Posted by Teresa Liu

Last week, for the first time since I joined Rotary, I received an email directly from John Hewko, General Secretary of Rotary International to advise that during the week of 11-17 September 2022, Rotary International is encouraging Rotary clubs to partner with local Kiwanis, Lions, and Optimist clubs on a service project that will have a long-term impact on each local community. We believe that when we harness the collective power of the four services organisations’ 3.4 million members, we can do more to Celebrate the Community together. To quote Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” In this post-pandemic era, the world is full of uncertainty and challenges for individuals and Rotary clubs. Rotary Glenferrie needs to find innovative ways to take action to help local communities. 

Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network (RIMERN) was founded as a registered charity in 2021, to which the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and other 14 Rotary are affiliated. RIMERN is a community project that provides emergency relief and assistance to those who have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, refugee displacement and other crises. It is a member-based network, co-managed by 15 Rotary clubs, partnered with local Welfare Agencies to serve their clients. Thanks to the efforts of Rotarians from 15 clubs and other volunteers, just in one year, RIMERN has increased to 18-20 Welfare Agencies with 98 case managers and has filled 126 client orders valued at $1,200 per order. Thank you, Glenferrie Rotarians, for your enthusiasm, participation and support for RIMERN. We must acknowledge our progress but understand we still have a long way to go. We need your help volunteering on one Thursday morning a month.
 
Regionalisation Pilot-Rotary Zone 8, which includes Australia, New Zealand, and several Pacific Island nations, was approved by the Rotary International Board as one of two regions to pilot a regional approach to governance. The overarching aim of this project is to provide better and more direct support to Rotary and Rotaract clubs through a less layered and more devolved contemporary approach. Our club will have Peter Frueh, the co-chair of Regionalisation Pilot, make an informative presentation on the pilot at the club's meeting on Tuesday 30th August. Fellow Rotarians, please come along, and have an open and robust discussion about which way Rotary Glenferrie would like to vote for the pilot. 
 
 
 
Congratulations Michael Berry, on becoming an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. Michael has made a significant contribution to the work of Rotary Glenferrie over his 24 years of membership. He has demonstrated leadership within Rotary and the community and a commitment to Rotary values, as expressed through the Four-Way test. Thank you, Michael.
 
 
 
 
President Teresa