Dear Members,
Pubs, cafes and our FARMERS MARKET are set to open in coming weeks - it's looking likely that the FM scheduled for 30 May 2020 will go ahead. Thank you to Ian Salek and Rob Winspear for the hours of work you have put in liaising with the City of Boroondara and now completing the safety plan required to comply with the COVID-19 precautions.
More club news...….
VALE Jill Groom
Jill was a member of our Club for 16 years and a Past President for most of 2012/13. She was closely involved with a very successful Sewing Machines for Timor project where manual machines and sewing requisites were dispatched. We offer our sincere condolences to Richard and family.
Resignation
Liz Andrews has resigned from the Club - we will miss you Liz. Liz was a major contributor to the Community Services committee taking on the role of manager of the Salvation Army Bread run roster. Liz was also the major force behind the Blood Pressure testing project and very supportive of the many Community Service activities. Thank you for your contribution Liz and we hope you will stay connected as a friend and visitor at our future activities.
Request for short term accommodation from a Spanish student
I have received an email from a 22 year old student doing Industrial Engineering and Product Design through Swinburne University. Due to COVID-19 it has become difficult to find employment and meet the costs of residency at the University. This student is a member of Rotaract Tarragona in Spain and hence the connection with Rotary. If you or someone you know would be able to provide assistance please email myself - thelma.hutchison@gmail.com or Teresa Liu (Youth Services Director) on greenlady980@hotmail.com and we will put you in touch with the student.
Reduction in Membership fees for 2020-2021
I'm pleased to advise that the cost of membership for the 2020-21 year will be reduced. This has been possible due to a District 9800 COVID-19 subsidy for members and a reduction in the cost of the Rotary Down Under magazine which will be provided digitally unless you elect to receive a hard copy (hard copy will be an additional cost to you of $10 per year). Fees will be as follows with invoices emailed to members in early June 2020.
Members who have been in the Club for more than one year will pay an annual fee of $270.
Members who have been in the Club for less than a year will pay an annual fee of $240.
There will be an option to pay fees in two six-monthly instalments.
Bread Run roster
Apologies for any confusion in regard to the Bread Run roster recently.
The undisputable and reliable roster is the one on Clubrunner - if in any doubt please use this as your reference point.
Thank you for your valuable contribution to this service activity which makes a difference every week for people in need of food and connection with others.
Our Club - review of the Strategic Plan 2017-2020
Warwick Cavell, President of Melbourne Central Rotary Club and strategic business consultant will facilitate a review and update of our strategic plan and will be our guest speaker at the meeting on 9 June 2020. Warwick acknowledged that the current Club plan is a well considered document and he suggests a "light" touch rather than an "overhaul" is all that is required. The Strategic Plan can be found on Clubrunner under Documents.
As preparation for the interactive session he would like members to consider three questions:
1. The COVID-19 lockdown period has been a challenge for our club. What have you learned from this experience that you think we could use to our advantage as we come out of this period and start thinking about the "new normal"?
2. If you had a magic wand, and therefore did not have to be concerned about the "how", what would you change about the Club?
3. What would you not want to change about the Club - what would you like to retain and build on?
Please take care as we come out from our isolation. It's looking very likely that we will be able to resume our dinner meetings in person late June or July, depending on COVID-19 community transmission volumes and arrangements with Kooyong Tennis Centre.
Warm regards,
Thelma