The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2215 - 26th June 2008
Last Meeting Thur 19th June
President Robin Wilson welcomed all present to lunch and the Club Assembly and especially Assistant Governor, Keith Best who is responsible for the City Zone in District 1020. Robin’s thought for the day was to recall that Albert Schweitzer wrote of his deep concern for the Christian Church: ... Christianity, he wrote, "can only become the living truth for successive generations, if thinkers constantly arise within it, who in the Spirit of Jesus make belief in him capable of intellectual apprehension in thought forms of worldview proper to their time". The challenge for Rotary, and that means us, is the same. Our motto and purposes must be communicated in clear, comprehensible language and in appropriate service. We are almost on the threshold of a new Rotary year and we are going to learn today from the new team that shall direct this Club and make a wider contribution through District 1020 and R.I. This was followed by a simple Grace in which Robin gave thanks for Rotary International and our opportunities for service.Secretary’s Announcements.
Bill gave numbers as 62 members, 3 visitors, total 65. Next week would be the Presidential Handover Lunch.Jaipur Limb.
The Galashiels and District Club is having a London to Edinburgh Bike Ride in aid of the Jaipur Limb Project to provide £30 artificial legs through the third world. See Notice Board for Sponsor Forms.New Members.
Bill then gave his first reading of two proposed new members, James Nicholson, with a background of Education-Music , proposed by Forbes Ridland and David Drysdale with a background of Electronics-Research, proposed by Alex Wilkie. If no objections are received by 29th June, we shall proceed.Visiting Rotarians.
President Robin then welcomed again our good friend Garrett Dailly and also Phil Zepda from Ann Arbour North, Michigan, USA whose District had the first female District Governor. On receiving his Health Water and CD , he indicated that he would send his club’s music CD to President Robin which promise trumped Robin’s generosity in giving away ours ! Robin went on to congratulate Torvald Colliander who had recently been presented with the Swedish King’s Medal.Tim Simpson, President Elect was then invited to introduce his
new Council and give members a glimpse of their intentions for the next
Rotary Year. Tim regarded The Club Assembly as an opportunity for the
new Council to introduce themselves and to put forward their ideas for
the coming Rotary Year. The programme is firmly based on our past activities
and the most important things which we do as a Club are our Community
Service Projects. Heather Shanks is taking over this wide portfolio of
activities, each of which has a separate organiser. We shall again arrange
the delivery of Christmas parcels and spring outings for the elderly.
Packing and distributing at Fresh Start for those setting up new homes,
driving in the form of The New Horizon Club for the disabled, marshalling
at the Great Scottish Walk and of course our star which is KidsOut at
the Jack Kane Centre for disadvantaged children. For success all of these
projects need helpers. The same willing hands are seen supporting all
of these activities and it would be good if we could expand the support
team.
Through the Bulletin we hope to raise awareness about projects and introduce
a Quarterly glossy edition devoted to Club activities led by the new editor
Forbes Ridland. Tim then called on some of the new team to speak briefly.
Colin Mackay, as incoming Secretary spoke of his intention to follow the
excellent examples of John Havard and Bill Barr and would be trying to
offer strong support to Tim and his team and to club members. David Brown,
taking over from Alan Young as Treasurer, claimed he was a practising
accountant, but hoped to get better. He launched into an appeal for prompt
payment of subscriptions. Bill Barr was following Sandra Watson as Speaker
Secretary and already had some great lined up. He sought support from
members in making suggestions and in agreeing to give votes of thanks
to speakers.
Alan Hately was continuing in office and gave a full account not just
of the Golf Club’s successes, but of the other clubs and groups which
so enhanced the life of the Club. He finished by handing over the Cup
recently won by the Golf Section at Newcastle to President Robin. Richard
Philip was also carrying on as International Service Committee Convenor
and would be continuing the hard work of former years in this important
area of our work.
Tim then spoke of the Foundation, which he regarded as one of the cornerstones
of Rotary, which had gained very much respect throughout the world and
yet was one of the neglected areas for the Edinburgh Club. He summarised
its achievements under Scholarship with international students, international
service, where projects were provided with matching grants and Polio Plus
which has gone a long way to wipe out that disease.
Tim apologised that Bob McIntyre was not present but he would be taking
on Foundation and working to compile a register of potential hosts for
exchange students. Many people are attracted to our city and we shall
seek to improve our record on hospitality. It is hoped that Bob and Archie
Bell can persuade more candidates as hosts than we have managed in the
past.
President Robin has initiated a covenant scheme and we would like to encourage
a large take up. Modest contributions of £6 a month to the JCF attracts
Gift Aid and allows us to make contributions to the Foundation and then
get back with interest to benefit our community in Scotland. Oliver Balfour
, Brian Watt and are taking on Membership and Classification and Club
Service respectively but time did not allow them to speak. Tim added that
he had a great team for the coming year, but that like every Club we have
our challenges. They are the usual ones of introducing new talent to the
Club, and attracting more members to come to lunch, We are close to the
point of having to pay for uneaten meals and hope to encourage irregular
attenders to join us more often.
Bill Barr is providing a sparkling array of speakers, John Havard is laying
on some great dates with the Arts Committee and Alan Hately will wear
us down with sport. Finally, Tim asked for the support of all members
just as he wished to support our local City under the banner that
Charity begins at home.
President Robin thanked Tim for his contribution and then invited Assistant
Governor Keith Best to address the Club. He talked most positively of
his visit and found the Club in Good Heart. Keith said Once Rotary
ceases to be fun, it ceases to exist. He encouraged the Club to
be inventive in the suggestions it made to the organising committee for
the Edinburgh RIBI Conference so that everyone will know that Rotary
is in town.