This week we had the induction of Robert Johnson which was a real highlight to see someone with such enthusiasm “to serve”, terrific attitude and great to see Debra as well.
We all wish Robert the very best in Rotary service, and already is a valuable member.
I hope we can all work towards more members for our club as I know this is important for our future success in what we do so well. We really need to keep this a priority and is the responsibility of all of us.
Kate Kent was inspirational in telling us all about the success of Geelong Mums, and demonstrated a model that appears to be very successful. Whilst she acknowledges our achievements she may be teaching us a thing or two. This is the type of challenge which is very valuable to our club in a changing world.
Next week we need to start putting the “meat on the bones” on the programs we would like to support – I’m keen for us to challenge the norms and maybe recognize when some activities are not meeting the criteria of the 4 way test and the matrix. As I have mentioned I would like us to consider within the committees aspects of affordability to our club and understanding how each program may assist our membership. As with affirmative action if projects are of equal value but one has a better membership potential we should go with that.
It’s great to see our fellowship committee starting off so well – with a Thai meal this Saturday, fellowship is such an important bind and to hear 34 people are attending demonstrates a great strength.
Don’t forget next Thursday – As early start as practical (6pm if we can) to get into important Committee work.
Ray Rounds was MC again - a little more polished the second time around.
President David welcomed our guests - notably Robert and Deborah (Robert to be inducted later in the meeting) Kate Kent our guest speaker and Marta Sinclair.
The first Board meeting for the new Rotary year is next Monday at David's place. 27 Grosvenor Drive at 7.15pm.
Next week's meeting will be a Committees meeting to discuss budget and will commence as close to 6.00pm as we can make it.
Then came the induction of Robert - introduced by David Sinclair. He's already in the Waurn Ponds Community group, has helped out with projects we've undertaken in the past few of weeks, so obviously a good worker in tune with community needs.
Welcome to official membership of Rotary, Robert. And welcome to the family of Rotary also to Deborah his wife.
Announcements
Jim - Circus Quirkus is less than 3 weeks away (5th August) - the amount collected at present is $67,500 - well down on the total of around $120,000 overall which we have had in the past few years. An indication of how tough it is out there at the moment. He'll be looking for about 10 volunteers for each of the 2 performances.
Paul spoke about the Rotary Global Rewards programme - more information to be sought - David thinks it applies only in the USA.
Colin reminded us of the upcoming dinner on Saturday at the Thai Chef restaurant.
Jacko commended those who attended the working bee at Barb Cox's home - another will be needed to finish the job due to the inclement weather.
Graham Blood had more brochures from Leisurelink for distribution, and also gave advance notice of a members (and others) visit to St John of God Hospital on 3rd September
Barb asked for volunteers for the Christchurch meals programme on August 3rd.
That brought us to the guest speaker Kate Kent who told us about "Geelong Mums" formed along the same lines as the "St Kilda Mums" programme. Formed in 2013, Geelong Mums already has 250 volunteers and are serving about 200 families a month. The main difference between this and other groups is that all contact is through case workers from other organisations. The case workers say what's needed and the Geelong Mums vary the assistance package to suit. It can range from car seats and prams to linen, clothing and so on. The emphasis is on mums with babies and young children who are identified as having a real need - although the "Mum" can be grandparents too !!. They've just sent out their 1,000th package - a notable achievement.
Kate was well prepared with her presentation and gave us a real insight into how a well-thought-out and efficient organisation can be run. Most of their communication is electronic, so check out their web page, facebook page and instagram communications. Their next campaign "buckle up baby" aims to have 100 car seats donated - but these have to undergo rigorous inspections and safety checks to be acceptable.
Visit the warehouse in Balliang Street and have a look at what they do.
The Rotary Club of Naracoorte (District 9780) has received help from local migrants in fundraising efforts to help people overseas.
Abdul, an Afghani refugee, was featured in the local newspaper's cooking segment for his superb lamb curry. He was invited by his friends and Rotary members Julie and Murray Burdett, to share his cooking with the community to raise funds for Nepal following the devastating earthquakes in April and May.
A week after the article appeared a curry night was held at the Burdett’s home. Around 25kg of lamb was donated by JBS Abattoir, Bordertown, and the rice was also donated. Abdul, his family and friends cooked and served the 105 lamb curry and rice meals sold for $20 each. About half the meals were take-away and the others were enjoyed at the home where coffee and slices were also provided.
A total of over $3,000 was raised, including donations, which was sent to ShelterBox Australia. It was a fantastic effort by Rotary and our Afghani friends.
Only a few weeks later the Filipino community helped the Rotary Club raise funds in support of the Club's project to provide roofing iron and water tanks to a remote health centre in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The health centre is an outreach of Kompiam Hospital which the Club has supported for the last three years.
The dinner, which was held in Julie and Murray Burdett's home, was a sit-down, silver service event. The beautiful three course Filipino meal was cooked and served by members of the 100 strong Filipino community who were thrilled to be invited to help. Much of the food was donated by the cooks who also did all the dishes and then came back the next morning to help pack up.
A raffle and auction added to the total raised from the 39 guests at the dinner and 6 take-away meals served. $2,000 was raised on the night which was more than had been anticipated.
In addition to the funds raised to assist people overseas, the International Dinners raised the profile of the Rotary Club of Naracoorte in the local community and also demonstrated to the community the willingness and desire of the members of our migrant communities to work with us to support local and overseas projects.
What a great lead in to Friends of Rotary or Community Corps!
The National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) for Pakistan has been officially endorsed by the Prime Minister, outlining the actions that must be taken to stop polio transmission. It is now vital that the commitment and efforts of the government, the partners, and the community as well as funding, be sustained throughout the coming months to keep cases of polio low during the high season for polio transmission.
In the first half of 2015 we have seen the lowest number of cases ever during this period, with just 33 cases in 2 countries as opposed to 122 cases in 9 countries at this time in 2014. This progress needs to be maintained through hard work to end transmission in endemic countries and to prevent future outbreaks.
Wild poliovirus type 1 and Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus cases
Total cases
Year-to-date 2015
Year-to-date 2014
Total in 2014
WPV
cVDPV
WPV
cVDPV
WPV
cVDPV
Globally
33
9
122
29
359
55
- in endemic countries
33
1
107
29
340
52
- in non-endemic countries
0
8
15
0
19
3
- See more at: http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring/Poliothisweek.aspx#sthash.oG04MLsV.dpuf
Barb is still looking for a few volunteers to help with the Christchurch Meals Programme on 3rd August.
Give her a ring if you can help - eveything's available from picking up food from suppliers early on to picking up food in the clean-up phase after everyone's been fed.
RLI is alive and well - as can be testified by all of our members who have attended so far.
You don't have to be a new member to get something out of the course - it can serve as a refresher to those who have been members for a few (or even more than a few) years. Last year our Assistant District Governor was a participant !!!!
Registrations close very soon - so get your name in if you want to attend. It's free !!!
All it requires is attendance at 3 all-day Saturday sessions on 8th August 2015, 14th November 2015 and 16th January 2016. If you can't make any one of those dates then there are alternative venues and dates. Of course there's a bit of homework involved too, but it's all very worthwhile.
Let President David know if you want to be registered.
I've been asked to record in the bulletin those members who are away on leave.
I'm not one to look for rules, but it's worth reminding ourselves of our Club's Constitution which states : "Unless otherwise excused by the board for good and sufficient reason or pursuant to article 9, sections 3 or 4, each member who fails to attend or make up four consecutive regular meetings shall be informed by the board that the member’s non-attendance may be considered a request to terminate membership in this club. Thereafter, the board, by a majority vote, may terminate the member’s membership."
Putting aside the rule, it's necessary for us to know who's away so that we can plan for events, make provision for replacements and so on.
So please would you let Darcy know when you're planning to be away - then he can let all the relevant people know and I'll put it in the bulletin so everyone knows.
This is a new section which we'll repeat every week - or at least until we run out of ideas.
It's a chance for you to recall and tell us about something Rotary which has "stuck with you". It doesn't have to be an event, it could be an article which you've read, something someone's said - anything you like.
I'll start things off by saying that there were several things at the Convention in Sydney which I could relate.
But the most impressive was on the way to the conference centre for the first time when we were absolutely surrounded by thousands of Rotarians from all around the world. It was the first time that the "World of Rotary" had become an experience for me and not just an academic knowledge. To see so many people who were prepared to adopt "Service above Self" as their goal was not only impressive, heart-warming and a restoration of my faith in human nature, it was also a very impressive display of just how powerful Rotary is in the world. A real demonstration of our leadership and our ability to work together for peace, understanding and the overall good of the global community.
Teeing off on the 12th hole at a golf resort, we stopped to buy cold drinks from the young woman driving the beverage cart. As my buddy reached for his wallet, he said to her, "You're in great shape. You must work out a lot."
Flattered, she gave him a big smile and gushed, "Oh, thank you so much!"
The next day a different young woman was driving the cart. "Watch this," I whispered. I walked up to her and said, "Wow, you must work out a lot."
A man returns home a day early from a business trip. It's after midnight.
While en route home, he asks the cabby if he would be a witness.
The man suspects his wife is having an affair, and he wants to catch her in the act.
For $100, the cabby agrees.
Quietly arriving home, the husband and cabby tip toe into the bedroom. The husband switches on the lights, yanks the blanket back and there is his wife in bed with another man!
The husband puts a gun to the naked man's head.
The wife shouts, 'Don't do it! I lied when I told you I inherited money.
HE paid for the Porsche I gave you.
HE paid for our new cabin cruiser.
HE paid for your Swan's season ticket.
HE paid for our house at the lake.
HE paid for your African tour and even the 4 x 4.
HE paid for our country club membership, and he even pays my Credit Card bill!'
Shaking his head from side-to-side, the husband lowers the gun. He looks over at the cabby and says, 'What would you do?
The cabby replies, 'I'd cover him with that blanket before he catches a cold.’
The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you
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