2 December
This was our first concerted effort at the Netherthird Community Fair. We had the usual variety of goodies on the table as prizes, each marked with a ticket number ending in 0 or 5. But our secretary Dave Perriman had discovered a new way to “sell” the tickets.
Gone were the variety of books with different colours of raffle tickets to be sold singly or in strips of 5, then to be carefully separated and folded up and put in a pail, and then offered to customers to select in a lucky dip. This laborious system was replaced by an iPad programmed to select numbers at random, and the participants could press the button to start the process. Simples! Modern, new technology, more interactive and more appealing to the younger generation(s) – and quicker! We were able to finish earlier, helped in the latter stages by giving winners the choice of prizes, and selling “job lots” to help clear the deck!
8 December
The club was well represented by members at the funeral of Dee Dutta who had joined the club in 2021. Sadly Dee’s time with the club had been affected by ill health, and he had not been able to make the contribution he was capable of and would have wanted to do. He will be sadly missed.
12 December
We had an attendance of 17 for our Christmas meeting, including three guests – Sue Dutta, Effie and Alison McGhee.
After an excellent meal, we had invited Reverend John Paterson to give his thoughts on the Christmas message. He said that it was natural at this time of year to be excited and enthusiastic about the holiday and looking forward to the celebrations, feasting, social outings and presents, but it was also a time to think of others. Giving as well as receiving was so central to the spirit of Christmas. He commended the ethos of the Rotary movement- Service above Self.
He was thanked for his comments and President Jim Kyle reminded members that this year’s main charity being supported by this club, the Honeypot Respite Centre for young carers, was also now being supported by one or two other Rotary clubs in the Ayrshire group., and that the money we raise would be doubled by a “mystery donor”.
We then proceeded to the club raffles. There was a special prize which had been donated to the club and was restricted to members who put in £5 each. The prize was won by Jim Kyle.
Other prizes had been donated by all members and raffle tickets were on sale to everyone. There were 9 or 10 happy winners on the night.
After the conclusion of the meeting, those attending were able to relax and socialise with others. An enjoyable evening to see out 2023.