My first formal meeting, where I addressed our members and outlined some changes I would like to implement occurred last Wednesday morning.
I don’t think there was much I said that was too contentious. Basically I want to raise the level of Rotary and its ideals over the coming year and increase the participation of all our members in formal, informal and social activities.
I have asked Adrian Crowe to both form and lead a small committee which will identify and implement appropriate ‘social events’ that can include all our members, including our Shed Associates and invited guests. Adrian is looking at at least 6 events over the year. As expected Adrian has already identified a number of possibilities.
I would like to acknowledge the support and positive input from all of you.
Every second Wednesday, when we don't have a "formal" meeting (as was last week), we simply gather for a cuppa and/or breakfast at the Surfers Paradise Surf Club - Bistro area downstairs. Usual time, 07:00 am onwards. All welcome! No speeches, yet sometimes there are more problems solved than on a formal meeting (not necessarily all relating to our Rotary club though... ☺)
Hopefully, the weather will be less disruptive this Saturday, so roll up again at 07:30 am, have morning tea with the associate members and volunteers, then let's get the job finished.
What? "The job is never finished..?" Well, let's put a good dent into it anyway!
If it hadn't been "the way things always were done", one might consider President Andy's proposal to shift emphasis from big board to a committee structure quite revolutionary. "We'll have board meetings just once every three months" he said, "and instead have individual committees in the various avenues of service." Every member is on at least one committee, which is chaired by a member of the board, and ultimately reports to the board. As you read on: Now is the time to indicate what committee you would like to be on. Contact President Andy, either personally or by email. If you don't, Andy will allocate you to a portfolio. Confirm the below committees?
Club Service: just that, including Public Relations, Website, Bulletin, Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, X etc)
Services: Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service (which ties in with the Wheelchair Trust)
Youth Services:(RYTS, RYPEN, RYLA, Lutzy Award, National Youth Science Forum)
Fundraising (also tying in with the Wheelchair Trust)
Membership, including Membership Development
The Rotary Foundation
Wheelchair Trust, including the project shed.
An additional, special board position has been created: Welfare. This relates specifically to members. The job entails touching base with ailing members and speaking with members who we do not see often, finding out why and what we can do to encourage them to return to the fold.
Andy emphasised the importance of one of Rotary’s most principal tenements: the 4-way Test (See image). Interestingly, this was not initially established for Rotary: as far back as 1932 Rotarian Herbert Taylor was charged with saving a near bankrupt company from total ruin. It was then adopted by Rotary International. Well, you learn something new every day!
When I was at the project shed last Wednesday, I noticed Bryan Tuesley (picture left, with Geoff Croad) being handed a quite formal looking 'Certificate of Appreciation'... Curious, I was told that it was destined for Bryan to present to Hayden Watt, of Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd, who recently donated some $800.00 worth of power tools, including an electric metal saw, to our Wheelchairs project.
Well, one learns something new every day...! A big Thank You! to Hayden and his company.
BTW: who would have the ability to write in such elegant calligraphy? None other than Carol Croad, our WCT Chairman Geoff's better half!
It was almost exactly 10 years ago, in July 2014, when PDG Tony Heading presented (then) outgoing President (and future District Governor) Darrell Brown with a Rotary International Presidential Citation, in recognition of our club's achievements over the previous year. Now, how come that some people don't seem to age?
Duty Roster - note: subject to change - please check every week. Note: Fellowship duty also is expected to be at the Project Shed on the Saturday following the meeting
I think it is disgraceful that, after 55 years, people don't know who Neil Armstrong is, nor the type of trumpet he played.
(in commemoration of next Saturday, 20th July, when it will be the 55th anniversary of the first moon landing...)
"Pricks get away with acting like pricks because they've always gotten away with acting like pricks, and no one wants to interfere with the the natural order of the universe". Lionel Shriver - 'Property'
I’ve never been skydiving.
But I zoomed in on Google Earth really, really fast.
If it hadn't been "the way things always were done", one might consider President Andy's proposal to shift emphasis from big board to a committee structure quite revolutionary. "We'll have board meetings just once every three months" he said, "and instead have individual committees in the various avenues of service." Every member is on at least one committee, which is chaired by a member of the board, and ultimately reports to the board. As you read on: Now is the time to indicate what committee you would like to be on. Contact President Andy, either personally or 
