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Press releases October 19th, 2004 Green for Galloway Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club enjoyed a fascinating insight into the world of birds (of the feathered variety) at its meeting last Monday. Kevin Duffy of the RSPB told the group about the Galloway Red Kite project. Started in 2001, chicks were flown in from Sweden to start the process of re-establishing a red kite population in Galloway, one of three Scottish areas chosen for the re-introduction of the species. Red kites used to be plentiful in the UK but were wiped out in the 19th century mainly through hunting and poisoning. But the species was, and in some instances still is, misunderstood. Though birds of prey, red kites are in the main scavengers, not killers, living on carrion, and even the occasional tasty morsel of the (almost) vegetarian variety! Vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) goodies, and other non-edible pieces of rubbish also form excellent nesting materials! The Galloway red kites are doing well in their new habitat and can be spotted in our skies by the green tagging on their wings. Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club seeks to include in its weekly meetings interesting talks; this one was yet another which lived up to the high standards which have become the Club’s trade mark! During the remainder of the meeting, members had a chance to discuss the Club’s plans for some forthcoming fundraising events, notably, a Ceilidh at the end of November, which is expected to raise funds for several international and national charities including “Hope and Homes”, for the children of Aids victims in Africa, and Women’s Aid in Dumfries. Tickets are still available and can be bought through our website at www.rotarydevorgilla.org.uk. We meet on Monday evenings and are also looking for new members.
October 11th, 2004 An Entrepreneurial Spirit Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club enjoyed a fascinating glimpse into the world of business when John and Anne Hempstock visited the club on 11 October. John, with his second wife Anne, have successfully launched (and subsequently, equally successfully, sold on) a number of businesses, including manufacturing nail varnish; hiring mobile homes (used at various times by celebrities, including Rod Steiger and Harry Secombe); a series of drink related businesses, including the MacB products, Wee (and not so Wee) Beastie; and are now about to launch a collectible single malt whisky, the Lord John Balliol, tried and given a universal ‘thumbs up’ from the membership! John and Anne’s reflections on the world of selecting and marketing products, from sourcing through naming, branding, packaging and launching were insightful in the extreme. Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club seeks to include in its weekly meetings stimulating and thought provoking talks; this one more than lived up to the high standards which have become the Club’s trade mark! During the remainder of the meeting, members had a chance to discuss the Club’s plans for some forthcoming fundraising events, notably, a Ceilidh at the end of November, which is expected to raise funds for several international and national charities including “Hope and Homes”, for the children of Aids victims in Africa, and Women’s Aid in Dumfries. Tickets are still available and can be bought through our website. Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club meets on Monday evenings and this talk was one of a series of equally enjoyable talks which will be held throughout the year. We are looking for new members, and more information about the Club can be accessed at www.rotarydevorgilla.org.uk
March 17th, 2004 Equal Success for Dumfries Devorgilla At the end of the Rotary Year 2002/03 Dumfries Devorgilla had 31 members, 4 members declined to continue with Rotary for work and family reasons. This loss of members at the end/start of a Rotary year is traditionally high with new clubs. Starting the new Rotary year with 27 members the club has since recruited 8 new members including 4 ladies and has 2 further “Potentials” who have indicated that they would join the club before the summer. Club President Charles Milroy says that adopting an equal approach to recruiting has resulted in equal success for the club. The Club Council had emphasised to members over the summer and late autumn of 2003 for the need to strengthen the club through the recruitment of new members from different professions and backgrounds in order to make the club more diverse and broad thinking. A target of 40 members by June 2004 was set. Club members responded in the true "Devorgilla Fashion” and 5 new members were inducted by Christmas 2003. The new member’s professions included a Deputy Chief Constable, a Director of University Administration, a Chartered Surveyor and two Directors of private companies. So Devorgilla moved into the New Year with 32 members of which only one is retired. With recruitment in mind, the club’s St Andrew’s Night Ceilidh at the end of November 2003 had four aims as follows:
The Ceildh was a huge success in that it raised the profile of the Club in the Community, put a different image in people’s minds to that of the traditional face of Rotary and raised just under £3000 for charity. Not content with previous membership gains, and to capitalise on the contacts made at the Ceilidh, the club set about organising a “Prospective Members” evening. This evening was arranged to coincide with the transition of the club from the care of Bob Stewart, District Extension Officer, to the main body of Rotary. Invitations were sent out to prospective members to come along to a free Dinner/Seminar on 26 January this year. Invitations were extended to approximately 10 “Potentials” of which 3 were members of Dumfries and District Round Table who will be leaving that organisation within the next twelve months, the aim being to catch them whilst still committed to giving up of their time to service. A folder was produced for each “Potential” and included Devorgilla’s take on Rotary, an application Form and the Calendar of events (programme) for the year. Folders can be obtained by e-mailing the club. The Club Treasurer, Hamish “Moneybags” procured software for the club from which he produced Rotary Name Badges for members and visitors. On 26 January 7 “Potentials” attended the Dinner Meeting and enjoyed a night of fellowship with the club. Past District Governor Bob Stewart opened the formal part of the proceedings by marking the clubs achievements to date. Next up was Club President Charles Milroy who welcomed the Prospective Members and briefly outlined Devorgilla’s Modus Operendi with respect to outflanking some of the traditional aspects of Rotary and described the club’s current and proposed activities stretching out over the next 12 months. Immediate Past District Governor Maurice Halliday gave a thought provoking, if not controversial address, on the Image of Rotary and the way ahead with respect to “service above self”. Following on from this prospective members evening 3 members were inducted on 15 March at a speaker evening with Alex Ferguson MSP as the guest speaker.
The new members include a Principal Teacher in Secondary Education, a Regional Manager in a private child care organisation and a Local Government Marketing Manager. Of the 3 members from Round Table, one will be joining us in April/May 04 and the other two in the Summer of 05. With a possible transfer of a member from the Rotary Club of Stranraer the June target of 40 members is still achievable In line with current thinking to “spread the load” and encourage involvement and retention, each new member (03/04) has been asked to take on a specific job within the club. New members have been appointed to PRO, CPO, project Leaders on service activities (Book Aid, Vision Aid) and assisting in organising various club events.
February 9th, 2004 Lifeskills for Rotarians? At its meeting on Monday 9 February, Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club enjoyed a stimulating talk from its President, Charles Milroy, who, as an Acting Major in the Territorial Army, additionally serves as a member of the officers’ Selection Board. He described the procedures to which applicants are ‘subjected’ to ensure that the young men and women selected to lead tomorrow’s army display the intellectual, social and leadership skills necessary, whether this is demonstrated by climbing a 12’ wall (to say nothing of the occasional scramble net), stripping down and reassembling a model rifle, or dealing with mathematical problems in an interview setting. The talk confirmed this Rotarian in her view that we, in Britain, have reason to be proud of our armed forces – and also sure that her choice of a non-physically demanding career had been the right choice! Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club meets on Monday evenings and this talk was one of a series of equally enjoyable talks which will be held throughout the year. More information about the Club can be accessed at www.rotarydevorgilla.org.uk.
January 26th, 2004 DEVORGILLA’S FIRST BIRTHDAY Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club enjoyed a belated first Birthday party on Monday 26 January, and celebrated in style. At a dinner meeting at the Station Hotel the Club also welcomed 8 potential new members into its midst. It was also the occasion on which the Club finally came of age, being deemed able to fend for itself as a full blown member Club of Rotary International. Guest speakers included its mentor, Bob Stewart, District Extension Officer, and Maurice Halliday, the immediate past District Governor, who formally cut the Club loose. Bob reminded the club of its history, starting in December 2001, before being formally inaugurated, with 24 members and rising, as the Rotary Club of Dumfries Devorgilla on 13 September 2002. Its proposed name had caused some confusion with ‘big’ rotary which had looked for Devorgilla on the map – but settled for Dumfries Devorgilla! Today membership stands at 33 and all the signs are that numbers would tip 40 by June 2004. The Club’s president, Charles Milroy, followed Bob on the podium and talked of the Club’s present. At a meeting in May 2002, the Club had elected to go for informality by adopting smart casual dress at their weekly evening meetings. Lady members were embraced (literally not physically!) and the club currently has 7 lady members, one of whom is President elect. It is a young club in every sense; the average age of members is 43 which is considerably lower than the national average for Rotary Clubs in the UK. Maurice brought the proceedings to a close, reminding members of the overarching aim of Rotary ‘Service above Self’. When he was a lad, starvation was a problem in Africa – it still was. What was important was to aim for a better future for all, with Rotarians committed to using their individuals skills and abilities to put something back into the world. In its first year, the Club had already done well, raising a significant sum for disbursement to good causes. It was ready to move on and he took pleasure, on behalf of the District President, in formally welcoming the Club to Rotary International.
January 19th, 2004 ROTARY CLUB GOES FOR BROKE! Devorgilla Rotary Club went for broke on Monday, when, at its weekly meeting in the Station Hotel, it handed over cheques to three charities. Jenny Henderson from Alzheimers Scotland, Annette Richards from the Dumfries Befriending Project and Mairi Paterson of the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) were on hand to accept the donations. One of the aims of Rotary Clubs worldwide is to raise funds for good causes – and to have fun doing so. The Club has certainly been successful in this with funds raised at a series of events including a St Andrew’s Ceilidh, held in Easterbrook Hall, and at the Mabie Forest Fayre. Charles Milroy, President of the Club, commented that the Club had only been chartered in November 2002 and that the Ceilidh, which had additionally served as a first anniversary celebration, had been its first major fundraising event. It was wonderful to see the fruits of the Club’s endeavours now being passed on to such worthy causes. As Annette of the Dumfries Befriending project said – ‘We knew Dumfries Devorgilla were raising money for our organisation but we had no idea of this amount. It is so good of Rotary. It’s great!’ The club’s next major event is a prospective members night on 26th January when the club hope to swell its ranks with an influx of new members.
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ROTARY
CLUB of Dumfries Devorgilla • Meetings held on Mondays at 7:15pm
for 7:30pm at The Station Hotel, Dumfries.
RIBI
No. 1907