Club Bulletin 19th September 2020

A Note From The President

This weekend along with around 1100 people from all over the world we heard from a variety of Rotarians, Rotaractors, some past DGs, the current RI president, in all, lots of people who addressed the Zone 8 Virtual Conference. The overall theme, during this time of upheaval due to Covid 19 is the necessity for Rotary to CHANGE, because the world has changed. The music was terrific by the way, The Bowden Brothers, and indigenous group sounding a bit like the old RedGum. It is so good for us to get out of our own little bubble and hear what is going on in the wider world of Rotary. The trick is not to let it overwhelm us with feelings that we cannot do what others are doing because we are such a small club and that we only know how to do what we know we do well, and nothing new. I know the ideas are there and they will emerge gradually. This lockdown period has given us time to stop and think about what we are doing, where we are going and what might we do to continue.

I hope also that you have had a chance to look at the “Creatures of Habit” Video by Mark Huddleston we intended watching at last week’s meeting, but didn’t due to technical issues (which we think we have now solved). If not, we will have look at it next month maybe along with some other videos. There is plenty of good material on the Rotary web site and now is a good time to motivate and stimulate ourselves by hearing what others are doing successfully.

Nevertheless, we had a very useful club discussion mainly around the Op Shop and ways we might assist people who come to the attention of the Op shop workers who are having difficulties. Judith Lightfoot was as ever full of good ideas to keep the Op Shop afloat – so told us about their “Drive Through’ service and how it is working. Photos of the various saleable items are put on the Op shop Facebook page and then shared to various other pages and through other people sharing. People can ring up and pay over the phone for the items then collect in their cars. Op shop volunteers have sanitised and prepacked the items which they put in the boot of the purchasers’ car. Judith was toying with the idea of using Zoom to take people through the shop virtually so they could see what is on offer. She is yet to trial this and will keep us up to date next week. Well done to the Op Shop volunteers for their indominable spirit and determination to keep going. Great Rotary values at play there.

I was delighted to announce the Warrandyte Community Bank’s grant of $2000 toward the Op Shop food program, as well as the approval for a Defibrillator to be installed at the Op Shop. Once again, a huge thanks to Liz Guiver for her terrific work doing Grant applications – it is much appreciated and I was able to thank Liz over the phone during the week. She and George are both well by the way, which is good news.

I attended the Waverly Club’s meeting on Thursday lunch time to hear about a refugee at the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation, Farhad Bandesh, a musician and writer, who had been on Manus Island and was relocated to mainland Australia for medical treatment several years ago. It was interesting and again, good to see what else is happening out there in the world of Rotary. There are many invitations to other club meetings and seminars so please consider joining them, you don’t have to say anything, just be present.

Last Friday night I attended the bi-monthly District President’s Meeting. Tony Monley gave a short presentation about the council and Legislation and Resolutions. We also heard about how clubs are coping with Zoom meetings, with a small number reporting that their numbers of attendees have dropped from the usual face to face, but many clubs saying they love Zooming and have had really interesting guest speakers from all over the world. Some clubs have inducted new members too. District 9810 has a good list of guest speakers who make themselves available to any club who wishes. Of course, we all want to get back together for face to face meetings but in the meantime we can make the most of the current situation. Many clubs will continue with at least one zoom meeting a month for those who cannot attend in person. The discussions were good and again, it was stimulating to hear what is going on in other clubs.

​I look forward to our next meeting where we will hear about the racing Industry from Peter Julier which promises to be different and entertaining. Until Tuesday keep well and safe.
​
President Judy.

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A huge shout out and congratulations to
Bob McKenzie for 40 years in Rotary
​which came up this month. Bob has and still is contributing hugely to this wonderful organization of Rotary and may it continue for years to come Bob.

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Upcoming Programme

RCWD Club Fund

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From 'Open Doors'

Foreign Coin Collection

Today I am reminded of a modest fundraiser contributing to doing substantial good in the world. While moving items in my office I noticed a small purse. Not remembering what was in it, I opened it to find $42 in US currency – most in notes. I have put it aside so, when it’s possible, I can give it to Ron Brooks of the Rotary Club of Forest Hill. Ron collects all foreign coins and notes. The final value of them is passed along to UNICEF to fund the Rotary “Give Every Child a Future” project (see everychildafuture.com) a major activity instigated as part of the celebrations of 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand. So while you’re using lockdown time to clean out cupboards and sort out drawers, remember to keep aside any of those foreign coins you find and make sure they make their way to Ron.

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Holding Your AGM
​Advice from CAV

Consumer Affairs Victoria has issued a statement about ways in which clubs can hold an AGM during COVID restrictions. To see the information you need, go to 
​submit.consumer.vic.gov.au/v/25390/1779950554/email.html?k=AQXt_rHViD1e-M2rMqfwSmJ1t3qInD5vmqvd9SFRmeQ

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Charities In Danger
​of Collapse

Charities in Danger of Collapse
A recent report by financial analysts, JB Were, indicates that 14% of Australian charities are on the brink of collapse as donations are dramatically reduced. One in 10 Australians work for charities more than manufacturing and more than agriculture and up to 170,000 of them could lose their jobs. Read more here:
thenewdaily.com.au/finance/consumer/2020/09/08/charity-coronavirus-threat/

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​District International / Foundation Joint Seminar - (5:30 pm - Friday 25th September 2020)

Club input to the District Grants “Fair Share” Modeland Rotary from a Villagers Perspective in Papua New Guinea

Learn how The Rotary Foundation and District 9810 Resource Network can help your Club to participate in Local and International Grants Projects

While Covid-19 has caused many Rotarians to ‘re-think’ their position on providing service to the community, locally and internationally; and giving to the Foundation; - this inspirational Seminar is designed to renew your enthusiasm to do more ‘good in the world’.

This seminar is in two parts: - Part 1) covering Club projects in both the local and international community through a proposed new District Grants model; and Part 2), an enhanced approach to conducting our international service projects, as seen through the eyes of Osivo, a village project leader in Goroka, Papua New Guinea (part of D9600 Brisbane).

We will cross to Goroka to learn how Osivo led a village driven process to help Rotary deliver a project that the community needed – precious water! Learn also how resource networks across Rotary Districts can connect your Club to our near neighbour communities in need. Hear directly from Osivo what a benefitting community wants from its relationship with Rotary; and significantly, how to avoid the mistakes of other Aid Agencies, including some of our Rotary driven Grant projects of the past.

This seminar is a must for all Clubs as we prepare to embark on exciting new opportunities in Rotary D9810. Tony Stokes (International Service Chair) and David Alexander (Foundation Chair) welcome you to attend.

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An Invitation to attend this meeting of the Rotary Club of Manningham.
​If you have Irish heritage it may be of great interest to you. Dr Callaghan is a professional Genealogist.
Contact Kathy Monley Zoom for details

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Some Sustainability Ideas

From kitchen and garden scraps to the compost bin and worm farm ……. to

Tasty healthy food.

Don't put plastic bags and soft plastic wrap in your rubbish bin. Bag them up and take back to Coles or Woolies they have bins for recycling this stuff. It can turn into road surfacing material!

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