Each of us faces challenges as we pass through each phase in our lives. First steps are one of the most significant, mostly for the onlookers rather than the person making them. As we pass from life challenge to life challenge, some things get easier because of experience and other things get harder because of lack of confidence. Being the current Rotary Club President, I am faced with new challenges as each week passed, but there is an underlying challenge that is not finding its own solution. The future leadership in the Club, its direction and its flexibility in a rapidly changing world is that challenge.
Naturally, I am still getting over the joy of those baby step moments, but NOW we all must choose who will be our club leaders in 2021-22. There is training to be done to prepare our leaders, starting in November.
As a Rotary Club member, I would like you to consider your commitment to Rotary. Are you ready to step up to a leadership role in 2021-22 and make a difference in a new dynamic and evolving world? Will you put your name forward for a position in the Club? Are you prepared to get on the baby step train with me?
Nominations are open for
President-Elect,
President-Elect Nominee,
Secretary,
Public Image Chair,
Fundraising Chair,
Membership Chair and
Foundation Chair.
Existing Board members are also welcome to nominate for these positions as well as any member of the Club. Please contact Secretary Sam on secretary@rotaryberwick.org if you would like to nominate someone.
At this week's Footy Trivia Night, Secretary Sam reported on the progress of our team in the 'Walk with us to End Polio' event, where the Berwick Boomers & Shakers have already raised $3,465 for this worthy cause. The aim is to be sponsored to walk for a targeted distance during October to raise funds. You can set your own target distance.
We are currently in 6th place on the Team Leaderboard, but we can do better! Teams from Camberwell, Hawthorn and Southbank occupy the top three places, having raised between $5,600 and $6,500 each.
If you have not yet joined the team and/or donated, there is still time, as the event runs for all of October. World Polio Day will be held on Saturday 24th October. Go team Berwick!
I think the following video 'Footloose' reflects the feeling of all those participants in this event.
Extracted from the R100 Downunder website by Sam McCurdy
Wednesday 21st April 2021 is a special date! Rotary in Australia and NZ will be celebrating the first 100 years of service downunder.
In 1921, four Rotary Clubs were created in Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington and Sydney. From there, Rotary and Rotaract clubs were created everywhere across Australia and NZ. We all share a centenary in 2021. We can come together and create a common legacy. Think about the impact we can make!
It's the time to discover what is the best way to mark the occasion! Create a legacy that propels Rotary into the next century of service. This is so important – we will not have another chance in our lifetime!
We have a plan to make people aware, capture ideas of what we can do and enlist willing players in a part of history. We have constructed a toolkit to help Rotary leaders to help build that story. That's what our website is about. You can also join us on Facebook.
Make Your Mark on History
Projects are already underway. We have loads of collateral, videos and material to help you dig deep and learn. You can explore, download and share what you find. Find out more about how you can get engaged in the Big Ideas Page
Need an idea for your own project? There are many Thought Starting Ideas that might create the Big Hairy Audacious Goal that will galvanise action to start The Next 100 years of Service. Check them out under the Thought Starters Tab.
We have lots to share with Rotarians, partners, family, friends and media. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Newsletters, Websites are all our friends. Local newspapers and TV are hungry for stories that highlight why this centenary is a special time.
Check out the toolkit under the Resources tab and download what you need.
Who would have thought that playgrounds from Mornington would travel to Sri Lanka. The Rotary Club of Mount Martha are currently delivering playgrounds to Sri Lanka.
The Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds began as a project of the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington. It involves collecting unwanted playgrounds from councils and schools and sending them to disadvantaged overseas communities. This is environmental sustainability in action. Starting with a single playground to a girls school in Sri Lanka, this project has now collected over 50 playgrounds from across Victoria and sent them to Timor Leste, the Philippines and Tanzania, as well as Sri Lanka.
There are now 35 councils involved and RORP has also partnered with a number of schools; each donor pays a small fee to contribute to shipping costs. Individual "cells" have arisen at Ivanhoe and Mount Martha where those Rotary clubs manage their own contacts, harvesting and delivery to Donations in Kind.
Playgrounds that otherwise would have gone to landfill have been received overseas & are now bringing joy to many children. This is a win-win project and it is cost neutral for Rotary Clubs. The usual cost to donating councils or schools is about $660, just sufficient to cover the cost of shipping a container of 7 playgrounds on a major shipping route. Timor Leste and Nepal are more expensive, so the donation/funding model will be negotiable there.
Would you like to be involved? Do you have a school, council or country connection? If you are interested in learning more about this fast growing project, contact the Rotary Club of Mount Martha via Facebook, or email them at mountmartharotary@gmail.com.
