Dear Everyone,
Last night’s Board meeting would have made it into the Guinness Book of Records for the longest, as it went for two and a half hours. A good deal of that time was spent on the wording for the debate we are having at Club Assembly next Tuesday night. I think we all agree that our Club should be run democratically and to do so takes time, and I thank the Board for their forbearance.
So next Tuesday night’s Club Assembly will be unlike those of the last few years. We will have a debate on the following topic:
"That the Rotary Club of Emerald and District allocate up to 10% as determined by the Board, of money raised at nominated Fundraising events to the No.1 Account (Operations), to promote the Club and raise community awareness, and disclose this % in its advertising of the events.”
The speaker for the proposal is Ian Ash and the speaker against is Martin Buoncristiani. Sergeant David will be the moderator. Unfortunately we will not have time for the Fines session, as we need the debate to be finished in time to allow us to join the Rotary Club of Diamond Creek’s meeting; they have invited us to hear their guest speaker Richard Hooper from Nairobi, Kenya, talk about the TenderFoot School which our Club supports financially. And John Shaw stayed with him when he visited there in 2010. Nor will time permit us to have Peter Ravenscroft’s Behind The Badge talk, which has tentatively been rescheduled to 13th of October.
After Ian and Martin have delivered their arguments, David will open to the floor for fifteen minutes of questions, which could be typed via the Chat function, which David then puts to the speakers, and/or David asks those with raised hands. The questions will have to be succinct, as it is not an opportunity for audience members to make their own speech. Ian and Martin then have two minutes each to sum up what they have said before, and can include addressing issues that have arisen from the audience’s questions.
The members will then be able to indicate by a show of hands if they support the proposal or not. For those without Zoom, I shall ring and ask for their opinion. This is an opinion poll for the Board to take into consideration in its deliberations, and it will not be bound by the numbers “for and against”.
The proposal is a significant departure from the Club’s previous practice, and some members hold strong views on this issue. Therefore, members are encouraged to contact Ian or Martin, whoever’s view they support, and offer their arguments for use in the debate.
I, for one, am looking forward to the debate, as we will have two fine minds battling it out and, given the maturity of our members, it will be respectful and supportive. Ultimately I hope that we arrive at a position that is acceptable to a large majority of the members, as this issue of funding for Club promotion and membership has been on and off the Boardroom table for years, and has been a drain on our time and energy.
Even if you don’t hold strong views either way, I encourage you to attend as a Club debate is a rarity and it will be a very interesting spectacle.
Regarding Diamond Creek’s guest speaker, a short bio has been provided:
Richard has been a mentor to the Principal Esther Wamai and has been an 'enthusiastic supporter' of the school since 2000.
Originally from the UK Richard moved to Nairobi Kenya in 1988. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Richard has led and supported work across various areas of technical expertise including: legal sector reform, governance, institutional reform, climate resilience, private sector and market development, investment, climate reform and trade.
He has provided extensive, long-term support to TradeMark East Africa, the largest Aid for Trade program in the world. He and family enjoy safaris, exploring wild bits of Africa and flying as he has a pilot's licence.
Richard will tell us some of the history of the school and how COVID 19 has affected the school and the country.
The password is: Rotary
How about that Membership Satisfaction Survey that you filled in so assiduously (that one’s for you Gayle) in August? Well, the Membership Committee and Kristine have been beavering away and the findings will be presented at the next Club Assembly on the 13th of October.
Don’t forget that the first Virtual Rotary Zone 8 Conference for Australia and New Zealand is being held this Saturday and Sunday the 19th and 20th of September between 11.30AM and 1.00PM each day. Yes, only 1.5 hours a day! You will be able to experience what is happening in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific and it is free of course. The presenters are first class and include:
- RIP Holger Knaack
- Past RIPs Melburnian Ian Riseley and Barry Rassin (The Rotary Foundation, doing good in the world)
- RIP Nominee Jennifer Jones (A modern Rotary)
- Sarah Brown AM – Continuing story of the Purple House, a dialysis facility for Indigenous Australians in Alice Springs, and
- Chair “End Polio Now” Mike McGovern
You can use the link on the flyer Kris has provided below to register.
Please support by attending AG Brian Hodgson’s forum with our Cluster - the Rotary Clubs of Belgrave (the host) and Monbulk and Yarra Ranges Rotaractors, on Wednesday 23rd September at 7pm. See below to learn about the interesting speakers and the topics being discussed. Brian and Youth Committee Chair Tina will greatly appreciate our involvement.
If you have a topic for a future speaker, kindly email Russell Marnock or me.
Next week: The Great Debate to be followed the next week by the Wine and Cheese Soiree organised by our wonderful Fundraising Committee
Stay safe, stay home, enjoy the Spring weather - and stay Rotary Proud!
Yours in Rotary,
Vicki.
