Happenings at the last meeting
This weeks meeting was a club night, with particular emphasis on the various committees within the club. To this end we were all seated at tables designated to a particular committee, so we could discuss our committees futures while we ate.
Harry was the Chair for this evening and spoke on the keynote subject, for each committee, of promoting our club. He commended Michael Andersons Forward Plan to all members as providing a positive map for our club.
Next, Secretary Chris reported on:
- the latest Bullying and Harassment Policy which has been released and required the approval and agreement of the club; and
- the concern that it appears that District 9810 is nearing the lower membership threshold which will mean that it is broken up and the constituent clubs are dispersed to other Districts. He sited this as a good example of why our club needs to be constantly on the lookout for new members.
Sergeant Merv conducted Lotto, won by Adrian, and issued fines. He also announced that he has published a roster for the setting up prior to each meeting. It only requires arriving around 6:00 and putting out the various meeting paraphernalia then packing up after closing. The designated member will be published each week in the Bulletin.
The Committees
Club Services and Vocational Service.
Community Service.
Membership and PR.
New Generations.
International Services.
Foundation.
Fundraising.
Each of the committees set about discussing their areas of responsibility and it became obvious very early that they all depended, to varying degrees, on each other. For instance, Community Service would look to Fundraising for some finance and Membership and PR for publicity.
As this was the inaugural meeting for most committees the output varied. Community Service produced their mission statement (Working with the Community, for the Community) whereas International Service produced a comprehensive article for publication (see below).
The quality of International Services contribution may reflect the experience of the associated members, (or maybe that they’re all over-achievers), but it also set a standard for all the other committees to consider.
The International Services Committee
“At the Rotary Club of Dromana Meeting on Thursday 15 July we split into Committees for discussion between members on matters of current interest. This is a summary of the outcome of the International Services Committee.
Early in the session a general discussion of current needs in the international community was undertaken and how Covid has affected many communities in many countries which has resulted in a greater than normal need for help in a wider than normal group of countries.
Detailed discussions were than directed to particular areas of interest.
- Cambodia/Vietnam: Under this heading Committee members were brought up to date on the project currently being undertaken by Club 38 Latitude. Our Club has been involved through the donation of funds raised by PP Rob Alexander and Rotarian Elaine Barnard-Brown with the sale of eggs kindly donated by PP Rob and sold by Rotarian Elaine. As I understand an amount has been raised through sales and the Club topped up the funds which were then presented to the project host Club. A suggestion by PP Rob, by which the Club would match dollar for dollar any further sales, was discussed by the Committee. It was the decision of Committee Members to put this suggestion on hold pending the outcome of a decision by the Board and Club members of a standalone project in Sri Lanka.
- Negombo Food Aid Project, Sri Lanka: This Project has been the subject of a few emails and minutes to the Board following a request received by myself, as Director of International, from Ms Debra Riedel, a former local resident and ex-wife of a former Club member Lothar Riedal for possible assistance with funds to source food aid and personal hygiene products to be distributed in the Negombo District in the island nation of Si Lanka. Ms Riedel is now a resident in Sri Lanka and wrote to me explaining that due to Covid, much of the income of many locals has completely disappeared as there has been an almost total disappearance of international tourists, the major source of income to a large group of local small operators. With the disappearance of income has come the large problem of many families being unable to meet the requirements of purchasing day to day living requirements such as food and personal hygiene products. Ms Riedel has put the case where a sum of AUD 30 will cover the purchase of a range of basic food staples such as:
Rice, chickpeas, lentils, milk powder, sugar ,salt, eggs, biscuits, cordial, tea, rice noodles cooking oil, dried fish, potatoes, onions, green chillies, soap, and toothpaste.
Discussions covered the likelihood of misappropriation of any funds sent through certain bank accounts and Debra has supplied us with a conduit of a registered NGO in Sri Lanka which would be prepared to assist in the distribution of and acquittal of any funds sent. It was further discussed as to whether we register the project with RAWCS and try for a Global Grant to maximise funs. It was recommended to proceed with a smaller amount, a single donation from Club Funds before attempting to seek a grant.
To this end the Committee recommends a donation of $2,500 to the Negombo Food Aid Project subject to a suitable Memorandum of Understanding be established with the NGO and Ms Riedel.”
Well done to all in International Services.
The meeting was closed at 8:15.