Hello all, next Monday, we will be having the follow up from Michael’s workshop. From here we need to implement for the future of the club. Please come to the meeting with your ideas and be ready for discussion. We need to refocus on where we want this club to go and prioritise activities from there.
Next Meeting is MONDAY the 4th September - a Club Forum on 'the Future of our Club!'
As readers are aware from news in previous Bulletins, the Club is spending much more 'face to face' discussion time during it's meetings, on Club Projects. Therefore the Club has changed it's format so that every other week the meeting will have a Speaker presentation, and on the other week, the Club will spend time receiving reports from Club Directors and members, to update the Club members upon progress made with Club Projects during the previous fortnight.
This week, the Club members will continue their focus on 'the future of our Club' which is the follow up to the Club's previous discussion on 14th and 28th July 2017 which were facilitated by Michael McQueen.
Michael specifically asked that each member read and digest the outcomes from the previous two discussions:
- what do you love most about our Club? Is it 80% People/relationships, or do we want to socialise more?
- What things do we need to do LESS of? do we need speakers?
- Are we a service club? Or a fund raising Club? It was suggested that over the last few years we have leaned towards being a fund raising club.
Michael pointed out, that there are several reasons Clubs flourish:
1) every time they meet, there is a purpose for it, its not just a process, ie a getting together.
2) fund raising becomes an enabler of activity, not the primary activity.
So our Club needs to determine ‘where do they go from here’?
What are our community’s needs?
Where can we add value?
How much does the Club want to change to be more effective?
We need to keep identifying organisations we can help.
Our projects need to inspire young professionals to join us.
Our President invited members to bring ideas for projects to our fortnightly discussions for consideration!
Next Monday is your chance to voice that idea for a project!!
LAST MONDAY's Meeting - 28th August 2017 - Mark Anderson
Mark is the Senior Coordinator, Fund Development for The Rotary Foundation based in the South Pacific and Philippines with an Office in Parramatta. He has been a Rotarian for 30 years, being a member in Clubs in Victoria, New South Wales and South Africa. Mark gave many examples of successful Club applications for Grants, both District and Global. As an example of a successful application for a Global Grant, Mark introduced the members to a project in rural Mewat, Haryyana, India, "Toilet Installation and Sanitation Training". Funds were raised by the RC of Beecroft USD$5,000 and with contributions from District Designated Funds, and USD$15,050 from the World Fund, a total of USD$32,650 was raised.
Mark explained that funds donated by a Club to the Rotary Foundation, is invested for three years, then 50% of the money comes back to the District for District Grants. The other 50% stays in the World Fund and Clubs can bid for that. And because other Districts around the world under spend their 50%, Districts like ours can apply for more than their 50%, and as a consequence our District receives approximately 130%.
Mark informed the Club that Rotary is not getting its fair share of publicity from donations made to worthy organisations, as the funds are absorbed by that organisation and no mention is made that Rotary donated funds! District is suggesting that Clubs make sure the title 'Rotary' is publicised with that donation. Rotary must raise its public identity at every opportunity, because we must raise public awareness for our Brand and not allow other organisations to absorb funds and raise their Brand. Every publicity opportunity is a new member opportunity, ie we are telling the public what Rotary does! For example if the funds go to a material thing, like a BBQ shelter in the local park, that a Rotary emblem is erected on the structure.
Mark wound up his presentation by inviting the Club to submit applications for District and Global Grants!
In accordance with the Club’s new meeting format, during the meeting, the President received several quick reports from Directors upon the progress made with the Club’s projects during the last week.
In Other News
International Toast by Angelo, was to the Rotary Club of
42 members, 12 PH Fellows.
DIK (Donations in Kind) has moved to Castle Hill, and is focusing on things 'Medical' and 'Educational', and is suggesting every Club in our District visit one day a year for a working bee, to assist pack shipping containers going overseas.
The decision to go with ROMAC's fund raising exercise associated with the opening of a new five star hotel, the Sofitel at Darling Harbour, has seen a $20/ticket, added to each member's subscription, with the option of buying additional tickets. Any shortfall would be covered by the Club,and the total amount would become our annual donation to ROMAC
the next Board Meeting is Monday 11th September 2pm
Following the success of last year's Anita Cobby Memorial Dinner another is being organised for 19th September to support the building of Grace's Place.
Next year's International Conference is to held in Toronto,Canada.The ever present Bill Lee will be our Club's Co-ordinator/Champion for this event.
The Poker Night, is on again!! Saturday 21st October at the North Sydney Leagues Club, 7pm. Please put this date in your diary now!!
But before that is the Trivia Night on 25th August 2017, benefiting Phoenix House!
