Phil, in charge of proceedings, welcomed 22 Members and PDG Mark Humphries and DG Designate Linda. It was great to see Alan Roberts and PDG Ken McDonald back in the fold. Apologies: Peter F, Cherie, John P, Gaith, Ashton, Brian, Pres Peter and Terry.
Kam summarised International’s achievements:
- Interplast – Covid impacted. Moving to educational emphasis.
- ROMAC – Also Covid impacted.
- DIK – Active – Impacted by huge increase in container freight.
- RAWCS – Reminder that donations are tax-deductible.
- RORP – Active during Covid with playground harvesting and restoration continuing.
- Feminine hygiene products supplied to Nepal.
- Wheelchairs for Kids.
Con – Reported on:
- Ella School Tubewell Project – Completed with aid of District Grants. Live cross to official opening during Meeting on 10 May.
- RORPS – Friend of Rotary, Mel Bell, ensured that playgrounds continued to be harvested during Covid. One done recently with four more to be done by Council. Bonus playground to be harvested from Sandhurst later in the year.
Leanne:
- St James Futsal Courts - completed - To be used by community youth groups. Our Club (via the Trust) donated $5,000 for the installation of the Courts. Official opening April 30th . All welcome. The Club will be providing a BBQ.
- Cornerstone – Monthly meal service this Thursday. Naomi to organize official opening of the Community Garden.
- Dandenong West PS – Sandwich program to commence Wednesday week. Senior students will be involved. Volunteers needed.
- Member Welfare – Welcome back Alan and Ken. Margaret Coates is not at all well.
- Announced that Val will be returning to “active duty” in the near future.
- President Aspirations for 2022-2023:
- Increase in female Members
- Form sub-committees for each Avenue of Service
PDG Mark did a PowerPoint presentation on the Rotary Foundation.
Phil then introduced Linda Humphries – DG in 2023-24, who said she couldn’t understand why Rotary doesn’t have an increase in members, urging us to ASK people and not to be afraid to ask, even if they have said “no” before, because their situations may have changed since. (Something I have been beating the drum about for years. Ed.)
- The Vision – Together, people can create change.
- Rotary should not be just a fund-raising organisation; it should be a humanitarian organisation.
- The Project should come first and the fund raising second in our thinking. “Sell the sizzle”!
- Annual Fund – Till 30 April, all donations will go to the Ukraine.
- Endowment Fund – The source of Grants.
- Polio Fund - With matching donations from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has almost eliminated polio from the World
- Disaster Fund - $25,000 Grants for rapid recovery.
- Maternal Health – Does not accumulate funds – They are used as received. Rotarians helped smuggle babies out of Ukraine into Poland, to be cared for until they can be reunited with their families.
- Bequest Society – The fastest growing Fund in Australia.
- Sir Clem Renouf Polio Club - $25 per member per year.
- There is an online community assessment tool available.
- There are eight roll-up banners available for display at events.
- District Grants – Secondary school scholarships of $500 available to match Club contributions of $500 – 20 available. Clubs can apply for more than one Grant.
- Only 5% of contributions goes towards administration costs – Extremely low.
- Rotary Foundation is one of only a very few charities in the World with a ranking of 4.
Phil then introduced Linda Humphries – DG in 2023-24, who said she couldn’t understand why Rotary doesn’t have an increase in members, urging us to ASK people and not to be afraid to ask, even if they have said “no” before, because their situations may have changed since. Linda was very impressed with the projects our Club was doing. She said that our Club would be one that she would join. Her challenge to us is that we need to share the work we do to potential new members.
