SPOKE 'N' WORDS

Issue 5
2nd August 2023
 
Join our meeting

Most Wednesdays at
The Beaconsfield Club,
Holm Park, Beaconsfield, 
Victoria, Australia

Enquire by Email:
Visitors and Rotarians are welcome.
 
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From the President
Hi everyone and wasn’t it truly inspiring to have such an impressive guest speaker at our club meeting this week in Ally Yeh.
 
It is absolutely clear to me that her experience at RYLA helped shape her as the person she is.
 
Some of the things that stood out were her absolute self - awareness which is unique in a person of her age and experience and her messages about being the person you want to be, driven by her goals. It was absolutely clear that what we experienced was Ally as her authentic self, something that I find very refreshing and something that I love to see in action because that is a mirror into the environment and also to acceptance.
 
I think the world is in good hands when we see people of her calibre and maturity.
 
This mindset work also fits in nicely with the Healthy Minds Forum to be hosted by Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong Endeavour Hills and Casey - Cardinia Rotaract Club scheduled for Tuesday August 15 at 6.30 pm for a 7 pm start. The venue is Lyndale Secondary College Auditorium.
 
This is a forum that I am right behind. I know the impact that one’s state of mental health has. Personally, we have been dealing with some pretty ordinary things and they do affect you. I know well enough to have a few special people that I confide in, safely share enabling us to kick things around and help me cope with what is on my plate.
 
Against that background and the importance in investing in member’s overall wellbeing that the decision has been taken to fully support the Forum on the 15th by making that our meeting for the week, so I invite you to please join me in enrolling and hearing from those that have real insight and mechanisms to live with a healthy mind. We all need it from time to time.
 
This is the link that you can use to invest in yourself and any other people in your life who you feel would benefit. Click HERE to BOOK
Our week in Review
It was an informative, interesting and unusually funny meeting this week at Rotary. 
 
It's Membership Month, so how about inviting a potential member!
We have had some dynamic members over the last 62 years of the Rotary Club of Berwick's existence. Our list of accomplishments is long, and our connection to our community is strong. It is always interesting to look back into the past and you can do it by just Clicking HERE to see the many things the club has achieved over the years.
 
The unfortunate thing about being human is that nothing lasts forever. There is always a need for new members to learn from and move forward, using the knowledge from their predecessors to continue our work in the community and in other parts of the world. Once you understand the depth and power of what Rotary really does, then you realise the impact your personal contribution of your time makes to the world. 
 
If you are reading this, please be part of Rotary. Come to a meeting. Bring a friend or colleague. Share our bulletin, website or Facebook page.
 
August is Membership Month
 
THE STRUCTURE
Rotary is made up of three parts: our clubs, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Rotary and Rotaract clubs belong to the global association Rotary International (RI). Rotary International supports its clubs worldwide by coordinating global programs and initiatives. The Rotary Foundation helps fund our humanitarian activities, from local service projects to global initiatives.
 
CLUBS
The club is the most important component of Rotary’s organizational structure. More than 36,000 Rotary clubs and 10,000 Rotaract clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas unite people to create lasting change in their communities, around the world, and in themselves. Rotaract clubs are like Rotary clubs but are primarily intended for university students and young professionals. Clubs are autonomous, so the member experience varies from club to club. But they all operate somewhat similarly. For example, all clubs have officers and committees that help them run smoothly. Each Rotary or Rotaract club is considered a member of Rotary International.
Strong, well-run clubs enhance our members’ experiences and deliver valuable service to our communities.
 
MEMBERS
There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members, or Rotarians, and more than 200,000 Rotaract club members, or Rotaractors, around the world. As a member, you have far greater potential to do good in your community than you did before you joined. You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by contributing your expertise, skills, and talents as well as the privilege of working with other professionals and community leaders.
 
MEETINGS
Rotary and Rotaract clubs unite dedicated people to exchange ideas, build relationships, and take action. The frequency and format of club meetings vary. Clubs meet in person, online, or both. Rotary is both apolitical and nonreligious, and clubs are expected to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members and guests.
 
DISTRICTS AND ZONES
Clubs are grouped into approximately 520 districts. Districts are led by governors, who serve an important role in Rotary. Rotary clubs in their districts nominate them because of their leadership skills, Rotary experience, and dedication to service. District governors are trained extensively both in their regions and together through the International Assembly, an annual training event for incoming governors, who are known as district governors-elect in the year before their term as governor. District governors serve for one year, leading a team of assistant governors and district committees in supporting and strengthening clubs and motivating them to carry out service projects. They visit or check in virtually with each Rotary club in the district during the year, oversee the development of new clubs, and plan the district conference and other special events.

Districts are organized into 34 zones of approximately equal numbers of Rotarians for the purposes of nominating directors and electing the committee that nominates the president of Rotary International.
 
In the coming months, a new Rotary model will be coming to our Zone, Zone 8. Please have a look here for more comprehensive information: https://creatingtomorrowrotary.org/latest-updates/july-member-webinars
 
 
OPTIMIZE YOUR MEMBER EXPERIENCE
 
Being part of Rotary opens up opportunities to grow through experience and become a link in a never-ending chain. The key is to make an effort and take up the opportunities that interest you as they come along. It is up to the individual member to get the most out of their Rotary experience by seeking active involvement. It is incredible what you can get out of Rotary once you open up a few doors to see what is behind them. Download the file HERE
  • Take a course in the Learning Center, such as the Toastmasters-developed communication and leadership courses.
  • Attend as many club meetings and events as you can. Connect with different people each time.
  • Volunteer your skills and take on a role such as a committee member, greeter, or webmaster.
  • Identify a need in your community and suggest a hands-on project that addresses it.
  • Develop and practice your leadership skills by taking courses in the professional development catalogue in Rotary’s Learning Center.
  • Tell friends and colleagues how your club is giving back to your community, and emphasize the unique opportunity Rotary provides for networking with leaders in many professions.
  • Get involved in your club’s service projects.
  • Discover Rotary voices from around the world at blog.rotary.org. 
  • Stay up-to-date by subscribing to newsletters from Rotary International at rotary.org/newsletters, reading your club and district newsletters, and visiting your club and district websites and My Rotary.
  • Help your club or district raise funds to eradicate polio.
  • Set a personal contribution goal to support your club’s Annual Fund giving goal, or donate through The Rotary Foundation’s recurring giving program, Rotary Direct.
  • Propose a friend or colleague for membership in your club, or refer a prospective member to a different club.
  • Ask your club leaders how you can get involved in Rotary Youth Exchange, Interact, or RYLA.
  • Talk to club leaders about where your expertise is most needed.
  • Attend your club’s next assembly and help plan club activities.
  • Volunteer to help with your club’s signature project — one your club is known for in the community.
  • Check out the Member Center and other resources on My Rotary.
  • Join a Rotary Fellowship and meet members from other countries who share your interests.
  • Participate in your district conference and the Rotary International Convention.
  • Check out another Rotary or Rotaract Club meeting. If you don’t know of a club you’d like to visit, use Club Finder to find one. Then get its leaders’ contact information from the club’s website and contact them to make arrangements.
Club Meeting - Music Trivia Quiz Night
The Beaconsfield Club
Aug 09, 2023
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Mental Health Forum 'HEALTHY MINDS'
Lyndale Secondary College Auditorium
Aug 15, 2023
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
 
No Meeting This week
Aug 16, 2023
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Mercy Ships
The Beaconsfield Club
Aug 23, 2023
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
Member Birthdays
Di Double
August 15
 
Jim Wilson
August 18
 
Eric Boon
August 19
 
Jack Kraan
August 23
 
Geoff Double
September 21
 
Spouse Birthdays
David Fullaway
August 1
 
Diana Nutter
August 7
 
Di Double
August 15
 
Sharon Verbi
August 17
 
Josie Wilson
September 9
 
Geoff Double
September 21
 
Join Date
Maureen Scott
August 3, 2006
17 years
 
Andy Merrill
August 4, 2011
12 years
 
Russell Fellows
August 21, 2019
4 years
 
Mary McIvor
August 31, 2022
1 year
 
David Nutter
September 10, 1987
36 years
 
Jennifer Marshall
September 23, 2015
8 years
 
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Thank you
This week's contributors to the Spoke 'n' Words
  1. Di Double - great photos
  2. President Dave - story
  3. Chat GPT to help organise the paradox of choice into a logical format.
Anyone can help tell our Rotary Club story. Email me!