Keith Rotary future uncertain
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THE future of Keith Rotary Club hangs in the balance, with only a dozen members left.
Unless new members come forward the club, founded in 1951, is in serious danger of folding, says secretary Jill Green.
“We as a club want to make a heartfelt plea for people to come along and join. Although we have 12 members, there are only eight or nine who are regularly at our weekly meetings.”
The bulk of the fundraising that Keith Rotary Club does goes back to local groups and charities. Around £5000 has been given out since June.
“There is a saying that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. If the Rotary club ceases to exist that’s a lot of money for good causes to lose out on,” said Mrs Green, who has been secretary for the past five years.
For anyone unaware of what Rotary does, Mrs Green says: “The simple answer is that we raise money to be distributed to local charities and good causes.
“We firmly believe in keeping the money in the local area where it was donated, and many groups, clubs and schools have benefited over the years.”
For those who say they don’t have time, she points out that the weekly meeting, on Mondays at the Royal Hotel, lasts about an hour and a half. “But you don’t need to attend every meeting, and you don’t have to attend every event that we organise.
“And the biggest myth about Rotary is that it’s only for business people. Folk from every walk of life are welcome. The club functions better with folk with different skills, viewpoints and life experience.
“We need people who can organise, folk with IT skills and fundraising ideas, but most of all we need people who care about their community and those less fortunate in it,” she said.
“Please consider if you can spare some time just to come along to a meeting and see what we do.
“We are seriously struggling to continue, and without more local support it’s difficult to see a future for Keith Rotary Club.”
