Community and Vocational Service committee 2007-2008

Chairman - Alun Rees
Committee members - ,  Haydn Davies, Hywel Davies, Peter Gardner, Maldwyn James, Gwyn Lewis, Richard Griffiths, Philip Evans, Gareth Williams.

The role of the Community and Vocational Service committee is to identify areas of need, either directly or through local charitable organisations, within the community and provide the appropriate service work or financial assistance. Emphasis is given to the 'Ideals of service', acknowledging the fact that as a fund raiser and provider of funding, Rotary is merely one of many, but as a provider of service, it is without peer. The committee is responsible for raising the funds it distributes.

Report for the AGM April 29^th 2008
Freshers Fayre
We attended the above Fayre to man a stall to raise awareness for the need for organ donors and received the usual good response from the students. Many however stated that they had already registered when applying for their driving licences and others that they had seen registration forms in the welcome packs handed to them when enrolling. Also, with the strong possibility that the government will introduce an opt-out scheme in the near future it maybe that this project has now run its course after 5 years. However we are convinced that it has been a very worthwhile exercise.
Age Concern
This is one of our ongoing projects and as I have stated in the past, it is very much appreciated by the staff at Age Concern and also of course their clients. Thanks to Rotarian Maldwyn for having undertaken the task of buttonholing drivers for the last two years:I know it has been difficult to get enough volunteers at times but he has been able to call upon several faithful members to fill any gaps.Also a few Rotarians are continuing to  provide a shopping service for clients of the same organisation.
Message in a bottle
This is another of our on-going projects and despite seeming to stagnate at times, it now seems to be gathering pace again and we have distributed several boxes over the last few weeks. We have had requests from Age Concern, Help the Aged and several individuals including a Past Rotarian, Reg Budd who was promoting the scheme in his own locality. We have also been approached by a member of the Crossroads organisation, the support group for carers, namely June Jones and she will be including an article on the scheme in the next quarterly edition of their newsletter and this should engender some more requests. June is also involved with local Scout and Guide groups and she has suggested that as part of their service to the community which will enable them to obtain their badges,they help us to prepare the bottles. I think that this is an excellent idea and subject to my committee’s approval I intend taking this further.
Xmas Collection
The final total was £2940 and the following cheques were presented at a function held at the Richmond Hotel on March11th:-
Ceredigion Young Carers                     £600
Wales Air Ambulance                           £600
DASH                                                  £300
Cruse                                                   £300
C.A.B                                                  £200
Many thanks to Rotarian Richard Griffiths for supplying the venue and some very appropriate sustenance and refreshments.
Since then two further cheques have been presented as follows:-
£200 to Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos for transport to the Sports for the Disabled event  and  £100 to the Ceredigion Disabled Children’s Team who took a party of children with a diagnosis of autism on an adventure outing as part of Autism Awareness month.
We are reserving £500 towards the cost of Kids Out in June.
Vocational
On Tuesday October 9^th 20 or so of us visited IGER for what proved to be an interesting visit, especially with reference to the pioneering work that is being done there on biofuels. Thanks to Rotarian Haydn for arranging that.
On May 13^th, we will be travelling to Cardiff to visit the Senedd and the Millennium Centre..

Committee meeting 22 January 2008
Xmas Collection
The final total was £2940 which is to be distributed as follows:-
    Ceredigion Young Carers                                 £600
    Wales Air Ambulance                                       £600
    DASH                                                              £300
    Cruse                                                              £300
    C.A.B.                                                             £200
    Kids Out                                                          £500
    Disabled Sports Transport                                £200
The sum of £240 is being kept in reserve to satisfy any other appeals that may be made during the remainder of the year.It is proposed to hold a presentation evening early in March when it is hoped that representatives of the above charities can be present to receive their donations.
Outside visit
Provided that there is sufficient interest it is proposed to arrange a visit to the Senedd and the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on the 13th May. 

Committee meeting 27 November 2007
Age Concern
We continue to be associated with this organisation and we are providing a number of drivers for their clients to attend the Xmas lunches on the 5th and 12th December at Lletty Parc. I believe that Past President Maldwyn has arranged some musical entertainment for them.
Message in a bottle
Thanks to all those who volunteered to prepare the latest batch of bottles. We will be calling on your services again in the New Year so that we can build up a reserve.
Christmas Collection
Arrangements are now all in hand and the first collection, at Morrisons, will take place this coming Thursday and Friday. Thanks to all those who have volunteered:- there are still a few gaps.
The collection at the Co-op will take place next week and on Glyndwr square the following week.
The main recipients of the proceeds of the collection this year will be Young Carers, DASH and the Welsh Air Ambulance. We will retain some money to respond to requests that may come in during the year and if you have any ideas for donations , please bring them before our committee.

Committee meeting 31 July 2007
Age Concern
We are asking for new volunteers and for existing volunteers to re-commit to this project.PP Maldwyn has agreed to continue as co-ordinator for this year.
Message in a Bottle
Nothing new to report since club assembly. We still have a number of bottles to distribute and Gareth is continuing with the project.
Organ Donor Scheme
Arrangements have been made with the Students Union to reserve a pitch at the Freshers’ Fair and this will take place on Monday September 24th. We will give more details nearer the time.
Christmas Collection
As previously reported arrangements are in hand. We have decided that the main beneficiaries this year will be Young Carers.
Vocational
We have provisionally made arrangements to visit IGER on either Tuesday 25th September or Tuesday October 2nd. We are circulating a form to gauge the level of interest and if this is encouraging we will keep you informed of definite arrangements nearer the date.
Outside visit 
We are also discussing the possibility of a trip to Cardiff sometime in the Autumn to visit the new WAG Senedd and also the Wales Millennium Centre which is next door. Again we are asking for expressions of interest.

A summary of 2005-2006 activities (Chairman - Colin Fletcher)
Message in a Bottle - Following Gareth Williams’s talk, Ceredigion W.I. had distributed 600 bottles through the Pat Griffiths (President Elect of Inner Wheel). Age Concern had been given a further 100 bottles and another 100 were to go to Michael Morgans of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade.
Heartstart - Glan Davies had been asked for dates and was in touch with the organisers of the course. At least 10 and not more than 12 participants were needed.  Partners were welcome.  The course was free but donations were accepted.
Age Concern Lunch Club and Shopping Support - The provision of drivers and cars for the Age Concern Lunch Club and shopping support was going well.  It was understood that Age Concern now had access to a minibus to supplement the lunch club lifts provided by the Club.
Christmas Street Collection - £3,900 had been distributed to local Charities at an evening event held at the Richmond Hotel on 28 February.It was an enjoyable evening and the representatives of the local Charities were able to exchange information and contact details.  June Jones of Ceredigion Crossroads has offered to come and give a lunch-time talk to the Club. A report, with a photograph, has appeared in the Cambrian News. We made a donation of £500 to the Beacon of Hope and they are planning to launch their Hospice at Home project at the Conrah Hotel on 15 June. Equivalent dates have been booked for Owain Glyndwr Square ( Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 19 to 21 December 2007) and at Morrisons (Thursday and Friday 6 and 7 December 2007) together with Thursday and Friday 13 and 14 December 2007 at the Waunfawr Co-op store.  The licence for the street collection on Owain Glyndwr Square was expected shortly.
Institute of Cancer Research - Information packs had been distributed to the Public Library and Age Concern.
Barnardos - As recommended at the previous meeting, a donation of £200 had been sent to Barnardos. During her talk, Eileen Denekamp had referred to a sponsored walk, starting in Barmouth, that was due to take place during October.    This was an annual event, that was stewarded and refreshments were provided in the form of locally prepared sandwiches and cakes.  Details will be circulated when they are received as some Rotarians may wish to take part.
Rotary Stroke and Health Awareness Day – Saturday 28 April 2007 - Unfortunately, it had not been possible to take this forward this year.  Material has been obtained from the Stroke Association and, given a longer lead time, it may be possible to do something next year.