DISTRICT 1260 INTERNATIONAL WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICES
Half-yearly Meeting 

Tilsworth Golf Centre, 30 Oct 2003, 7.30 for 8 p.m.
Report by Guru Guruswamy, Member of the Committee

The meeting was attended by about 30 people, including DG John Hopkins, DG elect Janet Peirce, Les Lee (member of the RIBI International Committee) and Sandra Maizels (Dist Innerwheel Overseas Services Chairman). There was a strong representation from Buckingham

Speakers included Charles Chaney (Aylesbury Hundred) and Alan Mills (Ware) about their club projects and Bob Shah (Luton North) on making donations tax efficient. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Cathy Fox, Chairman of the International Committee welcomed the attendees and speakers. She reminded the clubs to take a package containing newsletters and information on aquabox etc.

2. DISTRICT 1260's ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2002-03

Base on the hard wok done by Les, Guru presented a summary using  a set of five slides which have been reproduced in the section on "How are we doing? / Matrix summary". Les Lee's comprehensive report based on responses from 41* out of 55 clubs (75%) is also on this site. 

Contribution can be seen in three sections:

a. £23k towards RIBI Library projects ... probably £31k on a pro-rata basis.
b. £25.5k towards Club International Projects (World community service) .. probably around £34k on a pro-rata basis.
    Total of (a) and (b) amount to £48.5k .... probably £65k in total. These should be seen in the light of  Clubs' activities in the context of other International activities:
c. Polio eradication (£112k), Rotary Foundation (~£40k), Inner Wheel District Overseas Work (£7.5 towards Hope and Homes) etc.

[These notes include a slight revision on figures presented at the meeting].

3. CLUB CASE STUDY - PROJECT IN EASTERN EUROPE

Charles Chaney outlined how his club, Aylesbury Hundreds, have been involved historically in Belarus area - clothing through the Chernobyl connection, drugs through Aylesbury Town, and delivery of a working ambulance. 

They are now concerned with an hospice for children for about 50 people - as there is still a  fall out from the Chernobyl disaster. They may well have to cater for some of the family as well. They will be channelling their efforts via a Matching Grant. They have club funds of about £3k and expect to get a similar amount from their twin club in France. They will apply for the DDF (District Dedicated Fund). They are working with two clubs in Minsk area.

4. CLUB CASE STUDY - PROJECT IN SIERRA LEONE

Alan Mills of Ware club shared his club's experience. He has been involved with Sierra Leone through a strong connection with a local church and because of his shipping experience in exports.   

Sierra Leone is the poorest country in the world, and it has been going through a number of civil wars over 10 years. Hope and Homes were already operating there. Their implementing partner in Sierra Leone is Help a Needy Child International (HANCI). The president of Rotary Club of Freetown, Dr Nemata Eshun-Baiden, was in London in Sep 2002, and they agreed to support the following two projects:

The project value is around £3.4k. Alan said that their Matching Grant application is stuck at Evanston as they are asking for suppliers' names etc to ensure that the best price was obtained! he said he was looking ofrward to the next subject on the agenda...

5. UPDATES ON MATCHING GRANTS - THE EASY WAY

To the pleasant surprise of many who were expecting a detailed step by step approach, Cathy Fox said that one needs to just pick the phone and talk to Bernard Pritchard, Chairman of the District's Foundation Committee.

6. SPARROW MINISTRY OF HOPE - JOHANNESBURG, S. AFRICA

Guru gave an update on the project that has the support of several clubs in the District, on behalf of Berkhamsted Club. The relevant speakers had just returned from S.Africa and could not make it to the meeting. 

Details of their previous presentation are on this website. Further information and details which were distributed at an earlier meeting are also available on this site, as Club Case study.

7. TAX-EFFICIENT DONATION

Bob Shah gave some tips on how we can enhance our contribution by taking advantage of tax refunds for Charities. He said that he would be willing to share his knowledge with the clubs.

 

Cathy Fox concluded the meeting by thanking everyone who attended. 

Report by

Guru Guruswamy
Nov 2003

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