Happenings at last week’s Meeting
President Mick was also acting as Chair again this week. (my fault for not changing the allocation. Ed). He welcomed our Guest Speaker, Rotary International Director Jessie Harman and, after proposing the Toast, handed over to Murray for the Invocation.
Next, Mick read out the apologies and then gave us an update on how Elaine is going. He then spoke about a meeting he had had with Peter Rawlings where Peter and the District are canvassing Clubs for suggestions on all things Rotary and, finally, reminded the Meeting about our re-location to the Southern Peninsular Community Information Centre for our Meeting on the 26th July.
Without further ado, Mick now invited Jessie Harman to address the Meeting.
(The Club Photographer didn’t move quick enough to get a decent pick’ so I’ve filched one off the Internet. Ed)
Jessie introduced the Rotary International Board as the governance body for RI. She ran through a number of statistics like: 48,000 Clubs word-wide; 800 staff supporting the Board from 7 offices in the world; 17 Directors on the Board who all serve for a two year term.
Jessie is coming to the end of her tenure and reflected on her time on the Board:
- It is truly international with 7 different languages spoken;
- RI assets now equal over $16b US, with the Audit Committee receiving reports from Deloitte and other International Auditors;
- The first year of Covid was spent establishing working protocols and the second year was unwinding these protocols, but it fundamentally changed the way Rotary works;
- Jessie has seen amazing things such as:
- Crisis support from the local Rotarians in Ukraine;
- Peace Initiatives such as the creation of Peace Centres; and
- The Polio eradication project which is so close to complete success;
- Rotary happens because of the way Clubs, such as ours, impact communities both local and international; and
- Rotary lives make a difference.
In concluding her talk, Jessie said it had been an honour to be a RI Director and she wanted to say thank you for what we, the Club, do.
After taking some questions from the Meeting, Mick formally thanked Jessie for taking the time to come and meet the Club members and provide an insight into the RI Board.
In a quick pivot back to business as usual, Mick called on Secretary Mark for his Report.
Marks Report included:
- The need for another member to act as cashier;
- Although some have been paid, subs are now due;
- The type of dinner for the meeting on the 26th is still to be decided; and
- The Club received a thank you card from Margie Booth.
The Chair now called for the Treasurers Report:
- $59,000+ was donated last year with 33% going locally, 11% nationally and 56% internationally. (I’ve rounded these % so as not to be seen as being too pedantic. Sorry Bernard, I know you accounting types are very particular. Ed.)
- Membership dues may be paid in two instalments, $150 now and $100 in December;
- The Board has recommended that this year the majority of donations are directed locally; and
- Sponsorship invoices have been sent out and potential new sponsors should be canvassed by Members.
Rob (Membership) announced that he is working towards setting up teams to work on increasing membership.
The Chair was pleased to announce that Mike Anderson has be re-elected to membership of the Club. Mike was called up and officially welcomed back.
Adrian was thanked for his efforts at arranging such informative and entertaining Guest Speakers.
Murray now stepped forward to exact Fines and christened his gavel as the “gentle persuader”. Birthdays for Charles and Adrian incurred a fine as did Rotary anniversaries. Lastly, Ross’ 100% attendance record deserved a fining recognition. (I don’t know if there is such a thing, but Murray invented it. Ed)
Lotto was run and won by Ailsa. (Again! And people mumbled about your Ed winning a couple of times.)
Instead of a well-structured and thought out “Person Behind the Badge”, Rob now launched into a TMG. (Which to he-who-was-taking-notes seemed rather un-structured and not thought through. But that’s just his opinion. Ed) It began with an explanation of a visit he had to the Frankston Hospital on 8/8/8 and then proceeded through a Melbourne Clinic, lost laptop and keys and then 2 weeks in hospital. It did end on a nice note with the appreciation for visits from the Rotary “family”.
Various Members now contributed “Reports From The Floor”. (Possibly a new regular item on the Agenda? Ed.)
Chris announced that the correct phone number was now on the Club Trailor and the Market boards. It will be all hands on-deck for the Xmas in July Market.
Bob informed the Meeting that the Dromana Australia Day meetings have begun. It is assumed that the Day will be going ahead and the Men’s Shed have begun preparing the cutouts.
As there were no more Reports, the Chair called the Meeting closed at 7:50.
P.S. Sorry for the chatty (catty?) asides this week. It just felt good. Ed.
