This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
A A


message from the President


s I sit writing my final article


as your President I have to try to make sense of a year which has been filled with activities


and somehow make a self assessment as to whether I managed to achieve what I set out to do. As I look back at the notes I used at last year’s club assembly my first thought is that I think I achieved most of my goals but not all of them. I said in my speech that I hoped I would be a listening President who would do what the members wanted. After all, the club is not the plaything of the President, it belongs to the membership. I know I listened but it was not long before I found out that on some occasions action was required and that I was expected to make decisions that would not always meet with the approval of every member. In making those decisions I always tried to think of what is the best for the club and whether I am being even handed.


A A


I


ll I can say is that in making my decisions I did fulfil another of my


pledges that I would always endeavour to do my best for the club. You will have to be the judge of whether I achieved my goal.


s President you get to see what everybody does and it is quite revealing.


There is so much more going on than most members realise with unsung heroes doing things that many of us are unaware of, just getting on with it as they saying goes.


am so pleased to say that all the activities we have undertaken so far have been


successful and this is not by luck. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the committees and organising chairs for all their hard work and support in driving forward their projects and ideas. I am aware that these leaders do rely heavily on the support of their committee members and the club as a whole, so I take this opportunity to thank all of the members who have helped in any way be it big or small.


O


ur club membership has remained remarkably stable and I was delighted to induct two new members, Bob and Christine,


during my year. This aspect of Rotary has got to be a concern for all of us during the coming years. In a recent survey which I have just completed for RI you will be interested but not shocked by the following information about our club membership statistics. Age (number of Active members) 29 and younger-Nil.30 to 49-Nil 50 to59 – Two 60 to 69- Sixteen and 70 and older-26. Length of membership- less than 1 year- One 1 to 2 years- Two 3 to 5 years- Three 6 to 10 years – Eight and More than 10 years- Thirty.


I I


think you will all agree we must all try to encourage some new members of whatever


age, it is enthusiasm and energy we want, age is irrelevant.


T


he best bit of the Presidential year for me is not the functions and special activities,


as important as they are, but the fellowship and fun we continue to have at our weekly meetings. Whatever our disagreements, and there are not many of those, it is the fellowship which is at the heart of our club and long may it continue as we begin our weekly journey at 1pm. precisely.


am also delighted with the continued success of our work through the Inter Club


Group- This is what Rotary is and should be about. Working with like minded people who put Service above Self.


O F


n a very personal level I thank all the members who took up the reins when I


had my recent health scare. It rather took the wind out of my sails and I lost a little bit of momentum during those few weeks when I was required to take things more easily and thanks to all those who stepped in to keep things going. I appreciate all the good wishes I received and continue to receive and the support that was there when needed.


inally I should like to thank Janet for all her support. It has not always been easy


for her as she too has had to fit in all those activities and jobs that are required of the Inner Wheel President, a wife, mother and grandmother.


George Larkey 3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49