Rotary Club of Chislehurst - President's Message

welcome
email the President		Welcome! Thank you looking at our website. And I hope that this might mean that you are contemplating joining Rotary or supporting us in some way. As you may know, Rotary's motto is 'Service above Self' and we are an exceptionally active and busy club, meeting this objective and having a lot of fun in doing so. All the monies raised are donated to good causes with three main fund-raising activities: our well-known Christmas Collection with Santa Claus in his sleigh is a familiar sight around Chislehurst and Mottingham the Fireworks in the Chislehurst Recreation Ground the Summer Fair on the Common.
These events are challenging but hugely rewarding and responsible for raising the money for many local and international causes for all ages and needs. Our hands-on services - running an event for the local schools, taking deprived local children to the Panto, organising teas and outings for the elderly of Chislehurst and Mottingham - are greatly appreciated and very enjoyable for us. Recently our other projects have included: donations to many, many local charities including Bromley Alzheimer Society, local scouts groups, Kent Air Ambulance, local Riding School for the Disabled, Harris HospisCare and Bromley Young Carers. donation to Help for Heroes to provide phone cards to the troops in Afghanistan. donation to Christchurch Rotary Club in New Zealand to assist victims affected by the earthquake there. paid for courses for 200 adults in Peru to teach them to read and write. donation to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. In the coming year we will be supplying boats to some very poor fishermen in a remote part of Tanzania. For this project we have received a large matching grant from Rotary International - the first to be awarded in the UK. We give regularly from our own pockets to Rotary's campaign to eliminate Poliomyelitis This year our special emphasis will be 'Giving Children a Childhood' and events for this are in the planning stage. Rotary is a huge world-wide organisation. Our own international understanding has been increased in the last two years by new links with a Rotary Club in the Ardèche area of France and we continue our long-term relationship with the Delft Vrijhof Rotary Club in Holland. But it's not just work! Our fellowship is reinforced by a variety of social events that are held, on average, once a month and usually involve our partners. They range from fun quizzes to posh dinners, from trips to places of interest, to parties and home hospitality. This year we have revamped our programme in all of these areas to add new spice to our regular mix. This probably sounds exhausting! Chislehurst Rotary Club meets weekly for dinner at Chislehurst Golf Club but only asks you to take part in events for which you have the time and interest. There's no pressure - except perhaps Fireworks for which there's a three-line whip! So, what about yourself? Are you thinking about 'putting something back'? If you have thoughts of joining us please feel free to contact me by email via the link below. If you have an interest but you feel unable to commit yourself quite so fully why not become a Friend of Chislehurst Rotary Club? This will enable you to attend our main functions and join in our fund raising events. Again, you can use the link below. If these avenues do not appeal then why not support us by making a donation? You can do it now through me or by giving generously when you see us out collecting at Christmas. Our work with others is reliant upon the money that the public of this area give us. I can assure you that every penny raised is used for good. We pay our own way for our meetings and social events. Rotary stands for enjoyable service and friendship. Rotary is an organisation you can trust. Please support this, your local club. Thank you. Jan Ward President 2011-2012 email the President Home