The Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge
SPECIAL PROJECTS
1 TWINNING
MINUTES OF TWINNING MEETING
HELD AT STON EASTON PARK HOTEL SUNDAY, 23/9/07
PRESENT:
ROTARY CLUB OF BLANQUEFORT-EN-MEDOC:
President Francois Dumareau; PP Jean-Francois Bernard ; PP Vincent Dubes (Projects Co-ordinator); Vice President Pierre-Louis Deroubaix; President Elect Francis Bernard
ROTARY CLUB OF CHELWOOD BRIDGE:
President Steve Tanner; PP Tony Quinn (Service Projects); Jerry Coles; PP Bob Wright; President Elect Colin Robinson; PP Hugo Pike (Special Projects)
1 JOINT PROJECTS BLANQUEFORT
1.1 BOOKS FOR AFRICA An existing project through which books in French are sent to schools and libraries in former French colonies in Africa. Transport from Bordeaux is provided free by the French Army who still have bases in those countries and who arrange distribution on arrival (not sure if this involves local Rotary Clubs)
Proposal: That the RC of CB support this project by collecting books in English (eg. childrens books, novels, reference books) and send them to Blanquefort for onward transmission to the same African countries. Pierre- Louis could arrange transport from the Bristol depot of Hauser (a subsidiary of his company - Hamman) via Dusseldorf. There may be a cost of transport between Bristol and Dusseldorf, but he could waive any costs from there to Bordeaux.
Agreed: To support this project in principle Colin and Jerry to meet with the Manager of the Book Barn to discuss a possible source of books and to report back to Council.
January 2008 a pallet load of books is available. Our French contact is to provide details of freight transfer to Blanquefort.
1.2 PHONES FOR SENEGAL - Another existing project that involves some four or five Rotary Clubs including Blanquefort. It involves the collection of redundant mobile phones (Colin emphasised the need for the charging unit to be linked to the phone) which are then transported to Senegal in West Africa. This is personally managed by a member of the RC of Blaye who regularly travels to Senegal. He arranges customs clearance and then gets the phones recoded (however, it is understood that this is not necessary for some/all British mobiles) before passing them on to retailers who sell them for 15 each. The Blaye Rotarian collects the money raised and converts it into rice which is then distributed by him (or local Rotarians?) to those most in need. I believe 15 will buy sufficient rice to keep one person alive for 7 months. As well as providing food aid in this way the project is enabling local people to have the benefit of modern communications (although it was not clear how they pay for the telephone service, to what extent this works throughout the country or maybe just in the main towns.)
Proposal: For the RC of CB to arrange collection of redundant mobile phones (and chargers) for transport (using the same route described above) to Bordeaux and then onward to Senegal.
Agreed: The RC of CB could consider the practical implications of supporting this project, but a number of issues (as identified above) would need to be clarified first. Colin and Tony to progress and report back to Council.
January, 2008 a number of phones and chargers had been collected and could be added to the pallet of books once details of freight transfer was agreed. Reply awaited from France
1.3 EXCHANGE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT STUDENTS: The Lycee Hotelier in Blanquefort is interested in establishing an exchange of students with a similar College in the Bristol or Bath area.
Proposal: That the RC of CB facilitate such an exchange if sufficient interest can be identified in a suitable College in the area.
Agreed: Ken Biggs to explore and report back to Council.
January, 2008 no progress reported by KB
2 JOINT PROJECTS CHELWOOD BRIDGE
2.1 WATER-SURVIVAL BOX: The RC of B had already decided to make a financial donation in support of the project and the sum of 1500 had been vired by bank transfer into the Worldwaterworks bank account during the week of 17 September. President Francois referred to the donation during his address at the twinning luncheon later.
Proposal: I believe the RC of B would like to provide on-going funding support and could also identify disasters in francophone countries to which WSBs might be sent for receipt and distribution through local Rotary Clubs.
Agreed: To be discussed within the RC of B and the outcome passed to RC of CB. Vincent to progress
January, 2008 WWW Ltd trustees had agreed in principle to offer a stock of 25 to 50 WSBs to be sent to Blanquefort for retention pending a disaster in one of the francophone countries eg. in Africa when they would be released and sent by air (French Army) however, we would need to agree feedback arrangements with a local Rotary Club or the designated aid agency. We await a reponse from Blanquefort
2.2 SIMILAR FRENCH PROJECT: To export the concept of the Water- Survival Box project.
Proposal: The RC of B to consider the feasibility of developing a subsidiary operation in the Bordeaux region and/or to publicise the WSB project locally (or throughout France) to attract funding support.
Agreed: The RC of B to discuss and advise their decision in due course Vincent to progress
January, 2008 awaiting action on 2.2.
2.3 ROTARY YOUNG CHEF COMPETITION: Brief details of the project run in RIBI were outlined.
Proposal: Further details to be provided and possibly linked to the student exchange (see 1.3 above).
Agreed: Ken Biggs to progress here and liaise with Vincent in Blanquefort
January, 2008 awaiting update from KB
3 VISIT TO BLANQUEFORT IN 2008
Proposal: President Francois extended the invitation for us to visit Blanquefort next year and it was tentatively proposed to pencil in the weekend of Friday 5 to Monday 8 September. This would avoid a clash with the grape harvest in the Bordeaux region when many Blanquefort members and their families were committed.
Agreed: President Steve and colleagues were delighted to accept the invitation. Pierre Louis and Hugo would be the two to liaise and keep their clubs informed.
January, 2008 confirmation of dates awaited
4 VISIT TO CHELWOOD BRIDGE IN 2009
Proposal: The idea that this visit might be linked to the District Conference in Jersey (when Tony will be our DG) was considered but not pursued. All our members attending the Conference would be fully occupied with ensuring the smooth delivery of the programme leaving very little time for our visitors.
Agreed: To plan for a reciprocal visit in early September again avoiding a clash with the vendange.
January, 2008 for discussion during twinning visit in September
5 EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND BEST PRACTICE
Proposal: That we exchange details of our programmes and projects since it was evident from conversations between members of both Clubs that we could learn from each others experience.
Agreed: Details to be passed. Tony (Service Projects), Hugo (Special Projects) and Richard Clarke (Programme) to prepare in English. Ken to arrange for translation into French. Deadline to Ken 1/11/07. Deadline to Blanquefort 1/12/07
January, 2008 lack of progress on other joint projects has allowed this item to be held back for the time being.
6 PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Proposal: In relation to each joint project the responsible member of each Club should be identified.
Agreed: Presidents Francois and Steve to progress. Contact details to be passed between our two Clubs via Pierre Louis and Hugo.
January, 2008 - awaited
3 DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2009
Tony Quinn is to be the District 1200 Governor in 2009/10 and the Club will be responsible for the planning and delivery of the Annual Conference.
This will take place between Friday, 9 and Sunday, 11 October, 2009 on the island of Jersey
The Conference Headquarters will be the Hotel de France in St Hellier and delegates and their partners are offered the opportunity to have five days accommodation for the price of four (here and in a number of other local hotels).
Whilst all members of the Club will be involved at various stages in the planning and delivery of the Conference everyones involvement from the outset was not essential. The overall responsibility will be taken by the Executive Committee comprising the following members (and showing their allocated area of activity):
DGN Tony Quinn Conference Host
PDG David Yates (Minehead); Hugo Pike; John Butler; Jerry Coles; Mike Hedges; John Mason; and Steve Tanner
The designated areas of responsibility are shown on the organisation chart together with allocation of all members of the Club to play an active part in both the planning and delivery of the Conference programme. Our aim is to provide probably the best District Conference ever in support of our own nominee as DG and to maintain the high reputation of the Club. We look to everyone, without exception, to play an active and enthusiastic part in the weeks and months ahead.
Many thanks to you all for what I am confident will be an excellent Conference.
The Club Website now has a dedicated section for Conference 2009 and individual sub-committee minutes will be posted there.