Venue: Castello's Cucina, Living Choice
Event: Club consultations
Guests: None
Attendance: 21 members
Opening
John Peacham explained that the agenda for this meeting was to hear committee reports, progress on Regionalisation, and development of the club's mission and vision statement into a strategy.
Committee reports
Community Service - Jerry Casburn
Jerry thanked his formidable team which has held 2 meetings. The projects committed or being examined are:
- Christmas Carols on 10 December managed by Garry Taylor
- An event with Food on the Table
- Shelter Bag production in conjunction with Gawler Light
- Feeding of the homeless
- Second Chance
- Shopping Centre food donations......similar to RC Holdfast Bay initiative twice a year at a local supermarket which engenders about $20,000 of goods for the needy
- A fundraiser on the Unley Village Green
With the increase in Thrift Shop rent we need to explore other fundraising options. Jerry had a chat with Reno Elms who looks after the Salvos emergency services and is keen for Salvos to form a broader relationship with our Rotary District. Environment is now part of Community Service and our club has made a big effort with maintenance at Calperum, and will continue to do so.
New Generation - John Kikkert (standing in for Rhonda)
- This year committed to supporting 2 RYPEN participants, 1 RYLA participant, 1 NYSF student.
- Operation Flinders
- UCC Fish Tank sponsorship
- Development of Young Friends of Rotary
- The Music Awards......perhaps in partnership with those run by RC St Peters
- Overall budget of $13,000
Vocational Service - Chris Davis
- A successful Pride of Workmanship in July, gearing up again in the new year.
- A successful SA Police Officer of the Year 2023 this month - starting again next February
- A local Teacher Award is being formulated for next year.
- Job interview skills for school leavers - positive feedback from clubs
International Service - Graham Beckett
- Nepal - provision of an ante to cover worthwhile small projects which lack funding - managed by Brendan
- Nepal - fitting out of a community centre
- Philippines - Virginia is examining a practical way to supply children's books to kindergartens.
- Tonga Hospital building - partnering with 3 NZ clubs to raise $160,000
- Pacific Islands - partnering with RC Campbelltown who aim to build 80 toilets somewhere
- An annual donation of $1000 to ROMAC
- Examining Rotary Foundation Ukraine initiatives
- Helping Paul Duke raise money to buy an anaesthetic machine for PNG
President John reinforced the message of the need to utilise other fund-raising options. An incident at Bunnings has put their BBQs at risk. He then displayed the Vision and Mission Statement of the club which need to be developed into a club strategy. Not sure how he wishes to proceed with this. The District Conference is to be held in Loxton on 15-17 March 2024. Book early because accommodation is limited. Jerry and friends are belting their butts to provide 5-star bunk bed accommodation at Calperum.
Regionalisation
As previously reported, Rotary Zone 8 (which includes Australia, NZ, PNG and a number of other islands) has been volunteered with Great Britain and Ireland to pilot a new model of regional rotary.
The aim is to increase dynamicity, membership, collaboration, performance and reduce costs. It will progress under a Governance Model and an Operating Model, with multi-year strategies.
The three key drivers are designed to be the Regional Council, Community Leaders and Specialists working with groups of clubs.
Clubs will be required to group according to commonality eg geographic (likely to be most), language, aims. Rotaract is fully included. A multi-national advisory committee is to be established. Secondary groupings can be set for projects etc. Invitations have already been issued for nominations to the Regional Council, with elections in October in which members will be voting.
Editors Note - There is a mountain of information now coming forward which is quite complex. Whether the aims of this pilot project are consistent with the apparently over bureaucratic models being developed is questionable. Great effort has already been made to progress this far. Maybe someone needs to get smart about simple communication. Opportunity awaits.
SPOTS
Stephen Baker would wish future consultation sessions be devoted to strengthening the club membership, increasing involvement of all club members, beefing up help with the Thrift Shop (including donations and patronage), nailing of new initiatives.
Chris Davis thanked all those who had participated in POOTY. He read an extract from Gary Wills' email expressing pleasure that his family had been given special consideration by our club, and the importance of Rotary.
Jerry Casburn ....good to see him back...announced that next Tuesday our club will, with RC Campbelltown, be cremating 2200 snags for high school students with special needs at the zoo. It is a Variety Club event. We need more volunteers. Free parking is available at the Parade Ground. Please assemble at the main gate of the zoo at 9am.
Bob Mullins announced that Bob Mills has had a heart valve replacement and will be unable to drive for 8 weeks. Maybe a zoom option?
Due to illness, Oleh Bilyk and John Russell are unlikely to return to the club.
Finale
Chris Davis won the filthy lucre and Vivienne creamed the chocolates.
The meeting finished well past the witching hour.
COLLECTION of ROTARY CLUB WINE
Members who have ordered wine - Can you please pick up your order this Friday 22nd
From 12 noon - 3pm
Venue - The District Shed, Stopford Rd (oval complex), Hove
For those who cannot attend, please discuss alternatives with Brendan Kenny 0417 832 562
Hear Ye from Patsy
