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Thursday, 9th September 2010

DG Johns Blog

By: John Dunkley
 On Saturday 4 September Sue and I attended the 40th Anniversary of Charter of the Rotary Club Of Eastbourne Sovereign. The venue was the Chatsworth Hotel. The menu was a copy of the original Charter dinner. Local clubs were all well represented. One of the founder members Alan Booth, PDG Maurice Shoesmith of their mother club and Mike Pollard from their contact club were also at the Dinner. It was a well-organised, very pleasant occasion. President Brian took the opportunity to reflect on the past achievements of the club and look to the future
 
On Monday 6 September I visited the Rotary Club of Orpington Crofton. The club meets at The Change of Horses public house. It was a lovely dinner in very pleasant surroundings. The Landlord and landlady are great supporters of the club and in fact have joined with the club to provide Rotary Shelter boxes. The club I am sure holds the record for the most Foundation Sustaining Members in one club in our District. Nearly 50% of the club are Sustaining Members. They have a full programme, applying for a District Grant for a project in Nepal, have an Interact Club in a local school and hope to increase their membership again this year. The club will support Rotary Day by planting Crocus Bulbs in conjunction with their other local clubs. Most importantly they put Fun and Fellowship at the top of the list
 
On Tuesday evening 7 September I visited the Rotary Club of Sandwich. The club meets in The Bell Hotel in the town. It is again a very pleasant venue and we enjoyed a great dinner. The club has a very effective presence in the town and enjoys great support from the local population. Their recent Duck race raised over £8.000. They support many local charities. The club programme for the year includes, applying for a District Foundation Grant, forming a Rotaract Club in Sandwich, supporting the various Aid Boxes, Rotary Day – Thanks for Life, help with the incoming Vocational GSE team from Kerala, increasing membership and many other events.
 
On Wednesday evening 8 September I visited the Rotary Club of Chatham. The club meets at the Holiday Inn. The club is looking to increase Membership in several ways, one being contacting the local University. The club supports several youth competitions and events and is hoping to sponsor an Interact Club. This is of the few Clubs in 1120 that sing Rotary Grace, quite a nice touch. They also appoint a Host for Guests, which makes the guest feel very welcome. There are four past Rotaractors in the club, as I say on my visits good for the young people and good for Rotary
 
As you will hear tonight the deadline for the first round of District Grants is fast approaching. Many clubs have indicated they will be applying for a District Foundation Grant. There are only 33 Grants available so I would suggest you ensure that Noel has your application by 30 September
 
 


Thursday, 2nd September 2010

DG Johns weekly Blog

By: John Dunkley
 
On Thursday 19 August I visited the Rotary Club of Northfleet and Ebbsfleet. The club meets at the Manor Hotel, an ideal venue with very acceptable food. The club has a full programme of local and International activities. They are not too concerned about membership but have arranged an “Open Night” for prospective members. The club expects to apply for a Foundation Grant for a local project.
 
On Tuesday 31 August I visited the Rotary Club of Gravesend and Meopham. The Club meets at the Manor Hotel, as I said an ideal venue with very acceptable food. The club has a very strong Youth Programme including Young Chef, Young Photographer, RYLA and working in two local schools. They are very active in their local community entering a Rotary Float in the Vesaihki Festival and joining in many other local activities. The club will have a stand at Leeds Castle. The club also has a very extensive International programme.
 
On Monday 30 August I witnessed the Rotary Club of Sandwich Duck Race. This is an annual event run as part of Sandwich Town Festival. The club has a high profile in the town, and always receive good support for their events and fund raising. Again my ducks are still swimming!!
 
On Wednesday 1 September I visited the Rotary Club of Herne Bay. This is another club that meets at a Golf Club. The venue is ideal and the food superb. The members are very active in their local community, supporting Herne Bay in Bloom, and many local school based activities. The club is hoping to attract many new members this Rotary Year. They will support the Rotary Day –Thanks for Life project by planting lots of bulbs. The club has a unique fund Raising idea. They have a Seaside attraction which when a coin is dropped into a collection box various children’s characters appear. I would recommend Rotarians take a look if ever they are visiting Herne Bay seafront.
 
On Wednesday evening I attended my own club, and was introduced as a guest !
 
I have nearly completed half of the club visits now. I am impressed by the many and varied activities, projects and events arranged within our clubs.
 
I would urge you all to ensure that every event your club organises has a membership benefit, lets not keep Rotary a secret. Remember we have many Pull – up Rotary Banners for clubs to borrow to use as a publicity tool.


Monday, 30th August 2010

DG Johns Weekly Blog

By: John Dunkley

On Thursday 19 August I visited the Rotary Club of Chestfield for breakfast.

The proceedings began in a very civilised way with coffee in morning sun at the Chestfield Golf club. They have taken on board many of the issues in our organisation. The Club is to continue to encourage members to bring many guests to the meetings to increase Membership, will work with schools on several projects and continue their good relationships with the local press. A novel idea the President has, he has collected many banners from his club visits around the world. He gives a banner to a different member of the club each week and asks them to talk about that banner, club or country the next week.
 
On Thursday evening 19 August I visited the Rotary Club of the North Downs. The club meets at The Black Prince, Bexley. A new member was inducted at the meeting and there is to be another Induction next week. The club will be applying for a grant for a Project in Uganda, is involved with hosting the Vocational Group Study Exchange Team from Kerala, is looking for more members and is hoping to form an Interact Club in a local school. It was a very enjoyable meeting with lots of questions for me to answer after my presentation.
 
On Friday 19 August I visited the Rotary Club of Sevenoaks. The club meets at the Royal Oak Hotel in Sevenaoks. The clubs main event is the annual 10 k Run. They also have many other Rotary projects planned including endeavouring to get the local state and private schools working together. It was an enjoyable visit with the usual time restrictions of a lunchtime club. There was still time however for several questions.
 
I spent two days on Sunday and Monday 22 /23 August at the General Council meeting at RIBI Headquarters in Alcester. The topics discussed were many and varied. I will give a brief report at he District Council meeting. The topics discussed included Rotary Day – Thanks for Life, Membership and the RIBI Grants, Foundation, Anniversary Certificates, minimum numbers for new clubs, and much more.
 
On Monday evening the 23 August I visited the Rotary Club of Langley Park. A very pleasant venue, another golf club, and the food and fellowship were excellent. The club has many projects planned both locally and internationally. They hope to start an Interact club in a local school, apply for a District Grant for an International project, are supporting Rotary Day and are attending the Leeds Castle event. Membership recruitment and retention are high on their list of priorities.
 
On Tuesday 24 August I visited the rotary Club of Medway. This club meets in Gillingham Golf Club. This is an ideal venue and the food was very acceptable. The club has a strong membership. They are intending to apply for District Grant, will celebrate Rotary Day, are attending the Leeds Castle Event and intend to organise a beer festival. The club is supporting the Provisional club of Medway Sunlight .A very good quote from the President “Rotary sometimes needs to re-brand, just like Kit Kat, new wrapper, new direction, new direction but still Rotary values inside".
 
On Wednesday I visited the Rotary Club of Southborough and Pembury. The club venue, the Salomons Centre is well know to all Rotarians in that part of our District. The Salomons Centre is a very pleasant venue overlooking extensive grounds. The food was good as was the fellowship in the club. They have arranged another Membership information this year, intend to support Rotary Day –Thanks for life, are involved with hosting the GSE Team from Kerala, hope to form an Interact Club in Kent College and have many other Rotary activates planned. A novel way of beginning a meeting, the President asks for examples of  historical events that have occurred in the past, on the day of the meeting.
 
I took the opportunity to meet the President of the newly Chartered Club of Sovereign Harbour on Wednesday. The club has arranged a celebration of their Charter on Thursday 21 October in Eastbourne. The RIBI President Jim Moulson will be attending. More details will be circulated soon.
 
Members of my club, the Deal and the Dover Clubs, have driven me to most of my club visits. This is great for me and it has given those members to experience the fellowship in many clubs in our District. I think we all gain by sharing the different practises in clubs.
 
Finally the Pakistan floods. Many clubs have given money for Rotary Shelter Boxes, Aqua Boxes and Life Straws. We will give an up date at the District Council Meeting on 9 September.


Thursday, 19th August 2010

DG John's Weekly Blog

By: John Dunkley
Thursday 12 I visited the Rotary Club of Strood.
Although not one of the biggest clubs in 1120 the club has a very ambitious programme of Rotary activates. Amongst others, the club supports Rotary Foundation, Youth Programmes and is involved in the visit from Kerla of the Vocational Group Study Exchange team. The club is presently looking for a permanent venue; the dinner at the Gillingham Golf club was very acceptable.
 
Friday 13 I visited the Rotary Club of Rochester.
Rochester has a comprehensive programme of Projects and events .The club supports Rotary Foundation, the Sustaining Membership programme, supports many local charities, supports Youth programmes and plans to increase membership again this Rotary year. It was a privilege to present Rotarian Ruth Portway with a PHF. Ruth works tirelessly in her own club and has been an active member of several District committees, has lead a GSE Team and of course is the District Shelter Box Officer on the District International Committee.
 
Friday evening the 2010 Conference Committee met in Maidstone. All the speakers are now confirmed. The Orchestra, choir and Soloists are all booked for the Friday “Rotary Last Night of the Proms “ The House of Friendships has over 40 Stands booked already. Both the new Towner Centre and the Congress Restaurant will be used. As a first this year we will be inviting the general public to visit the House of Friendship to show what we as Rotarians do. This is a PR exercise and a membership opportunity for as all, particularly the clubs local to Eastbourne. The conference team are working very hard to give us all a great conference.
 
Saturday 14 I attended the Rotary Marquee at the Dover Regatta.
The Rotary Clubs of Dover and South Foreland, Dover Retract, Dover Interact and Dover Inner Wheel were all represented. A real “Family of Rotary” event, arranged by Richard Blackman from South Foreland and John Angel from the Dover club.
 
On Monday 16 I visted the Rotary Club of Chistlehurst.
This is the third visit to their venue, the Golf Club of Chistlehurst, as two other clubs use the same venue. The setting is lovely and the food is good.
Chistlehurst are on a roll at the moment having inducted 8 new members last year. The new members have been given responsible jobs and are being integrated into all the club activates. The meeting begins with a 5-minute members talk, which starts the procedures off in an entertaining fashion. They support many local charities and are working on a large project, which should attract a Global grant if one or two other Rotary Clubs can be found as partners.
 
On Tuesday 17 August Sue and I visited the Rotary Club of Malling.
For the summer months the club meets at Spadeworks. Spadeworks is a garden centre where disabled persons can work and lead a useful and interesting life. The venue is ideal in pleasant surroundings and good wholesome food .The club has a complete programme of Rotary events planned for the year, including supporting the Polio Eradication Programme, projects in South Africa and Malaysia, increasing Membership, a PR infinitive. The club is also supporting and encouraging the Provisional club of Kings Hill.
 
On Wednesday Evening I visited the Rotary Club of Catford.
This club was formally in District 1130, the London District, but preferred to be in 1120, so joined our District, a wise move some would say!
 
They have a great programme of events and projects, are well known in their area, and raise lots of money for Rotary and other Charities. The club has an active Interact Club. One member asked why there is not a possibility for a family membership in Rotary; I wonder what support that would receive from other clubs? Another question was how we can use the Rotary Fellowships to encourage Membership? Two questions for the District Membership Committee to consider in the future.
 
District Secretary Robert has circulated the notice for the District Council meeting. There are several propositions to be discussed. This is also your opportunity to ask questions of your District Service Committee Chairman. Hope to see many of you there.


Thursday, 12th August 2010

DG John's Weekly Blog

By: John Dunkley

On Thursday 5 August I visited the Rotary Club of Beckenham.

The club meets in a sports centre, which is in an ideal situation as many of the members live nearby. The venue can cater for large and small meetings and with a club of 39 and often meetings with guests this is an advantage. The food is also very good, which helps. Although they are one of the larger clubs in 1120 at the moment the intention is to keep finding more members. The club has a very comprehensive programme of Service Fund Raising and Fellowship and I am sure the members will have a great year.

Thursday evening was the visit to Rotary Club of Eltham Phoenix. This club although small in number has a very ambitious programme of Rotary activities. They are supporting Rotary Day and hoping to obtain a District Foundation grant for a local Women’s Refuge and a project in Columbia to support street children. Several members of this club were Rotractors, and are a great example of the benefits of Rotarians supporting the resurrection of a District Rotaract organisation.

The last visit of the week was to the Rotary Club of Maidstone. This club was formed in 1922, one of the longest serving clubs in the District. The club also has one of the largest numbers of members, 56 members. The club is involved with the other clubs in the area with several events. They have many activates including supporting an Interact Club, and other youth activates. The membership aim for the club is plus 5 this year. President Pat said, “If members smile and laugh then people will wonder what is going on and what to join in”, this is great idea for us all! With that philosophy plus 5 should be an easy target to achieve.

On Saturday 7 August Noel and Vencke Tatt celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Over 90 of their family, family friends and Rotarians including Sue and I attended a very enjoyable lunch at the home of Jarle and Diane to join then in their Celebrations.

Sue and I were invited to the Rotaract Club of Canterbury for a Garden Party on Sunday 8 August at the home of Jarle and Diane Tatt. The Rotary Club of Canterbury Sunrise is promoting the formation of this club, together with District Rotaract Officer Richard Blackman. It was a very pleasant afternoon and raised over £500 for their charities. As I have said Rotaract is good for the young people, they enjoy the Service and the friendships and good for Rotary, more prospective Rotarians.

On Monday 9 August I visited the Rotary Club of Rye and Winchelsea. The club meets in a rather pleasant Tennis club in Rye. For a small club they have a packed programme of events both social and fund raising. The club will encourage members to become Sustaining Members for Foundation and apply for a District Grant. The members realise they need to recruit more people into Rotary, for the Service the provide and as the President says, “to enjoy themselves”.

On Tuesday 10 August I visited the Rotary Club of Gillingham. The Golf Club is an excellent venue and the food was delicious. This is one of the clubs who appoint a host for visitors and I was looked after very well. The Club has a good programme in place, intends to apply for a District Grant for a joint project with their Contact clubs and will trying to establish an Interact Club in a local school.

On Wednesday 11 August I visited the Rotary Club of Sidcup. Sidcup are celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year. Many of the clubs activates are aimed at promoting this event. The club Assembly report shows how well they are prepared for this Rotary year. The clubs aims to use the celebrations to promote Rotary in the area, to recruit and retain members and to promote Interact and other Youth activates. They intend to be involved in planting Crocuses for Rotary Day and to apply for a District Grant from Foundation. A local newspaper photographer attended the meeting to take pictures to promote their “Walks in Kent “ book in the local press. This again to promote Rotary and their fund Raising activities.

On the 11 in the evening I visited the Rotary Club of Orpington at the Chelsfield Lakes Golf Centre. Although again only a small club in numbers they are very active in their community. They intend to increase the membership by 3 this Rotary year, support Rotary Day and host the Vocational Group Study Exchange team from Kerala, They intend to work with other clubs in the area on a joint project and apply for a Grant for the project. The main aim of the President is as he said to promote and maintain “the fun, fellowship and fundraising “ in the club.

Many Clubs are responding to the appeal for humanitarian assistance for the Pakistan flood disaster. Sponsoring Shelter Boxes and Aqua Boxes are just two of the ways Rotarians can assist. For more information visit the ribi web - site. District Webmaster David Kirsch-Mills circulated details of the links to the RIBI site to all club Presidents earlier this week.



  

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