Week 26 - 19 January 2024

 Yee-Haw!

It’s Country week with the Tamworth country Music Festival starting today, it’s also Dolly Parton’s Birthday so a ‘double’ reason to celebrate!

Saturday is Penguin Awareness Day – go figure - as well as a birthday for Buzz Aldrin – beam me up Buzz!

Sunday is world Snow Day – somehow I don’t think we will be celebrating this as our temperatures soar into the thirties!

In 1937 Howard Hughes the famous American aviator, flew from Los Angeles to New York in 7 hours and 22 minutes – impressive by today's standards!

He's a STAR (Special Training for Action in Rotary) Update 2023-2024 - Brian Johnson

The STAR program is designed to introduce new members to Rotary history, structure, purpose and the Mill Point Rotary Club.

Vice President Brian Johnson gave a modified presentation to refresh members on Rotary basics and the Club in 2023-24. 

Brian's update focused on the newly amalgamated Rotary WA, District 9423 and the Zone 8 Regionalisation pilot.

 

The Rotary Club of Chicago was formed by Paul Harris in 1905.

The Rotary Club of Mill Point was chartered in 1987. 

Of the 22 Charter Members, three are still active (Owen Ferguson, Rick Sneeuwjagt and Vic Stoyanoff). 

The Charter President Sid Jessup is an Honorary Member.

The RC Mill Point is now one of 93 Clubs in District 9423 and grouped into Cluster 8.

 

 

 

 

Mill Point Rotary Club comprises of seven Committees, a Trust and Charity.  

Brian gave a brief overview of the current projects and activities of each, summarising the current incumbents of the Board and various Office holders. 

No surprises there...

 

 

An organisational chart of District 9423 was presented for all to see.

The chart was not examined in any detail, just to illustrate what a “monster” District Governor Nominee Veronica would be inheriting in 2025-2026. 

No backing out now Veronica….

 

 

 Brian also discussed the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot. 

This will be running “in shadow” with the existing Rotary structure to develop and evaluate as an alternate model.

The existing Districts will be replaced with zones.  Zone 8 will encompass all clubs in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

 

The overall Zone 8 Organisational Structure shows similar layers of governance to the current Rotary model.

However a Regional Council would replace all Districts and a Section replace the Clusters.

Each Section would comprise 10-30 Rotary and Rotaract Clubs.

 

This would seem to indicate more delegation/autonomy to Clubs at a lower level.

The Regional Council would be divided into Portfolios, and these will work in tandem with the traditional “Avenues of Service”:

- Service Projects & Programs

- Public Image & Partnerships
- Membership
- Leadership Formation: Learning & Development 

- Major Fundraising & Grants (including Foundation)

- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Rotaract Nominee

After the trial (no fixed time frame), a vote will be held before implementation. Brian then finished with a quick recap on the new Club website and useful links.

A full PDF copy of the PowerPoint presentation will be available for download from the website (Google Drive) or on request from Brian.

Announcements and Directors' Reports

President : updates on our members' health - Lyn McCamey in hospital being 'pinned' as we meet; Scott recovering nicely but slowly; Dietmar running rings round Anne Marie (only joking) but taking it nice and slow; Peter S in Hollywood Hospital until probably next Tuesday, ring before you visit; Roger travelling as well as can be expected. Everyone sent thanks for the good wishes and cards delivered by our very own Michelle Lovkis.

 

Club Service: Australia Day parking is on again, volunteers needed, list circulating. Tricia Smith is coordinating in lieu of Dietmar. So far Kelly G, Angus F, John O'S, Ken P, Ian K, David R, Gorby, Michelle L, Wayne M, and Brian J have volunteered.

Veronica L, Brian J, Kelly G and John O'S attended a Zoom meeting with sister club in Ukraine where key projects were discussed which RCMP might get involved with - Civil transport, Conservation and storytelling of Ukrainian Arts, and Children mental health camps in Poland for children who have lost 1 or both parents. 

Badly in need of assistance with restoration and revitalisation of village totally destroyed by the early march in Kyiv by Russian forces. Focus on temporary construction. Significant Japan/USA/NZ/Canada involvement. Other infrastructure replacement. General Humanitarian aid via containers including food/medical supplies/clothing. Distribution to front lines where situation is cricial.

International: only 2 sleeps to go before Sri Lankan Eye Camp commences, 15 x Australians and 1 Sri Lankan will be attending. Thanks to RCMP for their support.

Youth: Camp Opportunity kicked off last Sunday. Lunch at the Zoo was delivered by Rick, Brian and Viv Adams and Michelle Lovkis. Campers, buddies and volunteers were extremely grateful and RCMP were awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Camp Opportunity leader.

 

Fines - Collector of Cash Joy B...

Everyone for turning up to listen to 'one of our own'

Herself for having to leave early...

Brian J from the pointy end of a plane to economy and too many trips and tips to count!

All Tennis Tragics

Veronica L Spontaneous travel to Malta and faux pas Northern 'Ireland' instead of Northern 'Thailand' (Doh!)

Angus F for attending two week in a row!

Mike C - historical faux pas - it's Australia day next week NOT ANZACs!

Alison T in lieu of  Derelict husband wolf whistling at Viv Adams (he's got taste)

Floral Ladies - Alison T, Michelle L, Margarets W and H, Jenny McL, Lorrie G, and Kim P - and what a beautiful bouquet they made between them!

 

Slurp of the week

Kim Payne won the heads and tails with a single header! 

Thanks to Lyn and Margaret Metcalf for supplying the wine!

 

Attendance

32 attendees this week including Kero O'Shea (District Development Officer) and Lydia Wong (2nd time)