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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?
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Plan to plant on 2nd
October, when we plan to take the Guinness World Record.
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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.
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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
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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:-
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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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The
August RIBI Thanks For Life newsletter is
available for 