When I took office in July last year, I was told that the year would fly past. It has, and the last few months in particular. Since my last letter we have held a variety of social events from a visit to the Ulster Museum in April; hosting a visit from 21 Rotarians from the Kingston on Thames Club in early May; a walk along the Lagan with supper at the Lockkeeper’s Inn; a day out to visit the Dublin Club and a well attended President’s night at Royal Belfast Golf Club. All these have promoted fun and fellowship within the Club and with others and have been made possible by the hard work of the social committee under the direction of Doris Houston.
The Volcanic Ash cloud unfortunately cast its shadow over some of our activities in April, with the cancellation of our trip to the RIBI “Magic conference “ in Bournemouth and preventing RIBI President Fowler’s planned visit to the Club on 17th May to meet our TABU team. Fortunately the cloud lifted and the visit to Stormont, on Tuesday 18th, was able to go ahead and allowed a group from the Club and District to join with RIBI President David on a guided tour of the building and Assembly in action, concluding in a meeting with the First Minister, Peter Robinson. Thank to PPs Courtenay and Derek for all their hard work in organising the visit.
President’s Night in June gave me the opportunity to present, on behalf of the Club, a well earned Paul Harris award to PP Derek Baxter for his Rotary Service, in particular his recent work with Foundation which contributed towards the Chris Croft Award for Best Overall Performance for Foundation, being presented to the Club by District.
I am delighted to report that the Centenary Spectacles Appeal has now topped 79,000 compared to the 60,000 reported last year.
June also saw our annual Kids Out Day at Belfast Zoo where members of the Club joined with the children from Mitchell House to see the animals. A great day was had by all.
Our speakers over the last few months have included Maeve Kyle on her Olympic experience; Cliodna Craig, Common purpose; Alvin McKinley Chief Executives Forum; Brian Hurrel, Ulsterbus tours; and Will Chamberlain from the Belfast Community Circus. However pride of place must go to the report back from both our TABU team and our Youth Leadership Regional Finalists which were excellent.
Our Thursday meetings have continued successfully, with the first main Club meeting being held at the Radisson in the week that the delegation visited the Dublin Club. Our website has also recently brought us another international visitor, Dr. Dilip K. Das Biswas, PP of the Rotary Club of Asansol Greater, R.I District 3240, India, who joined in our meeting.
Our best wishes to Marnette Lyons who steps down after three years as an Assistant District Governor and to Maurice Brooks who commences his term as Assistant District Governor.
As I come to the end of a full and enjoyable year, I now appreciate more the significance of the Rotary slogan “One profits most who serves best” or put another way, the more you put into something, the more you get out. I can certainly vouch for this during my year in office. My thanks to all Club members for your support.
I believe that the Rotary theme during my year of office, The future of Rotary is in your hands, is an ongoing challenge for Rotarians and I have every confidence as we look forward to our Centenary year that we as a Club, will continue to rise to the challenge.
Yours in Rotary
President Arthur Boyd's Annual Report 2009/10 can be seen here
The President's Message ~ Easter 2010 can be seen here
The President's Message ~ Christmas 2009 can be seen here
The President's Message ~ October 2009 can be seen here
The President's Message ~ July 2009 can be seen here
The President's Message ~ June 2009 can be seen here
President Courtenay Thompson's Annual Report 2008/09
can be seen here
The President's Message ~ April 2009 can be seen here
The President's Message ~ March 2009 can be seen here