The final Club in the Naki - Stratford

Jenny, DG Howard, President Barrie
and Dorothy

Driving up President Barrie's drive way we were met by two ducks.  We were warmly welcomed into Dorothy and Barrie's home and spent time catching up and reviewing what has been happening and what is planned for the Rotary Club of Stratford.  This is a Club which has had challenges with membership and I take my hat off to the members on their positive approach.  AG Ian joined us and we traveled to the local 'Shakey Pear' Cafe where we met up with the rest of the Board - Jenny and Jacqui remained to look at the wonderful collection of quilts crafted by Dorothy.  Dorothy is donating the one she is currently creating to

Meeting the Board - deep in
discussion

the Mallow Puff Trust to raise funds.  A programme involving the speech  contests, community raffles, performing arts competitions, books for babies, to name a few.  And then sending off young folk to RYPEN and formulating another project on getting children to raise plants.  We met in this wonderful venue, was served a beautiful meal and enjoyed very friendly company.  We celebrated the oldest member, Jim accompanied by Margaret. and also their newest member Carollynn.  It was good to see the support of fellow Cluster Presidents as well as past AG Jim Shepard.  Even the local media was there.  I spoke of the need for the Club to look forward, to ASK their

Dorothy, AG Ian and President
Barrie

community members to join and to look at media exposure through a combined approach with their Cluster.  Jenny and I hopped in the car to drive home feeling we had been so well looked after in Taranaki 2.  We arrived home tired but very satisfied that we had contributed to the ongoing life of Rotary in the area shadowed by Mt Taranaki. And the ducks remain to welcome more visitors to Stratford's President Barrie.