Rotary Club of Londonderry

16th May 2012 - A New Member Proposal has been added to the appropriate page in the member area of the website. All members should read and take note of the appropriate 7 day notice should they wish to comment.

15th May 2012 - Recent press release in relation to the International Peace Conference the club intend running in 2013 can be found on our press release page.

The May edition of The Oakleaf has been added to the website.

5th May 2012 - A delegation of Rotarians namely Past Presidents Alan Rodden and Werner Scheel, President Elect Gavin Killeen, John McMonagle and Nigel Sproule are travelling from Dublin today to Bangkok to attend the 103rd Annual Rotary International Convention from 6th to 9th May, returning on 12th May 2012. Their mission is to promote our club's International Peace Conference which will take place in the City at Ebrington Square from Friday 24th May to Sunday 26th May 2013. Click here for press release.

Dates for your diary.

- If you will be attending the Young Chef Competition please advise Hon. Secretary Alan Rodden. Tickets £30 per head. Please make your best effort to attend as this is always a great event.

16th April 2012 - This year's President's Night is being held in Da Vinci's Hotel on Friday 20th April to coincide with the 90th anniversary of our club's foundation. The club's first meeting took place on 25th April 1922. Dress will be formal and there will be a 7.30pm for 8.00pm start. President Maurice looks forward to greeting you all on the night.

20th February 2012 - The club enjoyed a luncheon visitation to the Thornhill Centre on Culmore Road as organised by Past President John MacCrossan. Photographs (courtesy of Werner Scheel) of those members and partners who were able to attend have been added to the Gallery section of the website. Click on photo below for link to the Gallery Page.

13th February 2012 - February's edition of the Oakleaf has been added to the news section of the website. This month's council minutes have been added to the member area of the site.

At this evening's meeting in the City Hotel the club presented funds raised at last year's summer barbecue to Woman's Aid.

Dates for your Diary:-

President's Night will take place on Friday 20th April 2012 at Da Vinci's to coincide with the 90th Anniversary of the Club's foundation. Dress will be formal and there will be a 7.30pm for 8pm start.

This year's Young Chef Competition in conjunction with the North West Regional College has expanded and will culminate in a grand final with entrants from all six regional colleges. The final will take place in the Strand Road Campus on 31st May 2012. The first prize will be two weeks working at Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir.

4th February 2012 - February's edition of the District Governor Newsletter has been added to the member area of the website as has the Annual Foundation Report for 2010-2011.

20th January 2012 - Minutes of January's Council Meeting and January's District Governor Newsletter have been added to the member area of the website.

Sunday 1st January 2012

Sunday 25th December 2011 - Merry Christmas to one and all from President Maurice and Council.

Wednesday 21st December 2011 - The toys collected this year were delivered today to St Vincent De Paul in Bridge Street together with £130 towards the purchase of additional toys as required for distribution.

Monday 19th December 2011 - Today we held our Christmas Lunch in the City Hotel which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the members and guests who attended. Our guest speaker today was The Mayor, Maurice Devenny.

18 December 2011 - Day nine and still going strong the tree is filling up nicely with message ribbons. Today we were overwhelmed by the number of volunteers at the stand and our thanks today go to Jeremy Arthur, Werner Scheel, Nonie OSullivan (President of Inner Wheel), Alan & Val Rodden, Peter O'Connor, Gavin Killeen, Derek Lee & Vincent Grant.

17 December 2011 - Day eight and we now have nine straps full of some 2,000 plus message ribbons. Our thanks today go to Werner Scheel, Heather Fielding, Jim Foster, James Buchanan, Jeremy Arthur, John McMonagle, Gavin Killeen, Derek Lee, Gerard Finnegan, Heidi Scheel, Vincent Grant and Eamonn Gee.

16 December 2011 - The Rotary Tree of Remembrance is now in day 7, our thanks today to Werner Scheel, Pat Moore, Helen McDonnell, Jack McFarland, Pat Kelly, John Doherty, Paul & Ian Curtis, Jim Foster & John MacCrossan for giving their time to cover shifts at Orchard Street.

15 December 2011 - The Rotary ree of Remembrance is now back in full swing and today was a good day with many ribbon messages being added to the tree. Thanks must go to Werner Scheel, John McClean, Pat Moore, Sabine LeBrizoual, Helen McDonnell, Jeremy Arthur, Graham & Esdale Hunter, James Buchanan, Heidi Scheel, John MacCrossan and Peter O'Connor who gave of their time to man the tree on our 6th day of this year's project.

14 December 2011 - Unfortunately following yesterday's mishap it was not possible to resume operations today so the Rotary Tree of Remembrance remained closed to the public as work was carried out.

We will be back in full swing tomorrow morning from 10 am.

13 December 2011 - UNFORTUNATE NEWS TODAY: Our Tree of Remembrance was blown over by a gust of wind around 11.30 am. Thankfully no one was hurt or injured, which is good. However, we could not possibly have tried to re-install the Tree during daylight shopping hours, thus causing a major traffic congestion in an already tight area. So, it was decided to bring the heavy gear in tonight at around 9.00 pm and put the Tree back on its feet. It will take a couple of hours at least to repair the damage, i.e. broken tree lights, strapping etc. - no damage was caused to any of our surroundings!

If all goes well this evening it is intended to resume normal activities tomorrow morning at 10.00 am.

12 December 2011 - At tonight's meeting we held our Special General Meeting when our Treasurer presented the audited accounts for the Rotary Year 2010-2011. President Maurice thanked Past President Eamonn Gee for presenting the accounts, adoption of which were proposed by Past President John MacCrossan and seconded by Past President Jack McFarland.

21 members of our club attended the meeting with many bringing toys along for our annual toy appeal. This year we will be donating the toys collected to St Vincent De Paul for distribution.

Our hamper project is running smoothly with some 170 hampers having been donated to local families who will be able to derive benefit from the items contained within the hampers this Christmas.

We are now in the third day of this year's Rotary Tree of Remembrance, thus far the weather has been relatively kind to us. Our thanks go to Rotarians Werner Scheel, John McLean, Jack McFarland, John MacCrossan, Sabine LeBrizoual, Graham Hunter, Scott Buchanan, James Buchanan, Ian Curtis and Peter O'Connor. We would like to especially thank Inner Wheelers Esdale Hunter and Myrtle Buchanan who kindly gave of their time to assist us. Some 700 plus message ribbons have now been attached to the tree.

Two Past Presidents have now been added to the rogues gallery courtesy of Scott Buchanan who brought photos of our Presidents for the years 1985-1986 and 1986-1987, check it out here.

The December Edition of the RIBI Members' Newsletter has been added to the relevant section in the member area of our website here

11 December 2011 - The second day at the Rotary Tree of Remembrance in Orchard Street outside Foyleside Shopping Centre was well suported and thanks go to Werner Scheel, Heidi Scheel, Jeremy Arthur, Alan Rodden, Peter O'Connor, Nonie O'Sullivan, Andy McCartney and Eamonn Gee.

10 December 2011 - Our Tree of Remembrance took off nicely and in good weather today, with some 300 ribbons stapled to 1 1/2 straps - not bad.

Thanks to Werner Scheel, James Buchanan, John MacCrossan, Maurice Brennan, Jeremy Arthur, Alan Rodden, Gerard Finnegan, John McMonagle, Jack McFarland and Heather Fielding for providing cover from the opening at 10.30 am until closing time at 6.30 pm.

Hot coffee and mince pies were kindly served to the hard-working team by Jayne Buchanan and another round of coffee by Bridie and Frank Lawrance. Many thanks for keeping us in good shape throughout the day. Hopefully, we'll have another good session on Sunday (1.00 > 6.00 pm). Any more volunteers are welcome at any time.

Once again we are amazed by the support being given by the public who have taken so warmly to this excellent project.

5 December 2011 - At today's lunchtime meeting President Maurice inducted our latest member Patricia Greene who had been proposed for membership by Rotarian Helen McDonnell.

Our guest speaker was Jim Roddy of the City Centre Initiative. Jim updated us on all the developments with regard to new initiatives and awards won by the City since he last came to talk with us. Past President John Doherty proposed a vote of thanks to Jim for his informative presentation to us.

14 November 2011 - At this evening's meeting Ambassadorial Scholar Elaine Joy gave the club a forthright and interesting presentation including a brief history and details of her home town Gallipollis in Ohio. All the rotarians who were present thoroughly enjoyed her presentation.

Breaking news:- local finalist Grace McGowan of St Mary's College has won through to the regional finals of this year's Youth Development Leadership Competition held today in Enniskillen, our congratulations to Grace.

November's edition of the club newsletter 'The Oakleaf' has been added to the news section of our website.

November's edition of the RIBI members' newsletter added to the member area of our website.

7 November 2011 - Minutes of the November Council Meeting have been added to the member area and Club Diary has also been updated.

4 November 2011 - Diary updated and photos of Foyle Search and Rescue Trip added to this year's Club Gallery.

31 October 2011 - The October edition of DG Barney's newsletter has been added to the member area of our website, if you get a free minute please have a read there are also some useful links in the newsletter.

28 October 2011 - The 2011-2012 Committees have now been updated in the member area of our website. New members in particular should have a look at this page if they are unsure as to which committee they are to serve on for the current Rotary Year.

27 October 2011 - A useful guide for our newer members who have not yet discovered it in the Rotary section of this website, which I have now converted for your ease of reading to a flip page publication, can be found here.

20 October 2011 - Proposal for membership posted to the member area of the website.

17 October 2011 - The club's October council minutes have been added to the member area of this website.

14 October 2011 - The October RIBI Members' newsletter has been added to the relevant page in the member area of our website.

8 October 2011 - A fantastic day of learning and fellowship enjoyed by four of our members on what turned out to be a most rewarding experience at the hands of Foyle Search & Rescue. Those who attended just wish that more of our members could have been available to join with them and benefit from this unforgetable trip.

30 September 2011 - Our next meeting will be a lunch meeting commencing 1 pm at the City Hotel when our guest speaker will be Lousie Breslin of Enterprising Derry. We look forward to seeing all the members there.

28 September 2011 - Past President & International Globetrotter Werner Scheel attended the Club Meeting of the Rotary Club of Honolulu, which was held in the Hawaii Theater in the city (change of time and venue, as the guest speaker was talking about theater history on the island of Oahu).

Werner was very well received and had the opportunity of talking to a large number of members and also exchanged bannerettes with Club President, Nancy Pace.

19 September 2011 - At today's lunch meeting our guest speaker was Cara McCartney of the Millenium Forum who gave us an informative presentation including figures for the economic benefit the venue brings to our local economy and how it has grown over the 10 years since the Millenium Forum opened.

We also had the pleasure of guests from the Rotary Club of Belfast West who had been in town to walk the Peace Bridge and tour the Ebrington site with Ilex.

President Maurice expressed his and the club's pleasure at seeing the return of Rotarian Andy Bredin at today's meeting.

9 September 2011 - The September edition of the RIBI Members' Newsletter has been added to the member area of our website.

7 September 2011 - The Golf Competition today at Greencastle Golf Club was a great success and the teams enjoyed dry weather for most of the time. Photos have been added to the gallery section of this website and can be viewed by clicking on the photo below.

5 September 2011 - The September edition of our club newsletter The Oakleaf has been added to the website.

Our next meeting is an evening meeting commencing 6pm on Monday 12th September at the City Hotel.

Our intrepid traveller Past President Werner Scheel attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of Sydney today and is photographed below presenting our club banner to their President.

2 September 2011 - Minutes of the September Council Meeting have been added to the member area of the website.

23 August 2011 - The August edition of the District Governor's newsletter has been added to the member area of our website.

22 August 2011 - At today's lunch meeting we were joined by rotarian visitors from Melbourne who are currently on holiday namely Bill and Dianne Sides from the Rotary Club of Clayton. President Maurice exchanged banners with Bill & Dianne.

Wilma Stewart and LesleyAnn Diffin from Power NI also attended our meeting and Wima gave us a most informative presentation on how Power NI (formerly NIE Energy) can assist customers.

21 August 2011 - Nominations for the following District 1160 positions closed yesterday as follows:

District Secretary 2012 2013: Mike Guilfoyle (RC Galway Salthill) as there were no other nominees Mike is deemed to be elected.

District Treasurer 2012 2013: Ivan Conner (RC Lisburn) as there were no other nominees Ivan is deemed to be elected.

District Governor 2014 2015: Maurice Brooks (RC Belfast) and Phillip Beggs (RC Comber) were nominated. An election for that office will now take place at the District Conference.

15 August 2011 - At today's lunch meeting President Maurice was pleased to welcome back Phelim O'Neill as an active member of our club. President Maurice also reported that he had received a letter from Malcolm Luing, who had attended our lunch meeting on Monday 4th July and who is Secretary of the Rotary Club of Melrose. Enclosed with the letter was his club's banner which is displayed below and has been added to the banner page of our website.

The forthcoming Golf Competition at Greencastle Golf Club will now take place on Wednesday 7th September 2011 commencing 2pm. Teams of 4 @ £200 per team which will include food. If you would like to enter a team please contact President Maurice and advise him of details.

August RIBI Members' Newsletter has been added to the member area of our website.

25 July 2011 - July Oakleaf added to website. Club Diary updated to take account of local holidays on Monday 1st August and Monday 8th August. Our next meeting will be a lunch meeting on Monday 15th August.

18 July 2011 - At today's lunch meeting in the City Hotel President Maurice inducted Dearbhala Kelly, daughter of Past President Pat Kelly, as our latest member.

We were pleased to be joined by visitors Mary Graham - President of the Rotary Club of Belfast West and her husband and Past President Johnny. John MacCrossan's sister Rose also joined us for lunch.

The banner received from now President Carolyn McLaughlin of the Rotary Club of Wylde Green at our Club Assembly in June has been added to the banner section of our website.

12 July 2011 - RIBI Members Newsletter for July posted to the member area of the club website.

4 July 2011 - At today's meeting President Alan handed over the chain of office to incoming President Maurice Brennan.

President Maurice then installed President Elect Gavin Killeen