Club Bulletin 14th December 2022 (Dec 13, 2022)

Happenings at last weeks’ meeting

Our penultimate meeting of the year wasn’t started well with President Greg having to leave look after Wanda and the meeting hearing that both Trudie and Harry are having a bad time with Covid. The meeting expressed their concerns and wishes for a quick recovery.

Chris deputised for Greg and began the meeting with a list of updates from Greg:

A reminder that the Hillview Quarry BBQ will be held on Thursday 22^nd;
The Rotary International Convention 2023 will be held in Melbourne beginning 27^th May with 27,000 attendees expected; and
Our “re-start” meeting will be on January 11th.

Geoff now took charge as Chair of the meeting and promptly called on Secretary Mark for his update:

There will be a 8910 District Dinner next year;
The next Board meeting is on Tuesday 13^th;
The Rotary International Manual Of Procedures (MOP) is up for review by the Victorian Government, re Articles of Incorporation.

Goeff now called on Directors for their reports.

Director Mike thanked all those who attended his wedding to Agnes. It was a beautiful day and he asked that everyone put aside 15^th April 2023 for their commitment service. Then to business:

Market Flyers have been produced and social media promotion is underway;
Many Guest Speakers have been obtained for the new year; and

Interspersed with the Guest Speakers and other Club-business meetings, next year we will be having Rotary Information weeks for new members.

Director Charles now spoke about the success of the movie night with over $500 being raised for Rotary Foundation. He spoke about the lessons that have come from this exercise and can be applied next time. He feels that March would be a better month to put something like this on in the future.

Geoff, as Director, introduced the subject of the Carols being held at the Twilight Market on the 21st. Even though there had been some vandalising of the Carols sign this had been quickly repaired and things were proceeding. He called for volunteers to arrive about 2:00 pm on the 21^st so as to begin organising the Carols area. Many hand went up.

Bob brought the Club up to date on preparations for Australia Day 2023. This is on Thursday (26^th) and will run from 8:30 through to approximately 1:00 pm on the Dromana Foreshore. He pointed out that our stall/stand will have about 800 kids with paint and water. Even though the insurance is approved it still sounds like a daunting and messy assignment. (I’d be dubious about letting my grandkids loose with paint and brushes. Ed)

Prior to speaking on the subject of the Twilight Market, Chris opened the meeting to discuss voting for the proposed Bylaws changes. He went to great pains to point out that changing the Bylaws was a multi-step process and would not be completed on this one vote.

The changes would still have to be checked against the incoming Rotary International changes, although no conflict is foreseen, and also reviewed by a legal specialist in the Victorian Laws pertaining to Articles of Incorporation. BUT we needed to move the process forward. So, he asked for a vote in favour of accepting the Changes so that they can be ready for the next step. There were two No votes with the majority voting Yes.

Now Chris could talk about the preparations for the Twilight Market:

The Market permit has been approved, with thanks to Mark;
The Market will require 15+ Rotarian (i.e. Club) volunteers;
There are approximately 60 stalls accepted;
Carols will be in the centre of the park; and
Our Markets are getting a reputation amongst the stall holder community of being “friendly, welcoming and community-centred”, which can only be a plus and a great praise to all those involved over the years.

The Chair now called for Lotto which was won by Bernard, and promptly auctioned off the Ross as Bernard is a non-drinker. The proceeds substituted for a Fines session as the Sergeant was a meeting apology.

As the meeting began to wind down, Chris raised the subject of new Members and the need to market Rotary, and our Club in particular, to the Dromana area. A brief discussion ensued but the members were asked to think on this subject over the Xmas break and be prepared for a meeting dedicated to this subject on 18^th January.