Report on Association Conference 2012
By Association Publications Committee

Photographs courtesy of Keith Curtis Photography

Copies of these and others taken during the conference may be ordered from keithcurtisphoto.com/innerwheel

 

With no umbrellas or raincoats in sight, warm sunshine welcomed around 2,200 Inner Wheel delegates to Bournemouth for the start of their annual Association Conference, based at Bournemouth International Centre.

Monday morning saw 45 members gather for the traditional Sheila Craine Walk, as waved by Association President Phyllis Charter, 45 they stepped out alongside the Bourne stream, through the gardens and via a route steeped in, historic and architectural interest, brought the walkers back past the War Memorial to the Conference Centre, a little tired possibly, but extremely satisfied!  90 members opting for the less strenuous ride, on the Dotto Land Train to Boscombe, enjoyed the ride beside the sparkling sea, having been sent on their way, with a toot-toot of the whistle by President Phyllis.

An earlier visit of President Phyllis’s busy morning was to the Golf competition at Meyrick Park Golf Course, where she joined the 19 participants for coffee, before watching the first players tee off.

The trophies which were presented at Conference on the Tuesday afternoon by Association President Phyllis were won by: Association Rose Bowl; Stableford Competition Sandra Kerr (Stirling D1) Vera Stewart Shield for the best gross score: Isobel Wilkinson (Berkhamsted Bulbourn D26) Veterans Salver: Linda Doney (Midhurst and Petworth D 25)

Conference registration began with a trickle of members, easily dealt with by a variety of helpers, turned into a flood by mid-afternoon and the noise level rose a thousand fold. It is good to witness the real delight of old friends rediscovering one another, and to see the way newcomers to Conference are given a real warm welcome. Members soon found their way into the sales hall where stalls of every description filled the vast space, with the Spice Trail doing a roaring trade helped considerably by the vocal encouragement of Overseas Association Chairman Trish and her band of helpers.

Encouraged by President Phyllis to think up a publicity opportunity, District10 came up with the idea of ‘ A Circle of Friendship’ on the beach. The intention was to put Phyllis in the middle of her members, flying a kite emblazoned with this year’s theme -"Think Ahead, Aim High" but sadly there was no wind so the kite refused to fly. Undeterred over 70 members from District 10 donned 'Charter' baseball caps and strode out on to the beach, with masses of members from other Districts cheering them on and certainly raised the profile of Inner Wheel.

President Phyllis and husband Paul set a cracking pace for the visits to the Monday evening District Get-togethers, where members have the opportunity to meet with friends old and new in their link club, so ensuring that she could spend time at each venue, talking in turn to groups of members. Many were just evenings of ‘chit and chatter’, others had quizzes, sing songs, talent shows and desert island disc keepings. President Phyllis was warmly welcomed at every place, as members delighted in her company.

Tuesday morning began with a Celebration of Friendship and Service, accompanied by the Fellowship Band. Reverend Rotarian Andrew Perry led the celebration, basing his address on the parable of the talents. Our gifts too should be used rather than hidden away. The hymns, sung with much feeling by the assembled members and inspirational readings, not least President Phyllis’s ‘Remember all the People’, reminded us all of the friendship we share, the service that is given and the beauty and bounty of the world. The stage backdrop depicting our four national emblems; the daffodil, rose, shamrock and thistle, along with Phyllis’s trademark tractors a fitting background.

‘Lighting’ the perpetual candle of friendship, President Phyllis opened the First Conference Session following which a warm welcome was extended by the Worshipful Mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Chris Rochester. It was evident that he spoke with great personal pride about the town.  Association President Phyllis had told us that he had been born and worked in and around the area and that, were he a stick of rock, he probably would have Bournemouth written right through him!

President Phyllis then introduced IIW President Catherine Refabert, who stole a few hearts, when she gave her keynote speech. She could barely hide her emotion in coming to the country in which Inner Wheel was founded. Margarette Golding was, she said, a diamond who enlightened the world and it is now up to each one of us to keep the light shining. With straight-talking, she told us that membership of Inner Wheel is falling and now is the time to change and adapt to the circumstance of the 21st Century. .Just as in her day Margarette Golding had looked to the future, we too need to be visionaries for the future of Inner Wheel at all levels, local, national and international.

Catherine’s conviction inspired many of us to share her positive view of the future and offered reassurance to those reluctant members clinging to the successes of the past. We cannot abandon our roots of friendship, nor do we want to, but IIW has a champion in the form of its President who by thinking ahead and aiming high sees a positive role for us all. Conference responded to her and applauded her dedication! She closed with words from the French writer Antoine de Saint Exupery: “Love is not looking at each other, but looking together in the same direction”.

Conference then gave a very warm welcome to Charlotte Fletcher, a finalist last year at the Rotary International Young Musician Competition. Singing a selection of Pursell songs, which she explained in a very confident and ensured manner, in an astounding performance, with tonal quality perfect diction and deep emotion, her songs touched us all. Indeed Charlotte held Conference in the palm of her hand.

Rosie Swale Pope , taking on her adventures, recorded in her book ‘A Little Run around the World’, addressed conference next. Rosie’s reason for her journey followed the death of her husband Chris who had died from Prostate Cancer. Rosie felt she had to do something so the idea to run around the world was born, raising funds for the charity. Starting with a marathon she progressed from there. ‘Need is a great Teacher’ she said, as with many anecdotes of her various adventures, Rosie had the audience gasping, especially when she related her encounter with a timber wolf. Starting out on 23 rd February 2004, there were many times when she could only think step by step, but eventually on 17 th September 2005 Rosie arrived back, having worn out 53 pairs of shoes.

Opening the Second Conference Session President Phyllis introduced , Steve Jenkin Director of Health and Social care for the charity Sue Ryder, the largest providers of hospice services in the UK, whose aim is ‘to make every moment count for everyone in their care.’ Following a short film about the Sue Ryder home in Peterborough, which gave us an excellent insight into the work being carried out, President Phyllis, explaining to Conference that lots of money had been sent directly to the charity by clubs, presented an interim cheque from money raised by members so far this Inner Wheel year. Steve was delighted retrieve the cheque and thanked members for their generosity.

Julie Stokes, OBE then came on stage to receive a cheque, being the collection taken at the Celebration of Friendship and Service, on behalf of the charity she herself set up – Winston’s Wish, which helps bereaved children need help to come to terms with their loss. Julie began with a short film showing the variety of ways that help can be given. One little boy, whose father had died whilst on military service, came for one of the Winston’s Wish weekends. The time spent with caring and understanding people enabled him to speak about his problems. A parent can also attend with the child and one mother commented that she felt “like a weight had been lifted and that they belonged together and could go forward”. Having touched the hearts of many there, the applause for Julie was deafening.

President Phyllis then welcomed onto the stage RIBI President Ray Burman as “My sparring partner.” Telling us how his initial involvement with Rotary began as a member of the Rotary Group Study Exchange with Brazil in 1979, with hindsight he recognised this opportunity as a totally life-changing experience and was pleased to be invited to join Rotary a few years later. With many lively and amusing anecdotes about his early career as a ‘Bobby on the Beat’ (shades of Dixon of Dock Green) he kept his audience entertained, but it was in speaking of Rotary that he was at his most impressive and there was no mistaking the pride he took his leadership and in wearing the Rotary badge.

President Phyllis then introduced the inspirational Olivia Giles OBE, who brought tears to the eyes of many in the hall, as she explained how her fairly new charity ‘500 miles’ provides prosthesis for amputees, often children and young people in Malawi, Zambia and Zanzibar, where previously there was no help for them. Olivia, at the age of 36, had contracted meningococcal septicaemia which had resulted in quadruple amputations, below knees and below elbows. Olivia spent a year in hospital and the best day there was the day she received her artificial legs and she knew she would walk again. Teaching others, in poorer countries, to make better artificial aids became her goal so that by giving people artificial legs you give independence, dignity and hope. . She described Inner Wheel as making ‘the big wheel go round’ and said that it was helping to spread the word about the charity with its aim of ‘Getting People Moving’. There was a feeling after Olivia’s speech that many members would be following up on this worthwhile charity.

Delegates reassembled on Tuesday evening for the House of Fraser Fashion Show. The thought of 800 raffle prizes added to the thrill of the evening, the proceeds of which were to go to the Wessex Cancer Trust which gave an added incentive to buy tickets. Much to the delight of the organisers, Inner Wheel members managed to break a record - by purchasing all the raffle tickets before the evening had begun! Presented with a foretaste of summer colours and styles, from many designers, within the House of Frazer Store, the room really erupted when the male models came on stage and played to the audience, adding humour to the catwalk! The children brought an ‘ah’, from all the members when they came on, but remained completely professional. Interval entertainment was provided, in two sections, by singer Lisa Faye, with a selection of Barbara Streisand songs - audience participation did not prove a problem - while member, Daphne Fowler, was the recipient of a glamorous make-over, by a renowned make-up artist, in front of a rapt audience.

‘Abuzz’ as always, the hall filled quickly, as members took their seats on Wednesday morning in readiness for the A.G.M. President Phyllis conducted proceedings throughout, in her warm and friendly manner, with that hint of humour at the appropriate times. Conference listened attentively to reports from the Treasurer, Overseas Service Chairman and Editor, which recorded the work done by members of the Association across Great Britain and Ireland and the amazing diversity of ways that funds are raised for so many charities and good causes both at home and abroad, thereby fulfilling this year’s theme to ‘Think Ahead and Aim High. An Open Forum followed. Much discussion ensued on future conference venues, with serious points made, as members aired their views. Other topics included Fares Pool; The Criteria for the Margarette Golding Award and Retention of Youth Clubs. The topic Male Partners Joining Inner Wheel raised some serious points but also some amusement.

 After lunch, President Phyllis welcomed back delegates and guests for the Third Conference Session, and introduced guest speaker, Adam Henson, of ‘Countryfile’ fame, who had all the ladies in the palm of his hand, as without any notes he told of his life growing up in the Cotswolds, his family background and how he got into television. His easy charming manner, poking fun at himself at times, but showing his dedication to the countryside held everybody spellbound. Needless to say his books sold like hot cakes.

Having been introduced by Constitution Chairman Ann Gaunt, Association President Phyllis was welcomed onto the stage, with very generous applause, our President gave us a very well thought out and measured address. Obviously proud of being our President, she has been overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of all members during her travels around the country. She gave special thanks to her husband Paul who has been a tower of strength in every way. We heard about her immediate family and the enormous pride she takes in them all. This year she has had the joy of seeing her family expand by seemingly 20,000, as Inner Wheel members have given her such support and shown real affection in every District she has visited. We are, she said, but caretakers of our wonderful organisation and as such must be sure to hand on something even better to those who come after us. Looking towards the IIW Convention, Phyllis said that we now face the prospect of real change ahead. Not everything we face can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced. If we don’t change, we don’t grow; if we don’t grow we are not really living. If Margarette Golding could introduce change in 1924 surely we can do it in 2012. We should be proud to wear our badge. Always remember that if you think you are too small to be effective you have never been in the dark with a mosquito. Every single club is an important part of the whole. President Phyllis has always told us that the privilege of holding office has meant that we are peacocks for a while and become feather dusters as we step down. The power of the feather duster to bring order to all sorts of corners and high places is well known to us all and thousands of feather dusters can, and do, make a difference wherever they are wielded

Vice President Sheila Halliday-Pegg, saying that President Phyllis had sown the seeds of renewed confidence that we would all plough back into our organization, gave the vote of thanks for an excellent conference, before Immediate Past President Pam McConnell thanked President Phyllis for all she has put into this Inner Wheel Year, with her hard work, dedication and service. Pam also thanked everyone for the wonderful support she had received during her time in office.

President Phyllis then announced the AssociationExecutive for 2012 -2013

Association President – Sheila Halliday-Pegg (D7)
Association Vice President – Gill Rowley (D3)
Immediate Past President – Phyllis Charter (D10)
Association Treasurer – Elizabeth Weaver (D12)
Constitution Committee Chairman – to be announced later
Overseas Service Committee Chairman – Trish Douglas (D1)
Editor – Thelma Pacsoo (D4)

With the assistance of Immediate Past President Pam McConnell, who had carried in the regalia, on a beautifully embroidered blue cushion presented to Association by D16, Vice President Sheila Halliday-Peg was then adorned with the Presidential Chain by President Phyllis, The chain, of course, is handed back to be presented officially at the Association Assembly, but members attending conference are delighted to be able to witness this ceremony.

President Phyllis then welcomed the Conference Committee to the stage thanking them for all their hard work and commended the members of all the other Association committees who work diligently on everyone’s behalf.

As the Candle of Friendship was extinguished the 2012 conference came to a close.

The delightful New Forest Children’s Choir then came on stage to entertain us. Immaculately dressed, it was evident that the 19 children had a close rapport with their conductor Alison Russell-Hayward. Their diction was superb throughout their five songs and we could easily understand how they had already passed through the first heat of this year’s “Choir of the Year” competition. With a captivating and enthusiastic rendering of “Oh, Happy Day!” these wonderful performers echoed the thoughts of all there.

Keeping up with tradition, the President’s Evening is party time and with a Country and Western theme, never in the field of 20 th Century Fox cowboys had such sights been seen! Cowboy hats in every shape and colour - some complete with long pink wigs and jeans of every hue, vied with a rainbow of check shirts. Cowgirls in short skirts and high boots ‘strutted their stuff’, while hobby horse riders galloped gamely across the entrance halls. The noise of laughter and real fun echoed throughout the BIC, and many group photographs were taken in all sorts of poses causing even more laughter. The band ‘Grassfire’ got everyone in the mood, with many dancing (well, maybe dancing wasn’t quite the exact description of what was taken place) and others sitting watching, generally enjoying it all. This was a very successful evening that rounded off Conference beautifully, and sent us all home happy and contented.