Hi $FIRST_NAME$,
The Rotary Club of Berwick is undergoing a dynamic transformation as a wave of innovative thinkers joins the Club Leadership Team. This transformative phase is marked by the initiation of new projects, the cultivation of strategic alliances, and a dedicated focus on establishing foundational elements that will evolve over time.
A pivotal aspect of our evolution involves rediscovering our club's identity, prompting us to embrace a departure from rigid formality in favour of a more distinctive and progressive approach. This strategic shift aims to redefine our club's character and foster an environment conducive to growth and innovation.
The Club is in a good place to accept new members to become part of this change, so bring someone along to a meeting so we can explain why our Club is a good choice for community-minded people to become part of.
First up I want to share my appreciation for the way Gus ran the AGM this week and also for the behind-the-scenes work that he does daily as your club secretary.
Also toiling behind the scenes are Michele & Andrew Somers and the wonderful work they did on the Windermere hampers, shopping and packing them for the Windermere Merry Mission Christmas Appeal. Both Michele & Andrew are great ambassadors for our club.
It was also extremely gratifying to see the items brought along to the meeting this week by very kind Rotarians which will go to CNCISS for distribution to people in need at Christmas. Thank you to those that contributed.
Just a couple of reminders – Next week’s meeting is a joint meeting with Pakenham and you can register using the link but pay on the night at the Cardinia Club. Secondly, please get in early and register for the Christmas Party on December 13 at Holm Park.
Finally, Geoff has done a ripping job on pulling together the Langmore Community Garden and your help in the next stage of completion on 9 December will be appreciated. Great opportunity for teamwork, fellowship, a sense of belonging and satisfaction on a job well done.
In the golden era of Rotary, the benchmark for dedicated participation was set at a minimum attendance of 60% in all Rotary meetings throughout the Rotary year. Members could achieve this by attending meetings at their home Club or by making up attendance at any other Rotary Club worldwide. The option of Leave of Absence was also a flexible provision, allowing members to temporarily suspend their attendance commitment for reasons such as work, family, travel, or health.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape of Rotary engagement has evolved. Attendance requirements now embrace a broader spectrum of service avenues, extending beyond traditional Club meetings. Our current constitution maintains the significance of attendance as a membership requirement, but the definition of participation has expanded to encompass diverse activities. Each of these activities is meticulously crafted to enhance Rotary's impact while harmonizing with the diverse motivations that lead individuals to join Rotary.
Ultimately, the essence of a thriving Rotary Club lies in active member involvement. By contributing meaningfully to the Club's effectiveness and its transformative role in the community, each member plays a vital part in ensuring the Club's viability and its potential for future growth. It's a shared commitment to making a difference that propels our Rotary Club forward, creating a vibrant and impactful community of change-makers.
Section 1 – General Provisions. Each member should attend this club's regular meetings or its satellite club’s regular meetings and engage in this club’s service projects, events and other activities. A member shall be counted as attending a regular meeting if the member:
(a) is present in person, by telephone, or online for at least 60 percent of the meeting
(b) is present but called away unexpectedly and later presents to the board satisfactory evidence that leaving was reasonable,
(c) participates in the regular online meeting or interactive activity posted on the club’s website within one week after its posting; or
(d) makes up the absence in any of the following ways within the same year:
(1) attends at least 60 percent of the regular meeting of another club, a provisional club or a satellite of another club;
(2) is present at the time and place of a regular meeting or satellite club meeting of another club for the purpose of attending, but that club is not meeting at that time or place;
(3) attends and participates in a club service project or a club sponsored community event or meeting authorised by the board;
(4) attends a board meeting or, if authorised by the board, a meeting of a service committee to which the member is assigned;
(5) participates through a club website in an online meeting or interactive activity;
(6) attends a regular meeting of a Rotaract or Interact club, Rotary Community Corps, or Rotary Fellowship or of a provisional Rotaract or Interact club, Rotary Community Corps; or Rotary Fellowship, or
(7) attends an RI convention, a council on legislation, an international assembly, a Rotary institute any meeting convened with the approval of the RI board of directors or the RI president, a multizone conference, a meeting of an RI committee, a district conference, a district training assembly, any district meeting held at the direction of the RI board, any district committee meeting held by direction of the governor, or a regularly announced intercity meeting of clubs.
Section 2 – Extended Absence While Working at a Distance. If a member works on a distant assignment for an extended period of time, attendance at the meetings of a designated club at the site of the assignment replaces attendance at the regular meetings of the member’s club, if the two clubs agree.
Section 3 – Absence Because of Other Rotary Activities. An absence does not require a make-up if, at the time of the meeting, the member is:
(a) travelling with reasonable directness to or from one of the meetings specified in sub-subsection (1)(d)(7);
(b) serving as an officer or member of an RI committee or as a TRF trustee;
(c) serving as the special representative of the governor in forming a new club;
(d) on Rotary business in the employ of RI;
(e) directly and actively engaged in a district-sponsored, RI-sponsored, or TRF sponsored service project in a remote area, where making up attendance is impossible; or
(f) engaged in Rotary business duly authorised by the board, which precludes attendance at the meeting.
Section 4 – RI Officers’ Absences. An absence shall be excused if the member is a current RI officer or a Rotarian partner of a current RI officer.
Section 5 – Excused Absences. A member's absence shall be excused if:
(a) The board approves it for reasons, conditions and circumstances it considers good and sufficient. Such excused absences shall not last longer than 12 months. However, if a leave is taken for medical reasons, follows the birth or adoption of a child, or takes place during foster care of a child, the board may extend it beyond the original 12 months.
(b) The sum of the member's age and years of membership in one or more clubs is 85 years or more, the member has been a Rotarian for at least 20 years, the member has notified the club secretary in writing of a desire to be excused from attendance, and only these requirements are taken into consideration.
Section 6 – Attendance Records. When a member whose absences are excused under subsection 5(a) of this article does not attend a club meeting, the member and the absence shall not be included in the attendance records. If a member whose absences are excused under section 4 or subsection 5(b) of this article attends a club meeting, the member and the attendance shall be included in this club’s membership and attendance figures.
One of the terrific benefits of belonging to an International Organisation such as Rotary is the opportunity to drop into a Rotary Club meeting anywhere in the world and feel like you belong. Here is a little adventure story from Mark and Isobel from Chile!
The joy of travelling and being a Rotarian is the unexpected.
While on a driving adventure in Chile and Argentina, Isobel and Mark Caulfield found themselves in the pretty town of Pucon. It’s in the Chilean lakes district, overlooked by the active volcano Villacaria. They noticed a Rotary symbol and an open door. That was the start of a memorable evening.
The Rotary Club of Pucon is a men’s only club of 25 that was chartered in 1950. The evening was a special meeting as they are sponsoring a satellite club for women. Many are wives of the current Rotarians.
The formal part was discussing the formation of the club. Of course, it was in Spanish, so we didn’t understand anything, but it seemed very positive.
The club own a 3-story building with five shops they rent out. The original members built it in the 1950s. They are very fortunate to have meeting rooms, an auditorium, a BBQ area and a lucrative income.
Walter, the secretary, spoke excellent English and was wonderful.
The Chileans are all into meat. We ate steak, sausages, chicken and intestines. There was potato and a tiny salad. The drinks were a pisco sour to start with and then a very nice red wine.
We were honoured guests and treated so well. The meal didn’t start until well after 9 pm, so by 11 pm, we were ready to leave. They were most upset as we did not have sweets, so they rushed to get us some. A delicious homemade leche (milk) dessert. Lots of photos, and somehow Mark invited the whole club to stay with us in Melbourne!!!
So, if you are travelling and find a Rotary meeting, please go. You will have a great time even if you don’t speak the language.
There are many jobs in the Club that seem important but when pressed, some people may think they could do without. One of those jobs is the Club Bulletin Editor.
When Rotary International started in 1911, a bulletin was proposed to promote Rotary to both the existing Clubs of the time as well as the outside world. While some proposed that it wasn't needed and a costly waste of time and resources, others made it happen believing it was an essential part of the way Rotary communicated to its members and the outside world.. One hundred and twelve years later, that bulletin is still pumping and the work of Rotary is still getting out into the mainstream. The publication's name is The Rotarian to which I subscribe.
Moving your attention to our own Club and you will find a publication promoting our own activities as well as many other allied projects. This publication is the Spoke N Words and has been going on since the Club started in 1961. Over that time there have been many excellent editors keeping us informed of the goings on in our part of Rotary. Personally, I think an engaging bulletin is a good conduit to strike up a conversation, pass on some information or issue an invitation to join in. I think a bulletin allows all of us to access our club week by week and decide whether or not we are moving forward or losing the plot.
Living in a world that moves at breakneck speed, it becomes crucial for us to demonstrate our relevance. The bulletin serves as a touchstone, a reminder that in the midst of the rapid pace of change, our Club remains a vibrant and essential part of the community. It's not just about staying informed; it's about staying connected, ensuring that we're not just keeping up but actively moving forward, collectively authoring the next chapters of our Rotary journey.
So having said all that, I am pleased to inform you that Gus Dominguez has stepped up as Bulletin Apprentice for the rest of the year in training so he will be hot out of the blocks next Rotary year. He has told me he won't be providing any content, so it is up to all Club members to provide Gus with the lively content that we will need to stay in touch with our readership and provide the opportunity to the many who follow us to engage with us.
Michele and I had fun shopping and packing hampers for the Windermere Merry Mission Christmas Appeal on the weekend.
On Monday, we delivered five large hampers and 32 gift cards, our donation totalling approximately $2000 from the Rotary Berwick and District Benevolent Society.
Emma and the team at Windermere in Pakenham were extremely grateful.
These gifts will be used to support in-need families throughout Gippsland, many in communities still recovering from bushfires, Covid lockdowns and more recently floods.
It has been great to be able to support Windermere and the fantastic work that they do.
On Saturday, the 11th of November, a very enthusiastic group of Rotarians raked, dug, shovelled, loaded debris and installed garden edging at the Community Garden under the Oak tree at the Langmore Centre in Gloucester Avenue, all while enjoying lots of fellowship, and some, using a burr hoe for the first time! Over the next couple of weeks, maintenance staff from St John of God will install a water fountain and the brightly painted seats in the path that we created. Refreshments and nutrition to keep us going for the day were provided by our members (we now know where those long-lost meringue mushrooms came from!) and by staff from St John of God.
BUT WAIT - THERE IS MORE!!!!
We all had so much fun on Stage One that we are going for GOLD on Stage Two! Planting, Mulching and laying of the gravel path are the order of the day. Lots of wheel burrows, shovels and mulch forks, and a happy crew of fun-filled Rotarians (That's all of us, right?) will get the job done with almost no effort. AND there will be catering just to keep us on track to get the job done.
Now if you are a person who cannot physically push a wheel burrow or man/woman/person a shovel, do not think you are excluded from this activity! All volunteer activity relies on a support crew. A friendly reminder to work a little harder, making sure our team stays hydrated, calling a smoko break or just encouraging us all by extolling the beauty of the project and what it will mean to the community is all part of the magic that brings together to make a difference to our community. Every Rotarian has an important part to play, so don't feel you have nothing to contribute.
Our next working bee, on Saturday the 9th December, from 10.00am to 2.00pm, will involve laying the toppings path, planting the garden, installing irrigation and spreading mulch. Many hands, shovels and wheelbarrows will make light work of the day's tasks. Volunteers and members of the public interested in Rotary are welcome to join us. Please contact Gus by email if you want to find out more. secretary@rotaryberwick.orgBe there or be square!
The Rotary experience for many Rotarians takes a few twists and turns to make things happen. In 2016, the Rotary Club of Berwick joined in with several other Rotary Clubs and organisations to embark on a journey of discovery, learning and ultimately help for the people of Balibo, Timor Leste. One of the main components of any great story is the existence of a person with intimate knowledge, passion and connections who can bring all the working parts together to deliver a positive result.
Meet Rino. The man who can make things happen. Rino grew up in a terrible time for his country and his people. Because of his experiences, he has made it his mission to help his people become the the best they can be in a world that is not that kind to such a poor country.
Marino “Rino” Fernandes was born in 1980 in a small village within the Balibo sub-district. As a survivor of the Indonesian occupation, Rino witnessed terrible atrocities. Human Rights Watch estimated that 70% of Balibo was destroyed during the militia violence that followed the Timorese vote for independence. It was this hardship that inspired him to help his community.
The meeting is at the Cardinia Club in Pakenham. Meals are ordered and paid for on the night. If you want to come along, all you need to do is register on our normal booking list https://rotaryberwick.org/event/joint-meeting-with-pakenham/ as coming with how many are attending so the Cardinia Club knows the numbers.
President Dave has brought us ‘home” to Holm Park to celebrate the festive season and party away our final club meeting for this 2023 year on Wednesday, 13th December.
T’is the Season……..
So let’s get jolly!
Wednesday 13th December will see the Rotary Club of Berwick celebrate the festive season, with fun and frivolity, over a two-course meal at the Beaconsfield Club, Holm Park Reserve, 100 Emerald -Beaconsfield Road, Beaconsfield. Our last meeting for the 2023 calendar year.
There will be a visit from the man in red, prizes for the best Christmas outfit, perhaps a quiz or game, and, of course, a couple of rounds of heads and tales! Pocket some coins to bring along to chance a win.
The cost is $55 per person inclusive, of two course Christmas fare, and a drink on arrival. For children or grandchildren, there will be a meal available. Please contact Jane: jane@cinet.com.au for details so we can book your young one’s in, as our registration portal doesn’t stretch to multiple pricing!
Please invite your family and friends! This is a purely social night of festivity, and time to spend in each other’s company.
To register and pay, please follow the link below:
2024-25 Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick invites 25 PolioPlus supporters to her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, to Help Rotary Strike Out Polio at the $1 Million Baseball Game.
First up I want to share my appreciation for the way Gus ran the AGM this week and also for the behind-the-scenes work that he does daily as your club secretary.
One of the terrific benefits of belonging to an International Organisation such as Rotary is the opportunity to drop into a Rotary Club meeting anywhere in the world and feel like you belong. Here is a little adventure story from Mark and Isobel from Chile!
There are many jobs in the Club that seem important but when pressed, some people may think they could do without. One of those jobs is the Club Bulletin Editor.
So let’s get jolly! 
