Dear Everyone,
In the absence of our intrepid reporter Kris Ash, who was taking a well-deserved break, I bring you the report on last Tuesday’s meeting, and the busy week. Spring and a new month are here and Rotary International has designated September 'Basic Education and Literacy Month'. So it is good that the exchange of letters between Grade 5 Emerald Primary School children and Senior citizens has begun.
The latest District 9810 Open Doors Newsletter, reported that under Catherine’s leadership, our Club achieved a Rotary International Citation with Presidential Distinction – Platinum the highest distinction there is, along with only 5 other clubs in the District. A fantastic achievement! Catherine received this news last Tuesday from PDG Shia Smart, but we decided to keep it to ourselves until Catherine receives the actual citation. Shia and AG Brian Hodgson have sent their congratulations to Catherine and to all of our members on obtaining the RI Citation, and they wish to attend when it is formally presented. Thank you again, Catherine for your leadership which enabled us to receive such a wonderful recognition.
Last Sunday, Shalini and I attended the Zone 8 Public Image Q&A seminar, the speakers at which included facilitator Gina Growden, Public Image Coordinator Julie Mason, PDG Liz Courtney from New Zealand and Evan Burrell, aka Mr. Rotary, a 30+ Gen Y Rotarian from Turramurra RC in suburban Sydney (D9685), who joined Rotaract in 1999 and has stayed an active member of Rotary ever since. Evan, a professional public speaker, is passionate about “Advancing Rotary using Social Media”. I’ll report on the Q&A elsewhere, but a small part of what he said was, “1.9 billion people are on Facebook each month and 700 million are on Instagram each month. This is where the conversation is happening now. We can’t rely on newspapers to tell our Rotary stories. Regarding polio eradication in Africa, Rotary didn’t get a mention on traditional media!”
Last Monday night at the Social Media Workshop, Rotaractor and Social Media guru Netania Lim did an excellent job talking about what a Rotary Club’s Facebook page should be like and how to achieve it. DGN Ken was meant to have facilitated the Workshop but he was still out of action in the aftermath of the storm. While on this topic, thank you for all the kind and generous offers of help from members during the blackout, offers of hot showers and room in freezers for perishable goods among other things.
Ian Ash was also thanked in his absence, for Saturday’s presentation to Rotaractors and others wanting training on managing teams in these uncertain times.
Meeting Chairperson and Chair of Community Service, Martin related this heart-warming story from Susi, a member of his committee:
“We had a man at the pharmacy who lost his house through a tree on the weekend - he didn't even have shoes ! At the pharmacy we organised through Nicole Lane (ECHO) to give him a Rotary voucher for his medication and even some warm house shoes and the Op Shop from St. Marks will provide him with more clothes !!!
Happy to use the first voucher !!!”
Isn’t this what our Rotary Club is all about? And a BIG THANK YOU to the Community Service Committee for devising and bringing the Voucher Project to fruition!
Our Guest Speaker was Ken Mirams, Chair of the District Youth Protection Committee and a member of the RC of Beaumaris.
Click here to view his PowerPoint presentation, which took us through the assessments needed prior to the program happening, and the procedures to follow upon receiving a complaint of abuse from a minor in our care. In her excellent response, Emma thanked Ken for his engaging and interactive talk and recapped the steps to be taken: remove the child/youth from the situation and keep them safe, contact the police, remove the accused from all Youth programs pending the outcome of the police investigation, contact RI within 72 hours and safeguard the privacy of all concerned.
Know Your Rotarian featured Andrew McAllister, Quantity Surveyor
- Works in the Construction Industry providing costing and quantity advice for clients and contractors. He sets the initial budget based on all the materials and services that are needed for the construction, gives feedback to the design team, they may be over or under budget, and provides solutions.
- Studied at Port Elizabeth Uni., where he topped his class each year (Kelly told us this, Andrew too modest)
- Worked in Sth. Africa (2 yrs.), Ireland (5 yrs.) - where he met and married Kelly, Dubai (3yrs.) – two sons born there. Amazing projects.
- 2008-9 Global Financial Crisis saw family return to Australia.
- Worked in a Melbourne firm for 3 years.
- Started MC Consulting Pty Ltd. in the backyard bungalow in Emerald. Been going 8 years now but in better premises.
- Biggest challenge is managing people who want short lead times.
- Aims to deliver on 3 KPIs: Speed, cost and quality.
- Ideal job for Andrew as he has always been organised and thorough.
- Recommends the job as it is challenging, rewarding and interesting – no two days are the same.
Reports:
- From PP Graham Richardson D9810 Grants Committee Chair, we learnt that, “The Rotary Foundation has approved the application for our District (block) Grant !! Thank you for your project nomination that was part of the Spending Plan to accompany the application. With this approval, we can now accept applications for your Club District Grants. You have not yet applied for these – whatever you have provided so far was in preparation to get to this point.” I believe this relates to the submission Martin is putting in for funding for additional vouchers.
- Youth Committee Chair Tina thanked AG Brian Hodgson for his work putting together our Cluster application, the Cluster comprising Emerald, Belgrave and Monbulk Rotary Clubs and the Yarra Ranges Rotaract Club. The grant we will be applying for will be to assist our youth with a Drop-In Centre or similar, where young people can have access to counsellors from, for example, RUOK. The project will take about 18 months to prepare.
- Rotarians Against Malaria National Secretary Gloria drew our attention to the Virtual RAM National Conference 12th and 13th September 10am.-12noon both days. There are world-class speakers and Past RI President Melburnian Ian Riseley is opening the conference. A great way to increase your knowledge of malaria and Gloria would appreciate our support. To register, visit the RAM website.
- PP Catherine attended Morning Tea with the DG:
- where the D9810 Enviro Club Awards were mentioned, there are 3 levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. These relate to Rotary’s 7th Area of Focus, Environmental Sustainability, and ideas for projects can be downloaded from the ESRAG Website.
- where Alma urged everyone to wear their Rotary shirts while out and about doing their hour of exercise. Take a plastic bag and be seen picking up rubbish etc.
The Interact Club is having a guest speaker at their meeting on Thursday lunchtime, the Environmental Education Officer from the City of Casey who will be talking about Waste and Recycling.
- Member Kelly mentioned the Fundraising Committee are working out the details for our Social Night on the 29th of September, the 5th Tuesday of the month, with Mark Protheroe from the Paradise Valley Hotel. There will be a wine-tasting with food to accompany. It promises to be a great night!
- Chris Adams is recovering well from his operation last week. Great news Chris!
- Our guest speaker - yes, the Spartan saw out the meeting to the end!- Ken Mirams told us that the RC of Beaumaris has 52 members. Prior to the pandemic, they met at a Golf Club, but now it’s virtually. They held a similar meeting to the one we’re planning, to support a local Thai restaurant. They had 43 meals delivered and it was a fun night with Fellowship activities.
If you have a topic for a future speaker, kindly email Russell Marnock or me.
Next week:
A meeting that only Zoom could afford us - a light-hearted meeting as it is Pet Night. Haven’t our pets been the beneficiaries of Lockdown and working from home? No longer left at home bored to tears and waiting for Mummy and Daddy to return. You will introduce them, tell us about their funny ways, what they like and don’t like, their toys, trips to the vet and the enjoyment they bring to your life. If you no longer have a pet, you can still talk about one who is no longer with us.
The “Know Your Rotarian” segment will feature P-E and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Secretary Shalini Penny.
Stay safe, stay home - and stay Rotary Proud!
Yours in Rotary,
Vicki.
