Posted by Mary VOICE
Our Chair for the day, Kevin Love opened the meeting with a toast to Rotary International.
 
President Warwick Cavell welcomed guests Tony Nicholls (first meeting), Rajesh Chawla (prospective member), Adele le Roux (first regular meeting visit following Paul Harris breakfast attendance) and our guest speaker PDG Dr Murray Verso.   
 
Announcements
  • Alison Chan alerted us that it is time to start putting together Christmas hampers, red and green as usual, to bring to the December 17 meeting. You can order spice packs through Alison, she will have an ordering list at the next couple of meetings.  Please add your request to the list next meeting if possible.
 
  • Gerard Hogan gave us a conference reminder, 27-29 March in Bendigo, early bird registration closes 30 November.
 
  • Martin Langton had a special request:  the club will hold its mental health fund raiser next week (Tuesday) – please wear a hat (to lift the lid on mental health), if you don’t you will be charged a donation (if you do wear a hat, there might be a prize and there might also be a fee).
 
  • Kevin Love thanked all who assisted with our 17 November stall at Camberwell market, which raised a terrific $2275.
 
  • Cecily Neil asked us to consider attending on Saturday 7 December at 10am, for the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne (RPM), who will be holding their first meeting as a newly chartered club - location DIK. 
 
  • Cecily also reminded us of the “special” cards supporting toilet construction in a Philippines village (make a tax-deductible donation and get a free card).
 
President Warwick’s Announcements:
  • Warwick advised us to save the date for the International Women’s Day breakfast, Thursday 5 March next year.
 
Speaker  
PDG Murray Verso is the current District 9800 Rotary Foundation Chair.
 
Neville Taylor introduced our guest speaker.  November is Foundation month, and our Paul Harris breakfast was another successful annual event, with approx. $10,800 achieved to support our Foundation-related activities.  To round out the month of November, the club is pleased to have Dr Murray Verso adding to our insight into Foundation. 
 
Murray gave us an overview of Rotary Foundation (doing good in the world); and its global impact in humanitarian aid, education projects, peace and health. Murray noted that club contributions are slightly declining but individual contributions are increasing.  Ongoing financial support enables our global work, enables district grants (available to clubs and includes scoping grants), global grants (larger, longer term, must respond to community needs, and requires an international partnership). 
 
Note that the Foundation is run entirely from Rotary/by Rotarians.  Foundation focuses on six critical causes, and it is efficient, accountable and transparent.  Foundation enables all of us to leave a legacy in the world (financial and/or via effort).
 
Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) is a simple way to donate ($100 per year), and there is a handy coffee-table-device to collect your gold coins during the year (pictured, available from Neville Taylor).  Note also that individual (and corporate) donations to Foundation are tax deductible.  The donation form can be downloaded from the club website (left hand column).
 
Murray answered several questions around policy details.
 
Neville Taylor thanked Murray for his presentation and reminded us all of our Club’s commitment to Foundation.   Chairperson Kevin also thanked Murray for a most informative talk.
 
Meeting Closed
In closing the meeting, President Warwick thanked our speaker and visitors for attending and reminded us how Rotary connects the world, including via the many Foundation projects and impacts.