We are in interesting times as lockdown 6.0 grinds on with no finish line in sight. What we could do as Rotarians in the normal world has evaporated and innovation is running thin. Photo: Maras salt ponds located at the Urubamba, Peru. But evaporation is a useful process. It cools, it dries and it concentrates. So stay cool and dry and concentrate!
This year, as a Club President, I am trying my hand as a conductor rather than a doer. My current work schedule precludes me from doing the jobs I did last year. I have passed on the Club program to Gus and David N, regular articles in the bulletin to Graham and Sam, the website to Andrew S, meeting invitations and events calendar to Andrew S, and plenty of other hidden jobs have been put to idle. Perhaps you haven't noticed a thing out of place. Dave Anderson is doing a huge amount of work with the Membership portfolio and Jen is working on projects.
Last year, Jane and Jen pumped through the Support local business, End Trachoma kits and a Zoom dinner party while we went through our early Zoom phase. Mark got a walk for Polio team together to raise money for End Polio. Sam whipped out a couple of Benevolent Society projects (Shoes and clothes) and we scrapped in a couple of Donations in Kind pickups with Roger Thornton too. We had something on the boil most of the time. The uncertainty of where we are with lockdowns has taken its toll this time around and getting on with Rotary business during this rollercoaster year has not been easy.
We have, thanks to Jen and other members, some terrific projects in the wings. The untouchable projects. The Peace Pole Project, soft landscaping, tree planting, park seating, Mick Morland Reserve. Everything is set to go but when will we be able to do it? I have spoken with other Clubs and with our own Interact Club too. Everyone is frustrated but at some point, we have to get used to this situation and assume that we will not be doing Rotary as we used to do it any time soon.