One of the most important days of the year for Vivian
happened on 26th April, with the District Assembly, which is really
her show, where she passes on messages from RI President Elect Gary Huang, RIBI
President Elect Peter King, and of course from herself to club officers from
around the District. Her District Team were called up one by one to the front and presented
to the throng, and what a capable bunch they are, as evidenced by the warm
applause they received.
Club Officers wait expectantly to hear from the DGE
The DGE did extremely well, looking calm and unflustered
throughout the plenary session, but demonstrating great enthusiasm for her role
which has been a feature of her DGE-ship.
Most would have fretted for days prior to the event, but she was serene
and confident in her preparation beforehand.
Health & Safety Advice from Peter Dancey. 'If there's a fire, follow me out'
My presence was more ceremonial, although I was expecting to
be called up with the District team. I
sat poised, ready to leap to my feet when summoned, but to my surprise I wasn't mentioned. I thought this was a bit uncalled for (like me, in fact). Perhaps she was thinking that I would steal
the limelight from her, but she didn’t need to worry. I was only intending to say a few words when I
got up to the stage, I would have been finished within 5 or 10 minutes, and
then she could have got on with her precious assembly.
The DGE in full flow at plenary session
I think others in the room were also shocked at my
treatment, as I’m sure I heard someone say ‘What about the Consort?’ However I am prepared to concede that I may
have misheard, as Sylvia and Gill, who were sitting next to me, had been
concerned that their breakout session might be the ‘wrong sort’.
I graced the International breakout session, led by Jim
Onions, and there was a lot of discussion about Sand Dams, the excellent
project bringing water to Kenya, which the whole District is supporting. Jim
kindly allowed me to speak for 5 minutes to those present about Mission forVision, the Shepperton-based charity for which I am trying to get support from
other clubs and Districts.
The final plenary session included a promotion of
this year’s District Conference at Bristol presented by Mike Thorn, who sounded rather unwell
and ought to have been in bed. One of the highlights this year will be a talk
by one of the original Dam Busters squadron.
Lunch followed for the DGE and Presidents Elect to which I
wasn’t invited (Do you see a theme developing here?), so I dropped Sylvia and
Gill back home and fetched Daisy, who had spent the morning with Linda and
Charlie, and was consoled with a slice of Linda’s Simmel cake and a cup of tea.
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