This is the final eNews and it’s a partly sad and partly relived DG and soon to be PDG signing off.
It has been my most fulfilling year in Rotary due to your efforts and your support of myself and Tania through a challenging time. Much of what I wished to say is covered in an email of June 9 and so far, almost 1000 members have read it, but simply thank you and well done as you served and changed lives. So we can appropriately thank everyone, you are encouraged to attend District Changeover on Saturday July 2, 6.30 for 7pm at Hornsby RSL. We can celebrate and welcome DGE Mina Howard and Larry to the leadership of this outstanding Rotary district and we get to do it all over again.
See you there?
What a sailor does when the Sydney to Hobart Race is cancelled...
Thank you Marilyn for a fabulous job curating the eNews these past 12 months. Despite my late inclusions and all you have had to do with various Rotary hats on, you've hit the mark every second Thursday at 12:01 for 23 editions.
Many thanks
On behalf of Tania and myself, thank you to everyone who has made 2021–22 the most rewarding year of our Rotary careers.
You have lived up to every challenge, including to grow more, do more, and Rotary has grown in a way that we haven’t in many years. This year saw life-changing new projects across all areas of focus, as we took up important work at the highest level — with UNICEF, the Commonwealth, and global leaders. Our efforts opened opportunities to empower girls, improve the environment, and advance literacy and health.
I want to thank each of you for your proactive service. I also want to thank the wonderful Rotary staff for ensuring that we can work with care for our fellow human beings, with peace in our hearts.
Personally, this has been an extremely enriching year for Rashi and me. We’ve met with thousands of Rotarians and been inspired by their great work around the world. We were also able to showcase Rotary’s work at the highest level, meeting with heads of state, leaders, and bureaucrats and offering to work with them to show that Rotary cares and brings peace in this world. With our swan song, Rashi and I wish you the very best as you Serve to Change Lives.
Sincerely,
Shekhar Mehta, RI President and the 2021-22 RI Board of Directors
View RI President Shekhar Mehta's Presentation at the RI Convention 2022.
The RI Board has met four times to date in 2022, virtually and in-person. Amongst its decisions, the Board:
Agreed to approve, in principle, the pilot proposal for a new governance structure for Zone 8, subject to two conditions: (1) approval of the pilot by clubs and districts in Zone 8 (via a vote on or before 1 October 2022) and (2) a review of Rotary International’s costs to support the pilot.
Extended Rotary’s service partnerships with Habitat for Humanity International, Institute for Economics and Peace, Mediators beyond Borders and Shelterbox.
Affirmed its commitment to deliver the 2022 RI (Houston) Convention as an in-person event.
Elected Greg E Podd to The Rotary Foundation Trustees, beginning 1 July 2022.
I encourage you to review minutes of the RI Board Meetings available at www.rotary.org
1. PASSING THE BATON:THANK YOU LINDSAY, WELCOME MINA
Every year, since Paul Harris founded Rotary in 1905, leadership positions transition on 1st July when the baton is passed from one Club President to another and one District Governor to another. Each are committed and passionate about carrying the baton over the finish line. On Saturday, 2nd July, the District baton will be passed from District Governor Lindsay May to District Governor Elect Mina Howard.
DG Lindsay challenged Rotary Clubs to continue to grow and renew and to increase their membership – 2022 by 2022.
DGE Mina challenges Rotarians to “Imagine the Opportunities”.
District Changeover 2022
The end of the year is approaching at an alarming rate. Let's all celebrate the end of another somewhat unusal year due to circumstances beyond anyone's control. The Changeover will be celebrating the achievements of DG Lindsay May and all Clubs in our District, and welcoming incoming DG Mina Howard and her teams.
This will be another fantastic Rotary event to be held at Hornsby RSL - another sign of normality returning. The date is Saturday, 2nd July 2022. Commencement time 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm. $55 per head.
2. Letter to D9685 Rotarians
Dear Rotarians.
Kindly read the attached article before you decide on who is most deserving of your funds at this year end. Our homeless problem is getting more and more serious and the weather is getting colder and colder. Please consider all those men, women and children with no home for protection and give generously to our Shelterbag Program. A Shelterbag can at least ensure a warm, dry comfortable night.
Grant fundraising: The pandemic has limited our means of fundraising however many clubs have utilised grants from various organisations to support their funding.
Lane Cove has been successful in gaining grants from the local council to be allocated to those community projects that the clubs pre-pandemic fundraising would have been allocated.
Some clubs have gained significant funds from the New South Wales State Government and to a lesser degree federal grants.
The Rotary Club of Balwyn Centenary Grants are giving away $1 million over the next five years as a result of their successful markets. Applications for the second round close on September 30.
Grant writing can be onerous and is an art, but a number of your fellow Rotarians have become very skilled at carefully reading the criteria and answering just the criteria. You have to be in it to win it.
BBQs: A technique seen used very successfully at a barbecue. When a donation was made, the cashier picked up a bell, rang it and call out, “a donation, a donation”. This was heard by all in the queue and the bell rung multiple times. Simple, but very effective.
Raffle tickets: Keep plenty of spares. At one event the organisers ran out of raffle tickets.
Price points: set prices at a point where it’s very easy for somebody to say, “keep the change”. Also limit the number of options that you have available for purchase and minimise the amount of take away printed materials.
4. Rotary International Convention, Melbourne 2023
I have been impressed and moved by how members around the world are responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. The generosity of our donors, combined with the dedicated service of our members, has helped many who need shelter, food, water, and medicine. Districts and clubs like yours are organizing service projects and districts are using Rotary Foundation disaster response grants to help people affected by the war. We want to showcase your meaningful work.
Rotary Showcase
We invite you to share your efforts on Rotary Showcase if you haven’t done so already. We know that Rotary and Rotaract clubs are taking action, and we want to know how your club is helping. Did you know that you can use Rotary Showcase to find funding, volunteers, materials, and partners?
Now we want to hear from you. Use Rotary Showcase to tell us and others about the good work you club is doing to respond to the war in Ukraine, whether it’s through disaster response grants or by using locally donated funds or supplies.
"The Club Buzz" is where you will find some exciting and relevant programs or events happening in our Clubs and in District 9685.
With Clubs working hard to prepare for the end of the Rotary year, and the Club Chngeovers, Club Buzz will resume in the first eNewsletter after the 1st of July.
With your help, the Rotary Foundation has been able to do great things and has transformed countless lives! Click on the video below to see what your generous donation has achieved.
If you are interested in leaving a Bequest to the Foundation, please complete the Codicil - click on this LINK to view the document, or this LINK to download a Word copy
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
Engage And Educate. District Governor Goals
Inspirational Women Recognised By Rotaryor these latest podcasts, see "Read More"
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District eNews is reviewed weekly for publication on Thursday at least every two weeks. Content provided and all rights reserved by Rotary International District 9685 Inc
RI Board decisions – January to April 2022
1. PASSING THE BATON:THANK YOU LINDSAY, WELCOME MINA
"The Club Buzz" is where you will find some exciting 
