Was Paul Harris the first president of a Rotary club? No. Was Paul Harris the first president of Rotary International? Yes.

 

There is an easy explanation to this apparent contradiction. Although Paul Harris was the founder and organizer of the first Rotary club in Chicago in 1905, the man selected to be the first president was one of the other founding members, Silvester Schiele. By the year 1910 there were 16 Rotary clubs, which linked up as an organization called the National Association of Rotary Clubs. A couple of years later the name was changed to International Association of Rotary Clubs as Rotary was organized in Winnipeg, Canada, and then in England, Ireland and Scotland. In 1922 the name was shortened to Rotary International. When the first organization of Rotary clubs was created in 1910, Paul Harris was selected as the first president. He served in this position for two years from 1910 until 1912. Thus, the founder of the Rotary idea, who declined to be president of the first club, became the first president of the worldwide organization, Rotary International.

 

 

 

PolioPlus is Rotary’s priority program which supports global efforts to eradicate polio. It was launched in 1985, with the help of Dr. Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine, as a worldwide program to protect children from the cruel and fatal consequences of polio. In 1988, the World Health Assembly challenged the world to eradicate polio, and since that time, Rotary’s efforts, along with partner agencies, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations’ Children’s Fund, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and governments around the world have achieved a 99 percent reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide. By the time the world is certified polio-free, our contributions will make Rotary the largest non-governmental financial contributor to the global polio eradication effort.

 

As at 2 August there had been only 19 new cases of polio reported this year compared with 28 at the same time last year.  Afghanistan with 6 cases and Pakistan with 13 cases remain as the only polio endemic countries in the world.  We are so close to successfully eradicating polio from the world.

 

First time Sergeant Nancy Smith welcomed all in attendance and opened the meeting calling upon Dr Denis O’Brien to propose his chosen toast.

In light of the visit from District Governor, Denis proposed a toast to the Rotary Club of Broadbeach. In proposing the toast, Denis gave on overview of the Clubs’ history and highlighted the many achievements made by the Club and its members. 

 

President Bruce welcomed members and guests with a special welcome to District Governor Michael Irving and his wife Roz.

Bruce also welcomed Honorary Members, Ian Cowen and Uwe Seifert and guests June Milton, Bruce Perrin (Rotary Club of Bendigo), Justin Powell and Emma Thomson.

 

Chair of the Police Officer of the Year Committee Ray Milton gave an update in regard to this year’s event be held on 11^th October.

To date there have been 5 nominations and Ray has posters advertising the function available to members for distribution.

 

DG Michael described the Broadbeach Rotary Club as a “can do Club” that is very progressive and he has been visiting us since 1992 and stated that the District is very well served by the Club.

Michael stated that he is enjoying he role and receives many Emails and contacts each day. He demonstrated his DG’s “attire” which consisted of a distinctive hat, tie and Rotary shirt and Superman pants.

Michael is very excited about the ensuing year and having a very dynamic RI President, John Germ who he described as a practical and pragmatic person who is very passionate about the eradication of Polio.

The year 2017 is the centenary of the Rotary foundation with $3B donated to date.

Michael is very passionate about Organ Donation and the establishment of a data base, hopefully helped by the participation of Rotary. Further, Michael advised that Griffith University is developing a Malaria vaccine and Rotary is raising money for clinical trials.

Michael posed the question “How do you define Rotary”, is it a service organisation or something different. In this sense, he has observed people at Rotary meetings talking about fellowship. Therefore, fellowship is the rock on which Rotary was built.

Therefore, don’t get fixed on fund raising, but do more things together.

Michael outlined his District goals which include:

Roz spoke of her charity for the year - The Fred Hollows foundation, and gave an overview of the work of Fred Hollows and the Fred Hollows foundation.

Rotary has recognised the work of Fred Hollows and the Fred Hollows foundation, which to date has restored sight to 2 million people. However, there are still many more people in need.

President Bruce presented Roz with a cheque for $500 on behalf of the Club as a donation to the Fred Hollows Foundation.

 

Sergeant Nancy conducted a very humorous session which concluded with a very funny twist to the Heads and tails session.

Nancy advised the Club that Hugh and herself will be travelling to the School of St Jude in Tanzania which provides an education to children who are poverty stricken. They are desperate for sporting equipment, stationery, educational resources, musical instruments, books, technology equipment and many more items.

Nancy left envelopes on each table to enable members to make a donation of their choice.

 

Nancy has advised she greatly appreciated the generous support received from Club members for the St. Jude School. Providing there is an internet service at the school, Nancy has advised she will try to send a photo back.

 

Silver Circle                Noel Hodges

Raffle                         Rob Domican

Heads and Tails           Emma Thomson

 

President Bruce at the opening of the meeting

 

Dr Denis O’Brien proposing the toast to the Rotary Club of Broadbeach

 

Ray Milton binging us up to date with the Police Officer of the Year Function

 

District Governor Michael Irving addressing the meeting 

 

Roz Irving speaking on her chosen charity - The Fred Hollows Foundation

 

President Bruce presenting a cheque for $500 to Roz Irving as a donation to the Fred Hollows Foundation 

 

Sgt Nancy with raffle winner Rob Domican

 

Sgt Nancy with Heads and Tails winner Emma Thomson

 

Harold Busch with Guests Emma Thompson and Justin Powell

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A woman was getting swamped with calls from strangers. A billing service had launched an 800 number that was identical to hers.
When she called to complain, she was told to get a new number. "I've had mine for twenty years," she pleaded. "Couldn't you change yours?"
The company refused, so she said, "Fine. From now on, I'm going to tell everyone who calls that their bill is paid in full."
The company got a new number the next day.
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While visiting Annapolis, a lady tourist noticed several students on their hands and knees assessing the courtyard with pencils and clipboards in hand.
"What are they doing?" she asked the tour guide.
"Each year," he replied with a grin, "the upperclassmen ask the freshmen how many bricks it took to finish paving this courtyard."
When they were out of earshot of the freshmen, the curious lady asked the guide: "So, what's the answer?"
The guide replied: "One."
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The rain was pouring down. And there standing in front of a big puddle outside the pub, was an old Irishman, drenched, holding a stick with a piece of string dangling in the water.A passer-by stopped and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Fishing" replied the old man....
Feeling sorry for the old man, the gent said, "Come in out of the rain and have a drink with me."
In the warmth of the pub, as they sip their whiskeys, the gentleman cannot resist asking, "So how many have you caught today?"
"You're the eighth" said the old man.
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I'm not the easiest guy in the world to get along with. So when our anniversary rolled around, I wanted my wife to know how much I appreciated her tolerating me for the past 20 years. I ordered flowers and told the florist to enclose a card that read, 'Thanks for putting up with me so long.'
When my wife got the delivery, she called me at work.
"Just where do you think you going?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" I said.
She read the card aloud as the florist had written it: "Thanks for putting up with me. So long."
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In California over the weekend, a woman gave birth in a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Apparently she did this in the New Releases section.
I thought you were going to say she gave birth in the C-section.
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Q: Why did the Pope cross the road?
A: He crosses everything.

Q: What's gray, has four legs and a trunk?
A: A mouse on vacation.

Q: What do you call a cow spying on another cow?
A: A steak out.

Q: What happened when the owl lost his voice?
A: He didn't give a hoot.