Pres John opened the meeting at 7.05 

Guest was Marilyn Smith   The Early Bird Cafe .

Rotary Affirmation  Present: Pres John, Sam Helou, Rob Whitney Paul Sarks, Tim O'Connor Keith Weeding, Fred Walker, Peter Moore

pp Fred introduced Marilyn Smith -

The Early Bird Cafe runs from 6.30 to 8.00 

History – Has run for 8 years from St Stephens Uniting Church in the city. There were people sleeping on their doorstep and so the idea was to provide them with breakfast every morning. 

To set up the Charity you will need liability insurance and be registered as a charity. Need a Board and a Constitution. Funds from Donations. Also may  get food from Food bank and Oz Harvest. Will need Tax deductibility. Will need Board meetings 

Set up of breakfast from an Industrial kitchen -a  commercial size preferred . Organise garbage, food delivery, access and volunteers, If seating guests inside will need a sizeable room with tables and chairs. Crockery etc

During COVID Take away only  – needed containers which were an additional cost

Volunteers 6 people on a team.  If inside need 8 people, so 40 people a week, serve 50 – 80 people per day 

Serve from the steps of St Stephens. We did 75 this morning. Give take away snacks, give them a bag to carry them away. Also sleeping bags and toiletries which are all donated. At the moment packaging is expensive 

Support services for them from St Vincent's Hospital, Liaise with Sydney City Council and the Church.

Volunteers do everything from Cooking to serve to Chatting. Volunteers work as teams on a particular morning from 5am. They came  from Rotary, but as well, now many City offices now use it as a volunteering initiative for their firm, and so send a team. They are provided with Aprons, Masks, Gloves, Face screens, Covid sign in. Also support from elsewhere,  primary schools make things to use and distribute as school projects. 

Funds and governance - proper accounts to maintain charitable status. Individual and corporate donors, Oz Harvest and Food Bank. Woolworths donate substantial funds every month. 

Burwood Rotary needs to come in and see for yourself . Get involved. Look for the need in the Burwood area. Good luck 

Many Questions-  Behind the scenes how many hours. People taking deliveries during the week. Putting things away

What's App group for management and messages. Rotary Club has a day- Tuesday. John, Sam and Fred are going. Anyone welcome. 

Marilyn was thanked by Pres John Meeting ended 8.15            Notes by Peter Moore