On Tuesday 18th January the RCB Board gathered on Zoom. The Board are a brilliant group of people who want the Club to prosper well past their respective terms. Each month Board members do a comprehensive report on their respective portfolios. Even though we are stuck in COVID neutral, we are still in top gear waiting for the moment we can put the pedal down and get some Rotary action. At the moment, we see a world that seems to be upsidedown.
I am very proud of the work my Board members are putting in. I am very concerned that the work they are putting in is not being appreciated by the regular Rotarian because we have been stuck in limbo for so long. I thought it would be a great opportunity to share with you a few highlights.
PDG Tim Moore on Foundation:
Update on RC Foundation plan/objectives for 2021-22:
- Working to get a least one district grant this year for a local project – approved for $500 match for Berwick Secondary College – Low level Scholarship for disadvantaged students – eg. $200 each x 5 for books etc tbc with BSC Report soon, actioned Gregg Lee!
- Find status of our District Grant Park Bench install – approved! Re Jenny
- Building on our Global Grant in the Philippines – Clean Water for 6 villages, to build on our trusted connections to improve on sustainability of our present project -awaiting video for Club from our partners !!!
- To increase members understanding of the Rotary Foundation and the benefits to clubs and members – how the foundation works tbc
- Present on Rotary recognitions such as a PHF - tbc
- Enlist some helpers to build on the past work to encourage all members to donate via the Centurion Club – ie $100 donation per annum to TRF. Tbc – ideas for helpers?
- I now have 4 Rotarians wanting to participate again, will keep promoting
PP Peter Batterham on Fundraising:
The amazing pandemic management lockdowns and restrictions on movement etc has wrought havoc on most of our fundraising activities. We are apparently not alone in suffering from the restrictions.
The experience of most countries, having reached high levels of vaccinations, is that COVID-19 comes back. Many are now re-introducing restrictions and lockdowns. Why would we be different; in short it is my opinion that we will face event stalling or cancellations over the remainder of the year causing the Club to take a financial hit and waste Members (and Partners) time and effort.
President David Button on President stuff:
As a Board, now is the time to step up and lead as best as we can in unknown territory. We need Rotary to be there to serve the community after the COVID threat has passed (most likely two years from now). This is still our best chance to remodel our Club structure to be inviting for young members. Our current members are not the future (as Tim says) with most declining in activity and commitment.
We need to take the opportunity to set things up so that the new generation can pick up from our lead. This is possibly the most exciting time for Rotary and it will take a lot of lateral thinking to make it work. The young way of thinking is quite different to the old way of thinking.
We need to take the opportunity to set things up so that the new generation can pick up from our lead. This is possibly the most exciting time for Rotary and it will take a lot of lateral thinking to make it work. The young way of thinking is quite different to the old way of thinking.
Jane Moore on Public Image:
Social Media:
- Curated 7 face book posts between 26 November and 3rd January – a mix of local RC Berwick community and Rotary International information posts
- Top post reached 551 people with 70 engagements
- 749 people like RC Berwick page
- 1138 people follow the RC Berwick page
- Art screen hire posted one post
Upcoming Learning Opportunities:
- Zone 8 Public Image training session:
- 5th February: Articles that Appeal
- 27 March: Getting Started with our People of Action Campaign
- 1 May: The Mobile Ambassadors
- 29 May: Telling Rotary’s Story to a Broader Community
- 5th February: District 9800 Diversity Equity and Inclusion session 3
David Anderson on Membership:
Share the club’s Value Proposition
Adopt “Fundraising for a purpose” as a key strategy
Link meetings, events to how RCB is helping in the community
Share via both traditional & Social Media the positive impact RCB is making in the broader community
Make meetings fun, interactive & meaningful
Range of guest speakers for every meeting – educate & entertain
Use Social Media to share what happens at meetings – link to purposeful fundraising
Members to share Social Media posts amongst their own Social Media Groups
Lift club visibility
Be an active part of community events – Get more involved than ever
Create a visual display highlighting what Rotary is and how to get involved & have “Role Model” Rotarians share our story – Everywhere possible
Bring out the BBQ – Egg & Bacon rolls / Sausages where the local people go
Leverage Traditional and Social Media
Jen Marshall on Projects:
February | RORP Playground harvesting – dates to be confirmed 7 playgrounds to be harvested in Berwick, Narre Warren, Hampton Park and Endeavour Hills. Casey will assign a contractor to remove the playground, their contractor will contact us to let us know when the harvest will be. We need 2 volunteers to label the playground 2 days before the harvest and 2 volunteers to harvest the playground and tow the trailer. Birthing Kit Packing Event Need project lead Zonta Birthing Kits – packing 400 kits with St John of God midwives/nurses TBC – need to request funding and then involve SJOG to set up an event to pack kits $2,000 |
Greg Lee on Youth:
Youth Programs Update
- NYSF – 2022 Kicked off to a great start however a decision was made to postpone the in-person site visits and for it to be an online program. Ryan Speller is completing about 8hrs a day online and ‘loving it’. Last Friday night he was involved in a live cross to CERN Switzerland (particle accelerator) which he very much enjoyed. Ryan’s mum Keatha reports he is inspired, enthused, and making great connections with like-minded people. Ryan organised an online music jam session in his free time with 8 other participants last Saturday night. A proposal to conduct the site visits later in the year has been mentioned.
Sam McCurdy on Secretary matters:
Collaborated with Graham Johnstone to develop draft policies and procedures for COVID and Rotary
BBQ Management.
Suspended work on the COVID policy and procedure, due to frequent changes to Victorian
requirements.
• Worked with Graham Johnstone to conduct an inspection and maintenance to the Rotary BBQ, in
particular freeing and cleaning the seized Drip Tray.
• Organised and completed the RBD Benevolent Society’s Christmas Appeal collection, with
assistance from Laury Gordyn, David Anderson, Russell Fellows, Andy Merrill, Eric Boon and
Andrew Somers.
Sent out ‘Thank you’ emails to the 8 schools and 2 Supermarkets who participated in the Christmas
Appeal, inviting them to participate in the 2022 Appeal.
• Participated in the ZOOM meeting in December on the Rotary SAFE Families Australia Day event
and prepared a summary report.
BBQ Management.
Suspended work on the COVID policy and procedure, due to frequent changes to Victorian
requirements.
• Worked with Graham Johnstone to conduct an inspection and maintenance to the Rotary BBQ, in
particular freeing and cleaning the seized Drip Tray.
• Organised and completed the RBD Benevolent Society’s Christmas Appeal collection, with
assistance from Laury Gordyn, David Anderson, Russell Fellows, Andy Merrill, Eric Boon and
Andrew Somers.
Sent out ‘Thank you’ emails to the 8 schools and 2 Supermarkets who participated in the Christmas
Appeal, inviting them to participate in the 2022 Appeal.
• Participated in the ZOOM meeting in December on the Rotary SAFE Families Australia Day event
and prepared a summary report.
These are just a few highlights. Our Board members do a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Thank you to them all. It is terrific to work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds who want to make a difference in the world.
