Get live updates and vote totals from the Council on Legislation on Rotary.org beginning on 11 April.
Representatives from Rotary clubs worldwide will gather in Chicago 10-15 April to consider changes to the policies that guide Rotary International and its member clubs.
Many of this year’s proposed changes are designed to increase membership by giving clubs greater flexibility in the timing and the nature of their meetings. Other proposals would amend membership requirements.
Worldwide, more than 748 million people live without access to clean water and at least 3,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water. Rotary is working to change that. For example, members used a Rotary grant to drill more than 20 clean-water wells and to repair another 30 in villages across Ghana. The project also included education about and treatment of Buruli ulcer, a debilitating infection that if untreated can lead to disability and death. Nearly 70,000 people will benefit from this initiative.
Support a water and sanitation projectGive now to the clean...
Regional leaders from around the globe gathered at Rotary World Headquarters in Evanston in early March for training they will use to inspire members in their respective areas.
Several participants - most of whom will begin their term on 1 July - noted that the true measure of the institute's success will be how well the information they learned is transmitted to Rotary members.
"We have to realize that training doesn't stop at the district level," said Michael Boyer, a Rotary public image coordinator from Pismo Beach, California, USA. "We train people really well to be governors and club...
The Rotary Foundation and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education are offering up to 10 scholarships for graduate study at UNESCO-IHE's Delft campus in the Netherlands. The aim is to increase the number of trained professionals who can devise, plan, and implement water and sanitation solutions in developing areas. The scholarships also are designed to promote long-term relationships between Rotary members and skilled water and sanitation professionals.
Scholars will receive a Master of Science degree in urban water and sanitation, water management, or water science and engineering. The...
When Clara Montanez was a student, she never heard the word mentoring. The idea of having a role model help you pursue your ambitions was unfamiliar to her.
"You basically chose your career based on personal interest and hoped you could find a job," says Montanez, senior director of investment for Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. "I went the route of getting married and having children first, and started my career later in life. I had no model for how to do that."
That changed for Montanez the day a friend invited her to join Rotary.
"Frankly, I was dragged into Rotary. I didn't see a connection...
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Service Above Self
We meet Tuesdays at 6:15 PM
Warrnambool Football Club
Cramer Street
Warrnambool,
Victoria 3280 Australia
President Steve Giddens welcomed everyone to the meeting including guests Frank Monger, Alice Keogh and speaker Geoff Soma from WRAD.
He also advised that the Rotary District Conference was well attended at the weekend, with some very good spakers. He asked us to consider running a car raffle, maybe in October, November and December and advised that some clubs are raising a lot of money from raffles.
Graeme Ross will be away next week as he and Margaret will be celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary.
There will be a board meeting after the meeting next week regarding the President for next year.
Science & Engineering Challenge - Great South West Coast Challenge at Deakin University on June 24
Anne Adams is looking for helpers to supervise the event and also some new committee members please. Meetings are once a month followed by Thai for lunch.
RYLA Participant
Rachel Furnell introduced Alice Keogh who will take part in the RYLA program at Kangaroobie on April 3 to April 8. Alice is hoping the experience will develop her skills and confidence.
Progressive Dinner with a Twist - 14 June
Louise Brennan called for hosts to do the soup/entree and main course. Everyone meets together for the last course of sweets (to be cooked by our President!!).
Eddie the Eagle - Fundraiser Film for End Polio Now - Wednesday 13 April
This film is inspired by true events. A 2016 British-American biographical sports drama/comedy film. The film stars Taron Edgerton as Eddie "The Eagle” Edwards, a British skier who in 1988 became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken also star. See Svet or Mary for tickets - $20.
Centurions
Another reminder that the 2015 -2016 year is rapidly passing. Members, have you paid your Aus $100? See Mary Fitzgerald if you need help with paying.
Bunny Hinchcliff
Jim advised that Bunny is not well and is in The Avenue Hosptal, Melbourne.
Roy Slater
Roy is is also not at all well and Tony is keeping touch and helping out.
$9.00 was won on Tuesday, so the kitty is building up....
A couple of auctions were also conducted and an 18 piece BBQ set donated by BBQ's Galore was purchased by Keith McLeod. A box of home grown tomatoes also added $15 to Club funds.
Fines were imposed by John Stuckey and collected by our newest member, Karen. Members who paid up were Jim Dwyer 50 years married, Duncan for a full page photo in The Standard, Ian Cairns and Frank Monger footy fanatics, John and Jim haircuts, Mal and Ron for spilling wine and making a mess. Terry and the Stuckies had to pay for their good deeds, they were honoured for their excellent contribution to the District Conference.
Karina Wood introduced Geoff Soma, the CEO of Western Region Alcohol & Drug Centre (WRAD). Geoff has been working in Warrnambool for 16 years.
WRAD began as a community steering group in 1983 determined to provide better services for people with alcohol and drug (A&D) problems in south-west Victoria. Since the centre opened in 1986, WRAD has broadened its base to provide diverse services to meet the multiple needs of people with A&D problems.
The WRAD Centre is a not-for-profit organisation that operates within a community-based management model. An elected Committee of Management of 8 is responsible to provide services in accordance with relevant legislation, service guidelines and funding agreements.
The philosophy of harm minimisation underpins the delivery of all programs offered by WRAD. People and their problems are viewed holistically, and WRAD staff work collaboratively with other health-related professionals and organisations to best meet the needs of clients and their families.
In 2014 the WRAD Centre was renamed to honour a major benefactor and to reflect its growing range of medical services. WRAD is now incorporated in the Handbury Medical Suites, named in honour of Dr Geoff Handbury, AO, WRAD’s most charitable benefactor and one of Western Victoria’s most generous philanthropists.
Geoff said WRAD employs a staff of 25 and is funded by State and Commonwealth Governments. Fee for service, rentals and fundraising helps fill gaps required to operate the service. Operating revenue is around $3 million. In Victoria alcohol, smoking and drugs has a $180 million impact.
Services at WRAD include counselling, care recovery coordination, Koori Court and outreach, dual diagnosis, accredited medical services (including a mental health nurse and a practice nurse), youth outreach, health promotion, court diversion, Needle Syringe Program and urine drug screening. WRAD works closely with other local health providers, Headspace and Brophy Family and Youth Services.
Clients are male 64%, females $36%. The percentage of clients unemployed is very high at 66%. 56% live with family, 29% live alone, 12% live with others and 3% not known. Geoff said alcohol continues to be the most problematic drug. The largest group is 30–45 year olds. The 18–29 age group is the next significant group. Geoff said that ICE is a challenge – users are out of control and dangerous. He said an Injecting Room, as in Sydney would save lives. Victoria does not have such a room. He also suggested that raising the price of cheap cask alcohol could help.
A Sparky ('Electrician', the Royalty of all Trades) dies in a car accident on his 40th birthday and finds himself at the Pearly Gates. A brass band is playing, the angels are singing a beautiful hymn, there is a huge crowd cheering and shouting his name, and absolutely everyone wants to shake his hand.
Just when he thinks things can't possibly get any better, Saint Peter himself runs over, apologizes for not greeting him personally at the Pearly Gates, shakes his hand, and says, "Congratulations son, we've been waiting a long time for you."
"Totally confused and a little embarrassed, the Sparky ('Electrician', the Royalty of all Trades) sheepishly looks at Saint Peter and says "Saint Peter, I tried to lead a God-fearing life, I loved my family, I tried to obey the 10 Commandments, but congratulations for what? I honestly don't remember doing anything really special when I was alive. Is it because I'm a Sparky, the Royalty of all Trades"
"Congratulations for what?" says Saint Peter, totally amazed at the man's modesty.
"We're celebrating the fact that you lived to be 160 years old! God himself wants to see you!"
The Sparky ('Electrician', the Royalty of all Trades) is awestruck and can only look at Saint Peter with his mouth wide open. When he regains his power of speech, he looks up at Saint Peter and says "Saint Peter, I lived my life in the eternal hope that when I died I would be judged by God and be found to be worthy, but I only lived to be forty."
"That's simply impossible son," says Saint Peter, "We've added up all your time sheets."
$9.00 was won on Tuesday, so the kitty is building up....
Karina Wood introduced Geoff Soma, the CEO of Western Region Alcohol & Drug Centre (WRAD). Geoff has been working in Warrnambool for 16 years.