Young blood sought as Rotary nears 100
A PUSH to attract more younger members is one of the aims of the new president of the Rotary Club of Guernsey for the year leading up to its 100th birthday.
Brian Acton took over the role from John Moses at the start of this month. His first official duty was to join members at a celebratory afternoon tea at the Hotel de Havelet, where a plaque commemorating the club’s links with the hotel was unveiled.
This is Mr Acton’s second time in the post, having served from 2016-17.
‘I’m excited,’ he said. ‘I was honoured and quite proud to be asked if I would consider being president again. There are some pretty big shoes to fill from 100 years of service.’
Mr Moses echoed these sentiments as he stood down.
‘It has been an honour and privilege to represent such an active club. Its members are drawn from all parts of the community and come together to have fun while doing immeasurable good for the island.’
Mr Acton said that such things as the annual flag day and Christmas hampers for islanders in need dated back to the late 1930s.
‘It’s amazing we’ve been providing service to the community for so many years,’ he said.
The club’s ongoing contribution to island life has included the rebuilding of the Japanese fishing pavilion at Saumarez Park and the annual round-island walk.
There are currently 74 members but not all of them attend the club’s regular lunch meetings.
‘But for the Tree of Joy and the walk, everyone comes out in force,’ said Mr Acton.
Rotary Guernsey is 100 years old on 3 March next year, marking the anniversary of when it was chartered by Rotary International, although the anniversary of the club’s first meeting in the island is this October.
Among other plans for the year is to have a gathering of members from Jersey and Alderney in October.
But Mr Acton would like to see the profile of the club raised locally, too, and he hoped that there would be more interest from younger islanders.
Coffee mornings are planned where people can find out more about the club, as well as evening dinners.
‘We’d welcome anybody to come and join us. Just get in touch with us,’ said Mr Acton.
. For more information about Rotary in Guernsey, visit www.rotaryguernsey.com
