READING ROTARY CLUB MEETING NOTES 19th JULY 2022
READING ROTARY CLUB MEETING NOTES 19th JULY 2022
1. PRESIDENT’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
o Roger reported that the Rotary bench along the riverside is to be collected by YMCA on Thursday and transferred to their workshop for refurbishment.
o A volunteer is still required, to be responsible for recording attendance and liaison with Pepe Sale over meals.
o A number of communications from Rotary District are being circulated, two topics of interest are the Plastic Blitz (we have had previous correspondence with other Reading Clubs regarding joint action) and survey regarding the format of the District Conference next year.
2. MEMBERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS
o Bob Castelijn: Shiplake Henley Circular Walk was successful with 13 participants and a very enjoyable lunch afterwards. The next walk will be the North-South Stoke Circular on 12 October 2022.
o Tim Metcalfe: 9 Rotarians interviewed the 35 out of 50 17 year old students about their CV at Theale Green School. The quality of the CVs varied considerably but the caliber of students was impressive overall.
o Tim Metcalfe reminded us of his garden party on 31 July 2022.
3. SECRETARY’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Zoom Meeting: Tuesday 26th July at 11:45 for 12:00
Speaker: Gert-Jan van Dommelen; Subject : Plastic in the air and oceans
Welcome to Guests: Roger Butler; Vote of Thanks: Tim Metcalfe
Next Face to Face Meeting: Tuesday 2nd August at 12.30 for 13.00 at Pepe Sale
Speaker: Joy Jarvis, Thames Valley Police; Subject: A Day in the Life of a Roads Police Officer
4. TODAY’S SPEAKER: Dr Claire Bankole CEO SYC (Shift, Youth & Community)
Subject: SYC’s to provide opportunities for young people, their families and communities to flourish.
Claire explained how SYC focuses on teamwork to share lives and connect young people with the community. SYC started 6 years ago in response to church invitation to work with people of good will and to respond to felt need.
The John Majeski Academy forms an important part of SYC’s work. SYC has been working with one teacher to help underperforming pupils. 1:1 support is helping children to get back into the 6-form classes. Community work consists of depression courses and extra support during a meal on the last Friday of the month.
Training is another focus: specific dealing with depression alone and within family settings. SYC supports other leaders to cause their teams to flourish, an income generating aspect to ensure long term support. A video showed how fun days, diners, courses, coaches; can help in social and academic encouragement. SYC is currently surveying all people in the network with a view to identifying next steps whilst looking for a part-time Training Manager.
During the Q&A session it was mentioned that the Reading Community Church does a similar thing. Others expressed sadness that schools are unable to do this work themselves,
During his vote of thanks John Osborne expressed admiration about SYC’s work with minimal funding and that both Claire and are both working as very committed volunteers. He encouraged SYC to keep in touch and apply for RRCP funding.