District 1120 Newsletter

District 1120 Newsletter
June
2014
It’s DG Chris, but not as you know him!
It’s
Sorry, I could not resist this happy picture of
Chris Barnett at the Medway Dragon Boat
Regatta in May. As you can see everyone
was in a holiday mood. He participated,
paddling with AG Brian Portway on the
Medway Towns Rotaract boat – RotorArk.
Another boat – General Gordon – was
sponsored by RC Northfleet with Ebbsfleet,
who won the ‘best fancy dress’, all dressed
as Pocohontas – yes, really!
Message from DG
This is my last monthly message as District Governor and a number of people have asked if I’m
looking forward to handing over as DG at the end of the month. The truth is that although I’m
looking forward to a break, I will miss being District Governor. Of course it’s a demanding role but
thoroughly enjoyable. The last twelve months have been stimulating, interesting and above all
enjoyable as have the two years leading up to taking office.
This is in large measure to the welcome and generous hospitality Gloria and I have received when
we’ve joined you for Club meetings and events arranged by Clubs throughout this lovely District of
East Sussex, Kent and South London. Our geographic and Rotary horizons have been broadened.
We’ve met fascinating and dedicated Rotarians who individually and collectively do amazing and
extraordinary things. We have been amazed at the range and extent of Rotary activity in our District
We thank you sincerely for this.
It’s been a pleasure to charter two Interact Clubs at Maidstone and Whitstable courtesy of
Maidstone Riverside and Whitstable Clubs. Add this to the recent Charter of the Medway Towns
Rotaract Club, the combined efforts of the Medway Clubs, led by Medway Sunlight and a Rotakids
Club sponsored by the Dover Club and close on 80 young people together with their parents have
been introduced to the Rotary family and ethos. Recently I signed the 100th letter of welcome to a
new Member so you have worked hard to sustain this fantastic organisation which we value and
want to ensure its continuity.
We wish DGE Martin and Wendy Williams all the best for the exciting year which awaits them and I
know that like us they will have a great time as they travel through the District. This will be thanks to
you who make Rotary happen.
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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I said at the District Council in May that I like to think that I hand over to Martin, a District in good
heart, well run and equipped to rise to the challenges next year. All of the progress we have made is
only possible with your support. It’s been a privilege and pleasure serving as District Governor and I
thank you all.
Best wishes,
Chris
The District Foundation Committee
Eleven clubs applied in March and April for a Rotary Foundation grant from the remaining $3,815 of
the block grant to D1120 and four equal grants were awarded. A grant from an earlier award was
returned and this was used to support another applicant. District Grant awards were approved, as
follows:
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Dover- large music festival to build social inclusion and regeneration in local community
Hythe- small farm facilities for food and income generation in Uganda
Eastbourne AM- community support over weekend for local young people with physical and
learning difficulties
Rochester- improving access for residents to water from village well in Romania
Orpington Crofton-Improving educational facilities for pupils in rural Nepal.
The grants committee, in making awards, took into account the community benefits of the projects
and the Rotary participation.
My thanks are due to all clubs for their interest in Rotary Foundation District Grants, which will be
available again during the early part of the new Rotary year.
Ivan Chapman
RC Bromley
District Grants Sub Committee Chair
More Foundation Items on page 4……………
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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District Governor Nominee Ray Dixon
Further to my report at District Council can I remind members:
IT Review - I am carrying out an IT Review covering all aspects of IT including
communication, website, online booking, and social media. I aim to report to the September
Council meeting and would appreciate any comments to aid with my investigation /
proposals
2015/16 AGs - The proposal to increase the number of AGs in 2015/16 to 10 was approved
this should make the role more workable, effective and achieve clubs working clusters.
However, please start thinking now for nominations for AGs in your area, elections will soon
be upon us. I will be tabling the proposed new areas soon.
Chamber of Commence - We are now corporate members of the Kent Invicta Chamber of
Commerce and can nominate our representatives and we are looking for working Rotarians
in the area to represent us can you recommend anyone?
Youth Exchange - The Proposal for a Short Term Youth Exchange with District 7610, Virginia,
USA in 2016 met with a favourable response and we are now looking into the practicalities.
If you have children / grandchildren who might be interested please get in touch.
Budget - I have already held a meeting with Treasurer Beverly re the 2015/16 District
Budget to have a draft budget for the September Council meeting. Pleaee let me have any
comments proposals that you would like incorporated.
Conference 2015 - The Hermitage Head Office Hotel booked for the District Conference
2015 in Bournemouth any club wishing to take places in the hotel please contact Margaret
Keenan.
Gibraltar - Following the recent RI Board Meeting in Sydney I am delighted to add my
welcome to the RC of Gibraltar the newest club in District 1120. We have a long association
which has now been formalised and I look forward to them playing an active role within our
District.
PHF – And finally a big thank you for the
presentation of the PHF Sapphire which I
received at the Council meeting. I feel truly
honoured to receive this for my part in the
Romanian children’s project which ultimately
achieved such a fantastic result.
(Also on D 1120 FaceBook page – Ed.)
Ray Dixon
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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Foundation Grant Seminars
The Rotary Foundation is the source for matching funds for your project perhaps and if you are
considering a Global grant then your project could be of $30,000 or more in size. It’s a lot of money
and a well prepared application will help to secure it. But it is also money that has been donated by
Rotarians all around the world, so to gain access you must first understand a little more about
Foundation. It is our duty to enable clubs to do this through providing Foundation grant Seminars
and in 14/15 there shall be four from which you can choose to attend. Last year we saw over 30
people at each one which are typically held in the evening with a dinner. Dates this year are planned
for :
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15th July in the Bromley area
23rd September in The Thanet area
25th October in Eastbourne at Conference
12th November near Tunbridge Wells
Venues and costs will be announced shortly, but I think we can guarantee you a value for money
evening.
A Song for the Eradication of Polio – ‘Through the Centuries’
There is a brand new song available that with your support could help us in the final push towards
the eradication of Polio. An emerging band called Mashville with members from the Rotary Club of
Canterbury Sunrise in D1120, have released their first album which contains a special track called
‘Through the Centuries’ all about Rotary and our fight for the eradication of Polio. You can listen to
the track and watch the video on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgA7FGct3uw .
It is catchy, it is thought provoking it is potential gold for the end polio cause.
But we don’t just want you to watch and listen. We need you to go onto iTunes and download it to
your PC, Laptop, tablet and phone. But…. we don’t want you to download it until the 10 days
commencing on July 14th 2014! Why wait? Because if we all download it in the same week, it will
stand a very good chance of finding its way into the UK top 20. Now, if you do not know how to
download from iTunes, then get your children, your grandchildren, or great grandchildren on the
case, because they will almost definitely know how! It is going to cost you just 79p per download and
you can do it as many times as you like and 59p per download goes to polio eradication. When a
song goes up the charts, it hits the radio play lists. New songs get artist interviews and all this means
promotion for Rotary.
Watch out for more details in the next newsletter just before download week. We are so close to the
end, and with your help we can speed up the time to the demise of polio on this planet.
Please support the cause with this so very simple and inexpensive 2 minute online task.
Thank you so very much.
Denis Spiller
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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District Rotary Foundation Committee
Summary of Community / Vocational committee
speaker
District Assembly 2014
Rotarian Steve Pattenden arose extremely early to come
from District 1260 (Bedfordshire) to give us an inspiring
introduction to the Community Emergency Support (CES)
project.
Steve was in Christchurch, NZ in Feb 2011 when a series of earthquakes struck and he
watched the tower from the top of their Cathedral crash to the ground, literally at his feet. He
was taken, along with thousands of over survivors, to an Assistance centre where they were
informed that technically they were Refugees – not something a ‘First Worlder’ ever expects
to be told.
Local authorities manned this Centre for the first few hours but when exhausted, Rotarians
took over! Their main role in that situation was to document these Refugees, so that the
authorities knew how many people they had for logistics, and who they were for repatriation
with one another etc.
In UK, while being relatively earthquake-free we have disasters of our
own. In Bedford in the Winter of 2009 - a water main froze and burst.
Water flowed into a nearby gas main which also froze and burst.
There was such an overload on the electricity supply (due to the
other utilities being out of action) that this system failed too. The
authorities’ emergency planners set up an Assistance centre to
provide food and shelter - for those living in England! In this case,
the local Council took over from the initial authorities but Steve saw the opening here for
Rotary UK. More recently, in the floods in Somerset 200 Rotarians every day arrived to
assist those affected.
So – what can Rotarians do?
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Man telephone lines (training will provided to do this and the work will be ‘out of area’ so that Rotarians
should not be personally involved (eg for a disaster in Scotland, our District might be invited to help).
Document those arriving at the Assistance centre – guidance will be given
Collect people from affected areas and taking them to safety (also involving our 4x4 volunteers)
Collect medicines for people from Pharmacies in a nearby area, not affected by the disaster
Safety of our Rotarians:
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We will not be asked to get involved in any rescue work or be placed in situations where we are at any
risk
Insurance is fully covered by both RIBI and the local authority (provided your assistance has been
requested through the CES channel and you haven’t just turned up to assist)
Please help us create a Bank of people to help our fellow countrymen!!
Your District contact is Hilary Brian [email protected] or 01227 781067
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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District Youth Committee
Brian Dunne has joined the District Youth committee, he is working to increase participation in the
RIBI Young Photographer competition, the flag for this event having been carried in recent times by
Dover, and (I think)Folkestone, Uckfield, and Westgate & Birchington. The downloadable forms are
currently on the RIBI site, and here is ‘the link’ for Club Youth Officers who would like to interest
Interact clubs, schools, and photography-minded individuals in their areas.
The Application form is included in the Young Photographer Information Pack 2014-15 on the
following hyperlink: http://members.ribi.org/committees/youth-service/competitions-for-youngpeople/ribi-young-photographer but this can only be accessed by members not the public!!
Marketing, P.R., and Communications
As there is half a page free let me fill it in with a few thoughts. After three years in the job I now
know much more about how the District works.
Which are the clubs who like to publicise
themselves, and those who are much more … circumspect.
This item, the Newsletter has perhaps been the surprise turn. When I agreed to take it on I saw it
more as the bulletin board for District Committees. It still does this, but has blossomed into a more
general bulletin for forthcoming club events too.
The Face Book page, if their figures are accurate continues to be read by more and more people
both within D 1120, and elsewhere. Likewise the News blog, especially as it is on the open page of
the District web site. I hope these will continue to grow as they are ‘our’ bulletin boards.
The press continue to have ’a view’ of Rotary and Rotarians that is unshakable. They will print club
releases, but are less interested in more general ‘county wide’ stories. Polio eradication remains a
difficult story to ‘sell’. As far as the British press generally are concerned (and there are exceptions),
because it no longer affects British people in England it is a non-story. Only when there are personal
interest stories of Rotarians working on an immunisation day in India from your home town will they
print it.
Rotary awareness-raising is the most important single thing we can all do, and changing the
perception of Rotary and Rotarians in our area is a job we can all continue to work on. Thanks to my
colleagues – the District officers, and my committee members, and for Club Press officers who have
sent me the material I have posted and published, it has worked. I hope you have enjoyed what we
produced.
I know that the web site, particularly the registration, is contentious, but it is working, and has only
been in operation for a little over a year. I trust it will continue, with all our help, to develop. And I
shall –no doubt, continue to serve in a marketing function, within Rotary.
Francis Hodge
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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The Club Section
Have two items they would like to offer to other clubs. Namely one open sleigh complete with
sound systems and trailer, I understand that it may need some attention.
Santa Sleigh.
And these! If you are thinking of holding a Duck Race, then this may solve your
requirement.
Plastic Ducks:
Please contact:
Geoff Cook, Rotary Club of Bromley, Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8776 2045
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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The Rotary Club of Senlac
22nd SENLAC
CLASSIC CAR SHOW
&
CRAFT FAYRE
BODIAM RECREATION GROUND
SUNDAY 15th June, 2014
10.00 am –5.00 pm
SPONSORED BY
SLM NISSAN  WESTRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
in aid of
Medical Detection Dogs  Hastings & Rother Samaritans
Yellowmen of Kadongdong
and other local Rotary charities
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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NEWS from Medway Clubs - bulletin sent in by MPRC member Jane Loder
The Medway Towns Rotaract Club had all hands on deck organising, planning and hosting their
special Charter Night. With an hour and a half available before show time, family members and
friends were recruited in the mad rush to turn St. Mary's Island Community Centre into a glamorous
1920s venue. With a vintage gramophone, roulette and blackjack tables, cocktail pyramid towers
and scrumptious buffet, guests were in for a treat. There was a great turnout from the Rotary family,
including special guests District Governor Chris Barnett and District Rotaract Officer Richard
Blackman, both accompanied by their wives. President Sonia Allen of Medway Sunlight Rotary was
Master of Ceremonies for the event and she, along with President of Medway Towns Rotaract, Esme
Butterworth, gave special thanks to the sponsoring Medway clubs for their continued support. Fun
was had by all and many left with not only raffle prizes but a fuzzy head too! The low prices for the
cocktails certainly went down a treat!
Medway Sunlight RC – Sunday 25th May 2015 - The sun shines down on a peaceful Chatham Marina.
The lovingly cared for Dunkirk Little Ships are bobbing gently on the water. The exhibitors at the
Medway Maritime Food and Drink Festival are opening for business and a few people are starting to
wander around looking at the tasty goodies on offer. Gradually, the crowds are swelled with men,
women and children in a variety of brightly-coloured outfits, the PA springs into life and everyone
turns to look at the water in Basin 2 and spot the dragon boats waiting to be filled with excited,
slightly anxious people.
14 teams with 16 or more people in a team plus their friends and family means the quayside is
teeming with happy smiling (some painted) faces and when the racing gets under way they’re all
shouting for their favourite team to do their best. Every team entered has 3 races so for the first
race, they’re just finding out how it all works but then with the second and third races they go all out
to get their best time – and wow did some of them improve. Tops the Lot only managed to
complete their first race in 1 minute, 24 seconds but improved hugely to 1 minute, 9 seconds next
time. Some of the boats went even faster – at least 2 of them completing their races in less than a
minute.
District Governor, Chris Barnett, took part too – he paddled, together with Assistant Governor Brian
Portway, on the boat called Rotar Ark, the Medway Towns Rotaract Club boat. Everyone in the
boats, paddlers and drummers, all came off the water muttering about co-ordination and vowing to
come back next year and do even better – they had such a wonderful time.
The final race between the 4 fastest boats – Windy Pandas, Long Arm of the Oar, Never Been In A
Boat and Kent Property Club – was fiercely competitive with just 0.04 of a second separating the
winners, Windy Pandas, from the Long Arm of the Oar.
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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Another winner from the racing was the boat sponsored by Rotary Club of Northfleet with Ebbsfleet,
called General Gordon as they were awarded the boat with the best fancy dress – all paddlers being
beautifully dressed as Pocahontas.
This was, of course, a charity event and we are delighted to say we have raised, through the dragon
draw, the magnificent human fruit machine and generous donations - a magnificent £1400. In
addition sponsorship is still coming in but has already reached a further £2000! If you would like to
sponsor these brave souls in aid of Rotary charities please visit:
https://mydonate.bt.com/events/dragonboatchallenge/131435
On 14th May 2014 Strood Rotary Club presented Higham Youth Club with equipment so that their
young people can participate in expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The popular
youth club has more than 100 members and has a team of young people who are eager to get
started on this globally recognised award. The equipment cost more than £2,200 and Strood
together with the assistance of a District Grant have provided tents, shelters, trangia stoves,
rucksacks, sleeping bags and liners, survival bags, crockery/sporks, inflatable roll-mats. Rotarians will
now be involved in training of the team in the safe use of the equipment. To achieve the award the
young people have to complete a personal programme of activities which are great fun can also help
when they are trying to secure employment or further education.
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS from Medway Clubs
Chatham RC is hosting the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner – Anne Barnes – on Wednesday,
16th July at Holiday Inn Rochester, 6.45 pm for 7.15 pm. Anne Barnes has offered to field questions.
All are welcome and if you would like to come along please let Margaret Keen know –
[email protected] .
A reminder that Medway RC are holding their Charity Beer Festival on Saturday, 5th July at Star
Meadow Sports Club in Gillingham.
Medway Sunlight RC are holding
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A Charity Quiz night on 21st June at Hempstead Junior School - £5 per person, bring your
own refreshments, in aid of JDRF
A Community Fete at Byron School on Saturday 28th June – if you know any charities or
community projects that would like a stall (£5) to raise money and awareness, please
contact Grace Kelly – [email protected]
A Glass Walking Challenge on Saturday 13th September at St Mary’s Island Community
Centre. Please contact Jane Loder – 07932 397016 for more details.
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Rotary Club of
Minster-On-Sea
When: 19th July 2014
Where:
Barton's Point. On the Isle of Sheppey
Contact:John Gurton [email protected]
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The District 1120 Newsletter is produced by the MPRC committee of this District, and distributed to club
secretaries for distribution to members. If you have material to be included please send it to:
The MPRC Chair – Peter Taffs, [email protected] for inclusion, before the end of the June. 3/6/14 - FH
District 1120 Newsletter – June 2014 - V2
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