Happy Easter and hopping forward over the next couple of months
I hope this message finds all members healthy and coping with the restrictions that we are currently having to live with. This year's Easter is a whole lot different to our usual Easter celebrations, where members would be travelling to beach houses, going camping, fishing, playing golf, having family get togethers with dinners or lunches, going to the beach or just going out for a drive, maybe to a winery.
Rest assured, all this will return once the world resets itself and a vaccine for the Covid-19 virus is found but, in the meantime, I wanted to reflect on Rotary and the theme for this year. Internationally the theme was Rotary - Connects the World. Rotarians are asked this year to strengthen the many ways that Rotary Connects the World, building the connections that allow talented, thoughtful, and generous people to unite and take meaningful action through Rotary service. Our own club theme is – 'Get Involved'.
Together, we see a world where everything has changed. Not just our liberties, but the way we react to the current situation and showing ingenuity in how we can assist and maintain our focus on helping our communities - be it just keeping in touch and making sure those you know are not without essentials, keeping up morale by spreading positive messages and helping those that may have lost their jobs, businesses and those that are not coping and are feeling overwhelmed. Social distancing will be the norm for a long time to come, unfortunately.
Rotarians traditionally unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves, and now this is no different. It may not be clear to everyone, but all members can and are playing a small part by making a difference. As an example, Sally Squires, our incoming President for 2021-22, has set up an initiative of putting together a communication system on 'Messenger' for those who want to join in. The opportunity to just add either information, jokes, interesting facts, trivia sessions, photos, ideas to keep occupied, and the fun and interesting video calls - especially at Happy Hour are very welcome. Thank you Sally!! This then leads into how we can stay connected and be involved as a club.
The Board, last Wednesday, started the first of many video meetings so the club can continue in its normal capacity in making important decisions in the running of the club, making sure that members will remain connected. Usual meetings, or should I say usual for the moment – will commence with our first video meeting via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 23 April 2020. Look out for information from Sally, Denese and John on how to connect and be involved.
This first video meeting will be an update from President John and Committee Chairs on the club activities and current plans on moving forward. As this is the first of this type of meeting for the club, please read the information sent to you and abide by the protocols in order to have the meeting run as smoothly as possible.
One agenda item was helping community groups such as Food Share. Paul Kelly and his band of helpers in the Community Committee are working hard looking at ways we can still assist, albeit remotely.
Michael Martin as usual is at the helm of the finances and Frank Lynch is currently planning his Presidential year with a Changeover with a difference.
Of course, both the youth and International projects have been disrupted due to travel restrictions and school closures. Also, both Ian and Brett have a lot on their plates in the next couple of months with changes to their school arrangements so the next couple of months will be interesting times for these two.
Our President John, and Kerry, are in the front line and extremely busy with both work and Rotary commitments. It was acknowledged that John and Kerry have not had the easiest year so far with the Festival not having the usual sunny weather, then the worst Bushfires nationally and now Covid-19. The Board expressed their thanks on behalf of all members for their leadership and ongoing work at the Austin.
Now to look at the positives and future for the Rotary Club of Eltham. We are starting to develop our guest speaker program and look forward to presenting to you some interesting and usual topics for your entertainment. Ideas on how we as a club connect with our community are welcome. Please let me know if you have a suggestion.
With our club theme – 'Get Involved' and especially with ANZAC Day approaching, I was trying to find a way of being involved and bring the community together this year. My idea is to print off ANZAC Poppies either from a paper template or, if you are creative, make some, then stick them to icy pole sticks or something else and plant or scatter them like a field in yours and your neighbours' front yards (with their permission of course). Without the RSL volunteers selling the poppies this year we can still mark the day in other ways. Another suggestion that I saw on a Facebook post was for people to go and stand at their front of their house at 5:55am on ANZAC Day in honour of the fallen.
Some other ideas of being involved, and other members may join me in this, is to send cards or letter to residents in Disability or Age Care facilities. Unfortunately, family members are not able to visit a lot of the residents and the small gesture of receiving a letter or card may have a positive impact. It may only be a picture of a backyard vegie garden or one from your exercise walk or even one from your past travels.
As I have said earlier, any suggestions and ideas please email me (alisoncooper@y7mail.com) but also I will be asking for members to do their Rotarian Behind the Badge during this period so don’t be surprised if you get a call from me.
I hope this message finds all members healthy and coping with the restrictions that we are currently having to live with. This year's Easter is a whole lot different to our usual Easter celebrations, where members would be travelling to beach houses, going camping, fishing, playing golf, having family get togethers with dinners or lunches, going to the beach or just going out for a drive, maybe to a winery.
Rest assured, all this will return once the world resets itself and a vaccine for the Covid-19 virus is found but, in the meantime, I wanted to reflect on Rotary and the theme for this year. Internationally the theme was Rotary - Connects the World. Rotarians are asked this year to strengthen the many ways that Rotary Connects the World, building the connections that allow talented, thoughtful, and generous people to unite and take meaningful action through Rotary service. Our own club theme is – 'Get Involved'.
Together, we see a world where everything has changed. Not just our liberties, but the way we react to the current situation and showing ingenuity in how we can assist and maintain our focus on helping our communities - be it just keeping in touch and making sure those you know are not without essentials, keeping up morale by spreading positive messages and helping those that may have lost their jobs, businesses and those that are not coping and are feeling overwhelmed. Social distancing will be the norm for a long time to come, unfortunately.
Rotarians traditionally unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves, and now this is no different. It may not be clear to everyone, but all members can and are playing a small part by making a difference. As an example, Sally Squires, our incoming President for 2021-22, has set up an initiative of putting together a communication system on 'Messenger' for those who want to join in. The opportunity to just add either information, jokes, interesting facts, trivia sessions, photos, ideas to keep occupied, and the fun and interesting video calls - especially at Happy Hour are very welcome. Thank you Sally!! This then leads into how we can stay connected and be involved as a club.
The Board, last Wednesday, started the first of many video meetings so the club can continue in its normal capacity in making important decisions in the running of the club, making sure that members will remain connected. Usual meetings, or should I say usual for the moment – will commence with our first video meeting via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 23 April 2020. Look out for information from Sally, Denese and John on how to connect and be involved.
This first video meeting will be an update from President John and Committee Chairs on the club activities and current plans on moving forward. As this is the first of this type of meeting for the club, please read the information sent to you and abide by the protocols in order to have the meeting run as smoothly as possible.
One agenda item was helping community groups such as Food Share. Paul Kelly and his band of helpers in the Community Committee are working hard looking at ways we can still assist, albeit remotely.
Michael Martin as usual is at the helm of the finances and Frank Lynch is currently planning his Presidential year with a Changeover with a difference.
Of course, both the youth and International projects have been disrupted due to travel restrictions and school closures. Also, both Ian and Brett have a lot on their plates in the next couple of months with changes to their school arrangements so the next couple of months will be interesting times for these two.
Our President John, and Kerry, are in the front line and extremely busy with both work and Rotary commitments. It was acknowledged that John and Kerry have not had the easiest year so far with the Festival not having the usual sunny weather, then the worst Bushfires nationally and now Covid-19. The Board expressed their thanks on behalf of all members for their leadership and ongoing work at the Austin.
Now to look at the positives and future for the Rotary Club of Eltham. We are starting to develop our guest speaker program and look forward to presenting to you some interesting and usual topics for your entertainment. Ideas on how we as a club connect with our community are welcome. Please let me know if you have a suggestion.
With our club theme – 'Get Involved' and especially with ANZAC Day approaching, I was trying to find a way of being involved and bring the community together this year. My idea is to print off ANZAC Poppies either from a paper template or, if you are creative, make some, then stick them to icy pole sticks or something else and plant or scatter them like a field in yours and your neighbours' front yards (with their permission of course). Without the RSL volunteers selling the poppies this year we can still mark the day in other ways. Another suggestion that I saw on a Facebook post was for people to go and stand at their front of their house at 5:55am on ANZAC Day in honour of the fallen.
Some other ideas of being involved, and other members may join me in this, is to send cards or letter to residents in Disability or Age Care facilities. Unfortunately, family members are not able to visit a lot of the residents and the small gesture of receiving a letter or card may have a positive impact. It may only be a picture of a backyard vegie garden or one from your exercise walk or even one from your past travels.
As I have said earlier, any suggestions and ideas please email me (alisoncooper@y7mail.com) but also I will be asking for members to do their Rotarian Behind the Badge during this period so don’t be surprised if you get a call from me.
Stay safe and look forward to seeing you all on our first meeting via Microsoft Teams.
Alison Cooper