PRESIDENT'S CHAT

What are the qualities needed to be a good president?

Leadership skills, communication skills, the ability to delegate or at times to have a listening ear ?

Yes, much needed attributes but there is a further attribute that I shall come to later. There is also a vision required for the year ahead and I believe that in the programme we have before us in the coming months we are seeing a need and meeting that need no matter how small, yes we are doing our part.

This week a helper looking after the Chernobyl children came to see me and brought one of the children. The child looked small and timid, in one hand she had a packet of sweets and the other hand was holding on to the helpers hand. After explaining whom I was, that I belonged to Rotary and that we had looked after them at the BBQ, the girl smiled briefly but I sensed that she just wanted to be doing something else. It reminded me that there are so many children who are not happy in the situation that they find themselves in, but for this small child I am sure she will not forget Scotland for a very long time because Rotary has played it's part.

Back to my final attribute in what I think makes a good president; the ability to laugh at one's self and not takes things to seriously. After getting the booby prize on the treasure hunt and feeling the after effects of trying to hit a cricket ball, let alone trying to bowl it, I must say that I feel that I am bringing a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. What is the point in that? Well the point is that I am trying to play my part. I trust in this next year every Rotarian will be able to say, no matter how big or small, I have played my part.

Yours in Rotary,
 
Harry
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Editorial

Our Rotary web-pages have been given a new coat of paint and some lubrication to make them go faster. However they are still in a DRAFT form awaiting some inputs. Changes are relatively easy to make, so if you think that other items should be added or that the pages should be presented differently let me know. 

The new pages are designed to be compatible with the internationally agreed web formatting standards, so they should be interpreted correctly by modern browsers, such as Firefox 2, Opera 9.5, Safari 3.1 and Interent Explorer 7. ( I know -  it's gobble-de-gouk ! ) 

If you are still using older browsers such as Internet Explorer 6 or earlier versions there may be some problems. If the pages do not appear to be neat and tidy on your screens please let me know. Suitable error correction can be applied, however, the best solution would be to update your browser. This option would have the added bonus that the security of your computer system would be much enhanced.

Also many thanks to all those who have given input for the new site - Bob Brown for making the handover easy;  Michael Thomson for the history page; George Delgaty ( at least that is the plan!) for the Sports page; Tom Laurie for the Charity inputs; and to Janet for proof reading the 1st draft version. 

The new look can be viewed by clicking here or on the "Rotary Home Page" button on the menu bar.

Gordon W.



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Presidential Handover



handover

John's last task.....leading to .......

svp

.....Harry's 1st ...  Janet's appointment.

On June 25th our new president Harry. in a ceremonial inauguration, took over the reins from out-going President John. Janet too was installed as our new Senior Vice and George as the new Junior.

Amanda, leaving her post as Sergeant-at-Arms for 2007/2008, sent the following message:


I cannot move onto the back-benches proper without thanking all of the Past-Presidents of this great Club who assisted me in raising funds for the 2008 Christmas party. Your willingness to step in at short notice and cover of my leave of absence is much appreciated. Without your assistance the fund would only be enough for a party for the non-alcohol drinkers and to you all I am very grateful.

Cheers !!!!!!!
Amanda Millar
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News Items

June 13th - Bandits take cash in Kinnoull

bandits

(Ex)-President John gambling ?    Photo - Nick Hine


Take some oranges, some lemons, a few other assorted fruits (!) and what do you get ? - A successful charity event! Some £250 was raised by our daring bandit band. Rumour has it that they are thinking of going full-time to ease the credit crisis. Tom did his bit as the Mexican roustabout, Janet as the lever arm and Bob R, Christopher and Gillian as the fruit-pickers. Another great initiative for Perth-Kinnoull !

June 25th - Treasure Hunt

Winners

Photo Michael Thomson

From Michael Thomson:
Douglas Barr's Car Treasure Hunt was a huge success with many PK'ers and guests taking part. The route from the George hotel took in most of the side roads east of the River Tay. Everyone managed to follow the cryptic clues successfully and found their way to the suitable refreshments provided by the Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus.  Douglas said that it was a very close contest and declared that Michael and his passengers won by a single point.

The picture shows the winners, Michael and Rosemary Thomson with their guests Alastair and Valerie Maclean from the Perth Club (seated) with the organiser Douglas Barr and other participants after the Car Treasure Hunt.

June 28th - Chernobyl Kids Outing to Blair Drummond

Maasai

Maasai Warrior Dancers with the children.   photos Frank Muirden

BBQ

Any captions ? I can think of a few ! - Ed.

Our annual trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park with fourteen young girls, an interpreter and two support workers from Perth proved highly popular with our visitors from Belarus.   Our Club members Julia Robertson, John Dickson, Ian Stevenson and Frank Muirden put together an excellent BBQ of hamburgers and sausages washed down by soft drinks followed by strawberrries and cream. BBQ specialist Ian was in popular demand from the party as they went back for seconds!
 
The kids first of all enjoyed a trip round the park before spending half an hour mesmerised by the Sea Lion Show.   Interestingly, none of the children had ever seen live wild animals until Saturday - they had only seen them in picture form back home. After lunch the kids went off to the water park in order to see the monkeys whilst the Rotarians tidied up before heading for the Sea Lion Show (there's child in us all)!!!
 
Frank and John, not missing a publicity opportunity, arranged for a photocall with the visiting Maasai Warrior Dancers.   The children had not seen dark-skinned people before - something we all take for granted. The dancers aged 17 - 31 loved kids and were delighted to mix with and entertain them. 
 
A final trip round the Park went down well with the party before we headed back to Perth.  On departing the bus the kids were presented with two cans of Pepsi, a large Mars bar and a box of coloured felt tipped pins, courtesy of John.
 
  A great day was had by all.   
 
  Frank Muirden
  Community Service Convenor

July 1st - Address by District Governor David Rankin

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The Rotary Logo 2008

District Governor

New member George Evans with District Governor David Rankin and President Harry

Yes, was the message; and District Governor David Rankin could not have expressed it more forceably. We need to change; change to accommodate a changing world; change to adapt to modern needs; and change to attract younger members into Rotary. He had nevertheless a lot of praise for our Club and highlighted our success in attracting new members, one of whom, was inducted by David the same evening. He recognised also our collective enthousiasm and spirit of cooperation. District should not be seen as something "sitting on top" but more of a resource that is there to use; District supports the Clubs not the reverse.

David went on to list the charities that he hoped to support in the coming year, taking an international outlook as well as supporting charities closer to home. The Leonard Cheshire Homes were to the fore, also the RI project to eliminate polio. He ended by encouraging us all to participate in national Rotary events as we could all learn from these.

July 2nd - Two Rotaries Cricket Cup

team

For the budding psychologist - an interesting range of body language !!

team

The Opening Pair -Greg and Harry

It should have been the Three Rotaries match but once again the Perth St John's Club failed to muster. Scorewise, we did better this year, a respectable score of 68 largely due to Iain Brown who scored 17, hitting a "four" just before reaching the "15" limit and Greg who retired at 15. The weather too was kind with only a brief shower before we lost the game to the Perth Club by three wickets, if memory serves me right! -- Editor.
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