President’s Introduction

Greeting to all Nairn Rotarians and friends. I am sure you are all pleased to see the first signs of spring. In addition to the flowers and rising temperatures, the progress towards the Challenge is noted with great pleasure. Our Rotary Nairnshire Challenge is now well established and attracts many participants. We are grateful to John, his committee and the many helpers that make this event such a success. John will be issuing a separate note on this year’s event.

The spring and summer seasons are busy for us Nairn Rotarians. Golf starts in earnest, holidays are planned and taken. Children at school become concerned with exams and for those seeking further education the quality of the pass mark. I wish everybody success. The Show and Games will have representation from Nairn Rotarians. Bill is arranging some new games for our stand and John is still seeking Yale keys. Bill and Will must be thanked for his very hard work in arranging events and investigating options. May I make a plea for members to support them by attending events.

The club has its AGM and Assembly soon. Senior Vice-President Martin has finalised his team for next year, our Diamond Jubilee Year.

Our club has demonstrated yet again how generous it is to charities and local organisations. There is an update of the Nepal Water & Sanitation Project in this newsletter.

John C Brown

Future Events

4      April      2006   Will Wordie
11    April      2006   Council Report
18    April      2006   Martin Macdonald
25    April      2006   Laurie Fraser

2      May      2006   Ion Petrow (Work talk)
9      May      2006   Council Report
16    May      2006   Pre-Challenge briefing meeting
23    May      2006   Ed Chambers
30    May      2006   Fellowship Meeting

6      June     2006   Jim Clark
13    June     2006   Council Report
20    June     2006   David Maclean
27    June     2006   Paul Lobar

4      July      2006   Eddie Mann
11    July      2006   Council Report
18    July      2006   Calum Grant
25    July      2006   Bill Wilson

Duty Rota

April 2006 John Billett/ John Brown
May 2006 George Ayoma/ Bob Steward
June 2006 George Pirie/Don Farmer
July 2006 Charles Grant/George Mackay

If you are unable to meet the schedule please arrange a substitute and inform Will Cowie

All three Scottish Districts are to hold their Conferences in Aviemore but our District was the first to "Lead the Way".

District 1010 Conference is under the watchful eye of Conference Chairman, Stewart Wilson, who is guiding along a very enthusiastic team from the Westhill Club and they are supported by District. We have a very full and interesting programme for all who will join us on 29/30 September and 1 October. RIBI President Peter Offer has chosen Cancer Research and Barnardos for his Charities. It is my wish to raise monies for Childline over 2006/07.

Also let us support Bill Boyd with + 1 member per club. District 1010 can rise to this Challenge

Mary & I look forward to greeting all Rotarians at the Conference

District Governor Elect, Bill Leslie

Project Update

Laxmipur Water and Sanitation Project, Nepal

A total of £14301 has been raised and now in the Bank. A total of 22 Clubs are 'on board' for the project and with 6 still to confirm their amounts raised/contributed we are hopeful that we will not be too far away from the total requirement of £18/19000 (dependent on exchange rates which have not been in our favour recently). Obviously delighted to have good involvement from Clubs in District 1010, particularly when many have other international projects that they are already involved with.

Laxmipur is in the south east of Nepal, near the Indian border, and although there is political unrest with Maoist factions all round the area, the contract is progressing well and NEWAH (Nepal Water for Health) who are in charge of all work, report that they Risk Rate the project as 'Low'. On completion, around the end of this year, there will be 2719 Beneficiaries in 459 households. NEWAH have forwarded a first quarterly report and finance statement and another one is due shortly. We have remitted two lots of funds totalling £9000 (around 50%) and will be prepared to forward another tranche when asked shortly. Initially we had £5000 in the Bank representing the 'left over' from fundraising projects last year. Elgin club’s own recent fundraising this year with the 'Pledges and Promises' night brought in another £3800. Nairn's contribution is the largest other Club contribution. Obviously we are very grateful for this marvellous demonstration of support.

Nairn members will recall that Finlay and I spoke to the Club towards the end of last year with information about the earlier venture at Nepaljunge, in South West Nepal, where we provided Water, Sanitation and Health for a lower number of beneficiaries. Cost was around £6.60 per beneficiary! Basically this current project is on the same lines as before, but with a greater cost, a greater number of beneficiaries, and a benefit per head around the same figure.

David W. Sutherland. Elgin

NEWSLETTER

Spring 2006

President’s Introduction

Future Events

Club

Challenge 28 May

District