On Tuesday May 25th Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary lived up to its translated meaning of We Shall Be as incoming President Alan Clifton introduced his team for the forthcoming year and they in turn outlined their hopes and plans for the future. At the outset Alan declared his primary objective was simply to get people together once again and to allow Face to Face meetings to develop fellowship and grow new initiatives. Alan thanked Geoff Taylor for stepping in as Senior Vice President at short notice. A first outside visit of the year had taken place earlier in the day with a visit to the Himalayan Gardens which was a great success. International Chair Bryan Sloper hoped the club could resume visits to twinned clubs in Europe whilst possible fundraising for the Tanzanian school at Meserani would be explored.
Erimus tradition of working with local schools is to be continued with former teacher Sue Gent leading the team, entries will be sought for Young Writer and Young Artist challenges which have brought several successful results in recent years. Links with Middlesbrough’s Sports Village will result in an endeavour to bring several local charities together over the weekend September 4th/5th with each group providing teams pursuing their own fundraising target on a one-kilometre circuit suitable for all ages.
The recently formed Friends of Rotary has flourished since its inception last year and there are hopes that the group now much larger than the club’s membership will bring significant advantage in the future. Alan thanked our President Dave Whittaker who has led a highly successful group across a uniquely challenging path over the past year and all agreed that whatever the new year might bring Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary had confirmed that ‘We Shall Be’.
Pictures show Future President Alan Clifton and Vocation Service Lead Sue Gent presenting their reports (from home and caravan!)
