President's Message

Posted by Teresa Liu
President's Message
According to a report, The Scope and Scale of Rotary Volunteer, prepared for Rotary International by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, the lesson is clear: volunteer service is not only a feel-good calling – it may provide one of the more powerful, and one of the more fulfilling, avenues through which to achieve the ambitious United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With 563 employees, Rotary International has mobilized a volunteer workforce that translates into the equivalent of 26,500 full-time workers. Translated into economic terms, Rotary annually generates a scale of social and economic problem-solving effort worth nearly nine times more than it costs RI to produce.
 

Whilst the Australian and New Zealand populations combined are less than 0.4% of the world population, Rotary members in Australia and New Zealand have a share of 3% of Rotary membership, 1.2 million globally. And we have contributed 4% of the volunteering hours within RI. We deserve to be very proud of ourselves. Rotary Down Under (per capita) is ahead of the rest of the Rotary world.

Now, less than three weeks away, Melbourne will host the Rotary International Convention 2023 (RICON23). For Glenferrie Rotarians who haven't registered for the RI Convention, you can get a FREE 3-day pass to the House of Friendship of RICON23. The House of Friendship is the ultimate destination for RICON23 attendees to gather, network, and learn about Rotary products, programs, or services. Nearly 95% of RI Convention attendees make their way through the aisles of this exhilarating venue, connecting with leaders, activists, and People of Action. Dear Glenferrie Rotarians, if you have never been to a Rotary House of Friendship, please look at House of Friendship at #rotary19 in Hamburg.

The complimentary 3-day pass to the House of Friendship is valid from Monday-Wednesday, 29-31 May. There are no additional costs – this is an opportunity to learn more about Rotary and its place worldwide. How do I redeem this special offer? Visit the Convention Registration Desk (MCEC Exhibition Centre doors 1 and 2), to register and collect your free pass.

Friends and family are also eligible to enjoy this special access to the House of Friendship, so bring them along to learn what's unique about Rotary! We look forward to seeing you in the House of Friendship. Location: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. On arrival procure a map and list of exhibitors to assist you.

RI Convention Hosting Night on Mon 29 May: Join Guest Speaker Hon Josh Frydenberg, Former Treasurer of Australia and MC Hon Ted Baillieu AO, Former Premier of Victoria. The Rotary clubs of Glenferrie, Hawthorn and Camberwell will welcome Rotarians attending the Rotary International  Convention 2023 in Melbourne. This special combined club meeting will celebrate Melbourne’s rich cultural and sporting heritage against the background of the Kooyong story whilst sharing with our guests our Rotary experience.

RC Glenferrie Changeover 2023 will be on 20 June at KLTC. Rotarians, partners and friends are cordially invited to celebrate the end of our Rotary year and the changeover of club president from Teresa Liu to Mark Howlett. It will be an entertaining evening of celebration of the achievements of RC Glenferrie and the accomplishments of Glenferrie members. Please book your Changeover ticket now.

President Teresa