Back in 2005 some Cambridge Rotary Club members who shared a love of Rock and Roll music from the era in which they grew up, decided to form a band. Although nameless in the early days, the band performed in black attire and sported black bowler hats. This look had a Blues Brothers band similarity, and this was commented on by a former Rotary Cambridge member Bill Kerrisk. He comically quipped that the Rotary band looked more like “bruised brothers,” and so the name was born.

 

From those early days of only performing at the Cambridge Rotary President Changeover events, the Bruised Brothers band has continued to play at many Rotary functions, as well as at weddings, birthdays and social events as far away as central Auckland. The band has played at, and still is, performing at many Waikato and Bay of Plenty Retirement Villages. Of course, playing many songs from the 1960’s and 70’s resonates with those brought up in that era, and often sets the venues a-rockin’.

 

Occasionally the band plays free for a good cause, but mostly charges for its services, and this money comes back to Rotary Cambridge to distribute within the community. Over the years since its formation, the band has raised in excess of $25,000, making it one of Cambridge Rotary’s successful projects.

 

Most of the original band members are still Bruised Brothers today. Current  Bros (and Sister) are Roger Hill (lead guitar), Colin Davis (saxophone, clarinet, tin whistle, harmonica), Bill Wilson (lead vocals), John Bullick (rhythm guitar, vocals), Greg Gascoigne (bass guitar), Kim Prichard (rhythm guitar, vocals), Alan van Niekirk (guitar, vocals), Shona Devoy (vocals), Nigel Donne (drums, percussion). On many occasions, Colin Davis has utilised his considerable talent to write lyrics for songs that can be adopted to suit an occasion such as a President Changeover event-always popular and humorous.

 

The Bruised Brothers have a huge amount of fun and spend a lot of time perfecting their playlists to ensure their audiences have an enjoyable time. Regular gigs need adequate practice time, and so most Wednesday nights the band is hard at work in Roger Hill’s music room. 

 

It seems that this group of passionate musicians will be part of the Rotary Cambridge culture for some time to come.

 

Equipment Duty
Time:	5.15pm in time to set up before regular meeting. Plus after the close of the meeting
Duty:	Set up and close down venue
How:	Ensure bollards open Place name badges so members can recover them as they arrive. Arrange placemats on each table. Put out plates, utensils, etc on end of bench to left of servery. Set up lectern and join 2 tables to create a top table. Data projector turned on by remote in draw and HDMI cable ready for speaker’s computer. Place Sergeant’s paraphernalia on top table (shrapnel box, fines box, raffle numbers, bell and hammer). Microphone to be placed by lectern. Turn on sound system in right cupboard, turn on 3 power switches. Place President’s paraphernalia on top table (chain of office). Place pull-up banners by top table behind lectern. After the meeting return all equipment, including name badge box where you found it in cupboard. Venue should be left as it was found.
Materials:	Name badges Rotary Banner Lectern Placemats Dinner plates, utensils Gong, Raffle
	Turn as many lights off as possible, turn off heating.
Locking up:	Last one out lock bollards and shut outside door

Bar Duty
Time:		5-5.15pm in time to assist with set up before regular meeting.
Duty:		Set up bar - sell drinks - clear up afterwards & restock for next week.
How:		Key to Bar fridge is in top left pigeon hole. Glassware in cupboards out back by pigeon holes, only in right cupboard. Display name of Duty Manager and licence Serve at bar before meeting from 5.30pm. Serve members after business sessions and before meal. Place empty bottles/ cartons in recycling bins. Return unused and part used bottles to fridge. Reds to cupboard out back Stock up fridge for following meeting – supplies kept in cupboard by entrance- same keyring. If stocks low advise purchaser Leave float of $120 in frig- Mainly $5 notes if possible. Rest of money to treasurer
Materials:		Glassware (wineglasses)
Locking up:		Return any unused drinks to fridge or cupboard and lock fridge.
Speaker Introduction
Duty:	Welcome speaker - introduce to President and Club.
How:	Be in time to welcome the evening's speaker. Introduce to President. Ensure they are set up for any PowerPoint presentation they have with them - ask if they have a USB to use (IT duty person will take over setting up IT equipment). Confirm that talk should be about 20 minutes with 10 minutes for questions. Provide with drink from bar (Club pays for this). Help guest socialise with members once set up. Sit with guest for the meeting at the top table. Introduce the speaker to the club with brevity. If you have looked them up on Dr Google before the meeting make sure you have the right person.

Thanking Speaker
Time:	After Speaker
Duty:	Thank speaker and present with small token of appreciation (if there is one).
How:	Obtain thank you gift from Sergeant, if appropriate. Thanks should be extremely brief and ask the club to show its appreciation.

Kitchen Duty
Time:	Follows regular meeting.
Duty:	Wash and dry bar glassware.
How:	Tables should clear glassware into kitchen. Clear tables of crockery so caterer can wash. Hand wash glasses and packed into boxes and return to back cupboard.
Materials:	Provided in kitchen
Locking up:	Leave with those on equipment

Club Meetings  Attendance Duty
Time:	5.20pm in time to welcome people as they arrive at venue – currently at Cambridge High Staff room
Duty:	Welcome members and visitors alike.
How:	Record attendance and apologies on attendance sheet. Complete name cards for all visitors to wear and record names. Record make ups and receive attendance cards. Provide attendance cards to visiting Rotarians. Charge $23.50 for meal unless guest of a member. Encourage members to buy raffle tickets. Give President list of all visitors including member’s partners and visiting Rotarians.  Prepare summary of attendance numbers. Hand attendance sheet to treasurer for charging of meals.

Welcome Duty
Time:	5.20pm in time to welcome people as they arrive.
Duty:	Welcome members and visitors alike.
How:	Stand by the entrance and greet everyone as they arrive (a great way to learn members’ names). Introduce any visitor to the President if possible (he/she may be otherwise engaged). Introduce the speaker to the person rostered to introduce them later in the evening. You will need to know who the speaker is and who is introducing them. Introduce other visitors to one or more members and ask them to host the visitor for the evening.