Our meeting last Monday toasted the Rotary Club of Chicago on the 114th Anniversary of Rotary.
The very first Rotary meeting!
I read a quote from Rotary Founder Paul Harris that I feel is still relevant today; ”The Foundation upon which Rotary is built is Friendship, on no less foundation could it have stood”.
As we celebrate Rotary’s 115th Year we need to remember Rotary’s Foundation of ‘Friendship’, and in the future, Innovation and Willingness to Change will define Rotary’s future.
Our Guest Speaker was Assistant Governor Ward Pollard, who outlined a proposal for discussion concerning a possible merger in the future, of Districts 9675 and 9685.
A lively discussion ensued, with questions posed and concerns voiced. I ask all Members to please watch the two videos on this subject, as this is your future! Just one possible option for the future of Rotary in Sydney. In the not to distant future members will be asked to vote on this proposal: Video 1:
Video 2:
Last Monday evening, President Elect, Mark Staples and I attended a cluster Meeting of Rotary Presidents.
We listened to Rotaractor Andrew Long speak about the proposed formation of a Rotaract Club in the North Sydney Area. Andrew‘s enthusiasm and previous Rotaract experience will be the basis on how he forms this new, proposed Rotaract Club. We wish Andrew and his Team well.
Next week our Guest Speaker is Pam Carne, whose topic is ‘Teacher in a Box’.
I look forward to hearing her presentation and I encourage all Members to attend.
Next Meeting Monday - 25th of February 2019 - ‘Teacher in a Box’
- provides offline access to extensive educational materials
On the 25th of February our Guest Speaker will be Pam Carne.
In many rural villages in developing countries, there is no internet, even in the main cities of the developing world, the internet is often slow or unreliable.
Thanks to the amazing generosity and efforts of not-for-profit educational software developers, our own computer donors and our volunteer workers, we are able to supply Teacher in a Box pre-loaded with a huge range of quality educational and training materials at minimal cost.
Teacher in a Box has a huge positive impact where there are limited teaching resources or teachers with limited training or education themselves.
Our servers support self-paced learning as well as classroom teaching.
Last Monday's Meeting, the 25th of February - our Speaker was our Assistant Governor, Ward Pollard.
Ward outlined the topic for discussion being one option for the future of Rotary in the area of the Sydney basin. Memberships of Rotary Clubs are falling as people become busier and busier and the age of members is becoming more older than younger. If in the future, the two Districts of 9675, south of the Harbour and 9685, north of the Harbour, continue to lose members, Rotary will be forced to rethink the District areas and one option is for the two Sydney Districts to amalgamate. Ward presented the facts on the issue and members held a lively discussion of the ‘Pros and Cons’ of such an amalgamation. Two videos outline the topic under discussion. Video 1 and Video 2. It is suggested members should watch these videos to understand the issue, because in the near future you will be asked to cast your vote on your preference.
Reminders
Friday 29th - 31st March 2019 - District Conference in Newcastle. Members asked to consider.
Friday,the 1st of March-Sienna's (Neuroblastoma) Gala Dinner, of which our Club is a major sponsor
Club Directors Meeting at the Church Hall, the 7th April at 6pm
Tuesday 29th April 2019 - our Club’s 50th Birthday Celebrations!! Currently in discussions with the Kirribilli Club as to location for the event.
Australia is very fortunate this year, as the Rotary International President is coming to a special Dinner on 23rd September 2019 at the Epping Club, so please put this date into your diary now!
for more information contact PDG Gina Growden, see below:
Once again the Rotary Club of Chatswood Sunrise is running a Trivia Night at the Dougherty Centre, Victor Street, Chatswood on Saturday 2nd March 2019. If you missed the last Trivia Night, don't miss this one as they are a great night of Entertainment!! See Flyer:
The Rotary International President has introduced the possibility that our District 9685 would merger with District 9675, due to falling membership. Read his full report attached: and watch videos (click hereand here)