HAPPY MOHTERS DAY
First and foremost, best wishes to all the mums and grandmothers and great-grandmothers amongst us who celebrate this weekend. It will be a weird time indeed with large family gatherings still prohibited, but the love and the best wishes will penetrate all of those barriers. So, love and thanks to you all!!
ANZAC PROJECT – UPPER BLUE MOUNTAINS
And in follow up to recent celebrations of ANZAC Day, also very restricted but wonderfully inventive in nature, Michael Small and Glenda Ryley have put together this moving tribute to ANZAC Day 2020 and how Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Club, its members, past and present, and their families have been impacted:
Well done to all concerned!
CELEBRATING WOMEN IN ROTARY!!
Yes, in this last week on May 4, we celebrated the anniversary of the US Supreme Court ruling in 1987 that clubs could no longer exclude women from membership, with resultant changes to Constitution and By-Laws.
So, a very special mention to all our female members, and the extraordinary contributions they make to their clubs, their communities and to Rotary – thank you all!!!
COVID-19 WARNING!
COVID-19 has been with us for 6 weeks now.
Can you almost smell the end of separation, the sniff of a good coffee with friends, the hint of a long drink at our favourite watering hole, the chance to smash a ball (of some sort) to kingdom come, the struggle to be heard above the noise of so many people, the option to lounge on a beach or take young relatives to the local park??????
With any luck, we will see the back of COVID-19 over coming weeks. But the temptation to jump the gun is almost overwhelming! As Rotarians, with fun and service as our drivers, holding back until the “All Clear” is issued is excruciating!!! But it is the only way we can be sure that we, and the community around us, remain safe long into the future, and that COVID-19 never returns.
I know that all clubs and members are desperate to dive back into service and fundraising projects, and that time is fast approaching. So please breathe easy, pick up another jigsaw, book, or puzzle, and reduce the anticipation for just a little longer!!
And please register for COVIDSafe to speed up the process of our release from the walls in which we find ourselves – the sooner the better!!
NEW MEMBERS – NEW CLUB!!
Since my last newsletter, I have lost count of the new member inductions across a number of clubs.
It is not that long ago that every barrier imaginable was proposed as to why Rotary could not grow membership, and yet these barriers seem to have vapourised in the face of more barriers than any of us could have imagined!
CONGRATULATIONS to everyone for staging these on Zoom, and the Kurrajong North Richmond for staging one “in the field” – welcome Melissa Page! 
Welcome to all our new members and well done to all clubs involved.
AND, most excitedly:
A fabulous welcome, to the newest member of the D9685 family – the Rotary Club of Social Impact Network, which was awarded its charter on May 1st!! Special congratulations to Rebecca Fry, Michelle Westland and Andrew Best for bringing all the paperwork together and helping to charter with 29 very enthusiastic members. This has been quite a process over quite a period of time, and the end result is a great starting point for a new style of Rotary club, and the very time that such a structure is so needed.
Charter members come from all round Australia and the world – NSW, Vic, Tas, Qld, ACT, SA, Italy, Germany and the USA – eliminating so many barriers.
We welcome you all to the greater Rotary family!!
MINISTER GREG HUNT WEBINAR
As a direct result of COVID-19, access to a broadened speaker circuit, not just nationally but globally, is available to all. In recent times, this included National Health Minister Greg Hunt through D9820 in Victoria. The webinar is available on YouTube for those interested at:
During the forum some support contact details were provided which are noted below for your information.
- Coronavirus Australia app
- Download directly from health.gov.au or via your phone or tablet app stores.
- apps and tools including essential information, symptom checker, register isolation, States & Territories advice
- National Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080
- Coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au free call 1800 512 348
DISASTER RESPONSE GRANTS (DRG)
TRF Fund Development Manager Mark Anderson reports the rapid turnaround in Grants in relation to Covid-19. While there appear to be no DRG’s approved for Australia or New Zealand, the Philippines has fared well with 7 of the 10 Districts receiving Grants. These are changing times and it is great to see the rapid response of The Rotary Foundation and Rotarians to this Pandemic. As you can see over US$13m spent so far.
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Grant type
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Number
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Total funding
|
|
Global grants (new applications)
|
92
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$8,642,032
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Global grants (repurposed funds within existing grants)
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35
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$372,334
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Disaster response grants
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163
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$4,046,539
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Donations to The Rotary Foundation continue to be a priority as the end of the year approaches. And whether your preference is for the Annual Fund, End Polio or this Disaster Fund, you know that each $$ you and your club donate is going to be multiplied and managed for the best possible outcomes. So enjoy these amazing choices as the year comes to a close over coming weeks!!
MONTHLY FIGHTING FUNDS
How is your fundraising going? It is certainly tricky when we are all locked away indoors, but it is not impossible.
Our weekly Rotary meetings have been cancelled. Every Rotarian no longer spends $20 $30pw on lunches/dinners/breakfast. As mentioned in a previous newsletter, why don’t we create Fighting Funds where Rotarians divert what they would have spent to help others and create velocity of money that helps everyone. The R100 celebration team make the following suggestions:
- Buy the technology to run meetings electronically
- Buy R100 centenary banners from Minuteman Press in Prahran; a Rotary business that we need to keep alive
- Give $500 to a Rotarian that loses their job
- Fast track bushfire, flood and drought relief into village shops
- Hire refugees to deliver food and toilet paper to disadvantaged folk or those who are self isolated
- Engage with Rotaractors to shop for the elderly
- Whatever helps Rotarians and fast tracks Rotary projects that impact our communities
- Do it every week until we are allowed to meet face to face again
- Collect the money electronically and spend every cent before we are allowed to gather face to face again
The thinking is that by taking such action:
- It costs no more than we currently spend each week
- It keeps Rotarians engaged and focussed
- Every club/cluster/district already has the capacity to take action
So please give it serious consideration as we take on yet another month of separation.
4WAYS TO ENGAGE ONLINE
- Are you looking for ideas to engage members while we’re physically distancing ourselves from each other? Has your club started meeting online? Here are some of our favourite resources to help (CTRL click the embedded links):
- Watch membership webinars and speeches from recent conventions and the International Assembly in the new Club Programming collection on Vimeo.
CHANGEOVERS COVID-19 STYLE
The season is fast approaching and no doubt you and your club members will be wondering what the options might be and how the party might look this year.
A D9800 Rotarian Stephen Sennett from the Melbourne e-club recently produced this excellent article on Virtual changeovers.
It is likely to get in next RDU and in the Rotary on the Move publication, and worth considering over coming weeks.
RI CONVENTION 2020
Mark your calendars for 20-26 June for an exciting opportunity to gather online with the family of Rotary for our first virtual convention – for free!
Together, we will still experience the spirit of Rotary, be inspired by innovation, celebrate our resilience, and explore how clubs are addressing COVID-19. Join us to experience Rotary in action during our Flag Ceremony, witness the power of connection during our general sessions, learn new ways to engage with Rotary during our breakout sessions, find inspiration from our global speakers, and much more.
We have never needed Rotary — and we have never needed each other — more than we do now. We hope to see you online, because Now More Than Ever, Rotary Connects the World. Signup for this free event will be available at the end of May.
CITATION UPDATE
You will have received the great news that requirements to receive the 2020 Rotary Citation have been amended in light of the COVID-19 interruptions to our operations.
Clubs are now required to achieve just 3 of the 9 goals in each category to achieve the Citation – making it achievable for nearly all of our great clubs.
So please review the Rotary Citation requirements and look at how YOUR club can now add this accolade to your achievements!!!
R100 BATON UPDATE
Breaking news: the R100 Centenary Baton is now available! PP Linda & DGE Mark Humphries have designed a baton, sourced a manufacturer and created a website and Facebook site to promote the use of the baton. This is a great initiative. You can find out more at https://www.r100baton.com
CROSS EGYPT CHALLENGE
Are you looking for an adventure later in the year?
The Cross Egypt Challenge is an international cross-country motorcycle and scooter adventure tour conducted throughout the majestic and fascinating Egypt. Participation in the tour is open for Rotarians and non-rotarians and their accompanying spouses or friends from around the globe. People who do not ride motorcycles can also join this amazing adventure and be hosted in air-conditioned chase vans.
A normal practice during Cross Egypt Challenge is an annual "Sahara Rotary Meetings" where riding Rotarians along with Rotaractors from our organizing team conduct an official Rotary meeting in the Egyptian Desert , a practice that we happily repeat at each new season.
CROSS EGYPT CHALLENGE 2020 details
Date: October 15 - 24, 2020
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Participation options: Scooter rider / Motorcycle rider / Passenger in chase van
More details: www.crossegyptchallenge.com
Registration: www.crossegyptchallenge.com/registration.html
Registration cost includes: accommodation, all meals, airport pickup, official t-shirts, fuel, mechanical services, scooter or motorcycle rental, medical services, road tolls and permissions
VANUATU – CYCLONE HAROLD
In the middle of the global COVID-19 disaster, Vanuatu has bene hit by Cyclone Harold with widespread destruction to all manner of buildings and shelters, including hospitals and schools. RAWCS have established potential donation sites, and I recommend them to you and your club if this is an option. Please paste the hyperlink below into your browser to take donors directly to the secure donations page.
GOOD NEWS STORIES
- PEAK HILL HIGH SCHOOL STORY – RC BELROSE
For 26 years Belrose Rotarians have provided a unique opportunity for Yr 11 and 12 students from Peak Hill Central School to spend five days in Sydney, experiencing the attractions but significantly, gaining an insight into the world of work by visiting local businesses and government in the Belrose and Northern Beaches area. They are billeted with local Rotary families. Peak Hill Central School is about 400 km from Sydney and has 125 students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Later in the year a group of Belrose Rotarians reciprocate by visiting Peak Hill and providing insightful career advice as well as guidance on how to apply for a job, resume writing and interview techniques.
Here is an edited version of the recent Rotary Matters program.
Rotary Matters airs on Fridays at 3 pm, Triple H 100.1 FM.
- HIPPO ROLLERS in POMFRET – RC CHATSWOOD SUNRISE
If you have seen the April RDU, you will have noticed a great article on p42 reporting on the water rollers funded by the RC Chatswood Sunrise. They are making a huge difference to the community of Pomfret in South Africa, allowing 90mlitres of water to be safely transported for local consumption. Congratulations to RC Chatswood Sunrise on the project, and on the fabulous report in the April RDU!!!
- COVID-19 ISOLATION HUMOUR
I know you are all behaving well in our isolation state and thought you might enjoy a little levity to keep the smile on your face:
