I was not able to attend this week’s Club Assembly which by all accounts went well and Ken was able to provide the Club with an overview of the survey results. I was delighted with the 82% response rate since it shows above all that our members care about how things are going and enabled us to derive some useful themes and areas for improvement. Overall my sense is that we are going okay and whilst there are a few things that we can and will try to improve (meeting timeliness, smaller activities/projects, pub food etc), there is no need for us to make any major changes since everyone seems reasonable happy with the status quo.
Yesterday there was a very good turnout from the Club to support the official cheque handing over from the KFRWT team to the Children’s Cancer ward at Monash Hospital at Clayton. It was the first time I had visited the facility and was so impressed with how bright and engaging it is for the kids. The hospital staff were very appreciative of all that the Club had done for them and a few of us to got to meet the Research Fellow we have funded (Natalia from the Ukraine) who will continue to strive for ways to attack this terrible disease. John H announced that we have selected the Children’s Cancer ward at Monash Hospital to be our KFRWT recipient again next year and the staff at Monash were delighted to hear this. There has clearly been an excellent relationship established between the Club and the hospital (well done to everyone involved with that) and this will assist us again for the next KFRWT later this year
Yours in Rotary,
President Ian Ash
Last Week's Meeting
General Business
Last week PP PHF Ken Miller Presented back to the club the findings of the survey. Thank you to the 82% of members who responded, it really helps us keep on track.
It seems we are a happy club!
The majority of members are happy with
The Club culture
The invocation, toast and singing the National Anthem (badly) will be retained
The Fine session is liked but we need to keep this to time
The Venue and service are good
We have fun
Our projects have a very positive outcome
Club members have found good friendships within the club
Areas for Improvement:
Have some smaller activities such as sausage sizzles and the trailer raffle
We need to get more information about Rotary and how it works
The pub food is inconsistent and drinks are expensive
We need to keep an eye on the clock for meeting start and finish times
We need to look at developing smaller local community projects
Let’s think about some awesome social activities
Let’s consider the cost of Rotary to Rotarians
Actions to be taken:
Educational talks on Rotary to be included in the program
Our Treasurer will take us through the budget structure, Rotary fees etc
Cost of new and replacement of old signage in the area is a priority
Visitors Rotary Information pack to be introduced next Rotary year
A hard copy of sparkle to be placed on each table each week
An EarlyAct Club to be established at the Emerald Primary School
Consider an update of the History of the club document
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District were delighted to present to the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre a cheque for $46,000 which were funds raised from the Kids Fun Run With Thomas last year.
Ron Fairchild, Director, Monash Health Foundation received the cheque from Rotary Club President Ian Ash and the Kids Fun Run With Thomas Committee Chair, John Henderson. Dr Paul Wood provided information on the amazing research undertaken at the Centre.
The Kids Fun Run With Thomas saw 544 participants run with Thomas The Tank Engine in 6 races for ages 3-12 yrs. The children themselves raised an incredible $17,623 on line and sponsorship from Barry Plant / Mitre 10 Emerald, The Wholesome Food Company, Ferntree Gully Motor Group and Lightning Press as well as the amazing input from Puffing Billy Railways helped swell the fundraising total. Sponsors Len’Donnell and Ben O’Connor were pleased to join the celebrations at the hospital.
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District are pleased to announce funds from the event later this year will again go to the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre.
Look out for the date confirmation (provisionally 24 November at the moment) - it is a special day where Kids Run For Kids! Just 268 sleeps to go TOOT TOOT!
Whilst some of our members were handing over cheques, others were clowning around :) :) Seriously, the Clown Doctors do a terrific job keeping a smile on the faces of the children.
We are regularly asked to share information on other Rotary Club or community group events. Rather than list all of them in Sparkle, please check out them out HERE
The Website has a section on Community Notices so please also check this out at any time!!
For good food, good fellowship and the opportunity for service through Rotary we give thanks
Rotary Toast
To Australia and the people of Australia (toast) To Rotary International (toast)
Advance Australia Fair
Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair.
