We wish to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional owners of this land
– the Aboriginal people past and present.
It is upon their ancestral lands where we are today.
As we share our knowledge, Rotary practices and ideas, through this newsletter and all of our activities, may we also pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country.
It is less than two weeks to the District Conference on Saturday 13th March. The Production is in the can (as they say in the movie business) and it is going to be a wonderful day.
If you haven’t already decided, can I urge you to meet as a club or a couple of clubs at a local RSL or Sports Club and make a social day of it. You will not be disappointed.
Now that is the ad for the conference over welcome my fellow Rotarians and friends to the March edition of our District Newsletter.
There are no unimportant jobs
I want to tell you a story about Rhonda and June, 2 young ladies that worked in a SpecSavers store in a large country town in western NSW. One day a man came and waited to be served when his turn came around he went up and explained that he needed to get a set of glasses straightened, Rhonda said that would be no problem and for him to put them on so she could see what had to be done. However, he explained they (the glasses) belonged to his grandfather and he couldn’t come in because he was in a nursing home and pretty much confined to his bed.
Now she could have said “I am sorry but we have to have a face to be able to adjust the glasses to fit, but without missing a beat, Rhonda asked for the address of the home, and later that afternoon, after work and with the help from her friend and co-worker June, Rhonda visited the grandfather and repaired and adjusted his glasses. Well, word soon got around the Nursing Home that the 2 ladies from the Optometrists were on the third floor, and requests started streaming in from other patients which found Rhonda and June going from room to room to fix everyone’s glasses.
When they stood outside the nursing home that night both women felt good about what they had done. You see, they were Rotarians not looking for accolades or recognition, but just doing a small job for the great feeling they got from helping people and making a difference in someone else’s lives. From that one night they have committed to visit every nursing home in their area at least once a month, to do the same thing.
This is a great story about Rotary culture encouraging and empowering regular people in ordinary jobs to make their roles extraordinary.
The Inverted Triangle
All this background is a setup for my next statement which is “There are no unimportant jobs in Rotary” and, I would go even further and say "the (unimportant jobs) are the most important", by which I mean the everyday Rotarian is, and ought to be seen as, the most highest-ranked in Rotary. Let me explain.
The organisational chart of most companies in the world is shaped like a triangle, with the boss at the top, then managers and section heads, and then all the employees, who sit at the bottom. Rotary could be seen to be arranged in much the same way, with the RI President at the top, District Governors, then Club Presidents, and at the bottom, the individual members. That is not the way that I see Rotary, I approach things from a different perspective - an inverted triangle.
(For a larger version of this image, please click on "Read More")
I see our members as on top with the leaders and the committee chairs within their club, giving them the tools, they need to be successful day after day with any project they are involved in at the time. Supporting the chairs is the club board and President, and supporting them are the District Chairs, Assistant Governors and the District Governor and all his/her team, and at the very bottom, the RI Board and the RI President. We often think that if we have a good RI President and Directors, or a good Governor, and a good President we will have a good year? But that is not how Rotary works. Rotary is organic at its heart, and almost everything good that comes out of this organisation has started with one person who has an idea, and then with the help of friends and other Rotarians, develops that idea to change the world.
So, what this really means to all of us, is that, regardless of your title this year or in the past, we all have the opportunity to make an impact on the success of Rotary. Each of us can do something in whatever job we have. And as for all of you “ordinary” Rotarians out there- approach every meeting, every task, and every project, as a chance to be extraordinary. And remember “Rotary opens opportunities” and there are no unimportant jobs!
Since the start of this Rotary Year, Our District has had 21 Global Grants approved:
Total Value of Global Grants= USD 2,018,087.00 (AUD 2,724,417.45 @ the exchange rate of 1.35)
Total District Designated Funds allocated to the approved Global Grants = USD 199,013.00 (AUD 268,667.55 @ the exchange rate of 1.35)
We have further 13 Global Grants in the pipeline.
The District Designated Funds remaining balance as per TRF= USD 65,003.95
The remaining balance taking in all the Global Grants in the Pipeline= USD 2,528.95
D9685 Rotary Clubs participating in Global Grants approved in RY 2020-21:
St. Ives; The Hills-Kellyville; Beecroft; E-Club of Greater Sydney; Glenhaven; Chatswood Sunrise; Turramurra; Wahroonga; Central Blue Mountains; Castle Hill; Lower Blue Mountains; Kurrajong; North Richmond; Terrigal
Congratulations to all these Clubs. They are doing much Good in the World.
GIVING enables GRANTING
So please continue to generously support Our Foundation.
Distribution is being organised for those devastated by the fires from 4 centres from late March! This will happen with garden gift vouchers from your generous donations, supporting local garden centres, and replacing anything and everything lost in the fires.
Red Centenary Bus
The bus is in the painters’ hands ready to be available for all the events in the Sydney basin over Mar-Apr-May!
It makes a big statement for your event so contact us if you have an event to check availability on lskeegel@bigpond.com
Baton Walks
The batons are, ready as are communities throughout the Blue Mountains and Central Coast and The Hills. Join the fun in these locations and celebrate the trek of these centenary batons through our local suburbs! From Blackheath to Glenbrook; through all clubs in the Hills Shire, and along the Shipbuilders Heritage Walk at Kincumber.
Peace Poles
These are going in at schools and parks across the District, celebrating the push for peace across all nations and peoples under the Rotary banner.
Stamps and Coins
April sees the launch of Rotary Centenary stamps through Australia Post, as well as centenary coins - $5 for collectors and $1 for all Australians. Keep you eyes out for them!!
9675 Update
Formal events are planned for May 1 at the Royal Mint (the Charter Date of RC Sydney), and May 17 at UTS (the first meeting date of RC Sydney). There is also hope for the Rotary wheel on the Opera House sails, and the flag atop the Harbour Bridge.
Radio is a powerful way to spread your Club stories. If your Club has a project, local or overseas, which would interest the wider general public, discuss it with Rotary Matters presenter Ian Stuart who will be glad to help spread the word. Ian.stuart@optusnet.com.au 0416 138 860
Shelterbags for the Homeless
A Year Like No Other With Rotary In Santiago. Zoe Evans. Mp3 by Rotary Matters | Free Listening on SoundCloud
Australia & New Zealand's Centenary – tools for a successful campaign
Dear Rotary member,
There is a newly creating Learning Topic just for you! Learning Topics allow Learning Center users to share new ideas and useful resources, including links, documents, presentations, and more with fellow members. In this case, it’s a one-stop shop for anything related to membership and public image for the Centenary year.
In the new Learning Topic called ‘Australia & New Zealand's Centenary’ you’ll find tools for a successful campaign including PR Guides, membership tools, People of Action videos and more. Rotary members in Australia and New Zealand are celebrating the 100th anniversary by holding events, raising funds and carrying out impactful initiatives, so the centenary year is the perfect time to increase public awareness and understanding of Rotary.
You can view the Learning Topic here. It will be regularly updated so stay tuned. If you have any questions please contact me at angela.stavro@rotary.org
Kind regards Angela Stavrogiannopoulos
Senior Coordinator Communications and Public Relations
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL | South Pacific and Philippines Office
Notice about the current selection process for the DG 2023-2024 has been sent to all. Just a reminder that the date for applications closing is coming up very soon.
Applications to PDG Susan close on 26th March by COB. Contact PDG Susan Wakefield OAM (0412 146 055; kirrigbm@bigpond.net.au) for application package.
Interviews will be held on Sunday, 11th April 2021.
2. PELD (President Elect Learning & Development) is planned for Saturday, March 20 at St Joseph’s Conference Centre, 33 Barina Downs Rd, Baulkham Hills (Norwest), commencing with check-in at 8.15am. If this is your role for next year, please get your registration in so we can ensure you have a seat! And remember to get your homework on the RI Learning Centre completed as well, to ensure that you do not miss out on anything!
3. DA (District Assembly) is planned as an online event again this year after the great success of the event in 2020. It will roll out over several weeks during April and May, for each group of your Club management team, commencing with the General Session on SundayApril 18th. Even though this is the training program for all incoming Boards of you Clubs, everyone is welcome to attend, however registration is essential. So, watch this space for details and be ready to join the fun!! More details will be published soon but here are the dates for your diaries. The District Assembly will occur over 6 non-consecutive Saturdays and Sundays with some variations to the dates listed in the last eNewsletter. The dates are commencing Sunday April 18, thenSunday May 16, Saturday May 22, Sunday May 23, Sunday May 30, Sunday Jun 6.
PDG Kalma McLellan
4. Rotary Club of Terrigal Invites us to Hear PRIP Ravi Ravindran
President Mary Crammond (the Rotary Club of Terrigal) is exceedingly thrilled to announce that she has arranged for Ravi Ravindran (her hero from his articles in a Rotary Down Under) to speak on Zoom during Terrigal’s meeting on the 20th May. "We believe that we are really privileged to have Ravi talking to us. It would be sensational to have members from each club in our district to attend" Mary said.
The meeting is on Thursday, 20th May 2021. The Club meets at 6 for 6.30 dinner and Mary will be asking local Clubs Erina and Kincumber to join the meeting in person. The Zoom meeting will start at 7.00 when Ravi will join us and Mary has invited every Rotarian in our district to attend.
More details will follow with information about the link, and any other final details about this evening.
Many thanks to Mary Crammond for organising this event.
5. World Rotaract Week
World Rotaract Week is an annual celebration of the success and the importance of Rotaract in communities around the world. Join the experience 8-14 March to connect with others and share your celebrations. Learn four ways that you can take action and observe World Rotaract Week this year on the Rotaract Facebook page.
The first Forget Me Not Café session on February 8 was a success with members at the Rotary Club of Brisbane Water looking forward to continuing the Peninsula community initiative.
The café, held at the Umina Beach CWA, hall focuses on providing a safe place for people living with dementia and their carers to visit, socialise and interact with others.
Rotary President, Peter Mote, said the café provided opportunities for people to connect with others who understood what they were going through.
“I am overjoyed to report that the Forget Me Not Café’s first meeting was a success,” Mote said.
“(At) the first session we had four customers, and the whole team—two other customers had a logistical problem and so missed this meeting but will attend the second meeting on February 22.
“We are greatly encouraged by the success of the first café.”
A ROTARY SUPER CLUSTER (from the Northern Beaches) AND AUSTRALIA DAY - ONE WAY TO CELEBRATE
...and this is how they did it
Dear Front-line Worker,
We thank you for the incredibly important work that you have undertaken in the community over the last year.
Congratulations on being selected by your organisation to be a recipient of a $50 restaurant voucher for use in one of our local restaurants to
Reflect, Respect and Celebrate the Story of Australia on Australia Day.
This is an initiative of 3 Rotary Clubs on the Northern Beaches, utilising a grant from the National Australia Day Council (NADC) to give back to the residents on the
Northern Beaches. Participating Rotary Clubs all around Australia are involved in events for Australia Day.
The voucher can be used for a meal or takeaway (if available) at the nominated restaurant. Please phone the restaurant to book or order your takeaway and
quote the voucher number (and take it with you!). No change will be given by the restaurant.
Connie San Juan (front-line COVID worker) at The Blind Barrell 26.1.21
Donation of $5,457 worth of Solar Lanterns forwarded to Rotary East Gippsland by the Rotary Club of North Gosford
Gosford North Rotarian Peter demonstrating LuminAID Solar Lantern
After personally asking if they could help, I have been very fortunate in obtaining many (170) solar Lanterns from our friends at LuminAID. As these lanterns retail for $29.95 & $37.95, it is a substantial donation.
After discussions with Rotary International Parramatta, the following email is to be forwarded to the President of the Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise.Five clubs have formed a Rotary Fire Aid Committee in that area to help/support those who have lost everything in the bushfires.
I still have some 70 units available to be donated to other areas of devastation, possibly, Western Australia in the coming weeks. Any suggestions as to other locations of where the next 70 units should be donated are welcomed.
Congratulations to the members of the Rotary Club of North Gosford. Your work in the community is to be commended.
AN ACCOLADE FOR PRESIDENT LINDY MYERS AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF BALGOWLAH
NOTICE OF MOTION
57TH PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES
17 FEBRUARY 2021
ROTARY CLUB OF BALGOWLAH
Speaker, I give Notice that this House:
Acknowledges the continued outstanding efforts of the Rotary Club of Balgowlah.
Notes its recent support of Northern Beaches charities and organisations on Australia Day in providing much needed vouchers and volunteering for the Sun Run.
Thanks them for its ongoing community service, in particular the Executive of the Club.
JAMES GRIFFIN MP
MEMBER FOR MANLY
EQUIPMENT DONATIONS FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF BLACKHEATH TO THE BLACKHEATH RFS
TRIVA NIGHT USING
Kahoot! and ZOOM
Please Join the Rotary Club of North Ryde
for a fun night & support
Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC)
Invite your friends & family to create your team And join us on
Saturday, 6 March From 6.30 for 7:00pm
$20.00 for each person in your team.
Payment to:
Bendigo Bank BSB 633 000
Account No: 126363670
Account name: The Rotary Club of North Ryde
Please use your name and Trivia as a reference
Then register by sending a message to Secretary Pam Wood by
RI President-elect Shekhar Mehta encourages members to be changemakers and announces his theme for the 2021-2022 Rotary year, Serve to Change Lives. Shekhar Mehta also urged members to become more involved in service projects, saying that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own.
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