I walked away from our last meeting for 2020, our Christmas breakup with a mild feeling of satisfaction. Our Christmas party was not a bunch of worn-out Rotarians relieved that the Rotary year had made it to the halfway mark without drama. It was more of a celebration of the future and what it could hold.
Our invited guests included members from the Rotary Clubs of Greater Dandenong-Endeavour Hills, Casey and Narre Warren. It was great to have a member from the Casey-Cardinia Rotaract Club. Inner Wheel was well represented. We had a good representation of our honorary members. There were even a couple of Assistant Governors and a District Governor. To round out guest list we had our St John of God sponsors Lisa Norman and Rhonda O'Connor.
From the word go, the conversations started and they continued without abatement for the whole evening. We didn't end up cranking up the dance floor because there seemed to be too many engaging conversations.
So why did I have a mild feeling of satisfaction? To put it plainly we were all networking and it was great to have so many terrific people in one room that wasn't Zoom. I hope that 2021 will bring a productive and enjoyable year to us all!
What is the go for 2021?
There is an easy answer and a hard answer to this question. The easy answer is we all just keep doing what we are doing. I am sure we will get by and survive another year. The hard answer is that we make a strong effort to build on our progress so far this year and carve out a new future for the Rotary Club of Berwick.
We just need to learn from a younger generation how to do what we used to do so well. While we might be holding onto the guitar, we need to let some younger fingers start pulling the strings to create a new and different tune.
The work we have done so far has started to pay dividends. Without mentioning names (mostly because I will forget to name everyone), we are starting to get some momentum in the club to step in a new direction. Almost every member I have spoken to wants to do 'hands-on' projects. Almost every person I speak to who is not a Rotarian, but a volunteer waiting for something to volunteer for, wants to do 'hands-on' projects. So I had an idea, LET's do 'hands-on' projects.
We have just had the Rotary Berwick and District Benevolent Society Christmas food pickups, which were very well supported by our partner schools and shopping centres. A small, but dedicated, team of members worked hard to make it happen. From my information, they also developed good relationships with their host partners, in order to collect a very generous amount of donations for the needy. For the people who donate, it is always nice to hear how the donations that they contributed to went. Quantity, support level (i.e.. how well it was supported at their location) and acknowledgment of their support, are always important to develop a relationship for the future. I would sincerely hope that our Club would follow up after the event and supply some appropriate feedback to everyone involved. I am personally very proud of the work that has been done so far this year through our Club project, the Rotary Berwick and District Benevolent Society. Even our Croc shoes project is finally going through the Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CNCISS), via the 'Benevolent Society'.
Next, we have the 'End Trachoma' kits. At 10:00am on Saturday the 9th of January at the Presidents joint in Devon Meadows, we will have a packing morning to send off our 50 'End Trachoma' kits to their final destination in the Northern Territory. The work on and the support by the club on this project has been uplifting, even if the majority of the physical work has been done by just one member. Show your support for the project and the work done on the club's behalf, by joining in on this occasion to evolve our next project while enjoying some fellowship.
On Wednesday the 13th of January, it is possible that our traditional Garden Party at the Kraan's to kick off another year, will require some changes due to the current COVID meeting restrictions. Nevertheless, it is a good way to start a new year serving the community.
On Wednesday the 20th January, we will have our traditional Berwick Cemetery cleanup. This is certainly a hands-on project, but participant numbers have steadily declined over the last few years. The work is not hard or even long and it is a good chance to work alongside members who you would normally have no chance to engage with. If the weather is with us and you bring a chair, it is a very gentle and enjoyable evening. It is also a perfect opportunity to bring a friend. Most people want to see what Rotary really does, so let's invite them in!
AND the Pipe Dreams:
The back half of the year is full of opportunities but is going to take manpower and goal setting to make it happen. This could be described as the close your eyes and fly moment. Who knows how it will end but we must have some faith in our abilities to make magic happen.
Bruce Shaw and the Easter Egg Hunt at Pioneers Park: Bruce has put forward a concept plan for a 2-3 hour project on the Easter Weekend. The concept papers that I have seen are reasonably complete, except for a budget and risk management plan. Nonetheless, the plan has all the hallmarks of a good community project to replace Australia Day. It will take a small team of members, I think they used to call it a committee, to work out the details and come up with a working plan.
Laury Gordyn and Vocational Awards: Vocational Awards have been on the Board's agenda for a little while now. even featuring in the Club's Annual Report to spark someone into action. Laury has stepped forward to take it on and will obviously need a proactive team to make this exciting project happen. Going on last week's bulletin story about developing our networks, I have a potential person who can kick our vocational awards "can" way down the road, just by talking about what we are doing at Rotary. Let's see how this puppy plays out, but I would love to be able to interact with businesses, get a handle on our community skill set and give someone a kick along to a stellar career, just by giving some attention to the engine room of our economy. Don't underestimate the power of talking about Rotary, building networks is the key to how far we can go.
RC Berwick and supporting local business: During COVID I have had a few members wanting our Club to support local business. We have had a crack and supported a Busker, a Pilates Instructor and almost a Caterer. Our return to Holm Park has hardly been inspiring, but it is what it is and I think most that have come along have enjoyed themselves. For our Club to 'walk the talk', we need to deliver. Integrity is everything and members need to know that we bear a responsibility to support the club activities and show up to meetings. In some respects, the Rotary Club of Berwick is a local business too.
Environmental Project with Jack and Jen: A project in the making, which could lead to something wonderful. Certainly a 'getting close to nature' kind of experience.
Winning the lawn bowls trophy against RC Monbulk: I like a bit of competition as much as the next person, but when a few pennant lawn bowls players spike the opposition team, it is time to fight back. At the Christmas party, I found a potential coach to turn us all into 'A' Class bowlers. Rotary is as much about helping others, as it is about teaching others that the RC Berwick members are no wimps on the bowling green. It would be nice to arrange a lesson or two to sharpen our skills before combat.
Speaking of which: The Club Program:
Yeah Na, who signs off on this stuff? I do! I am a strong believer in getting the arrow straight and finding the target. By that I mean, education in what we do will help us to achieve what we want to do. Rotary is not a social club (but Probus is).
Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23rd February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary's reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. You may have even come across Rotary's current vision statement:
'TOGETHER WE SEE A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE UNITE AND TAKE ACTION TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE ACROSS THE GLOBE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND IN OURSELVES.'
I think it is very compelling that we should be actively involved in working with others, getting a plan together and making a difference. It makes no difference if you are 20 or 100, if you are an active member in Rotary, our vision statement guides our path. That path is also the Club Program. So far this year we have been missing some key elements such as vocational visits, trips to visit other Rotary Clubs, finding interesting speakers on Rotary Project-related topics and of course hands-on activities.
The new Club booking/apology online form will allow members to contribute ideas (provided they are willing to follow them up) to create a varied and invigorating program that suits the members.
