Ellon Rotary has continued its support of the local community by launching a new community grant awards scheme at its recent meeting, which took place on Wednesday, August 05.
The scheme aims to specifically allocate monies to individuals or organisations that are responsible for developing their own initiatives and improvements within sectors such as education, community, environmental, local charities and any other socially responsible sectors.
Jim Anderson, convenor of the Ellon community service committee stated: “This award scheme will mean those eligible to apply will have the potential of receiving funding for associated costs to their project up to the sum of £1,000. Our intention is to formalise the process by sending an application pack which, once submitted, would be respectfully considered by the community grant assessment team”.
“We are constantly approached by many worthwhile causes or projects and recognised that we needed to have an assessment process in place. This will ensure we are allocating the funds, within the required criteria, positively and responsibly.
“Applications are welcomed until October, 31, and all applicants will be notified of their progress by either myself or fellow Rotarian, Julie McRobbie. We intend to present the awards later in the year at a presentation evening, which will not only celebrate the good work of Rotary but also the inspiring organisations and individuals developing their own initiatives.”
Ellon Rotary attended the Rotary International Convention in June 2009 and was recognised by both national and international Rotarians who were astounded by the club and its impressive membership numbers. Comments included: “Your club is fortunate to have so many enthusiastic and dedicated Rotarians” (John and Jenny, Rotary Club of Fraserburgh). “A huge thank you to the Rotrary Clubs of Ellon and Oldmeldrum for providing such fabulous hosting - of the 13 we have attended at Conventions, there have been many good ones, but none better than yours”. (John & Audrey, Rotary Club of Camberwell, USA).
Just one of the objectives of Rotary is to apply the ideal of service in both business and community life which Ellon community service committee believe this grant scheme will achieve.
For further details regarding the Ellon Rotary community grant scheme please contact: Julie McRobbie on 07734537259 or Julie.McRobbie@clanhouse.org
Julie McRobbie 5 August 2009
President Allan Dent leads Ellon Rotary for 2009 - 2010
Proudly taking command at the helm for the year 2009-10 is our new President of Ellon Rotary Club, Allan Dent with several of his council for the following year. Missing from the ‘line up’ are Bob Black, Junior Vice President and conveners Roderic Bruce, International Service. Mick Gordon, Vocational Service.
Also starting his “New Year” as Rotary International president is Scotsman John Kenny. He is the first ever Scotsman to head the organisation in its 105 year history.
He joined The Rotary Club of Grangemouth in 1970 and has served RI as a member of the Board of Directors and as a Rotary Foundation trustee. He is also past president of RIBI.
A graduate of Glasgow University, John is a past dean of his local faculty and a retired judge and notary. He is past president of the Forth Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Scottish Junior Chamber of Commerce and past general legal counsel of Jaycees International. He was appointed deputy lieutenant of his district by Queen Elizabeth 11.
With great conviction John stresses” I will devote my one term in office to the final push needed to vanquish the crippling, potentially deadly disease of Polio once and for all”
Eleanor’s last duty as president was in accepting “ with a huge amount of pride” from Assistant Governor Andrew McCartney a Presidential Citation from Rotary President DK Lee. The award is in recognition to everyone in Ellon Rotary of their outstanding effort towards child mortality.
Andrew praised the club for its fellowship as was evident at Birmingham during the convention but also for its commitment towards Rotary ideals and in particular the goal to improve the quality of life for everyone.
Audrey Gartly 16 July 2009
Ellon Leads from the Front
Scottish hospitality came to the 100th Rotary International convention in Birmingham which brought 20000 people together from 134 countries.
Forbes Hamilton said “We met and talked to hundreds of like minded people from almost every nation on earth. Partnership projects such as disease eradication and disaster relief that Rotary International tackles are mind blowing in scale and ambition.
In splendid Scottish tradition the streets of Meridith, Birmingham came to life as Charlie piped Ellon Rotarians towards an international evening of revelry and friendship with world wide guests and fellow Rotarians from Germany, USA, Belgium, France, Australia, Holland and Canada.
Bernard Ancel a French Rotarian remarks. “ The word “Ellon” now represents to us a centre of dynamic and welcoming Rotarians”
Rolf and Barbara Zimmerman from Germany remarked “We learned much about your country and the Scottish people, we will never forget this night”
Keynote speeches enthralled the delegates, among them a trio of ladies.
In her capacity as Ellon Rotary President, Eleanor McAlister addressed 6000 people in the arena; she said “ I am privileged to be invited to address the delegates on how the Ellon Club has managed its Membership Development over the past year. To be on the same stage as Jane Goodall and Mia Farrow is personally inspiring, and a wonderful accolade for the club to be invited to share our experience with the world”.
United Nations secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke about the UN and Rotary commitment to eradicating Polio;
Mia Farrow, a UN Ambassador, reminded us about the forgotten war torn area of Darfur and the hundreds of thousands of destitute children and families.
Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist spoke passionately about her own institute, JGI, which
is a global nonprofit organisation that empowers people to make a difference for all living things. They are creating healthy ecosystems, promoting sustainable livelihoods and nurturing new generations of committed, active citizens around the world.
President Eleanor had been specifically invited by RI President D.K. Lee to speak on how The Ellon Rotary Club had managed its Membership Development over the past year.
Eleanor’s speech was highly acclaimed by the 6000 people in the Arena. She described the innovative “Step One” process initiated by Senior Vice President Alan Dent which had resulted in the identification of 15 potential members, 7 of whom have now joined with others waiting patiently in the wings.. Eleanor’s speech provoked significant and valuable discussion within the Arena helping to highlight how different clubs had gone about raising the profile of membership development.
Scotsman John Kenny becomes the first Scotsman to head the international humanitarian service organisation in its 105-year history.
As president of Rotary International he has pledged to continue with their vow to end Polio. With Rotary intervention cases have plunged by up to 99% over 20 years or so however Kenny says “this is not good enough”. He will devote his one-tear term to a final push to vanquish the crippling potentially deadly disease once and for all. “Its up to us to finish the job”
Audrey Gartly 16 July 2009
The Sandwalk
Ellon Rotary Club is once again organising The Sandwalk sponsonsored charity walk, along with the Rotary Club of Aberdeen Balgownie.
This year's event will be on 13 September, full details are available from The Sandwalk
