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Learn to Earn
 
New Rotary Year, new Rotary focus! This year is going to be the year of empowerment. I chose "Learn to Earn" as the topic header for this post because a recent employment Blog article I read, listed lack of computer skills as the main reason why older Australians were unemployable (I still work and employ staff so I get these sorts of articles). I know many of my club members don't have good computer skills, but I also know that many are trying to keep up. I hope to run a number of coaching and facilitating sessions throughout the year to give members an uncluttered path to taking on new roles within the club. 
 
Our last Rotary year was all about refocusing and preparing for change to meet all the changes that have been happening around us for a few years now. Increased compliance paperwork, an aging member demographic and a marked decrease in member commitment to step into leading roles has challenged all clubs from sports through to local bird-watching clubs. Rotary is no different to any other club. COVID is just an annoying bonus.
 
Our Board, Secretary Sam, in particular, has worked hard to make sure our club has all our compliance paperwork up to date and that the Board is fully conforming with the obligations of running a Rotary club in 2021. There are many layers of compliance and it can take a lot of wind out of our sails to ensure everything is correct. Terrific work on Sam and Tim's part.
 
I am expecting that this year is our make or break year as a club. We have a fabulous array of talent, with most being inaccessible due to work or other Rotary commitments. Almost our entire Board is made up of second termers (in a row) and they will not be third term Board members in their current positions. Creating a culture of coaching and facilitating is a key ingredient to building long term strength in our club. It is obvious that members have to be receptive to the role they can play in Rotary and accept the challenge to push out into unknown territory. Hand holding and training is a pivotal part of the journey, so this week my "Digital Public Relations Team" (DPRT) had a training session on one of the basics of any organisation: Communications
 
We have some very experienced people in this area with Sam McCurdy being District Bulletin Editor for PDG Adrian Froggatt and also Sam (again) and Jane Moore on the District Public Image Committee. Jane was also the District Secretary for PDG Adrian Froggatt. All this is important information because our club needs to understand the protocols so that our messages do not create confusion with other Rotary messages. Public relations is all about creating a unified message to promote the work done by Rotary. Jane Moore is our current Public Image Director and we have been very fortunate to snare Jane's talents in this area. Out of everything we do in Rotary, sharing and expressing ourselves to the outside world is one of the hardest but most rewarding parts of letting people know where Rotary can fit into their world.
 
Getting back to empowerment, this year most of our Board members need to step down and new members need to step up. In the past, there has been no clear transition/ learning process, so naturally, not many people are keen to take on something they know nothing about and that has led to a leadership drought. Rotary is an effective organisation in delivering positive outcomes (based on resources, fundraising and manpower) to the community each year and there should be a process to make that happen. Strong support to help potential Board members step past their comfort zone and put their hand up to learn a new role. It is only by going past your own comfort zone that you can enable others to do the same.
 
In our DPRT meeting on Wednesday, we pushed a few limits to learn the secrets of Clubrunner and the reasons why we need to tell the public what our club does, why we do it and what we get out of it. Sandi had her hands full to get some good photos but we moved around the room a lot and were just blurs in many photos.
 
Rotary is an amazing organisation on many levels, but personal growth has to be an important part of any Rotary experience. Stepping out of your comfort zone, empathising with people and cultures you are unfamiliar with, learning how you can make a difference are all-powerful and life-changing opportunities for the person who takes up the challenge, but more importantly for the people who receive the benefit.
 
Do not underestimate the power of being a Rotarian! Embrace change, learn as much as you can this year and get in early to put your hand up for a role on next year's Board.
Top 10 Reasons to Join a Rotary Club
Professional Networking
A founding principle of Rotary was to meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and enlarge one’s circle of business, community and professional acquaintances. As the oldest service club in the world, Rotary club members represent a cross-section of the community’s owners, executives, managers, political leaders, and professionals – People who make decisions and influence policy.

Service Opportunities
Club members have many opportunities for humanitarian service, both locally and internationally. Service programs address such concerns as health care, hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and the environment. Rotarians experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back to the community.

International Awareness
With more than 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries & geographical areas, Rotarians gain an understanding of humanitarian issues through international service projects and exchange programs. One of Rotary’s highest objectives is to build goodwill and peace throughout the world.

Friendship
Rotary was founded on fellowship, an ideal that remains a major attraction of membership today. Club members enjoy the camaraderie with like-minded professionals, and club projects offer additional opportunities to develop enduring friendships. Rotary club members who travel have friendly contacts in almost every city in the world.

Good Citizenship
Weekly Rotary club programs keep members informed about what is taking place in the community, nation, and world and motivated to make a difference.

Youth and Family
Rotary sponsors one of the world’s largest youth exchange, educational exchange, and scholarship programs. Rotary clubs provide innovative training opportunities and mentoring for young leaders and involve family members in a wide range of social and service activities.

Entertainment
Social activities give Rotarians a chance to let loose and have fun. Every Rotary club and district hosts parties and social activities that offer diversions from today’s demanding professional and personal schedules. Conferences, conventions, assemblies, and social events provide entertainment as well as Rotary information, education, and service.

Ethical Environment
Encouraging high ethical standards in one’s profession and respect for all worthy vocations has been a hallmark of Rotary from its earliest days. In their business and professional lives, Rotarians abide by The Four-Way Test:

Of the things we think, say or do:
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3) Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Leadership Development
Rotary is an organization of successful professionals. Team building, fundraising, public speaking, planning, organization, and communication are just a sampling of the leadership skills that club members can exercise and enhance. Being a Rotary leader provides further experience in learning how to motivate, inspire, and guide others. Members can participate in the three-day Rotary Leadership Institute courses offered at various times during the year.

Rotary’s classification system ensures that a club’s membership represents a variety of the community’s professional men and women, including leaders in business, industry, the arts, government, sports, the military, and religion. Rotary clubs are non-political, non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.

So does OUR club meet the expectations of potential and future Rotarians? 

Leadership development is what our future business leaders need to lead. Can our club provide that platform and benefit the local community in the process?

 
 
 
Issue  1
7th July 2021
 
Join our meeting

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

Enquire by Email:
Visitors and Rotarians are welcome.
 
Post: P.O. Box 30, Berwick 3806
July is 'New Leadership' Month
 
 
Each year Rotary Clubs and Districts across the globe induct new leaders. Our leaders exemplify all of the qualities that make our members extraordinary; integrity, expertise, and commitment to service.
Book into a Meeting
Coffee Club
Jul 10, 2021
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 
Club Meeting TBA
TBC
Jul 14, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Coffee Club
Jul 17, 2021
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 
Speaker: Kylie King
The Beaconfield Club
Jul 21, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Cluster Presidents Meeting
Jul 23, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Coffee Club
Jul 24, 2021
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 
Travel Guide Partners night
The Beaconfield Club
Jul 28, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Avenues of Service Chair
 
Fundraising Chair
 
Public Image Chair
 
Youth
 
Ex Officio Officer
 
Club Protection Officer
 
On to Conference
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Mark Caulfield
July 3
 
Graham Johnstone
July 17
 
Diana Gomez-Fullaway
July 21
 
Gerald Treasure
July 28
 
Wendy Langdon
August 2
 
Di Double
August 15
 
Gaetano Fina
August 17
 
Jim Wilson
August 18
 
Eric Boon
August 19
 
Jack Kraan
August 23
 
Spouse Birthdays
Mark Caulfield
July 3
 
Viviana Dominguez
July 19
 
David Fullaway
August 1
 
Diana Nutter
August 7
 
Di Double
August 15
 
Sharon Verbi
August 17
 
Lisemay Balancy
August 24
 
Robyn Shaw
August 29
 
Anniversaries
Gary Evans
Carol Evans
July 7
 
Rob Wingrave
Pat Wingrave
August 22
 
Join Date
David Collyer
July 1, 1986
35 years
 
Adwin Town
July 4, 2018
3 years
 
Fred Edwards
July 4, 1995
26 years
 
Greg Lee
July 8, 2020
1 year
 
Rosemarie Hughes
July 8, 2010
11 years
 
Bruce Shaw
July 30, 2000
21 years
 
Maureen Scott
August 3, 2006
15 years
 
Andy Merrill
August 4, 2011
10 years
 
Russell Fellows
August 21, 2019
2 years
 
ClubRunner Mobile
Moving On
Our dedicated travelers Rotarians PPs Isobel and Mark Caulfield have progressed now to King's Canyon in the Northern Territory and posted a series of spectacular photos on face book. They have so far completed the King's Canyon rim walk. There's plenty more to do before moving on to ?
.
St John of God Hospital's Gibb Street Redevelopment
Posted by Sam McCurdy
 
The old Gibb Street site of St John of God Hospital in Berwick, is to be redeveloped to provide Mental Health Care for the South East community.  On Sunday 19th July, the public will have an opportunity to view the facilities and say 'Goodbye", before construction starts.  There will be a free BBQ and a coffee van on site.
 
Rotary Club of Berwick volunteers will be providing the BBQ operations and you are welcome to join the team of experienced cooks between 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm.  At present, the team consists of Alf Giesen, Graham Johnstone, Andrew Somers and Sam McCurdy. Let Sam know if you can assist. Your help would be greatly appreciated. 
 
 
Casey-Cardinia Rotaract Changeover
Posted by Sam McCurdy
 
 
Thank you to our sponsors.