International Service


Chairman’s Report AGM This was Shamim Govani’s first report as International Service Chairman. She chose to do this with an informative PowerPoint presentation.


She began by making the point that Inner Wheel is not a chequebook organisation but a hands-on group. She showed a list of the numerous and varied items which had been collected for international charities in the course of the year. Among these were hearing aids and spectacles, demonstrating that there is still a huge amount of use in items we no longer require.


Courage and stamina to work abroad was necessary and Shamim cited the examples of Marion Tasker and Angela Williams. Marion’s work of helping the production of sanitary wear for girls and Angela’s visit to provide help for visually impaired pupils in schools in Gambia were both examples of such stamina. The appalling statistics are that 37 million people are affected by blindness in Africa with another 102 million at risk.


Shamim felt that her visit to Kampala in October had been wonderful on a personal level and because of the generosity of Inner Wheel, she had been able to provide six months’ supply of plastic gloves and sterilising tablets for Sanyu Babies’ Home. Her visit there had really shown the core values of love - for these often abandoned children. She had visited Water Aid’s office, but time had prevented her


Constitution Committee Report


Betty Roberts was pleased to give her second report to Conference in her three-year convenorship. As time was marching on, she wondered if she should cut bits of her report out or talk quickly! However, although she felt that her committee was the Cinderella of the Association, since most phone calls or emails from clubs were when problems arise, making her feel sometimes more like an Agony Aunt, she felt it important that clubs be aware that the Constitution Committee is there to help them when required.


The variety of queries is endless and fascinating and often requires a little pink elastic to create wriggle room and find a solution. We must move with the times and create more publicity for our organisation. If this requires a slight adjustment to the rules, it could help promote our organisation. In addition, the results of debating and voting on General Motions can raise awareness of concerns to the Government and the Republic of Ireland administration.


This year a lot of the committee’s efforts went into further considering the proposals for the Melbourne Convention. They try to look at this in terms of the whole of International Inner Wheel but in fact can only make suggestions to the members as to how to vote.


The review of the Pink Guide is ongoing. The changes will soon appear on the Association website so clubs should


access the website and edit their guide. In co-operation with the Membership and Development Committee ways of expanding membership and the creation of new types of clubs, perhaps i-clubs, are still being considered as is a way of helping struggling clubs. Certainly, if we do not try these things we will not succeed in keeping our Association alive and vibrant.


Of course, The Data Protection Act will soon come fully in to force. Betty said there is no need to worry about this as all data will be held securely at Warwick Square and further details would be forthcoming.


Betty then thanked the Governing Body, Melanie, Helen and Cassie at Warwick Square and her committee members for their help and consideration then introduced her committee to conference.


Fiona Marwick


from visiting sites. The great thing about Water Aid was that whenever they found problems, perhaps with a well, they remedied it immediately thus helping to prevent the spread of diseases such as cholera. Once all was working, the Government could take over the running of that well. In Inner Wheel we should be looking at sustainable projects in the same way as Rotary has done.


Leave a Lasting Legacy certainly sums up the Organisation’s attitude to International Service. Shamim explained that for her, this day was her New Year and thanked everyone for their support in a time of mistrust for some well-known charities. We must not stop giving because of a few rotten apples! Shamim acknowledged her committee, Val Pascoe, Valerie Redfern and Nanette Thomson who was indisposed.


Dorothy Cree


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Innerwheel


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