Message From the President
It has been a big month as November brings the year to a close. We started with great vigour as we managed to get the Namayingo project off to a racing start. No sooner into this and the preparation for the AGM commenced in earnest.
Typically a time to reflect on achievements and nominate the next President. As a new club we looked at who we are and what we want to become. Having sent out invoices for 2023 membership early in October it was no surprise that we had an opportunity to look at how each of us contributed over the months since charter and who was motivated to keep going.
Our journey is one to save lives. Nothing we do is about us personally but about how we can add value to less advantaged communities to save even one life. We have been blessed with this opportunity but it isn't for everyone. We understand there have been many health issues that have called people away for everything but the essential to survive. We will miss many of those people and hope they can come back one day. For others it was the reality that one of the most basic criteria for membership is the ability to pay fees, which they were not able to do. For some it was about themselves and what they wanted in life. For whatever reason 12 members have resigned and 25 members have renewed for 2023. There are 3 members yet to decide.
This shift in membership will resolve the dilemma created at charter and will ensure only those members who truly believe in our cause and want to serve above self and give back to communities around the world are part of this journey. I am very excited about what lies ahead and am looking forward to working with members to ensure every child has access to quality learn to swim programs and can swim before they finish primary school.
In the meantime the Swimming Gift is rolling along slowly and looking for members with IT skills to help set up the event on ClubRunner. Once we are able to receive donations the program will be ready to go.
To back up the Swimming Gift, the 2nd dip came to life with donations going in and out over the month. Very exciting to see the great work from Michelle for all her efforts lighting the path for our projects to proceed.
This month also saw our treasurer take over all the functions of her role, lightening the load for others. Thank you Stacy. I also need to extend an apology to Stacy and the members for neglecting to include the treasurers report that Stacy had worked on sourcing all the information, collating it and setting up the PowerPoint into an exciting presentation. I acknowledge the time and effort it takes to put these together and I understand how hurtful it can be if as on this occasion I forgot to include it in the presentation.
As we move to the end of the year I ask myself what is expected of me by members, a difficult question to answer I know but everyone has ideas on what their President should be doing. I have placed emphasis on covering for members absent from their leadership roles, meetings and activities. I have tried to juggle multiple board positions and committees to ensure the work is done and projects keep moving. For the best part we have successfully presented ourselves within Rotary to lay the foundation for future grants and projects in an extremely favourable light. As we move into 2023 I will no longer pick up these shortfalls and will look to members to keep this club alive. I believe we have members that are articulate and engaging and can run meetings with vigour and enthusiasm. I look forward to giving members the opportunity to shine by filling some of these functions.
We have one more meeting for the year on 12 December. I am away during this period and would leave the conduct of the meeting in normal circumstances to the Secretary. In her absence it will be up to the leadership team to organise and prepare our final meeting.
I want to thank each of you for your contribution and especially Rhiannon, Michelle and Stacy who have kept the ship afloat whilst others were dropping away under the burdens of illness, workload and personal commitments.
Please stay safe over the holiday period and I wish everyone all the best for the festive season and look forward to working with you to serve above self in a smaller, healthier club in 2023.
