President Neil opened the meeting with the purpose of our AGM and Forum, and invited Bob Greig to lead with the invocation and song.
Bob chose "We are Australian" a most popular Australian song written in 1987 by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers and Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers, this was followed by "Take Me Home, Country Roads", a USA country song written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver.
With our members fine singing the songs were almost indistinguishable compared to the originals.
RYLA - an update of a couple of individuals being interested in RYLA and have asked for further information. Hopefully they progress to commitment.
RYE - an article has been published in the Collie Mail about Alice's RYE experience so far.
Youth Initiatives - still considering the Endeavour Sailing program
4-Way Speech - we have one willing participant
Youth involvement - a reminder to members to invite a young person to a club meeting or event
Simulated vocational interviews - were successful and had requests if we would hold more interviews. Will need to discuss with Graeme and depends on avaialble time of interviewers.
On Saturday 19th, the bus will be leaving from the vacant block alongside McDonalds at 9:00AM and will be going via Boyup Brook to the winery. The club is paying for the bus, and the BBQ is $10. We will be taking BBQ gear from the Rotary hut and arrival is expected to be around 10:00AM. Allowing one hour for crushing, fermenting and bottling, a fine white wine will result at $75 per carton. The club is to purchase 6 cartons to use as presentations for speakers, members are to purchase their own carton/s.
RYE schedule - so they get more exposure to Australian culture, a schedule is being prepared to immerse our RYE in various activities by having one member per week take Alice for a meal with them, or some activity with a Rotarian, their family or group.
Rotary Calendar major sponsor - Graeme Pilatti of Collie Bus Service is to become this years major sponsor for the 2016 Collie Rotary Calendar. Members acknowledged Graeme's contribution and showed their appreciation.
Leadership WA agenda - make sure you pay Keith $30 if attending. The start will be 5:45PM please, at the Comfort Inn Restaurant and members are to sit in alternate seats between our guests. The Shire has given us $500 towards running the event. There will be 10 Collie guests as well as the Leadership WA contingent. We start with a panel discussion from Collie identities, followed by questions, then dinner at 7:30PM. This is an important meeting, so please be early.
Keith informed the meeting of his work as the Attendance Officer. The week start on Tuesday with phone calls regarding apologies, absences and make-ups. The deadline is 12 midday on the Wednesday as he needs to book catering by then. If a member notifies him after that time they are still up for the cost of a meal as this cost has already been committed. Of the $22 meal fee, the caterer receives $17, the Collie Golf Club $3, $1 towards meal funding of future invited guests, and $1 towards inter-club visit transport.
On the night of the meeting, the Attendance Officer needs to be there first to prepare for the meeting, check caterers, notify caterers of special meals and any guests and pay the Collie Golf Club $50 for the use of the kitchen. Attendance of members are carefully recorded, money taken and counted, and this is banked through the week. The attendance records are entered into ClubRunner which also goes to District. Keith also runs and collects monies from the cards, fines and numbers wheel as well as organises prizes and keeps cabinet supplies and equipment in good order.
The job of Attendance Officer is quite involved and Keith offered to step aside, but as there were no takers, members were very appreciative that Keith continues with this important function of the club. President Neil led a show of appreciation by members.
Welcome backs - Tony, Graeme, Martin, Terry, Birthday - Pat Booth's today, Lateness - Mike, Terry and Harry, In the Press - Rod on front page, Mike for Pat and Bernie, Cards and Wheel - Donna and Geoff, Births - a lovely Clydesdale foal delivered by Rod, Mobile Phone - John Vlasich, Bought the Box - Kim on an Eco-Trip, John Bylund fine Peter for not realising he was Welcoming Officer, Neil for Harry not mentioning helpers, Steve on all for not getting the question of the week. Peter for his grandson.
Two items on notice were about continuation of last year's Keep Collie Clean project and Vietnam Childrens' Home support.
The meeting membership decided to continue with aspects of Keep Collie Clean, and John Bylund is to set up a Skype conference with My Huong Le re what support is needed. John Vlasich reminded the meeting of the list of expenditure the Vietnam Childrens' Home is seeking.
An update on the Chapel was given as this project has been in the club for a few years. There will be a visit to Pinaroo, then the committee will decide on what is needed and discuss finalising the design with the architect.
Membership retention and improvement was raised with Eric giving a new members perspective on how people view joining clubs in this era. Eric suggested the main selling point is the fellowship, then projects that people can get involved, followed by the concept of commiting to a club. President Neil said it is on each member to look for new members, not just the Membership director. Tony suggested Rotary be promoted as a place for newcomers to meet people. Eric - look for seasonal workers and those who have been posted her for a brief time. Peter - we should be sitting in the street promoting the club and what we do. Barbara - Banners and displays to show the brand and what we have done. Eric - Friends of Rotary is a good idea as it can be a starting point for full involvement.
Steve gave an overview of our Webpage, newsletter and ClubRunner integration showing some of the features and information available. Members can submit stories for publication as we need to keep our "public face" interesting and current. The calendar feature is a go to feature to keep everyone up-to-date with what is happening.
Members can check their own details to make sure they are current and this also ties in with length of service, 85 rule, birthdays, and anniversaries. We are also maintaining Facebook and Twitter publicity, recently setting up information pages for the 2015 Collie Adventure race.
If there are suggestions for stories or changes to be made to the webpage, please let Steve smith know.
Directors Meeting Wed 16th - change from John Vlasich's to Mike and Pat Booth's, future Director's meeting not necessarily at Directors's homes, How often does the Italy Parliment go to election? - every 5 years, Chapel Committee - traveling to Pinaroo next Friday. Meeting closed at 8:41PM
