President's Report Dec 2016

Posted by Peter Coote on Dec 15, 2016
 
PRESIDENT’S  REPORT FOR 2016-17 YEAR SO FAR
 
   President Pete's spellbinding precis of YTD Club status.
 
The Rotary Club of Crows Nest is in good shape, we are doing and achieving all the things that a successful club can and should do. We are holding regular meetings; members are enjoying fellowship, we keep running our successful fundraising BBQs and  Melbourne Cup Trifecta – thanks to the dedicated support of members and we do good both locally and overseas.
 
 
Two items concern me regarding the Club. Firstly, We have 37 Active Members of the Club; however I am disappointed that there are about 10 or 12 members that we rarely see and who have poor participation rates in our activities. However Cyril Clark assures me that that has been the situation for the last 45 years.
Secondly, the Elephant in the room for all Rotary Clubs – Membership. Everyone in Rotary talks about it but as membership numbers decline – obviously no one has the answer.
Now on the positive side of what have we achieved so far this year - Lots.
Club Compliance : Adoption of the latest Rotary Club Constitution and ByLaws
                               Adoption of 2016 Financial Statements and registration of both.
Fundraising :         Regular BBQ at Bunnings Artarmon –and I thank Bruce de       
                      Graaf; Angelo Raveane and Bill Lee who do the bulk of the organising
                             Melbourne Cup Trifecta – major efforts by Angelo Raveane ,
                                Cyril Clark and Les Walsh.
                              Our  Poker Night – an initiative of Mark Staples.
Our Social Events :    The Long Orange Lunch on the Central Coast in September.
                                The President’s Cocktail Party held at Darlinghurst in December.
Community Participation locally : 
           Our Stall at the Crows Nest Fair giving away popcorn to show our presence.
           The Tree of Joy at Chatswood and Crows Nest
           Financial support to local Womens Refuges ; Mary’s House and Delvina.
 
            Financial Contribution to the Community Herb Garden alongside the Baptist
                                  Church in Crows Nest
            Sponsoring 3 RYLA Candidates for the upcoming course.
            Support for ROMAC insurance for children / families from Overseas.
  International Projects :
             We sent delegations to Timor Leste –Sue and Angelo Raveane, Ian Pocock,           
                              Celia and Peter Coote
             And  a delegation to China courtesy of the Chinese Association for
             International Understanding consisting of George Condell, Ian Pocock
                               and Peter Coote.
             Our Grants Committee is working with two of our corporate members to 
             achieve Rotary Foundation Grants : “Action on Poverty” in Timor Leste
                               and “So They Can” in Kenya.
              Financial contribution to Dili Orphan Xmas Party
              Financial contribution to RAWCS  Dili Office costs
              Cost of Schooling for Student s Faith and Victoria; Sister Genievive, Kenya
I believe that this impressive list of activities and achievements demonstrates that the Club is alive and well and meeting  the four points of the Object of Rotary and evidencing “Service above Self” by our members
I am proud to be a member of such a vibrant active Club and thank the members of the Rotary Club of Crows Nest for their positive support  and enthusiasm.