The Japan Disaster - closer to home

Japan's a wealthy country - right? So why should we help them - let them help themselves! You could think that but let's just slow down a little here:

• current estimates have well over 10,000 dead
• close to half a million people are in shelters
• it's winter and it's snowing

But typically, Rotary charities like Shelterbox are already on the ground with help. And Rotary clubs around the world are clubbing together to help clubs locally. "I have reports that Rotary clubs have begun to start planning projects for immediate help," says Rotarian Noriko Futagami. "Unfortunately, there are many Rotarians and families who haven't been able to be contacted. Rotarians in Japan worry for their safety". So these are Rotary family members who may not be returning. Futagami-san, we hear you!

Paving The Way

Spent a very satisfying morning with fellow members of our club laying a new access path at the Hillingdon Mencap Pool. Lovely spring morning, ideal for a bit of manual labour! We identified this project as something we could usefully do back in the middle of 2010 and applied for our very first Rotary District grant to help with 50% of the cost. Back in October we cleared the area and had our materials delivered in the February half-term (because the pool is on a special school site we can only get deliveries in the holidays).

As with all good building projects the team doing the work differed somewhat from the team that estimated the job, so we'll be back during Easter holidays when we've had some more materials delivered to let us finish the job! (Actually we've made the path a bit wider than orginally planned so that wheelchairs can comfortably go down it when it's used as an emergency exit).

Good fun, good craic, and a feeling of satisfaction for a job well under way.

Looking Ahead

It's the time of year when Rotarians start thinking about the next Rotary year. Changing President every year means a new crop of participants at our Presidents Elect Training Session. And ready for their year were the incoming Presidents of the current Yellow Zone clubs, apart from Paul Hagyard who was busy attending a family wedding - proving he's got his priorities right - Family first, then work, then Rotary!

It's a challenge and a responsibility leading a club and I wish them all well for the coming year. They have a hard act to follow with the current incumbents - but I'm sure they're up to it!