Community Service Activities

Service defines Rotary's character; whether local or international, it promotes Rotary's appeal and visibility in the community, and is the reason Rotary continues to grow.

Community service responds to the needs of a local community. Rotary clubs should determine top priorities for service projects by first learning about a community's needs and assets, and then developing a response that addresses them.

1. Following a recent talk by Mrs Jude Richardson on behalf of the Samaritan’s, the Community Service Committee wished to support the local branch with a donation. The sum of £500 was proposed to go toward equipping their operations room with new chairs.

2. In response to a request for financial help from a Mr Ian Baker, who has formed a band at the Methodist Church in Gorleston, the Committee propose making a donation of £181 which would cover the cost of 4 drum stands they badly needed.

3. As reported at Club Council in March, the 901 Marine Cadets had requested help with funds to purchase equipment (six tents) and following a visit by a member of Community Service it was agreed to propose a donation of £269.94 (being the sum quoted by Millets for these items).

4. The work of the Alzheimer’s Organisation had been brought to the attention of Community Service and the Committee felt they would like to assist this group in some way. A proposal of a donation of £500 was put forward to be presented to the local branch, either for equipment or toward the day-to-day running costs.

Michael Woods then formerly proposed the above donations en-bloc, which was seconded by Bob Price and carried by Council.

At the A.G.M.of April 28^th these 4 proposals were put to the Membership en-bloc. They were seconded by Mike Butcher and carried by a majority of those present.

In March the Chairman reported to Council that he had visited the Samaritan premises situated in North Quay in relation to the opening of the operations room as part of their refurbishment programme. Several weeks ago a volunteer from the Samaritan’s talked to the Club and much interest was generated by the members in relation to this organisation. The Community Service Committee discussed this project and agreed to support this programme by way of equipment to the sum of £500. The Chairman is in contact with the local co-ordinator Paul Kelf who has informed him that they desperately require new chairs for their training room and are currently seeking quotes for this equipment. These quotes will be presented at the businesses meeting by the Chairman.

The Committee has received a letter from Ian Baker who has formed a band at the Methodist Church in Gorleston with funding from the Norfolk County Council and Broadland Radio. This group has a membership of 15 and hope to increase this to around 24. The age group ranges between 10 and 16 years. This is another opportunity for young people to engage in an activity rather than roaming around the streets. The Chairman has visited the group and has spoken to Ian Baker concerning his request for funding. Many of the instruments are second hand and they are in desperate need of 4 drum stands. They have been to the Drum Centre in Bells Road Gorleston and have been quoted £181.00 to purchase such items. (The Chairman is in possession of the quote and will present this at the business meeting)The Committee agreed this was worth funding and approved the acquisition of 4 drum stands.

The Troop 901 Marine Corps has made contact with our Committee asking for help in the purchasing of 6 Tents. Colin Brooks has visited this group and reported back stating that they are members of the Norfolk Voluntary Youth Service with no MOD support and are rated with the Sea Cadets. They raise money by way of local fundraising initiatives and continues to need new equipment to replace their aging stock. Colin was of the opinion that this was a very worthy cause. The troop’s age is from 11 years to 14 years and they meet twice a week at the Flegg High School . The Committee agreed to support the purchase of 6 tents and have been forwarded a quote from Millets totalling £269.94 for the said items.

It has been brought to the attention of the Committee the work undertaken by the Alzheimer’s Organisation not only offering help to the patient but to the carers as well. The committee felt that this may be a case whereby no specific piece of equipment is required and that the local group may make more use of a monetary gift which ultimately benefits the people affected by the illness. The members agreed to make contact with the group to establish if any equipment was needed. The members felt that it would be more beneficial at this stage to agree to support in principle a financial amount at the meeting and all those present were unanimous in proposing that £500 should be the figure identified for this organisation. If in the event no equipment was needed the money would be given to the local branch to assist the day to day operations of the group.

At the last Council Meeting the Chairman announced that John Clark was researching the possibility of taking a group of children to Thursford this coming Christmas. I am pleased to inform the meeting that a school has been identified and together with John Wiseman a meeting will be arranged with the school in question to move this idea a step further.

1 As a result of a recent visit by Ian Semmons from the Charity ‘Action Against Pain’ the Committee felt this organisation story was worthy of some financial support. The members wanted to help by donating £200 pounds to this charity and seek council approval for this proposal’

2 The Committee has received a request from ---------------------------- Club based in Great Yarmouth for help in purchasing a specialist piece of Bingo Equipment similar to that obtained for the Vauxhall Club. Victor has visited the club and has reported back to the Committee with the view that this project should be supported. The club members themselves have raised £50.00 and require a further £150 to make the purchase. Therefore we would seek council approval to finance the remaining £150.

3 I have received a letter from the Samaritans requesting funding for their refurbishment programme at their premises situated at North Quay. This matter was discussed at length at our recent committee meeting and whilst the members felt they would like to help it was agreed that more mileage might be gained by asking a representative to talk to the club and this would give the members the chance to ask questions. I recently attended an open evening and was most impressed with their work and their desire to refurbish this very old building. I have written to the Samaritans to try and secure a speaker for early April.

4 We have also had requests for funds to help the 901 Marine Cadets and the Eastern Spirit Show Corps to purchase various items of kit. It was agreed by our Committee that further enquiries would be made into these organisations and this has been allocated to two of the members who will report back in due course.

5 John Clark has placed an idea before our members that involves taking underprivileged children / learning difficulties to the Children’s Christmas event at Thursford this coming December. He has obtained literature of the event and felt that whist much more research had to be done he thought that in principle it would be worth considering. John Wiseman agreed to make enquires at his local school to establish the response to the idea within the school. There would of course be a cost element for the club but I would like to iterate that this is, at the moment is in the early stages of research and we will approach this Council once more details have been gathered. This is for information only.

6 At our recent meeting John Tomalin agreed to be the new co-ordinator for ‘Kids Out’. John will be taking over from John Burroughs.

The picture below shows Chairman of Community Services, Robert Lovick , handing over two of three wheel chairs to DIAL's Chairman John Watt at their AGM On Tuesday , situated at Beacon House, Northgate Hospital. DIAL is an information and advice centre for disabled people and with limited resources, relies heavily on the voluntary sector to run its service. One of the chairs which is the thinnest one is especially light and can be folded up quite small for easy storage when travelling, and will assist those who find it difficult to lift the normal wheelchairs.

This evening the members of the Great Yarmouth Haven Rotary Club were hosts to the Elderly and Handicapped citizens from various areas of the borough. They were taken on their annual shopping evening at ASDA. After their escorted shopping spree, they enjoyed a cup of tea or coffee and a mince pie. The Club gave each person a Xmas gift of chocolates.

Enjoying the cup of tea and mince pie. Members fighting over the last mince pie !