Our quarterly District Forum was held on Saturday 18th March in Yeovil and was attended by 90 members of our District. For the first time 14 of these were viewing proceedings online.
A quorum of voting clubs was in attendance (37 out of 45 clubs). Accounts for the Rotary year ended 30th June 2023 and budgets for the Rotary year 2023-34 had been circulated to all clubs in advance of the meeting. Voting Club members were invited to vote to adopt both these documents and the voting was as follows.
Account for the year ended 30th June 2023 – unanimously agreed
Budgets for the Rotary year 2023-34 – unanimously agreed.
DGE Stuart Gilbert advised members of a proposal to hold the 2024 Conference as a regional cluster event together with Handovers for all 4 districts, on 28-30 June at Sandy Park, Exeter. This proposal was agreed unanimously.
District Project Showcase
46 Marathons in 46 days – Rachel Goodfellow , Sherborne Castles Club
Rachel gave a heart felt presentation on the story behind her project to organise and run this district wide fund raising events. As a mother of a special needs child Rachel knows only too well how hard it is to talk to others and be heard when obtaining the support needed for special needs children. So she set up the Hidden Needs Trust to give a voice to these parents and children, and she became their main fundraiser with here first 26 marathons event to raise funds for them.
Rachel’s other passion is Rotary, she is about to become club president for the third time, and is well aware of the amazing hummantiarian work done by The Rotary Foundation and is keen to raise funds to support this work.
Rachel is running for both these Charities which are so important to her, so click here to find out how you can support her.
Rotary Shop, Rotary in Frome – Norman Elmer, Frome Club
The Rotary Shop in Frome is a fantastic success story for the town, and is a significant source of charitable funds for local organisations in Frome. The shop first opened 9 years ago and has moved premises on a number of occasions since, taking over empty shops and each time providing a bigger and better retail experience which has become increasingly popular in the town. In 2022 alone the shop distributed £172k in the local area.
There are three Rotary clubs in the town, the original Frome club, Frome Selwood and Frome Town. all of whom are actively involved in the running of the shop. The current location in Westway Shopping Centre is the largest yet and provides a spacious shop floor, no clothes but a lot of furniture, books, bedding and other household items. Below stairs donations are sorted, repaired and made ready for the retail area which is open for 4 days each week, Wednesday to Saturday.
Run entirely by volunteers, Rotarians and friends, and by using unoccupied shops in the town, this is a formula where everyone is a winner.
Other Rotary Business
Other items of Rotary projects in our district were discussed including updates on various projects including:
Ukraine – how our district is supporting the people of Ukraine – Stan Jones
The Rotary Foundation – sustaining members – Richard Brind
Supporting Turkey’s earthquake victims – Stan Jones
Youth Projects – District finals for Youth Speaks, Young Chef, Young Musician and RYLA update
New club opening – Satellite club of Weston Bay – Guy Parkinson
Polio update – no new cases this year, but polio is only a plane ride away – Keith Barnard-Jones
If you wish to know more about any of the above please contact the person or club named.
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