Minute of the Council Meeting of Tuesday 17 June, 2008, at the Northern Hotel, Aberdeen.

Present: President Walter Scott in the Chair, Sandra Burnett, Jim Couper, lan Dow, Ernie Forbes, Alex Gray, Ron McKail, Eric Rasmussen and Archie Robb. Apologies were intimated from Ken Eddie, Jim Graham and Charlie McPherson.

1 - Reports:

President: Walter reported as follows: On 2^{nd June we had the pleasure of the}

company of President Mary Castille of the Rotary Club of New Iberia, Louisiana, U.S.A.,

who rather eclipsed our scheduled speaker, Malcolm Geddes. Malcolm generously

promised to tell us about Margaret's and his Golden Wedding cruise at some later date.

On 5th June the Club was addressed by Stephen Chorley, District Scholarship Officer,

on the subject of foundation and Matching Grant procedures.

On 11th June "Kids Out" was attended by 9 club members, a very commendable

representation on a somewhat cold and windy, but dry day.

On Thursday 12th June President Elect Ernie and I attended the Zone 4 Presidents'

Meeting in the Cults Hotel, when a number of topics were discussed. These included

1 - Zones Sand 4 had jointly set up a Trust Fund in Malawi in collaboration with a Rotary Club there.

2 - This year's Car Raffle in aid of Clan will take place between 14th November and Christmas Eve, subject to the granting of a licence which is likely to cost Ł426 for the first year.

3 - The cost of The Scottish Disabled Games at Wishaw, on 9/10th August, is likely to be Ł2oo per participating Club. ( St. Nicholas having for the time being opted out of this sponsorship)

4 - Future Zone meetings are proposed for Thursday 31st July, Wednesday 3rd September, Tuesday 14th October and Monday 24th November. Future events include Westhill RC's 25th Anniversary on 18th April 2009. Notice was given that Stonehaven RC now meet in the Heugh Hotel, Westfield Road, Stonehaven.
5 - Advance information regarding the proposed Flower Festival was read out to the Presidents who expressed a willingness to learn more about the proposal, possibly at the September Meeting. (This has now been confirmed, and Jean Couper will attend and speak on that topic.)
On Monday 16th June a Blind Bowler, Mary Lindsay from St. Cyrus, and her helper Ellen Bartlett, who are to represent Scotland in Australia next year, addressed the Club, outlining their route to success. They accepted a cheque from the Club charity Account.
presented to representatives or 5b/e Biology uiass. it was a very wen organised event, and the Academy is to be commended for its initiative and enterprise.
Secretary: The Secretary first gave Council an update on the proposed Flower Festival. Credit was due to Stewart Mackenzie , who had persuaded Jean Couper to undertake this exercise on behalf of the Rotary Club. She had agreed to begin working towards a date in 2009, which will be the 50th Anniversary of NAFAS (The National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies), and with a probable theme of "Rotary Projects". Already Flower Clubs in the North East have expressed interest and an agreement to take part, and a venue has been secured, namely St. Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, to which a preliminary visit has already been made. It is hoped that Rotary clubs, either singly or jointly, will agree to sponsor their local Flower clubs and groups, e.g. by providing funds for buying flowers, and providing administrative and hopefully personal assistance. The agreed date is 25-27 September, 2009; Jean knowing from experience that a year is necessary for preparation and organisation. She previously organised a similar Festival in Brechin Cathedral which raised some Ł3000 for Charity. She has been invited to speak to the Zone Presidents on 3rd September. At a recent brief meeting of Council President Elect Ernie agreed that St. Nicholas would form a small working committee, and that possibly two other Presidents would be asked to take part.
Correspondence - 1 - A letter had been received from 'History in the Making', advertising ' History makers Walking Tours' of Old Aberdeen. This would be passed to the Entertainments Chairman.
2 - An e-mail from Assistant Governor Ewen Hatchwell had been received concerning the application for a Society Lottery Operating Licence for the Car Raffle, new regulations having come into force. An urgent reply had been requested and the Secretary, with previous knowledge of such applications, had read the details and provisionally given the Club's approval. Council formally approved the Secretary's action.

3 - An e-mail from Mike Barren, the District Officer for

International Friendship Exchange, had been received with details of a visit to New Zealand District 9970 in February 2009.
4 - An e-mail from District International Chair Maureen Holmes gave information about the Umdoni & Vulamehlo HIV/AIDS Association, to which the Club might consider donating. Three Manuals for Incoming Officers were distributed.
Treasurer: the current state of the Accounts is as follows: 1 - Balance on the General Account at 17th June is Ł3525, compared with Ł3097 at 12th June 2007 Several annual expenses are outstanding.
buna, leaving taŤ5U ror contingencies ai me stan ui nexi
3 - The Treasurer proposed that the mandates for our bank accounts be changed to include our new President, change the status of our current President to Immediate Past President and delete our Past Treasurer. This was agreed by Council
Membership: Nothing to report
Community and Vocational Service:
1 - Kids Out - A very successful day, the weather staying reasonable allowing all activities to remain outside. Lots for the children to do, with good support from Rotarians, as well as young folk from two Academies and Scouts. A big thank you to all Rotarians who turned up on Tuesday night and Wednesday to provide help in setting up, running the event and taking down. As this is an expensive event to run the Committee is any ideas of new sponsorship or ways in which savings might be made. Please Note - Aberdeen St. Nicholas chairs next year's 'Kids Out'.
2 - Literacy - Rotating Books -A label is being produced that can be attached to books before placing them in various public places for people to read. The label gives an indication as to why the book is there and also offers a contact point should someone wish to know more about Rotary. It is suggested that we ask for feedback via a short resume of the book, offering book tokens to the best three by a given date.
3 - Visually Impaired Bowlers - In August we will be supporting a team to travel to a competition in Kirkcaldy.
4 - Music Competition - Northfield Academy - I have had a discussion with Joanne Campbell, Depute Head Teacher and fixed a meeting on 30th June between herself, the Principal Teacher of Music and myself to progress the idea.
International Service and Foundation:
1 - Shoeboxes - 200 ordered @ Ł170; as before 100 to Hazlehead Primary School and 3 to each Club member.
2 - Filta Straws - Ron suggested that money raised from the 'Duck Race' be used to purchase 100 Straws for Ł25.
3 - Football Shirts to Kenya - Continue involvement of Hazlehead Academy with delivery through Nairobi RC. Possible involvement with Leonard Cheshire Trust who have contacts in Kenya.
4 - Evening Meeting/Polio Event -As an attempt to raise the Ł500 per Club recommended nationally, Ron suggested an Evening Meeting at 'Loaves and fishes' in Kemnay, This would consist of a 2-course meal followed by a 'Murder Mystery' Night.
5 - GSE - Preliminary discussion has taken place with the DCC Grampian Police with a view to the Club supporting a member of a GCE Team.
6 - Ambassadorial Scholar - The members of the Club will be asked whether or not we might offer to host an Ambassadorial Scholar in the coming year.
Youth Exchange and RYLA - Documentation has come through and Ken has written to both candidates including the booklet with all the data required for the camp. He has also offered to provide transport to the bus if required. The names of the pupils, both from Hazlehead Academy, are:

Rachel MacAllan and Russell Thorn.

This was all the business and the President closed the Meeting at 7.45 p.m.

Thousands of children take part in KidsOut 2008

Welcome to Aberdeen St Nicholas Rotary Club.