President Neil Martin welcomed our new year District Governor, Melodie Kevan and Past District Governor, John Kevan to our club meeting. At this meeting for the first time the Club Board of Directors are to meet with our DG to review our plans for the coming 12 months.
The District Governor was please Collie was the first club to complete and submit their Rotary District 9465 2015 - 2016 Club Checklist and the meeting centred on a discussion and suggestions for improvements where applicable. A copy of our checklist can be found here.
Suggestions by the DG included:
Register our Club goals into Rotary Central
Obtaining and reviewing the membership retention manual as a club
Conducting exit interviews if possible
Involvement in literacy programs, such as the Rotary supported "Better Beginnings"
Separating the $100 per club member in the annual fund contribution to allow Every Rotarian Every Year recognition
Allowing two persons access to edit Facebook
Continue with support for Australian Rotary Health and Polio Plus
Support GSE if possible for exchanges with Malaysia (more information coming)
Attend the District Conference in Bunbury next March 2016
Questions raised during the meeting;
- How do we attract youth to the club? DG Melodie suggested involving Roteract Clubs, also engaging with local youth and youth leaders. Also record and involve "Friends" of the Club such as past members, or spouses and family members as those sometimes become full members.
- How do we retain members who have left because of "red tape" or "financial circumstances"? DG melodie responded that the club needs to identify any issues and in the case of financial hardship clubs generally help those in need of assistance and gave some examples.
- With the end of the Aurora monthly newsletter, is DG Melodie to continue with that briefing to Clubs? - DG Melodie said she intended to continue with a monthly brief.
Past District Governor, John Kevan gave a presentation on the importance of supporting a Global Grant application to provide equipment for early detection of disease and training for hospitals in Sri Lanka.
The Applecross Club are the host for this project and the project needs approximately $240,000 to be successful. The submission is well advanced and pledges of support have been received by many Australian and International Clubs including Collie Rotary.
President Neil hands Past District Governor John a cheque from the club towards the Sri Lanka project. Details on the Sri Lanka medical aid project can be found here.
District Governor, Melodie Kevan has presented a Rotary International, Presidential Citation to the Rotary Club of Collie. The Presidential Citation is for conformance to a number of criteria across a number of areas of service as specified by 2014-2015 RI President, Gary Huang.
In accepting the award to Past President, Bob Greig said this was an award for the efforts of the club as a whole and a significant achievement and a great honour.
President Neil thanked those who attended today's official reopening of the Tourist Mine and paid special tribute to Doug Gulvin who worked on the original Tourist Mine construction in 1972, and Collie Rotary has had significant input into the development and maintenance of that and the new Tourist mine over the years. A little known fact is Rotary also funded the first Tourist Centre.
Neil thanked the project leaders of Geoff Blackford, Mark Sanders and their teams for the enormous work that had been completed on this Collie tourist icon.
Mark Sander later asked for volunteers for this Saturdays public opening to assist with the BBQ and drinks to let him know.
As Keith Martin was on a cruise holiday at the time of the Changeover meeting on June 25th, Past President Bob gave thanks to the work of Keith Martin as our Registrar.
This role is a key to making sure our members are accounted for attendance, payment of weekly fees, maintaining the books as well as running the wheel and cards.
For his exemplary service and dedication, Past President Bob awarded Keith Martin a Certificate of Appreciation.
As Mark was not able to attend the Changover meeting of 25th June, Past President Bob took the opportunity to explain to the meeting the significance of one of Rotary's highest awards, the Paul Harris Fellow. A PHF is awarded for meritorious service and upholding the ideals of Rotary. Over the years Mark has given the club great leadership and shown a willingness and adeptness to carry out and complete whatever task he is put to, and this year has been no exception with Mark's management of the Keep Collie Clean project. It is for these reasons Past President Bob has awarded Mark his second PHF.
District Governor Melodie handed mark his award and attached the PHF one sapphire pin.
District Governor, Melodie Kevan thanked the club for their work and support of District and support of Assistant Governor Robyn Yates as she addressed the Collie club with an overview of activities and direction the District was taking for the year ahead. Amongst other things, some of the key points of her address were;
Support for Donate for Life, an organ donation scheme to be launch in 2nd week of October
Make members aware of Rotary's Global Rewards for members
Have clubs involved in a Membership Action Forum in October to examine ways to grow our membership
Have Clubs use the "Does your Club ...? " guide available in the District website
Examine succession planning for critical functions so others may learn and become involved in key roles of the club
Addressing child literacy and lack of in some areas through the Better Beginnings program
Revitalising the Youth Driver Development Program with PDG Peter Brown as its leader and mentor
Promoting the attainment of the Presidential Citation
Involving clubs in the Group Study Exchange partnership with Malaysia
DG Melodie thanked all members for their contribution and the chance to address this meeting and that Rotarians are part of the life to give to others in need.
President Neil thanked DG Melodie and PDG John for visiting Collie and letting the club know of Districts plans.
REMINDERS
Polio Plus Dinner at the Boettcher's place - Tuesdays 6:30pm 'till 9:00pm - $5 to $20 towards the Pink Polio Pig, let Emma or Martin know
Suggestions for the Chapel project to President Neil
