For the first time in their 104-year history, two members have agreed to share the Presidency of the Rotary Club of Rotherham for the year which started on 1st July. Rotarians Michael Sumption and Geoffrey Cooper plan to operate closely together following many months of planning for the year ahead. In fact, they hit the ground running on 2nd July when three members were honoured with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Awards for exemplary service. Rotarian David Clay, standing down after 16 years as Secretary, was given the highest possible award, and James Ogley and Chris Homes the other two awards. And the following week, the club inducted new members, Sybil Roach Tenant and Julia M Crookes, who will take on the role of Club Secretary. Sybil has previously been a Rotarian and has chosen the Club to renew her zest for volunteering and service, and emulating Rotary’s creed: ‘Service Above Self’.
A number of projects are under consideration across the spectrum of Rotary activities. This includes a youth project, in which the club is joining forces with Rotherham Council (RMBC) and its art staff to support an art competition for the Borough’s schools. It is hoped to become an annual event in memory of past Rotarian Michael Auburn, himself a talented artist. Some generous sponsorship has been arranged with accountants Kingswood-Allotts. A number of fundraising events are also planned, and at the end of the year the club will hold a Santa Run at Rosehill Park in association with the Park’s junior parkrun, with funds going to Sunbeams, the Rotherham Hospice young persons’ bereavement charity. Two concerts are in their early stage of planning, so watch this space for details.
As well as organising events such as these, the club’s weekly lunchtime meetings (Wednesdays at Sitwell Golf Club) welcome interesting speakers. One of the first of these will be on Saturday 16th August and feature important charity, the PETS Blood Bank. Anyone interested in considering an outlet for volunteering and service in the community is welcome to join Rotary. Contact Rotherham Rotary Club by emailing juliamcrookes@aol.com