Business Meeting Minutes – February 2024

Apologies :    Barbara Boyle , Denis Neill, Paul Megarity

Approval of Minutes of  17th January 2024

  • Proposed by : P.P. Richard Eaton Seconded by :  P. Raymond Boyd

Matters Arising  :  Nothing raised.

Correspondence : ( Hon. Secretary Howard Davidson)

  • Email from PDG Sean Fitzpatrick offering to come along to Rotary Clubs to talk about Mercy Ships ( a partner organisation with Rotary) – it was agreed that Rtn. Tessa Barrett should invite Sean along as a Speaker to Bangor R.C.

Treasurer’s Report ( P.P. Paul Hatty) :

  • None provided as Treasurer Paul was not in attendance at this Council Meeting.
  • Update on 2 Member’ unpaid fees was deferred as Hon. Treasurer Paul was not in attendance at this Business Meeting to provide a report on this matter

Administration : (Rtn Jack Watson )

  • As details of meals for February 2024 have not yet been obtained ( P.P. Paul Megarity is currently on holiday) Rtn. Jack  will liaise with the Golf Club caterers and obtain this information for updating on the Club’s website.
  • Archived documents –    Jack  reported that he has now tidied up the Pauline Dunlop cupboard ( on the 1st floor of the Golf Club) .  He has been reviewing the contents of various boxes /trunks ( old files )  which had been in the possession of Treasurer Paul, P.P. Denis and P.P. Stanley ( these contained  mostly old Minutes). Yellow  /blue safety bibs  + 5 T shirts have been located and are now stored in the Pauline Dunlop cupboard. The Rotary Trunk in the Golf Club’s pool room now contains pennants (Rotoract), the missing pop up banners have now been located, a new light weight pop up banner is now in use at Club meetings.

Fundraising  ( P.P. Howard Davidson)

  • A charity quiz is planned in March/ April 2024.  Seamus Bowler has agreed to act as Quiz  Master .    Sec.  Howard will liaise with the Golf Club regarding a suitable date for this event , hopefully a prize draw and small auction can be undertaken on the night . It was agreed that funds raised from this event should be donated to NI Childrens Hospice.
  • A Shelter Box Charity collection will be undertaken jointly with Donaghadee and Belfast Rotary Clubs over the weekend of the 5th April to 7th April in Bloomfields Shopping Centre. Bangor Rotary Club will participate in this event on Saturday 6th  Hon. Sec. Howard is endeavouring to invite Kerr Fulton Peebles                   ( Shelterbox Rotary District Coordinator for Ireland) to come along as a Speaker to Bangor Rotary Club before the 6th April.
  • Smarties Tube Lenten collection – Past Pres. Robin Mussen commenced  giving  out Smarties tubes to Club members on 7th    It was agreed that funds raised should be donated to Bangor Store House.

Membership ( P.P. James O’Fee ) :

  • New Member proposal – – While Bangor Rotary Club has agreed on the acceptance of  Raymond (Ray) McKimm  as a new member Ray has not yet been officially inducted nor has he yet paid his Membership fee.  P. James advised on Raymond’s current personal problems and it was agreed that any further action involving the recruitment of Ray should not be progressed for the moment.
  • Tessa Barrett is acting as the Co Ordinator of the Club’s Speakers’ programme. (Tessa’s role is not to find speakers but to liaise with the Club’s Webmaster on speakers ).

Lend With Care (P.P. Margaret Francey) :

  • Past Pres. Margaret advised that the A/c Balance is currently £23.80 cr. Loans @ £105 have been repaid in the last month,  ( Total of 92 loans drawn down with 69 completed), a  new loan for £73 has been provided for a Malawi womens’ rice project.

Service Projects ( P.P. James O’Fee) :

  • Warm Welcome Space  Past    James reported that this project will not be progressed this year.  Rev Marisine Stanfield was unable to   speak to the Club on this initiative on the 31st January 2024.
  • Croft Bowling — Elect Bill indicated that Bill Keery will  take on this worthwhile project this year, ,  Hon. Secretary Howard  will  pass on the Croft Bowling contact details to Bill.

Fun & Fellowship ( Rtn. Barbara Boyle )

  • St Patrick’s Day  Themed  5 course Dinner in S.E.R.C. on 19th March 2024     —Past President Raymond is liaising  with S.E.R.C. on the menu etc.   Barbara is dealing with the entertainment ( Raving Micks )  for this event. Cost £25 per head ( + gratuity for the caterers to be collected on the night ).

Any Other Business :

  • Secretary Howard reported that he had received an Email from Comber Rotary Club ( on morning of 7th February ) regarding their Wine Appreciation Evening to be held on 23rd February 2024 in McBrides Restaurant & Bar, The Square, Comber starting at 7:00 pm.       While this event was brought to the notice of the Club Members  Pres. Elect Bill and Rtn. Bill Keery advised that Bangor Rotary Club has been approached to provide some support towards the Mayor of Ards & North Down’s Charity Quiz, also being held on the 23rd February 2024,  in The British Legion Hall, Hamilton Rd, Bangor.  President Patrick proposed to organise a team of 6 people from Bangor R.C. to attend The Mayor’s quiz.

 Submitted by Hon. Secretary Howard Davidson  following    approval  at the   Business  Meeting   held on 6th March   2024