APRIL 2024
Tuesday 2
Only 8 in attendance tonight with no speaker. Attention was focussed on recent and future events.
It was reported that the Ladies Day had made a profit of over £1000, and that Troon Rotary had raised over £4000 from their Fiddler’s Rally, which was attended by some of our office-bearers. Profits are being donated to the Honeypot Respite Centre through the Kilt Walk arrangements. It is expected that 3 or 4 of our members will participate in the Kilt Walk.
Arrangements for the Quiz Night are still to be made.
Jim Wilson, our Sports Organiser, asked members if a revival of an Indoor Bowling event would be supported. Some interest was shown but getting sufficient participants could be a problem.
Our club raffle was won by Dave Perriman.
Tuesday 16
We had an attendance of 11 to hear our invited speaker, the District Governor, Narek Bido. In a wide ranging talk, he spoke of the challenges facing Rotary in the UK, but also of the opportunities.
He congratulated the club for having developed one of the best websites in the District.
The quality of Rotary’s communication with members and the public is crucial to its development and expansion. He also praised the idea of partnership between clubs, and pointed to the links with Alloway and others in our Honeypot Respite Centre fundraising campaign.
With regard to a question about ways to increase membership, he suggested that instead of just inviting prospective members to meetings, we should give them the chance to be involved in the delivery of some practical service to the community. This could be taking part in a local clean-up campaign, helping to run a charity function, or serving in a food bank or clothes shop, as well as taking part in fund raising activities.
Encouraging the young was important for the future, and the Interact scheme was discussed. He suggested that getting the cooperation of school authorities could best be achieved by enlisting some young people currently or previously involved to speak to the school’s management.
The club’s raffle was won by Iain Christie.
Tuesday 30
Reports were given by those who attended the annual Scottish Kilt Walk at the weekend in and around Glasgow. Jim Kyle, Gerald Alexander and Dave Perriman were the Rotarians who participated accompanied by 3 family members. Figures are still to be finalised, but sponsorship monies raised together with donations and top-ups means that the Honeypot Respite Centre will benefit to the extent of well over a £1000.
Our scheduled Quiz Night has so far had 6 teams wishing to take part, more are expected.
Members were reminded about our scheme to save up and donate loose coins on a regular basis to the club’s fundraising efforts.
Congratulations to Secretary Dave who was awarded the Cumnock Citizen of the Year at a ceremony in Dumfries House.
Monday Rambles
April 1 – Boswell House. From the car park, down through the wooded area , and exploring the less accessible spots, including the disused bridge and the ruins of a former Boswell House, and back to the cafe.
April 8 – Netherthird. From the Centre down to Caponacre and around the outskirts of the industrial scheme and back to the cafe.
April 15 _ Rained off.
April 22 - Ayr. Parking at the sea front, a small group of 4 headed along the promenade to the Ayr Harbour, at times battling against the prevailing wind, return to the car park and the cafe to warm up.
April 29 - Dumfries House. An even smaller group of 3 returned to Dumfries House estate for a short visit, and were rewarded with gifts of seed potatoes from the gardens.