Our very own Tony Heading gave us an overview of the By-Laws, changes to which we will vote on at our AGM. The meeting focused on reviewing the Constitution and updating the club’s bylaws in line with district recommendations and Rotary International guidelines. It was clarified that the Constitution can only be amended every three years, while bylaws may be updated as long as they remain consistent with it. Members discussed voting procedures, proxies, and minor corrections to the draft document. There was also an informative discussion on the shift from satellite clubs to companion clubs, which offer greater flexibility and project-based engagement. Financial and legal aspects were reviewed, including bonding of officers, access to records, and streamlining redundant sections.
We finished with an interactive quiz - won by our President, Jo. Second place was a five-way tie and three members placed third.
THIS WEEK'S GUEST SPEAKER
Venue Change!
Don't forget we have the Duck Race briefing BBQ at the race venue - the reserve behind Currumbin RSL. We'll be discussing how the day will run and those who have volunteered will be given their role. See you there on Thursday!
Two very successful Duck Sales events on the weekend. Over 100 ducks sold at Bunnings and Burleigh Surf Club! Amazing! Well done to all who assisted. We still need to sell more so please keep sharing the social media posts to your friends and family.
Rotary International President Elect breakfast 30 October
Duck Race on 2 November
Bunnings BBQ on 8 November - sign up at the link above
Garden fix-up for returned service people in late November/early December - stay tuned
Southern Gold Coast Chamber Breakfast
Jo updated us on the recent Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce breakfast - a great morning of networking and community connection. The Chamber now has 181 corporate members, and the team grabbed a copy of their annual report to see where our partnerships might grow. They sold one corporate duck on the day, and plenty of people took the QR code home to buy later. The good news? We’ve been invited to sell ducks at next year’s Swell Festival! They also met a lovely lady working in domestic violence prevention education, opening the door for future collaboration. The chamber’s raffle raised $650, which they generously donated to our club. It’s been fantastic to see such positive engagement with the Chamber, and we’re building great momentum together.
New Corporate Memberships
The Board has approved a new corporate membership model, and bylaws are being updated to match. Mitch and Bec are putting together the paperwork to welcome the Kieser team as our first corporate member.
Currumbin Breakfast
Meanwhile, the Rotary International President’s breakfast is shaping up beautifully - 93 tickets sold already and strong support from clubs across the district. A media release will be going out soon, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Susanne Rea from Cairns - the founder of The World's Greatest Meal - as a special guest.
Ross Smith: Lessons from Finland’s Schools
Ross regaled us about his visit to Finland and their school system. Finland’s system is world-renowned — every teacher holds a master’s degree, and every dollar goes straight into teaching.
He also presented President Jo with a banner from the Rotary Club of Töölö.
Domestic Violence Outreach Kits
Response from DV Refuge -
I wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks to you and everyone at Rotary for your generous donation of 20 toiletry packs for women and children supported through our domestic and family violence services. We know putting together these packs is quite a mission
These packs are so much more than everyday essentials though - they provide a real sense of care and dignity at a time when many of our clients are arriving with very little. Having access to something as simple as a toothbrush, shampoo, or a small comfort item can help people feel seen and supported as they start rebuilding their lives.
Your kindness and practical support remind our clients that their community stands with them. It also means so much to our team, who see firsthand the impact of these thoughtful contributions.
If you do not have your Club Runner login information, you can go to the Club Runner website, scroll down a little and click on “Send me a Magic Link”. Enter the email address you gave to the club, and you will receive an email. Click on the login button and then select the club website. Go to ‘My Clubrunner’ and then ‘My Profile’. The ‘Edit’ button is at the top right and you can add/change any information on your profile. Click ‘Save’ and you’re done!
If you’re really feeling techy, you can download the Club Runner app.
If you would like any help resetting your password, or downloading the app to your phone, please let us know. There are a few members who can assist you.
We are looking to use Club Runner more for information and rosters, so it would be great if everyone is able to log in.
Thanks to a suggestion from Loraine Pearce, we nominated Kath for Leon's McPherson Honours awards for her work with the Youth Exchange Program. To our delight, she was awarded the Spirit of McPherson award at a ceremony at the Robina Auditorium. Over 150 nominations were received from across McPherson in all the categories. Congratulations Kath. We're proud of you and the tireless work you do in YEP!
By Gurjeet S. Sekhon, past governor of District 3070 (India) and member of the Rotary International Membership Growth Committee
In the business world, there’s a common understanding: knowing your customers is essential for success. Companies invest significant resources in understanding their clients’ needs, preferences, and behaviours, not just out of generosity but because their future depends on it.
So, here’s an important question: How can we extend the same level of care and support to our Rotary members?
The surprising science behind why people say no to joining Rotary
Influence isn’t about making a stronger case – it’s about making people feel understood, a shift Rotary clubs must embrace to connect and grow.
By Michael McQueen. Rotary Club of Crows Nest, NSW.
We’ve all been there. We craft the perfect pitch, present the most compelling case, and still… the answer is no. Or worse, polite indifference. Whether we’re trying to grow our Rotary club’s membership, get a new project off the ground or engage a younger audience, the frustration is the same: why don’t people ‘get it’? What is the answer?
Rotary News
Q&A with Bill Gates: The optimist
As he begins to wind down his foundation, Gates makes his biggest plans yet
Interview by Diana Schoberg
In May, Bill Gates gave himself a bold new challenge and a tough deadline: to give away virtually all his wealth in the next 20 years and close up his long-running philanthropic enterprise. The Gates Foundation, one of Rotary’s partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, has already given away more than $100 billion in its first 25 years. But for the foundation to wind down fully it first needs to ramp up — in order to spend more than twice that amount before it closes its doors on 31 December 2045. Read more here.
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Please check the roster for the next few weeks and advise Vicki and David Ungar if you will be away that week. Meeting jobs will be allocated at the previous meeting.
changes to which we will vote on at our AGM. The meeting focused on reviewing the Constitution and updating the club’s bylaws in line with district recommendations and Rotary International guidelines. It was clarified that the Constitution can only be amended every three years, while bylaws may be updated as long as they remain consistent with it. Members discussed voting procedures, proxies, and minor corrections to the draft document. There was also an informative discussion on the shift from satellite clubs to companion clubs, which offer greater flexibility and project-based engagement. Financial and legal aspects were reviewed, including bonding of officers, access to records, and streamlining redundant sections. 
Ross regaled us about his visit to Finland and their school system. Finland’s system is world-renowned — every teacher holds a master’s degree, and every dollar goes straight into teaching.
Thanks to a suggestion from Loraine Pearce, we nominated Kath for Leon's McPherson Honours awards for her work with the Youth Exchange Program. To our delight, she was awarded the Spirit of McPherson award at a ceremony at the Robina Auditorium. Over 150 nominations were received from across McPherson in all the categories. Congratulations Kath. We're proud of you and the tireless work you do in YEP!
