Rotary International released an additional $34.8 million in grants to support polio immunization activities in 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan, the three countries where the disease has never been stopped.
The funds, whose release was announced 20 January, will be used by the World Health Organization and UNICEF for polio immunization and surveillance activities in the 10 countries, as well as to provide technical assistance in several other countries in Africa.
The grants include $8.1 million for Nigeria to support its final push to eradicate the disease. Nigeria...
Incoming district governors said they'll leave this year's International Assembly with a deeper understanding of Rotary's top priorities, including eradicating polio, enhancing Rotary's brand, strengthening the Rotary Foundation, and building a strong and more diverse membership.
For Mohamed Adel Hafez, governor-elect of District 2451 (Egypt), the assembly's varied workshops were invaluable. The workshops offered practical information and skills to help district governors-elect perform their duties.
"I can speak to my clubs with more authority and knowledge about what needs to be done in the...
Strengthening Rotary's membership is not just important for incoming district governors, it's critical. That's the message they received from several key speakers at their training event, the 2015 International Assembly in San Diego.
For membership to grow, leaders must be willing, for example, to ease stringent club meeting protocols and make other efforts to accommodate a younger, digitally oriented demographic.
Seventy percent of Rotary members are 50 years or older, while half of the world's population is under 30, according to Rotary leaders. The contrast shouldn't be something to fear,...
On a global scale Rotary's brand is strong, said Rotary leaders speaking at the International Assembly on Monday in San Diego. From governments to worldwide NGOs to large corporations, Rotary is trusted to create positive change around the world.
But Rotary's image needs strengthening in local communities, said RI Director-elect Jennifer E. Jones.
"We are the greatest story never told," Jones said. "Quite simply, strengthening our brand is essential to Rotary's future."
"For so long we did our good work quietly and not for recognition," added Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-...
Check out what Rotary Club of Whitstable has done to raise awareness! Details and many other interesting posts are on our facebook page - click on the photo to get there!
President-elect of Rotary International K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran has just announced the annual theme for his Presidential year at the International Assembly in San Diego.
Acting Sergeant at Arms, Michael Boyd, opened the meeting with a few IT translations according to some in the Australian outback, one being that internet is a place where they want fish to go. He introduced President Marie Bennett who welcomed all present including guests Ray Henry and Judy Ross' sister Robyn Blackmore.
Following members announcements the remainder of the meeting was taken up with Director reports from Community Service, Vocational Service and Youth Service. International Service was not reported on due to the absence of Svet Lineham.
Bowling Night - 27 January - Dennington Bowls Club
Judy Ross advised that barefoot bowls at the Dennington Bowls Club has been organised for 27 January. All members will be asked to bring a salad or sweet, so please make sure the person who will be preparing this is notified! Families and friends are welcome. $15 per head. If the weather is wet, indoor bowls is available. IMPORTANT: Wear flat soled shoes, preferably sand shoes.
Rotary Club of Port Fairy - Annual Trivia Night - 16 February
Includes dinner and trivia and costs $30. A number of Rotarians expressed their interest in attending and wresting the trophy from Port Fairy.
Relay for Life BBQ - 13-14 February
RCW has been asked to do the Friday night BBQ for which we get the proceeds, plus Saturday morning for the free BBQ for which Relay For Life will supply food. So please pencil these dates into your diaries.
Volunteers needed for the Wunta Breakfast - Friday 30 January
As in previous years there is a fund raising opportunity for our Rotary Club to provide assistance at the WUNTA Breakfast on the Civic Green on the morning of Friday 30 January. We need 4 people between 6.00 am and 7.45 am and a further 4 people from 7.30 am to 9.00am. Contact David or Ravi at South West Credit on 55603900 if you can assist.
Honour Boards
Steve Giddens announced that the Warrnambool Foodball Club has approved placing the honour boards on the wall of the meeting room. They are about 10 years out of date and need cleaning up, so once this has been done the boards will be placed on the wall.
Changeover Dinner 5 July
Steve also announced that the changeover dinner will be held on Sunday 5 July.
Money Spinner
Michael Boyd reported that the money spinner was emptied for the second time in 6 weeks and it contained $176.00. The first collection was $125, so it has been placed at a good time during the holiday season. A second money spinner will be placed at Gateway for two weeks commencing this Sunday.
The Football Club has informed David Brown that the numbers advised each week rarely tally up with actual meals served; apparently the advised numbers are always below actual by 5 or 6. This reflects poorly on our Club and members are reminded to please contact David Brown on david@swcredit.com.au or by phone 0438647536 if you will be an apology or will be bringing a guest/s. This information is published each week in the Bulletin, so there is no reason why members should not comply with this simple courtesy.
Invite your partner and friends to hear an address from Richard Rozen OAM a survivor of the holocaust.
Born in Radom, Poland, he was six years old when he hid with his parents in a cupboard for 13 months before eventually being forced to move to the Lubin Ghetto when their money ran out. Destined for the Treblinka Extermination Camp, the Rozencwajg family was smuggled to the safety of a Polish village where Richard spent several months disguised as a girl using the name Marisa Ulecki.
He eventually joined his doctor father, Pincus, in the partisans and survived there for 18 months until liberation. His father was not so fortunate. He was captured by the Germans in 1944 and never seen again.
After liberation, Richard rejoined his mother, and spent three months in a Sanatorium in Otwock, then three months in Lodz. He then spent one year in a Displaced persons Camp in Stuttgart, Germany, and then four and a half years in a French orphanage.
Don’t forget, if you are bring someone extra along to Rotary, please advise David Brown by 12 noon Monday 9 February 2015.
Acting Sergeant at Arms, Michael Boyd advised members that at the last Board meeting, it was agreed that the Club would consider a change to our current invocation and loyal toast to align with District 9780 STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2014-2017 Ver. 1.04 (10/11/14) under the heading of Membership: Encouraging Diversity In Membership, District recommends that clubs be encouraged to promote more diversity in membership.
“to promote faith diversity by removing overtly religious references from rituals and ceremonies, and encouraging the use of, and providing examples of religious jargon-free customs”.
Members will have the opportunity to discuss this issue over coming weeks prior to a ballot regarding any changes.
Labour Day long week end – Friday March 6th to Monday March 9th 2015
Fellow Rotarians,
Once again we have the opportunity to support this wonderful community event and receive a financial input of $4000.00 to our club.
In light of that I am preparing a roster and ask that you consider what time slot you can fill and put you name alongside the appropriate time.
Keep in mind that it can also involve family members, friends outside of Rotary and work colleagues as well, if we can fill it without having to call upon the input of other groups we will retain the total of what we earn.
In the past we have been able to add $4000.00 to our club funds for this service and where else can you see and hear world class performers for only an attendance input, labour is not a word to use here.
For those who have not been involved in the past you would find this to be one of the more interesting of functions we get involved in as what goes on outside the immediate stage event is equally entertaining.
As a matter of courtesy to those on the shift prior to yours I would ask that you try to arrive 15 minutes early to enable sign on and the changeover to go smoothly.
I must have the roster returned to the Festival Committee by February 13th and I know that it is something all members can be involved in; we must work as a collective to achieve this.
To receive your free wrist band you are obliged to contribute 2 x 5hr shifts.
RCW has now "been of age" for nearly a year now with its own facebook (and web) site, which is ticking along nicely and reaching people far and wide, including the UK, Denmark, Brazil, other Rotary Clubs and individuals. One of our recent articles was seen by nearly 700 people and shared by other Clubs, so facebook has the capacity to promote and raise the profile of Rotary, even moreso than the Bulletin or Website.
As Administrator, I can see what is happening behind the scenes and know that only 5-6 of our own 50 Rotarians are following the site. So a big thank you to our facebook fans.
Now down to the business end, I am seeking your help -
Visit the page (click on the above photo), please have a look and press the "like" button, or even make a comment. There is a lot of interesting material on the site that doesn't always get into the Bulletin.
Ask your friends to go into the RCW facebook site and "like" or comment on the page. This boosts our coverage, and you never know, people might think Rotary is worth joining.
I need help in finding stories/photos to publish, so if you come across an interesting story, Rotary achievement, and/or photo which would be suitable to go onto facebook and promote our Club and Rotary's projects and achievements, then please send it to me. 50 people looking for articles is better than just "little old me".
If anyone would like to assist me in working on facebook/website/bulletin, come and see me. No experience needed.
District 9780, 2015 Conference is fast approaching and Rotarians and partners are reminded to register as soon as possible. If accommodation is required, it is suggested you book, as availability is very limited. Please refer to the Conference website for registration and accommodation arrangements.
No English dictionary has been able to adequately explain the difference between these two words.
In a recent linguistic competition held in London, England, and attended by the best in the world, Samsundar Balgobin, a Guyanese man from Bachelors Adventure, was the clear winner with a standing ovation which lasted over 5 minutes.
The final question was: How do you explain the difference between COMPLETE and FINISHED in a way that is easy to understand. Some people say there is no difference between COMPLETE and FINISHED.
Here is his astute answer .... when you marry the right woman, you are COMPLETE. When you marry the wrong woman, you are FINISHED. And when the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are COMPLETELY FINISHED!
He won a trip to travel the world in style and a case of 25 year old Eldorado Rum.
Ever notice how a 4-year-old's voice is louder than 200 adults ?
Several years ago, I returned home from a trip just when a storm hit, with crashing thunder and severe lightning. As I came into my bedroom about 2 a.m., I found my two children in bed with my wife, Karey, apparently scared by the loud storm. I resigned myself to sleep in the guest bedroom that night.
The next day, I talked to the children and explained that it was OK to sleep with Mom when the storm was bad, but when I was expected home, please don't sleep with Mom that night.
They said OK.
After my next trip several weeks later, Karey and the children picked me up in the terminal at the appointed time. Since the plane was late, everyone had come into the terminal to wait for my plane's arrival, along with hundreds of other folks waiting for their arriving passengers.
As I entered the waiting area, my son saw me, and came running shouting, "Hi, Dad! I've got some good news!"
As I waved back, I said loudly, "What's the good news?"
Alex shouted, "Nobody slept with Mommy while you were away this time!"
The airport became very quiet, as everyone in the waiting area looked at Alex, then turned to me, and then searched the rest of the area to see if they could figure out exactly who his Mom was.
President-elect of Rotary International K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran has just announced the annual theme for his Presidential year at the International Assembly in San Diego.
The Football Club has informed David Brown that the numbers advised each week rarely tally up with actual meals served; apparently the advised numbers are always below actual by 5 or 6. This reflects poorly on our Club and members are reminded to please contact David Brown on 
Port Fairy Folk Festival
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