Presidential Musings for the Week

Posted by Mark Ellis AM
President's Message

 “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”  So, we start this year off with an appropriate quote from Mother Teresa.  Seems fit for a Rotary slogan, since we all want to help our fellow “person” and within Rotary our combined work adds to great achievements within our club.  I hope everyone has had a good rest and while in that time two of my good friends and mentors have died, we are blessed with a new grandson, Louis James, born a couple of weeks prior to Christmas.  How life evolves!!

All the more reason to make our lives more meaningful.  Rotary can assist you in this aim.

 General Meetings - We have heard from Kooyong, thanks to John Hudson.  The meetings are returning to Kooyong for the 2,3 and 4th Tuesday nights 6.30 to 7.00 pm.  Please watch the Bulletin for details of our special celebration on the 9th February.

Australia Day Rotary Celebrations – You would have received my recent email sent out on the 11th January asking for volunteers.  The Super Cluster has received the $20,000 grant from the Australia Day Council to run this event. It is to be staged in Victoria Park. 
So, we require volunteers to  
  1. Help bring all the equipment to and fro from Paterson Reserve to Victoria Park.
We require members to assist loading and transferring all the farmer’s market equipment to Victoria Park and back.
Morning shift 0700 to 0930
Afternoon shift 1600 to about 1800.
  1. We also have a Glenferrie Marquee which will be set up in the Rotary Village. Ian Salek will be conducting a “Aussie Hard Quiz” and we would appreciate extras.
  2. We need another trailer available to assist transporting the market equipment.
  3. Even though it has been fluid in arrangements it appears other clubs are doing the gate duties, although we could be asked to fill in the gaps here.
 
David Fallick - who is our club’s lead man.We are starting to have definite ideas of what to do. We have a volunteer club roster like our Farmer’s Market on our website, and we would appreciate a “show of hands”.Some of us plan to be involved all day and I would welcome you all to think of coming and supporting this mammoth effort.
Farmer’s Market – The fortnightly market starts in February.  Please note there has been a call for volunteers for the extra Saturday morning.  Note also, that the roster has been paired down, since we from our new experience don’t require as many people to “man” the market.
Attendance Survey -  To start 2021, we have a chance to formalise how we gather.  Meetings are a very formal term, but in reality, our club gathers in fellowship and enjoy social interaction and discuss how to engage more in the community both local and internationally.  The Board decided that at a forum to be held in February, we would survey you early in 2021 to gauge how members feel we should gather.  Face meetings / how many a month / and whether zoom can be incorporated. 
 
Board Meeting – I am aiming to run the Board Meeting on Feb 8th Monday, so Board members, please note this date.  Format to be decided.
 
I am looking forward to meeting many of you at the Australia Day Celebrations and our first meeting in February.  This will be my first meeting for my term of office, I cannot hide behind a computer screen anymore!!!