The Rotary Club of Finchley
		CLUB REPORT OF ACTIVITIES LAST ROTARY YEAR An eventful year for the Club in which we took a new direction MEMBERSHIP, PR  AND ATTENDANCE We entered the Rotary Year on the 28th June, 2005 when our first lady President Anne Rowland was inducted. At the handover meeting Past President Parames Biswas was awarded a Sapphire for his Paul Harris award.  The presentation was made by RIBI Treasurer and Past District Governor Sidney Parker on behalf of the Club. In addition 25 years Service Awards were also made by Sydney Parker to Parames Biswas and Trevor Williams. Our venue, The Glenlyn Hotel is appropriately situated in North Finchley and provides elegant and comfortable surroundings for our meetings; it is an excellent venue. The buffet breakfast served is of a high standard and service is good. Club Council business is transacted in general meetings whenever possible. At other times Club Council is held in members' homes, combining Club business with fellowship. Our weekly meetings have an informal format but still adhere to RIBI & RI requirements, are business like and effective. Thanks to the work of Andrew Galatopoulos we have a vibrant and informative website with interesting and up to date information. It is entered in the District Web Site Competition. Improved attendance and frequent visitors from other clubs have kept our club funds at a healthy level, maintained by the vigilance of our Treasurer, John Rowland. We are co-operating with other local clubs in fund raising, joint activities and fellowship. Despite being small, the Club is remarkable for conviviality and energetic activity.  PROGRAMME OF SPEAKERS The system operated by Trevor Williams whereby members either speak or provide a speaker on the designated dates has been very successful. A variety of topics have been addressed, in addition to visits from District Governor 1130 and Mayor of Barnet. DISTRICT CONFERENCE A party of 5 members represented the club at District Conference in Eastbourne on October 2005.   COMMUNITY SERVICE The following activities were held to generate funds for charitable causes: Barbeque at Finchley Carnival on 16 and 17 July 2005 which raised £600. Jazz evening held in February 2006 at St Mary's Church Hall, Finchley Central  which raised a profit of  £1,900. On Stroke Awareness Day, 8 April 2006, we joined with Barnet & East Barnet at The Spires Shopping Centre. With help from professional colleagues of Meena Biswas we contributed to the taking of the blood pressure of over100  members of the public. The visit of the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Andreas Tambourides instigated a donation of £250 to his chosen charity , Mind in Barnet. Other donations made during the year were:     £ Hearing Dogs for the Deaf  500 Mind in Barnet  250 Xmas Hamper for Needy Family  50 Xmas Toys for Childrens' Ward at Barnet General Hospital       205 Prizes for Childrens' IT Competition at Finchley Carnival  180 Barnet Schools Young Inventor Competition run by us  140 Support for local Branch of NSPCC Charity Quiz    100 North London Hospice donation 250 Xmas Music Hall Show for Elderly at local (Woodside) Home  100 Donation to Oak Lodge Special School for their play park               1,000 Save a Child's Heart  150 Mercy Ships  500 Dragon Boat Race - St Mary's School  250 FOUNDATION The RIBI recommended contribution was  made to Rotary Foundation and in addition we made an extra donation of £400.  GSE programme. A visit to the Arts depot, Finchley, was greatly appreciated by the team from R.I.D 3040 India.  This was followed by a lunch at a coaching inn, The Mitre, where Finchley handed the team over to P.P. Jenny Remfry, R.C. Barnet and East Barnet.  INTERNATIONAL Two Shelter Boxes were purchased at a cost of £989 for the earthquake disaster in Islamabad. YOUTH ACTIVITIES Youth Speaks  In conjunction with RC Golders Green, the area round was hosted at Finchley Catholic High School.  Young Inventor -  Parames Biswas again organized the competition; we were assisted by members from RC Golders Green, RC Friern Barnet & Whetstone, RC RC Hillside, RC Enfield Chase and a number of our Friends of Rotary.  There were 37 finalists in all, from 7 schools in the area. The final was hosted by Ravenscroft School. A highly successful event. The Club again sponsored the IT competion for schools to produce the cover of the Finchley Carnival Programme. Involvement in Local Schools  Apart from the Young Inventor Competition, three members of the Club are school governors and are able to promote Rotary and gain support.  A member of our club, Andrew Halstead, has been elected Associate Governor to Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School, a Specialist College for Media Arts, where Anne Rowland is Chair of Governors: he gives valuable service in advising on site and buildings. THANKS Our thanks to  President Anne Rowland for energetic and effective leadership, making 2005/06 a successful and rewarding year for all concerned. Secretary John Ram 26 May 2006