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It is said that every minute of every day, Rotary will touch the lives of millions of people somewhere in the world.
The movement's international projects include a commitment to raising $50million a year towards eradicating polio. Since launching in 1985, this project has helped immunize more than 2.5billion children. The number of polio cases worldwide has decreased from 350,000 in 1988 to around 150 this year.
The Rotary Club of Guernsey held its first meeting on 30 October 1922 - 100 years ago yesterday.
It raises tens of thousands of pounds a year for community projects and local charities. Members also volunteer their time at events and projects such as the Saffery Rotary Walk, food hampers for the needy and the Tree of Joy, providing presents for children who might otherwise not receive a gift at Christmas. Several of its projects promote the achievements of young people.
Originally for CONNECT magazine and now reproduced for Express, Matt Fallaize (MF) interviewed Brian Acton (BA), President of the Rotary Club in its centenary year.
Pictured: A child receives her polio vaccine on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
MF: What are the purposes and main aims of the Rotary Club of Guernsey?
BA: It is said that every minute of every day Rotary International will touch the lives of millions of people somewhere in the world. By combining their skills and resources, members of Rotary Clubs around the globe make a real contribution and difference to the lives of others – and this is true for us all in the Rotary Club of Guernsey.
The aim of Rotary is to provide ‘Service above Self’ and this motto binds us all together in the range of services and support that we provide to the community in Guernsey.
MF: When and how did you first become involved with Rotary?
BA: I joined the Rotary Club of Christchurch in New Zealand in 2005 and was personally introduced to Rotary by a friend. Considerable support was provided to me following my induction and with the fellowship that is so willingly offered within Rotary my membership provided a great way of meeting people from many walks of life.
The Club there is very traditional with a long heritage of serving the community not only in Christchurch and the surrounding area but also with their international work in the Pacific Islands.
Following our return to Guernsey in 2007, my membership was seamlessly transferred to the Rotary Club of Guernsey and I quickly became involved in the many activities of our Club.
I became President of the Club in 2016/17 and was honoured when asked to become President again for our centenary year.
Pictured: The Rotary Club led a popular community project to replace the dilapidated Japanese pavilion at Saumarez Park (top left) with a brand new replacement (bottom) constructed by local joiner Will Le Lievre in the workshop at Paul's Joinery (top right).
MF: How do you intend to celebrate Rotary’s centenary year?
BA: The Rotary Club of Guernsey was officially chartered on 3 March 1923, although its first meeting was held on 30 October 1922. The Club has reached many milestones over the past 100 years, which include raising funds and providing support for community projects, local charities and worldwide emergencies.
To launch our centenary celebrations, we were delighted to have been able to work with our generous sponsors and supporters to replace the much-loved Japanese fishing pavilion at Saumarez Park. This iconic and much-loved structure was in real need of saving and the new pavilion not only provides a lasting legacy but also unrestricted access for all in the community to enjoy.
In October, we are hosting a congres des iles weekend when we hope to welcome fellow Rotarians from Jersey and Alderney as well as from the other Clubs on island which will include a celebratory dinner to mark the anniversary of our first meeting.
In March 2023, we will be holding our formal charter night celebration when we will be joined by our sponsors and supporters as we mark the centenary anniversary of being chartered by Rotary International. This will be a very special occasion.
Throughout the year, we will also be holding a variety of social events so that members can enjoy the fellowship that is so evident within our Club.
Pictured: Good causes shared £70,000 from this year's Saffery Rotary walk.
MF: Which Rotary projects are you most proud of?
BA: The Club is involved in so many activities and it is difficult to single out any one initiative as they all make such a difference and are so rewarding in many ways.
The Saffery Rotary Walk is approaching its 25th anniversary in 2023 and this has attracted some 13,000 walkers over the years who have collectively raised over £850,000 for local charities.
The provision of Christmas food hampers for those in need was launched in 1938 and this continues today to meet the increased support that is required for so many in the community. The funds are raised via an annual flag day.
In 1994, the Tree of Joy campaign was launched as a project to provide Christmas presents for children who might not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas. Due to the generosity of many within the community, this annual initiative is still very much in place as demands increase.
The support the Rotary Club of Guernsey provides towards the End Polio Now campaign includes the planting of purple crocuses across the Bailiwick of Guernsey and holding a Purple Pinkie Day each year to raise funds and build awareness of the need to eradicate this dreadful disease.
There are also several projects undertaken that are aimed at encouraging and developing the skills of young people. These have in the past included Young Chef and Youth Speaks and currently include the Young Photographer Competition and Rotary Young Leaders’ Awards. These initiatives assist young people in building their skills, competence and experience and provide them with the confidence and opportunity to compete with others within the Rotary network.
One of the international projects that is close to our heart is the redevelopment of the operating theatre and the provision of essential equipment for a hospital at Kitovu in Uganda. This project was led by our member Tim Peet, who as a local retired surgeon worked so closely with the team in Uganda. With the support of the States’ Overseas Aid Commission, we were able to bring the operating theatre up to modern-day standards, which has no doubt saved the lives of so many.
Pictured: Rotary's Tree of Joy has become a distinctive landmark on the St. Julian's Avenue roundabout every Christmas.
MF: Is it becoming more difficult to recruit Rotarians or does membership continue to go from strength to strength?
BA: We are a successful club with over 70 members from all walks of life with a very wide variety of skills and experience. We are always keen to welcome new members who are interested in being part of a worldwide organisation that provides service and humanitarian support locally and across the world.
The club meets weekly. However, we are very conscious that for many younger members it is difficult to make that regular commitment, particularly those working and with young families. We provide a variety of opportunities to get involved and regularly meet for coffee mornings and evening meetings, in addition to an active social programme to provide members and those interested in joining Rotary with that all-important fellowship.
There are plenty of opportunities for potential new members to work with us on projects to help them get more familiar with the aims and objectives of our club. Inclusivity, diversity, flexibility and adaptability remain key as we encourage members to develop new ways of supporting our community as we grow and develop our club for the future.
Pictured: Rotary raises money for Christmas presents for children from poor families who might otherwise receive no gifts.
MF: Which aspects of your work with Rotary give you most pleasure?
BA: Being directly and actively involved in a wide variety of projects and campaigns where you can see at first hand the impact that we can make.
I am always encouraged by the generosity seen within our community, who provide their time, support and financial assistance to many of our projects. As Rotarians, we are directly involved in all aspects ensuring that the benefit reaches those in need. This is particularly evident when we deliver the food hampers at Christmas that are funded by our annual flag day appeal.
Erecting the lights at the mast on the roundabout is also a memorable time as we launch the Tree of Joy campaign to provide Christmas presents to children who would not otherwise receive a gift. This is very well supported by the community and the lighting of the mast provides a beacon of joy with the knowledge that many children will receive a present at Christmas because of this initiative.
The Saffery Rotary walk involves many Rotarians who are actively involved in the arrangements to make this round-island walk such a continued success. The walk attracts so many individuals of all capabilities who take on this significant challenge and the considerable funds that are raised benefit so many charities and projects within the Bailiwick. I have completed the walk myself and know what a challenge it is but it’s so motivational to achieve the success and to know what a difference the funds raised make to so many.
Enjoying the company of fellow members, many of whom have been actively involved for many decades and who share the same goals and objectives of providing service to the community, is also so rewarding.
Pictured: Brian Acton is leading the Rotary Club of Guernsey as it celebrates its centenary year as part of an international movement which stretches to all corners of the world.
MF: You have given a great deal of time and effort to Rotary – what inspires you to carry on?
Providing service to the community offers me so much pleasure and I am very grateful for the support and financial assistance that is provided by so many corporates and individuals who support our various goals and initiatives.
As Rotarians, we believe that we make so much difference to many lives both within the Bailiwick and internationally and I see the need for our support increasing as we continue to face such difficult times.
There are many Rotarians in our club who have decades of experience and I am pleased to enjoy their fellowship and to follow in their footsteps.
Pictured (top): Brian Acton presenting some of the key projects backed by the Rotary Club of Guernsey since it was founded 100 years ago.
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