Happenings at last weeks’ meeting
This week we had intended having another Hybrid meeting but some technical issues meant that we didn’t have anyone dialling in. Greg welcomed our Guest Carol Kidd and spoke about the upcoming talk on Bonsai cultivation to be given by Adrian Davies. (This talk was originally scheduled for the 8th March but has since been re-scheduled for the 15th. Ed.).
Mick was the Chair this week and, after reading out this week’s apologies, he called on Secretary Mark for his report. Mark announced that the Board meeting would be conducted via Zoom (which seemed to be pleasantly received). He then told the meeting that the Club had received $750 from the Dromana Australia Day Committee as well as their thanks for our support.
Next Mick called for this week’s TMG, but noting that the designated member was not available, asked for a volunteer. Bernard stepped into the breach and gave a talk on Slavery Free Chocolate for this year’s Easter. There are still manufacturers who use slavery in their supply chains and some use “weasel” words to disguise this from the consumer. If the chocolate you’re buying has these symbols then you can be sure of their provenance:
Bernard also distributed the following information poster:
Mick now called for the Lotto (won by Chris) and Fines. After the Sergeant extracted a very minor fortune from the meeting we relaxed and enjoyed our dinner.
Greg once again took over the microphone to announce that the Club would be sending $15,000 to Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) for distribution to help the survivors or the Turkey/Syria Earthquakes.
Mick called for the Directors reports.
Harry announced that there was a clash between a scheduled RAWCS meeting and the District Conference. He is looking for Club Projects which would be suitable for reporting to RAWCS.
Charles gave the meeting details of an Easter event where the Dromana Estate Wines is conducting “Melbourne’s Biggest Eater Egg Hunt” and are asking local Rotary Clubs if they can provide parking attendants over the three days of the event. The Friday and Saturday have three four-hour shifts and the Sunday has two. Each shift requires 4 people and Charles and Bernard will be send round a roster for members to volunteer.
Lyn announced that she had received an apology from Noah (Dromana Secondary student) about not being able to help out at the last Market but reassuring her that he would be at the next one.
Bernard briefly gave his Market Report with the good news of a profit of $2,292.33, with possible more to trickle in.
Mick told the meeting that he had attended the President Elect Training and found it very rewarding and well done as it touched on the future District amalgamation. He has also spoken to the Chelsea Rotary Club about such things as their Bulletin and the running of their Club. On the subject of upcoming Guest Speakers, for our meetings, Mick stressed that it is not just down to one person’s responsibility. All Club members could, and should, contribute to finding our Speakers. The Art of Bonsai night (now postponed) will be a Partners Night.
Lastly, Mick commended the My Rotary site as being well worth a look. It has a wealth of useful information.
Mick now handed over to Chris who announced that the Rotary Information marquee at the Market had worked well and we now had sic new Friends Of Rotary signed up. Next, Chris began the first “Talking About Rotary” talk.
Chris pointed out that Rotary is made up of the Clubs, Rotary International and Rotary Foundation. Rotary has 1.4 million members and 34,010+ Clubs world-wide. Rotary International (RI) is head quartered in Chicago with 32 Zones and 530 Districts. It is operated by a Board which has a President and 18 others, including 15 Directors. There is an Executive with a General Secretary, and a staff of 70, with General Managers in 8 international offices.
The RI Constitution and By-Laws are reviewed by a Council Of Legislation but changes are generated by a “bottom up” approach where suggestion originate at Member/Club level and are filtered up to the Council for review. The RI Board does have the final say in the adoption of any proposed changes. Here ended the RI lesson.
The Members gave Chris a hearty “bravo” for his extensive knowledge on all things Rotary and looked forward to the next instalment. (Looking back on this sentence it does smack of “jolly hickey sticks” but the meetings tone was a lot more convivial. Ed.)
On this note, Greg thanked our Guest for coming along, thanked all attendees and the meeting finished around 8:10.
Not Just Pill Foils
Elaine is now collecting aluminium cans as well as the foils from all pill medication.
