The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2227 - 18th September 2008
Last Meeting:
President Tim Simpson gave a special Edinburgh welcome to RIBI President Ian Thomson and DG Alasdair Seale and their wives. Kenichi Suganuma, Japan's Consul General in Edinburgh was also welcomed along with a number of other guests and members. Russell Barr was called to give grace which he did remembering those who suffered and died seven years ago on 9/11 2001. He prayed for all people to be at peace and to place service before ourselves.Secretary's Announcements:
The attendance was 49 members, 7 visitors, 3 guests, a total of 59. Home
visitor Alastair Davies from Langholm and overseas Rotarians, Helen Ferguson
(Namboar) and Helen Harris (Bandaberg Daybreak both Australia), and Carter
Yeatman (Batesville, Arkansas) were all given a warm round of applause.
Two banners were added to our collection and CDs and whisky are making their
way back to Cheltenham and the USA.
There will be a business meeting on Thursday 18th September with important
matters to be discussed.
Secretary Colin Mackay reminded members of Alex Wilkie's forthcoming trip to Kenya and that he still needs help to finance Kenyan girls' education fees. Colin also mentioned that Forbes Ridland is running a Sprint Triathlon for Hope and Homes for Children on 21st September. Posthumous or "after the event" donation can be made when Forbes (hopefully) returns on the 25th!
Robin Wilson is still looking for accommodation for two Colombians in the last week of October. They will be attending District Conference in Inverness. If you can help please contact Robin Wilson.
1020 District Conference:
Duncan Collinson VP1 at RC of Braids will be the Chief Sergeant at Arms for the 1020 District Conference in Inverness from 24 to 26 October 2008. Can you help him by offering some of your time at the Conference to help marshal delegates for one or more of the Conference sessions, please? Duncan's contact tel: (H)[number removed](B) [number removed].Kenichi Suganuma, told members that 2008 celebrates 150 years of the opening of trade routes between Japan and Britain. Thomas Blake Glover (1838-1911) from Aberdeen was one of the first to develop trade with Japan and founded the Mitsubishi Corporation. See details of events on www.japanuk150.org
President's remarks:
President Tim announced that the Centenary Committee (Chairman Dick Allan) is seeking members' views on preferred events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Edinburgh. Initial thoughts are to hold an inclusive dinner but also to run a major fund raising event to finance a significant donation to a local charity in order to raise our profile in the City. A fundraising dinner early next Rotarian year will begin to fill the coffers but the Committee would like to know members' views and likely support.Tim reminded members that the new convenors will be addressing the Business Meeting next week with contributions from Bob McIntyre on the JCF and Bob Hislop on the Fund Raising Committee.
Guest Speaker:
Tim introduced the Guest Speaker Ian Thomson. Ian, originally from Dunfermline but now living in Cheltenham, had undertaken a gruelling programme of visits to Clubs in Central Scotland and it was an honour to have him with us. Ian was greeted with a hearty burst of applause.Ian Thomson, President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland: Ian began by saying what a pleasure it was to see so many members here at lunch; he congratulated the Club on its 97th year and the service given throughout that time. Ian explained that it had been a wrench moving south from Scotland to Cheltenham but his English wife Joan made everything possible for him including getting used to the different use of words in England. He cited as an example the local Pentecostal church which had a notice outside it door saying Try our healing services - you won't get better. And another inside the church which said The plate at the rear of the church for the sick is for monetary donations only! It was hard to think of what other use it was being put to. But the story that tickled our table was the Rotarian who had not quite weathered the storm of a heavy dinner and met Dame Stella Remington and said Shoo are yous? I am Stella Remington of MI5. She replied. Shwhat a co-incidence, I bought a wardrobe from yous yesterday!
Ian spoke about the Rotary International President Dong Kern Lee of Korea.
He is a man with great enthusiasm for new members. When he was District
Governor his District opened 34 new Rotary Clubs!
Ian also spoke about the Bequest Society, part of Rotary Foundation, where
members pledge to leave a legacy to the Foundation and it doesn't cost
them a penny until they are dead! It builds a wonderful treasure chest
for future beneficiaries. Ian told us that the actuaries know exactly
how many people will die in the next 20 years - and the Sicilian actuaries
can tell you their names.
Ian finished his talk with the message that he wants every Rotarian to
be having such a grand time that they will ask all their friends to join.
He challenged us to go out and light fires and make dreams real for the
children of the world.