Ruth back on a second visit to update a report
on what had been happening. Despite their huge success rate in bringing
19-25 year olds who had no training,qualifications nor employment, back
into work with charities across the country, the government now proposed
to cut their funding, which would force the project to make substantial
reductions in their staff and in the number of trainees they could take
on. This against a background of a 10% higher effectiveness than direct
government intervention.
Project Scotland is all about change and that change happens through strong
partnerships. The trainees find fulfilment in so many different fields,
where they volunteer for thirty hour full-time placements. At the end
of their placements they can apply for £1500 grants for further
training, education or equipment. Ruth gave some factual examples of how
volunteers had moved on. She described Charlie who worked in I.T. with
Age Concern, and had moved to work in Africa as a volunteer with the elderly
and I.T.; Lisa from Riding for the Disabled to further training as an
animal care assistant; Sandy from Scottish Wildlife to being a safe and
competent freelance tree-surgeon; and Stephen from Health in Mind to working
in Mental Health. Their 2000 volunteers had contributed 1,000,000 hours
of volunteering through the programme and they led the way in this field
of work in Scotland.
Ruth concluded her presentation by letting the young people speak for
themselves in a two minute film, which brought alive the difference Project
Scotland had made in changing the lives of vulnerable young people. The
future was uncertain with the likelihood of having to reduce their volunteers
to 400 and downscale their staff, as Government grants had met 90% of
their funding up to now. Their own results signified 90% of the volunteers
moving on to positive outcomes. Ruth thanked the Club for our past support.
Vote of Thanks - Fred Lawson.
Fred commented on Ruth’s presentation in his usual style. He deplored the government cutbacks, especially when that “brightcookie” Ruth Allan and her team had been doing such a good job. He felt a restoration of government funding was crucial. Fred and the members wished her further success and all the best into the future.Visits to other Clubs.
George Sutherland had visited North Berwick, Ritchie Campbell to Dunfermline, Eve Crowe to Drogheda and Keith Frost to Leith, while Douglas Osler and Ronnie Sinclair had met in Perth,Western Australia and were claiming a make-up. Ronnie had tried to visit the Freemantle Club, but could not find it, the club not the town !Another Presentation.
P. Robin called on that handsome sportsman from our daughter Club, Jim Raitt,to hand over the Rotary Jewel and four bottles of whisky,their prize in the recent curling. “Best of 22 Sides Competition”. In the absence of Skip Alistair Beattie, Malcolm Wylie, Graeme Forbes and Mike Ramsay were duly honoured.Final Toast.
President Robin then closed the meeting with a toast to the Rotary Foundation.Musical Lunch.
Stewart Kinsman has arranged a visit from a Barber Shop Choir to entertain the Club at lunch on 24th April.
Conference 2009.
RIBI is bringing its SpringConference to Edinburgh in 2009. The organisation wasmainly done centrally, but the City Zone Clubs would all be involved.
District Governor Elect.
Alasdair Seale of Braids Rotary Club was visiting all 62 Clubs in District 1020and his tour would reach our Club in Edinburgh on 9th October.