Being an integral part of the Rotary family introduces a rich tapestry of experiences into one's life, offering diverse opportunities for engagement. Within this dynamic community, numerous pathways unfold through various avenues of service, club activities, and collaborations with other service groups and Rotary Clubs.
Our impact spans a broad spectrum, from significant undertakings like establishing a dental clinic in Balibo to implementing water projects in the Philippines. Equally compelling are initiatives closer to home, exemplified by the Rotary Berwick and District Benevolent Society's food drive—an endeavour that resonates deeply with the core values of Rotary.
Consider the profound implications if our Club did not spearhead these transformative projects. The active involvement of Rotarians catalyses change, serving as conduits to accomplish meaningful objectives. In these endeavours, tangible results emerge, contributing to the collective effort to improve the world. The essence of Rotary lies in the transformative power wielded by its members, effecting positive change and leaving an indelible mark on lives worldwide.
Merry Christmas, one and all! In 2024, we get to do it all again. Who knows how it will all play out but I am certainly looking forward to finding out.
President Dave (left) with his lead elf (Treasurer Andrew). Behind every good President, there are a team of elves!
Well, wasn’t our Christmas Party a terrific way to round out 2023.
I was so pleased that Linda Allen joined us from St John of God Hospital, all our friends from Inner Wheel, visiting Rotarians as well as our other guests and families.
Vicki & Bob had the venue beautifully decorated, and the whole Christmas experience was first-rate.
Over the night, we could reflect on the plethora of activities and projects that kept us busy throughout the year.
For those who couldn’t make it, here’s a list of some of the things we accomplished:
Countless Art Screen deliveries & pick ups
Playground Harvests and packing in containers headed for overseas
Birthing Kits Assembly
Clean Up Australia Day
Mock Interviews for Nossal High School
Presentation Balls over two nights with over 100 students and over 700 guests over two nights
Tree and seat planting at Grassmere Wetlands
Sausage sizzles for St John of God, Berwick Level Crossing Removal Project, Nossal High School Sports
Berwick Cemetery Clean-up
Donations in Kind pick-ups of school desks and chairs and medical equipment and supplies
Support for Casey North Community Support & Information Service with Christmas Collections delivery
Completion of the Langmore Community Garden
Commencement of our partnership with Bunnings Clyde Nth
Numerous guest speakers
We also Inducted Wendy Moseley, Michele Somers, Michelle Rodrigues
I also was honoured to recognise the exemplary contributions from some of our Rotarians in a tongue-in-cheek fun way. Awards were:
Bill Gates Digital Excellence Award – David Button
The B J Baracus just get things done Award – Eric Boon
Dynamic Duo Award – Michele & Andrew Somers
The “RICHO” Award – Trevor Watson
Michael Bevan Award – Geoff Double
Waylon Smithers Award – Gus Dominguez
Buzz Aldrin Unsung Hero Award – Russell Fellows
Additionally we had the:
My Kitchen Rules Gastronomy Award – Vicki & Bob Carlyle
Also a big shout out goes to Sheldon, Nathan & Ethan Rodrigues for the games & quizzes they put together and also to Santa Funno Clause for making a guest appearance and ensuring the night was so much fun.
1st calendar event for the new year is the BBQ at Jack and Ann Kraan’s place and then the Bunnings BBQ on 27 January. I have been speaking with other clubs that do the BBQ’s and they recommend that we have the BBQ crewed by smaller teams over shorter shifts, as well as maybe a couple who want to go the distance.
We’ll piece it all together shortly and get the attendance schedule completed. In the meantime, Andrew has published the events on our Club website (www.rotaryberwick.org), and you are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
To all of our Rotary Family, your families & friends, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Healthy and Happy 2024.
Here’s an endorsement of Isobel and Mark’s joy in visiting a Rotary Club whilst travelling the world!
How do you arrive in a town anywhere in Australia, or the world, and be greeted with warmth, friendliness, and welcome, by likeminded people unknown? Be a Rotarian! Wherever we are, locally, nationally, or internationally, we pop into a club meeting whenever we can. It’s the best way to see your locale through the eyes of a local, make new friends and expand your Rotary knowledge.
On Tuesday night we joined the Satellite Club of Leamington Spa in the presence of Satellite members and two mentors from the “mother club”. The Satellite club meets fortnightly in the evening, after dinner, for an informal chat, planning, and update session over a drink, accommodating those still working and those with an appetite for a more informal way of “doing” Rotary. The Rotary Club of Leamington Spa meet on the alternate week over a formal gongs, ceremony, and guest speaker lunch, with members of the Satellite club attending when able. It’s a win win. Unfortunately , the president, Barry, reported the traditional club is literally dying as members die, so the satellite is breathing new life and sustainability into this time honoured club.
Both arms of the club work together to strengthen projects. They currently have a decorated tree in the local cathedral as part of the annual Christmas tree festival. Various voluntary organisations donate and decorate a tree, filling the cathedral with some 60 trees, for the pleasure of the viewing public. The entry fees are donated to a charitable organisation similar to Casey North Community Information and Support Service, then, on Monday, the trees are “undressed” and donated to less fortunate families. A joint venture for Rotary Leamington Spa. This weekend is their annual photo with Santa and child gift giving. From 10am till 4.00pm on Saturday and Sunday, Rotary Santa and his Rotary elves, are at the town Christmas tree offering free photos with Santa and giving away 400 gifts valued at AUD$6.00 each to local children. Another joint venture. President Barry makes the perfect Santa while young Linda from the Satellite club, a pilates, gym, well being specialist, makes the perfect elf!
How do they attract members? A young Turkish Rotaractor who transferred to Leamington Spa for work, came to the club via social media. A potential new member attended last night’s meeting, having picked up a club brochure at the Christmas tree festival. Their biggest challenge? Getting people to know what Rotary does. Just like us!
We were made to feel incredibly welcome and were both asked to share membership trends and success strategies, and our Rotary Club of Berwick. We felt proud to represent you and share our club’s great work!
In the days when club attendance was recorded, these visits were called a “make up” for the meeting you missed at home. When you travel, do yourself a favour and do a make up! You will be the winner.
PS Did I mention the sensational venue? A retirement village!
At this time of year, the Rotary Berwick & District Benevolent Society get on with their work collecting food and gifts that are then transformed into hampers by Casey North Community Information & Support Service (CNCISS) for those in need over Christmas.
Andrew Somers and his support team, Michelle Rodrigues and Trevor Watson, arrived at Haileybury College only to be confronted with a substantial donation of food and gifts. They had two cars and possibly eight trips to get them to CNCISS. On top of that, they also have to visit St Margaret's School kindergarten, St Margaret's School Senior School, and Berwick Grammar School before the day ends. At this point, Andrew knew it wasn't going to happen. He needed something a little bigger!
On what turned out to be the wettest 9th of December since last year, a very enthusiastic, albeit wet, group of Rotarians, family members and St John of God staff, worked tirelessly to spread and compact toppings for the path, arrange and plant out the garden, install the very colourful seats, lay irrigation and spread mulch.
Andrew was even able to get his son David out in the weather to help with some carpentry work! A varying range of skills were used, with some workers doing tasks that they have never done before, all in the name of Rotary. I would like to say a big thank you to all the people that put in their time and effort over the last couple of working bees and at other times inspecting the site and getting supplies and materials ready. Without all the behind the scenes work, the working bees would not have been the great success that they were.
Linda Allen’s job description widened considerably on Saturday to include gardening in the rain and keeping all of us supplied with hot drinks and food to keep us going.
Introducing Matteo to us all! He is the little one on the right in Tati's arms. Falkhor aka Falky .. of Never Ending Story movie fame is the slightly larger protector of Matteo holding on in Jayce's grip.
He’s a dear little poppet!!! Born 29 November in Warwick, UK to Jayce and Tati.
As a travel guide note: Warwick is a town on the River Avon, in England’s West Midlands region. It’s known for the medieval Warwick Castle, founded by William the Conqueror. The Collegiate Church of St. Mary has a tower with city views and a Norman crypt. The timber-framed buildings of 14th-century Lord Leycester Hospital cluster by the city’s West Gate. The St. John’s House Museum is housed in a Jacobean mansion with gardens.
I often wonder why our Club has many effective long-term members, but also has many short-term members who never really take a chance to cotton onto what Rotary is really about. From experience, Rotary is a very complicated organisation and takes a bit of doing to really get to know it. For myself, I reckon it took me five years just to work out why I was even in Rotary. Then there are all the personalities and clicky groups to navigate to ensure you fall into the right crowd. I feel that there is a lot to understand about ourselves and the types of people who eventually become effective and comfortable Rotarians. I am sure if we know more about the science behind what brings people forward into productive and rewarding service, then we would have a better retention rate and be able to address shortfalls in expectations quickly.
So here goes in my food for thought project for this week. Please note that the term Performance relates to output and describes the point where an individual may sit back and do nothing or take the lead and become actively involved by their own drive.As you will discover below, competence can be taught, but motivation is a more difficult trait to instil in an individual in a civilised society.
"Performance = Competence × Motivation" is a simple representation often used to highlight the importance of both competence and motivation in achieving high performance, especially in the context of human or organizational performance. Let's break down the components:
Competence:
Competence refers to the knowledge, skills, and abilities that an individual or a team possesses. It's about having the necessary expertise and capability to perform a task or achieve a goal.
Motivation:
Motivation represents the drive, enthusiasm, and willingness to put in effort to accomplish a task. It's the internal or external force that energizes and directs behavior toward a goal.
According to the equation, performance is seen as the product of both competence and motivation, suggesting that both factors are essential contributors to overall performance. This implies that even if someone is highly competent, their performance might be suboptimal if motivation is lacking, and vice versa.
It's important to note that this equation is a simplification and may not capture all the nuances of performance in every context. Other factors, such as resources, environment, and external influences, can also play a significant role in determining performance. Nonetheless, the equation serves as a useful reminder that both competence and motivation are crucial elements to consider when assessing or improving performance.
So let's dive into a bit more detail:
Competence is a multi-faceted concept that encompasses a range of knowledge, skills, and attributes required to effectively perform a task, job, or function. The components of competence can vary depending on the specific context or field, but generally, they include:
Knowledge:
Procedural Knowledge: Understanding how to perform specific tasks or procedures.
Declarative Knowledge: Possessing factual information and theoretical understanding relevant to the domain.
Skills:
Technical Skills: Practical, hands-on abilities related to a specific task or technology.
Interpersonal Skills: The ability to interact effectively with others, including communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution.
Abilities:
Cognitive Abilities: Higher-level mental processes such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Physical Abilities: The capacity to perform tasks that require physical dexterity, strength, or coordination.
Attitudes and Traits:
Professionalism: Demonstrating a commitment to ethical standards, responsibility, and integrity.
Adaptability: Being flexible and open to change, especially in dynamic environments.
Initiative: Taking proactive steps and showing a willingness to go beyond basic requirements.
Experience:
Practical Experience: Gained through hands-on application of knowledge and skills in real-world situations.
Relevant Work Experience: Past employment or projects that contribute to a person's competence in a specific area.
Continuous Learning:
Self-Directed Learning: Taking the initiative to acquire new knowledge and skills independently.
Professional Development: Engaging in formal training, workshops, or educational programs to enhance competence.
Problem-Solving:
Analytical Thinking: The ability to analyze situations, identify problems, and propose effective solutions.
Creativity: Generating innovative ideas and approaches to address challenges.
Communication:
Verbal and Written Communication: Expressing ideas clearly and effectively through spoken and written means.
Active Listening: Paying attention and fully understanding information conveyed by others.
These components are interconnected, and competence often involves a combination of these factors. In various professions or fields, specific competencies may be emphasized based on the nature of the work. Competence is a dynamic concept, and individuals may need to adapt and update their competencies over time to stay relevant in their roles.
Motivation is a complex psychological construct that drives individuals to take action, persist in their efforts, and achieve their goals. The components of motivation can be categorized into several factors that influence and contribute to an individual's drive and commitment. Here are some key components of motivation:
Intrinsic Motivation:
Internal Drive: Motivation that comes from within, driven by personal interest, enjoyment, or a sense of satisfaction derived from the activity itself.
Passion: A strong and enduring enthusiasm for a particular pursuit or goal.
Extrinsic Motivation:
External Rewards: Motivation derived from external factors such as recognition, praise, financial incentives, or other tangible rewards.
Social Approval: Desire for acceptance, approval, or positive feedback from others.
Goal Orientation:
Goal Setting: The process of establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
Goal Commitment: The level of dedication and determination an individual has toward achieving their goals.
Self-Efficacy:
Belief in Abilities: Confidence in one's own capability to successfully perform tasks and overcome challenges.
Mastery Experience: Past successes and accomplishments that contribute to a positive self-perception of competence.
Expectancy Theory:
Expectancy: Belief that effort will lead to performance improvement.
Instrumentality: Perception that successful performance will result in desired outcomes or rewards.
Valence: The value or importance an individual places on the anticipated rewards.
Autonomy:
Self-Determination: Feeling of autonomy and the ability to make choices and control one's actions.
Sense of Ownership: Taking personal responsibility for tasks and outcomes.
Social and Environmental Factors:
Social Support: Encouragement, assistance, and cooperation from peers, mentors, or a supportive social network.
Organizational Culture: The values, norms, and expectations within an organization that can influence motivation.
Emotional Factors:
Emotional Engagement: Feeling emotionally connected to a task or goal.
Positive Affect: Experiencing positive emotions such as joy, enthusiasm, or satisfaction related to the task.
Cognitive Factors:
Attribution Theory: How individuals interpret and attribute their successes and failures, influencing future motivation.
Self-Regulation: The ability to monitor, regulate, and control one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to achieve goals.
Interest and Curiosity:
Curiosity: A desire to explore and learn more about a particular subject or activity.
Passion: An intense and enduring interest in a specific area.
It's important to note that motivation is highly individualized, and different people may be motivated by different combinations of these components. Additionally, the factors influencing motivation can vary across different contexts and situations.
In conclusion, not every human being is going to make a great Rotarian but I hope you can start recognizing a set of traits that our most productive Rotarians have. By knowing what is missing, it is easier to target and area and develop a person into something better if they are willing.
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Introducing Matteo to us all! He is the little one on the right in Tati's arms. Falkhor aka Falky .. of Never Ending Story movie fame is the slightly larger protector of Matteo holding on in Jayce's grip.
