Okay all – Another week in lockdown or DC (During COVID). I hope that you are not all coming under the spell of overeating. Exercise 60 minutes a day outside is the new norm. Straining to breathe in a mask makes for big challenges. Dieting can be hard. Happy people resist disease better than unhappy ones. In other words, the surly bird catches the germ!! We should be looking out for our physical and mental health.
One mental health application, which is bound to work is to tune into our Rotary meetings. Here you will “mingle” with like-minded optimistic people. I love entering that zoom meeting, since I know I will mix with Rotarians. Rotarians are optimistic. We as optimists have our glass half full not half empty. Our progress out of this dilemma will be slow but gradual.
If we all do our bit – with no excuse because we are well educated and well informed – we will see a resurgence of 
our community into AC (After COVID). People worry that our club is not achieving much but we are making an impact in our society not only by our small works but the actual fact that we are alive. We are not on the “Highway to Hell“ (Sorry AC/DC). “We will not be beaten”!!! (Sorry Rose Tattoo). However, there will be a “Long and winding road” (Again – sorry George Harrison.)
I have been on so many zoom meetings particularly for Rotary that I am losing memory as to what was on in each session. So, in one of these sessions, Keith Ryall, Chair-Learning & Development RID9800 2020-21, introduced the idea of optimism. Do yourself a favour and look at the video in which the Melb. Lord Mayor Sally Capp speaks about our situation. https://www.centreforoptimism.com/Whats-New-at-The-Centre-for-Optimism/9169281. Last meeting, we presented the Strategic Action Plan for the next 3 years to the members present. Using Rotary International’s 4 strategic Priorities and Objectives
- Increase our impact.
- Expand our reach.
- Enhance participant engagement.
- Increase our ability to adapt.
The SAG (Strategic Action Group) put together a plan using your suggestions as to where you, as members, wished the club to proceed to maintain Glenferrie Rotary Club as a dynamic and progressive club. This plan assists the current and future presidents and board to steer the club in those directions. I particularly, like the concept of increasing our impact in getting out to our members and general public publishing what we are achieving within the club. We need to put out stories of how well we are doing and the impact it has internationally and in our community. The plan will be documented in ClubRunner.
The top 3 Priorities as outlined by you are to 1. Promote the club, 2. Better use of non-Rotarian volunteers and 3. Be more connected to the community with more hands on volunteer work. We are looking for Volunteers to champion each cause, please. At the meeting everyone seemed to have their mute on when there was a call for volunteers here!
I brought in the concept of DC – During COVID and AC – After COVID. There is no excuse to implement part of the plan, since some objectives can be achieved in DC. We are lucky to have so much technology to perform little miracles over the phone and internet.
Well that’s all for me! (And that’s all from him). Please, read the Bulletin to keep pace with the club. (Apologies to the two Ronnies)