The August RIBI Thanks For Life newsletter is available for download as a PDF

 

2010-11

District 1220

Newsletter 1

July 2010

Hello 1220

DG Val has asked me to be the District Coordinator for Thanks for Life this year which is continuing with a national focus in October and around Rotary Day, 23rd February 2011. We hope that many clubs in the District will be planning to organise some type of activity around the themes explored last year and the new ideas for this year. I see my role as facilitator to distribute and exchange information and practice throughout 1220 and it would be useful if clubs could let me know the Rotarian responsible for the Thanks for Life event in their club in order that information can be collected and distributed in the next Newsletter.

FOCUS ON THE CROCUS

Adding a new dimension this year, Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland have partnered with the Eden Project and the International Flower Bulb Centre in Holland to take part in The Big Bulb Plant. With a focus on the crocus, this nationwide project will get ‘everyone’ planting bulbs to enhance their environment and develop their communities. Perfect for our year of Building Communities and Bridging Continents! So, how do you take part?

  • Plan to plant on 2nd October, when we plan to take the Guinness World Record.

  • Buy some purple crocus bulbs – contact me now to benefit from the low cost District purchase scheme or buy locally from a member of the Garden Centre Association.

  • Find somewhere to plant them – you know your area, but we can give you more ideas!
    Consider getting young people to plant them in wacky containers, tend them over the winter and bring their displays to school before half term in February

  • Encourage interest groups to help you – children just love this, so ‘hands that can’ shouldn’t be a problem!
    Celebrate Rotary Day 23rd February 2011 with a blaze of colour!

National Trust Properties have been approached and I have contact details for Hardwick Hall where they would be happy to have 3,000 planted in their wild border.

Bulbs are available to us from the Gee Tee Bulb company at around 25% of RRP, £13 +VAT per 1000 with a minimum order of 5,000. Recommended planting density, formal 150 bulbs per square metre, naturalized 75 p.s.m.

Postage 8 cartons or more, £40+VAT, smaller orders £5+VAT each 5,000.

To take advantage of this offer orders must be with me by 30th July, (a negotiated later date than other districts) and I will coordinate a district order on that date.

IF YOU THINK YOUR CLUB IS INTERESTED IN GETTING CROCUS BULBS IN BULK TO PLANT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU TALK ABOUT IT NOW AND E-MAIL OR PHONE YOUR REQUIREMENTS TO ME ASAP

I have lots more information and links for those of you wishing to take part in this and a means of getting smaller quantities of bulbs a preferential prices if that is more appropriate.


The intention is that many clubs may wish to continue or use activities from last year’s successful campaign. We can however draw useful direction from that experience:-

  1. Plan early, once Autumn comes and many clubs look towards Santa sleighs etc it is too late. Also if you are thinking of inviting schools to take part in a fund raising activity many schools choose their charitable causes in September for the year and decisions are made by the School Council based on information received.

  2. Decide what sort of event you wish to hold and what its purpose is, then it will become clear which club committee spearhead it.The Club TfL event organiser could be a good springboard for a newer member. Every event will have a membership aspect so don’t forget to look outwards.

  3. If you are fundraising for Polio remember what worked well last year. Judging from the photographs at RIBI conference Purple Pinkie events, Purple hair, Purple Bath Buns, Purple Football Strip and Wear Purple Days all seemed to catch public imagination and proved very interesting to the Press. I have access to plentiful materials and ideas for schools in addition to that on www.thanksforlife.org

  4. As far as I can gather there are no new materials, posters this year but quite a lot of us have last years unused. So events such as window displays around Rotary Day and other awareness events are possible.

  5. There is no reason why events have to be in February, think outside the box.
    Events can be a small or as large as you dare, the important thing is to do SOMETHING.

Don’t forget to let me, your District thanks for Life Coordinator know what your plans are; you could be just the inspiration someone else is looking for.

Anni Gell

 

 
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