It is good to be back, unfortunately I've had covid and Trevor's Dad passed away, so I am grateful things are getting back to normal for me. Our President Elect Kelly attended PETS (President elect training) last weekend, and it sounds as if she has come away enthused. I'm sure she will get a lot of support and encouragement from all members. Being relatively new to Rotary it will be a steep learning curve but I know Kelly will do a wonderful job.
Welcome to Alaister Rouse, Jemimah, Jessica, Lachlan and Carly, Alissa Griffith and Richard, Janet and Lydia Adams at Tuesday's meeting.
Apologies for the meeting from John Hunt, Svet Lineham, Cathy Bligh, Peter Smid, Rachell Furnell, Ron Bishop, Graeme Ward and Sharon Kenny. Our thoughts go our to Svet who's Mother passed away. The funeral was on Wednesday 21st May. Svet has taken wonderful loving care of her monther and its never easy to lose anyone you love let alone a parent. Out love and thoughts are with you Svet and Russel.
Anne Adams updated us on Cathy Bligh who now has covid. She says Cathy is progressing in her rehab as expected. It will be a long road.
Reminders:
1. Our club photos are back and have been circulated to most of those who purchased them. I will bring them along weekly to hand out to the remainders and if any members want one or last year's photo, please let Chris or I know so we can get them ordered for you.
2. Rotary is looking for Outbound Youth Exchange Students. If you know of anyone who may be interested let me know. Registrations are now open.
3. DG Ian McKay and DGE Lesley Shedden invite you to join them at the District 9780 Changeover on Sunday 23rd June 2024 at the Sands Resort, 2 Sands Boulevard, Torquay
4. Rotary International President Gordan McInally is coming to lunch at Cape Schank Resort 12:00pm for 12:30pm start, Sunday 2nd June 2024. All proceeds donated to Australian Rotary Health Research programs and Orygen Youth Mental Health. Key not speaker: Professor Patrick McGorry "Engaging with the next generation of leaders"
booking link: www.trybooking.com/1204056
At the meeting I raised the importance of respectful interaction amongst Club members and of course external to the Club by members. This issue was raised as I have spoken to various members regarding a couple of disrespectful interaction, I have witnessed over recent months that have resulted in some members feeling intimidated and uncomfortable and unfortunately not coming to meetings as a result. Please don't assume this is a major or widespread issue or out of control, but when even one member is treated disrespectfully by another it is an issue for us as a collective club. In many ways Rotary is a 'family' for some and as such we need to be careful that we treat all members with care particularly as no one really knows what's going on inside for someone else and not all members will speak out and say how they feel, choosing to keep their feelings private but no less impactful.
As Rotarians our Rotary core values are fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and leadership. Most importantly, we all want to enjoy Rotary, have fun and fellowship with people whose company we enjoy, go home feeling uplifted and have positive thoughts and memories of our Rotary experience. So please, I would like to ask that we all:
1. Use respective language
2. Be supportive
3. Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment
4. Celebrate diversity
(diversity isn't just coming from a different ethnic background or having different religious beliefs - its having varied and different opinions too.)
What di I do if I feel I have been treated disrepectfuly?
Try to discuss what happened with the person who you feel treated you disrespectfully. If you cannot do that but feel the situation is causing you concern, please see the President or someone in the Board for support and action. Please DO NOT let whatever has happened stop you from coming along to meetings. Not doing anything in the hope that will not happen again will just reinforce that person's behaviour.
Tuesday's speaker was Principal Alister Rouse from Kings College Warrnambool. He and student Lachlan and Jessica spoke to us about their Ugandan initiative where students from the college go to Uganda to help with a range of activities and projects in a school as well as to experience third world conditions. We wish them safe journeys and I'm sure they will gain some valuable experience. It is young people like this that give us hope for the future.
After the meeting the board had a meeting to discuss a draft budget. We are looking at which projects we want to do and whether we can afford to do those projects or how we will fund the projects. If anyone has any more project or fundraising ideas, please speak up. We are looking for members to take the lead in both projects and fund-raising events. The Board are there to help if anyone wants to give project or fundraising leadership a go.
We will hear back from Tony Austin next week about the returned soldiers art activity which was held on Thursday the 24th.
That's all from me this week.
"Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles." - Samuel Smiles
Janet Blackley
President
