Kirkcaldy Raith sets new standards for Service above Self
The Charter Dinner of the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy Raith was held on the evening of Saturday 23 June 2007 at Kirkcaldy Golf Club. Around 100 Rotarians and partners gathered for this important event, from clubs throughout District 1010.
The Presentation of the Charter and Charge to the Founder Members of the Club was made by Chairman for the evening, District Governor Bill Leslie, who also carried out the investiture of Founder President Alan McIlravie. Guest of Honour was RIBI President Peter Offer who welcomed all Founder Members to the Fellowship of Rotary International and led the toast to the new Club.
Visiting clubs presented banners to the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy Raith and several Clubs presented gifts:
Gift of a Lectern Rotary Club of Burntisland and Kinghorn
Gift of a Gavel and
Badges for Club members Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy
Gift of Visitors Book Rotary Club of Dunfermline Carnegie
Gift of the President’s Jewel Rotary Clubs of Leven, North Fife and Glenrothes
Gift of the Senior Vice
President’s Jewel Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife
Gift of a historic bell Personal gift from President Jim Boyd of the Rotary Club of Glenrothes
District Extension Officer Janet Lowe introduced the new Rotarians. She said that, since the inauguration in March, this new breakfast Club has developed extremely well. The new Rotarians are already demonstrating their commitment to Rotary values and aims. They are all enthusiastic about Rotary and keen to offer service – and have fun doing so.
She added that their progress in a few short months since inauguration has been very impressive, especially as many of the members of are young professionals with jobs, careers and families. At their Club Assembly, the Club had presented an ambitious programme of activities and objectives that they have started implementing.
In his address, Founder President Alan confrimed that the Club already has several prospective new members in the pipeline, they have sponsored a candidate for Challenge Enterprise, they have committed to a financial contribution to Foundation and they have organised speakers on diverse topics. We were to find out later in the evening that this Club has already initiated two innovative service projects of its own.
Kirkcaldy Raith demonstrated very clearly at this Charter Dinner that they wish to exemplify Service above Self in all that they do. Unlike usual practice, the guests did not find a gift of a miniature whisky or souvenir pen at the tables. Instead we found a sample sachet of oral rehydrating salts. In his address, President Alan explained that the Club had made a donation to UNICEF in support of the Oral Rehydration Therapy Appeal, which would provide sufficient salts to save the lives of two children in the developing world for every dinner guest.
There was another surprise when it came to the gifts for the VIPs and helpers. Instead of flowers or chocolates President Elect Jaki presented a “Rotating Book” complete with Rotary bookplate to each VIP or supporter, and asked us to “liberate“ them in public places after reading, in support of this important Rotary literacy initiative.
So Kirkcaldy Raith used their Charter Dinner as a chance to contribute to Rotary themes of Water and Literacy and also to environmental sustainability (by avoiding the purchase of items, such as gifts and balloons, which create unnecessary waste). This was imaginative, even provocative, and challenged us to think about how we put our Rotary values into practice in the world of 2007. It also demonstrated that service can be achieved in many different ways. I hope that the Organising Team for the District Conference might be inspired to follow Kirkcaldy Raith’s example!
I should like to encourage all readers of the 1010 Rotarian to support President Jaki and the new Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy Raith by visiting the Club on a Thursday morning at 7.30am at the Kirkcaldy Golf Club.
Janet Lowe
District Extension Officer (South) (Picture shows Founder President Alan McIlravie collecting banners) |
