Minutes of the meeting of Coleraine Probus Club
Held in Portstewart Golf Club on Tuesday 15th October 2013

Attendance: 40 members were present.

Apologies: Noel Finlay, John Graham, Des Johnston, John Ludlow, John McHenry, Gareth Parry, Mervyn Patterson, Nigel Semple, Robin Semple and Tony Smyth (10)

Club President Graham Kane welcomed club members and then introduced our speaker for the morning and brother of member Jim, Mr. David Archer, who was making a most welcome return to the club to talk about Africa and part of its history. A brief summary of this talk and excellent PowerPoint presentation is available in the Speakers Record Book, and on the club web site, for members interest. A vote of thanks was proposed by Hamilton Houston and was passed on by the President. The members showed their appreciation.

Minutes: The minutes of the meeting on 8th October 2013 were read, agreed and signed.

Matters arising: None not covered by the agenda

Correspondence: The Secretary read a letter of thanks he had received from the RNLI as well as a notice about a 'Retirement Living' exhibition on 24th October at the Lodge.

Rally 2014: Jim Gordon reported on the Rally Committee meeting held earlier in the morning. Deadlines and tasks to be arranged were now clearer. Members of the committee were aiming to have all the basic components for the rally in place and details circulated to all the clubs in Ireland by the end of January, with all registrations to be in for 16th April. The President said that the official Rally Booklet was being compiled by member Billy Platt, with John Dobson trying to get advertisements for the booklet to cover printing costs. This was a particularly difficult task, and Graham asked all members if they could help by thinking of someone who may be able to purchase a half or quarter page advert space.

Social: Jim Gordon handed out menus for the Club Meal on 29th October, and asked if bookings and choices could be in for next weeks meeting, and please make a note of your menu choice to save confusion on the day. Jim then went on to say that he would be circulating the meal choices menu for the special 25th Anniversary buffet meal after the October lunch, but was asking members to sing up now in order gauge numbers. The President reminded members that this was a very special occasion indeed with the Mayor and many guest 'celebrities' there too. He hoped that all members and partners would be attending.

Welfare: Cecil Spotten reported that Arnold Carson was currently in a nursing home, and Ronnie Gray was awaiting a pacemaker to be fitted.

Treasurer: Nigel Semple being absent, there was nothing to report

A O B: New Member: Jim Gordon proposed Peter FitzGerald (our previous Rotary Club Liaison Officer) for club membership. This was seconded by John McGlade and agreed by all the members.

New Ties: Members were reminded that they could order a new club tie for up-coming events by indicating their choice on the form by the badge box.

Next Speakers Meeting: Would be (once the secretary learnt how to read a calendar) on 22nd October, where the guest speaker would be Mr. Peter Jack, telling us about Borneo.

Meeting closed at 12.10pm

SIGNED: Gordon Ward
DATE: 22nd October 2013