Meeting 3 September 2014                                        Windy Hill Venue, Essendon 3040

 

Welcome to another issue of our weekly bulletin to find out our District Governor's aspirations for our Club this year and her of our activities.

 

 

 

President Tony DeFazio welcomed the assembled audience and our District Governor Michael Lapina, his assistant Alex Lapina and the newly appointed Regional Director David Dippie. He went on to review the progress of the Club's activities with the Royce & Jean Abbey awards, the establishment of our strategic plan, the Art Show and reaching out to the business community.

 

Tony was then awarded the President's badge by Immediate Past President Michael Portelli.

 

 

Maria rejoiced in the  accumulation of over $1000 in foreign coins to be processed to donate funds to the Polio Plus programme.

 

 

 

Regina advised  that we have over $15,000 in prize money for our Art Show and encouraged members to display the Art Show poster in our cars.

 

 

 

And Nola extolled the virtue of reaching out to people to spread the work of Rotary and presented us with RCE bookmarks to distribute.

 

 

 

It was now time for District Governor Michael Lapina's impassioned address.

 

 

Michael thanked the Club for its considerable contributions to making a difference in people's lives and extolled us to not to see ourselves  by virtue of the good work we do but to see ourselves through the recipient's eyes. That makes all the difference when we feel we have not achieved our goals.

 

Yes we need a strategic plan but in the words of Word President Stephanie Urchick, we need to present an irresistible experience to those we encounter. We need to think differently about our expectations and adapt eg there were only 5 outstanding cases of polio last year with the expectation of finally eradicating polio but now there are over 26 new cases in the world. Rotarians persevere because we enjoy the journey.

 

Stephanie's second aim is heal a divided world and this is where Rotary sponsored Peace Scholars are a vital resource. Peace is one of Rotary's are of focus and education is vital to this end.

 

Finally Stephanie's third concern was continuity of membership and one should ask what is your number 1 priority as a Rotarian? Is it satisfying? The answer should be we belong because we are emotionally invested and having fun. We are seen from the outside as a family belonging to help our neighbours.

 

A lively question time followed about the District structure and newly established Regionalisation programme. The important difference is one of economy of scale and savings available to pursue projects. The effectiveness of Peace Scholars and how they contribute to peace in areas such as family violence was  discussed, and in the end one can onily do what one can do.

 

A very enjoyable evening.

 

 

 

This edition was produced entirely within the Bulletin section of ClubRunner.

 

Please ignore Commitment boxes at bottom as not relevant at present.