As this is my first report as President of the Fellowship, I think it is appropriate to visit the basic objectives as set out in our Constitution. They are:

1 . To develop fellowship, understanding, and acquaintance of Rotarians worldwide, who share a common interest in aviation and thereby help to achieve the furtherance of the ideals and objectives of Rotary International.

2. To serve the community and humanity through aviation.

3. To organise a minimum of two fly-ins per year, with smaller regional fly-ins organised at the discretion of regional members.

4. To achieve a better understanding of aviation among non-flying Rotarians and others, through appropriate Rotary Club programs.

How we have been performing relative to the above objects? The first objective would appear to being met by the attendance of members in the International Conferences and also their participation in the subsequent Fly- aways. Many International friendships have been forged over the years in this regard and this was very evident when we had our own post conference Flyaway around Queensland some years ago.

We also appear to have been continuing to meet our second objective. There are many ways in which we have served and are continuing to serve the community and humanity through aviation. Members have provided their aircraft and service over the years in various charitable areas. The most recent example of this is Angel Flight where quite a few of our members continue to provide active support to this charitable body.

The third objective of having two Fly-ins a year and also Regional Fly-ins from time to time has also been achieved. The friendships that have developed at these Fly-ins have been maintained over the years to the extent that due to our ageing membership some of our Fly-ins are almost combined Fly-ins/Drive-in.

The final objective is one that we probably need to give some additional thought. We are to some extent the victim of the reduced membership of Rotary over recent years. We have been faced with a reducing and aging membership in IFFR. In 1996 we had over 200 members! Today we have less than 100!

Ian Hope, our Treasurer, since early March, has been sending letters to all Club Presidents in an endeavour to increase awareness and stimulate membership. It is suggested that each member endeavour to address their own clubs to provide further support to this initiative, perhaps by giving a verbal report to their club on the most recent Fly-in from time to time. I am sure that members of Clubs would be interested in the activities and this may attract additional members. Brochures are available if required

Trevor T. Steel

President

email president@iffr.org.au