A big “Congratulations” and “Welcome” to Danielle Ballinger, who was inducted as a full Rotarian last week. Peter Crewes would also like to add “Thanks for coming”…
As an ongoing reminder, Bob needs half-annual subs ($125) from each member ASAP.
We’d also like to extend our thanks to DG Irene for attending the meeting. It’s always a privilege to listen to someone with such a longstanding and dedicated service to Rotary. While I don't have the official numbers from Alan, I'm sure it was once again over 90%, and once we had partners in the room too we had the RSL staff looking around the club for more tables so we could get everybody seated!
Last Week (August 11th)…
A few points of business were raised (while we waited for a quite late dinner):
- Rob B mentioned that a shade house is being constructed for McKillop College. The shade house should be ready to put up in 6-8 weeks.
- For those interested in helping out for the BBQ at the Tutorial Centre Garage Sale, Anthony is hoping to kick things off at 8am. Apparently the garage sale circuit is like a religion to some people so an 8am start is necessary.
- There was some discussion over making the second inter-club challenge event a debate rather than a sport. Jo Dawson and Ruth Aubin gave us a perspective on the start of the cup. The cup itself originated from the Inner Wheel as a way to bring Rotary families together, so the event needs to be something where everybody can participate. Therefore sports were chosen. We’ve decided to make the second event a bowling event (if that’s 10-pin bowling or lawn bowls, I’m not quite sure but I’m sure Pres Adam does).
- Rob B has agreed to attend a planning meeting with the city regarding the events of Australia Day. If you don’t know, we’re planning to hold a Duck Race down the river as part of the festivities. Rob, the meeting starts at 5:15 on Tuesday. Ring Danielle if you need more information.
- Speaking of volunteers for meetings, incoming Pres Pete C has agreed to attend a tour of the Bathurst Base Hospital as part of the “Health & Art Program”. Pete, this’ll be on Thursday (August 20).
- As I mentioned before, we inducted Danielle as a member. Again Danielle, welcome on board! Danielle was a big winner of the night because she also won the draw and the usual bottle of one of Australia’s top bottles of wine.
- Speaking of prize winners, Jo Dawson took home the H&T victory and bottle that goes with those honours. Yum!
We got through all this before we finally got to eat. After dinner, DG Irene was introduced to make her address. She spoke quite passionately on the international components to Rotary, stemming from her experiences at the 2003 RI Conference in Brisbane, an event which clearly affected her deeply.
Irene spoke of the RI goals focusing on clean water, health, hunger, and literacy. RI’s intent is that, in the face of the global economic crisis, it is these Rotary programs that cannot suffer. The Future Vision Plan will be to divert funds to these programs that truly need it. Irene plans for the district to do its part by focusing on the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) program. It has been a united goal of all Rotarians to rid the world of Polio, and now that we a closing in on that goal after over 20 years, we need to stay focused on such international world health goals.
Irene also spoke of the Rotary movement spreading into countries with people that that truly need help. Irene explained that once Rotary has a club in a country, we can implement Rotary programs there… countries like Afghanistan, one of Rotary's newest countries. Also, places like Darfur in the Sudan where citizens of these countries seek refuge in Peace Communities from the genocide going on there.
With so much focus on international programs, I thought it could be easy to be overwhelmed with how large all of these issues seem and how impossibly small any contribution from District 9700 would be. But Irene emphasised that what we need to do to help is “to keep the spirit of Rotary alive in our communities”. Everything in Rotary starts with individual communities and works its way up.
Clearly, attending an RI convention is an incredible experience… an experience that we can all take part in when the RI convention is in Sydney in 2014!
Next Meeting (August 18)…
The meeting will be attended by Peter Flude who will be talking about the Victorian Bushfires. I’m sure this will be a very heart-felt presentation by all because of link to Peter and our substantial financial contribution to the RC of Beaumaris for bushfire relief.
Also, this will probably be the last bulletin before the Tutorial Centre’s Garage Sale on August 22nd, so I’ll urge everybody one more time to contact Secretary Anthony about what they can do to help.
We’ll also be having a Board meeting after the regular meeting, so could all board members please arrange to stay behind for a bit longer after the meeting.
In the coming Month…
On August 25th, club secretary Anthony will be presenting a technology lesson on the resources at the various Rotary websites, particularly using http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/ to do make up meetings.
On September 1st, Frank S is down to arrange a guest speaker but I’ve heard a rumour that that’s pretty unlikely to happen. Does anybody have somebody in mind that they’d like to invite? Please let Rob B and me know if you do… soon!
On September 8th, our club will be hosting the second event in the interclub challenge. I’m sure Pres Adam and Chris B are liaising with the other club presidents in Bathurst to ensure that the second event is as well attended by all clubs as the first.
Can everybody try to keep clear the morning of Sunday, September 13th clear for the Edgell Jog.
On September 15th, Tim S is down to arrange a guest speaker. Tim, can you let me know what’s on for that so I can post it in the blog?
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