ROTARY District 1010 Governor Roddy Duncan believes the Cowdenbeath Club is a classic example of what he believes the movement is all about, ‘what we do matters’.

Roddy was at the Cowdenbeath Rotary Club meeting on Thursday as part of his tour of the 80 or so clubs in the northern Scotland sector of the movement.

He said he was very aware of the work done by the Cowdenbeath club over the past few years and over the past 12 months in particular with a lot being achieved at home and abroad.

He said: “The tremendous work by the Cowdenbeath members which has seen you raise funds to allow you to help many local good causes and also help save lives abroad, has been amazing for a club with a small membership.

“Supporting many local people to achieve things and at the same time helping people better their lives in the third world and even saving lives, is something to be proud of.

“With a small membership the Cowdenbeath club does punch above its weight and it is a shining example of what can be achieved with a dedicated team who work hard.”

Roddy added: “The Rotary International motto is ‘Service Above Self’ and what is being done by the Cowdenbeath club is a great example of this.”

But he did turn to the world wide problem of a falling membership in the movement and said: “I know that the Cowdenbeath club has lost members through death and other reasons and it is something that is impacting across Rotary International and something that has to be turned around.

“There are changes in society taking place which mean that we have to be more flexible in how people can operate in clubs and that is being dealt with to ensure that attending meetings is not the main thing, but individuals being able to make a contribution in any way they want to has to be the way ahead.

“I know that the Cowdenbeath club has its Friends of Rotary idea which has people making an excellent contribution and this could be developed positively.”

Roddy hopes that the Cowdenbeath club will keep up its good work in the coming 12 months.