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This week's meeting
GOVERNOR COLIN MUIR SAYS IT ALL
It was a robust speech when Governor Colin addressed us on Tuesday. Colin left us in no doubt that he knew what needed to be done, and spoke with conviction.
He started by telling us ”Balwyn is a very strong Rotary Club, with great members, excellent projects and a sound financial situation. It is an absolute pleasure to visit you tonight”. He elaborated . . .
- Outstanding Financial position with some $58,000 available for projects this year
- Commitment to a Horizons /strategic planning group to examine the future of this club over the next 3 years is appreciated
- Your support of Community Service and the number of projects is exceptional - Kinder Plus, Box Hill Miniature Railway, Boroondara Cares, Building Migrant Bridges, Blood Pressure Testing, and the Bushfire Recovery effort is excellent and probably the widest range of programs in the District – well done.
- Special recognition of your commitment to increasing your membership by a net increase of four (4) is terrific. Your goal is realistic and achievable. It would be wonderful for this club to reach the magic 100 members this year – good luck.
- Youth is very well covered with Youth Exchange, RYLA, RYPEN, MUNA, and The Science Experience and National Youth Science Forum is excellent – keep up those exchanges we need your support.
- I am very pleased to see you intention to host a vocational visit for an incoming team member and also to nominate an outgoing team member for the GSE to Spain.
- Support of the Foundation is high with a commitment of some $20,000 to $25,000; with 20 Centurion members and 4 more expected – an excellent result. However, could I ask that you consider some additional donation to the Polio Challenge – that would be nice.
- Your eBulletin is very good with appropriate and relevant content – in particular last week’s edition.
- The website is excellent, up to date also with good content.
He went on to say "One of the things that struck me when I read your plans was the range and diversity of your programs and activities:
- Camberwell Market, Indigenous tertiary scholarships, and a Balwyn High School Solar project. Good to see my old school getting support.
- Colin asked us to consider appointing a Member to look after Family and Friends of Rotary.
Quoting World President John Kenny’s address to the International Assembly at San Diego last January, Colin continued:
“Ninety-six years ago, Paul Harris told those at the 1913 Rotary Convention in Buffalo, New York: “It is a far greater undertaking to be a good Rotarian today than it was yesterday; it will be a far greater undertaking tomorrow than it was today.” He told us that: You are the Rotarians and the Rotary leaders of tomorrow so Paul Harris’s challenge, to the Rotarians of 1913, is now your own.
During his introduction of the 2009-10 theme President John acknowledged the important role that individual Rotary Clubs will play in the future of Rotary; Everything begins and ends with our clubs. He said. "Each club must have autonomy to serve where and how it can serve best.”
On international emphases for this year . . .
- We must continue with the task of Polio Eradication until the job is done. But in addition, we need to pay attention to:
- Water and Sanitation
- Health and Hunger
- Literacy
- Youth Service
- Public Image
Quoting Kofi Annan, he said “Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and therefore a basic human right. Despite this right, 1.2 billion people lack access to safe water, 2.6 billion lack access to basic sanitation.” Rotary is addressing this issue.
What would our lives be like without literacy? Yet there are 800 million people on our planet who cannot read or write. Two-thirds of these illiterates are women. Colin urged us to consider Literacy on our agenda or talk with District Vocation Chair Adrian Nelson for details.
As for Youth Service, I appreciate your continued support of New Generations programs RYLA, RYPEN, MUNA. Please keep in touch with District Chair Mel Gray.
Gov Colin emphasised the importance of every Rotarian to lift the image of Rotary. He continued:
Millions of dollars of funding for innovative public relations projects have been made available to Rotary clubs and districts — a clear indication of how highly Rl leaders rate the importance of lifting Rotary's public image. By all accounts RI will continue to provide significant support, regardless of Global Financial Crisis.
Our District has had wonderful success with our Public Image / Public Relations last year. We have lead the way in our zone with innovative ideas and concepts. Our new Marketing team hopes to continue on with this good work and have recently applied for a Multi Victorian Districts grant application for a full media campaign to the value of $75,000. Keep watching the District Website for details.
One little personal note to try and improve my public image since coming into this job I can now twitter and Blog, I have a Facebook and Plaxo page and my very own personal website colinmuir.com Please take time to have a look, there may be something of interest. This is one small way of improving Rotary’s Public Image.
Vocational Service: Colin emphasised the value of Vocational Service:
“Can I suggest that your Club actively seek new members not just by the value they may add, but by their vocations, their skill sets, and the opportunity that their trade or profession can bring to enhance the opportunity for service within the Club and the broader community”
Conference in Perth 2010
It will be an outstanding Conference at a unique location. I hope many members and partners from this club can join us.
Owen Tassicker.
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