“If you can't swallow your pride, you can't lead. Even the highest mountain had animals that step on it.” Quote by Jack Weatherford who was is the former DeWitt Wallace Professor of anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota. He is best known for his 2004 book, Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. How that leads into my musings I will leave that up to you!!
I do have a certain pride though in my club for thriving instead of going into a meltdown in face of the COVID pandemic. The burden of leadership is so much less here since club members are very willing to jump in and fill the void if necessary.
I thank Alex Marshall for taking over as Community Director for 2021-2 and Chris Raw with Helena Wimpole’s assistance in holding the fort till July.
Elizabeth Dumonic has 
worked hard on a membership drive, which has been hampered by the shutdowns. Also, the amount of work in the Farmer’s Market by Ian Salek and Rob Winspear has to be acknowledged. I thank David Fallick and John Hudson for their contributions that are now seeing light more since we are in face to face meetings. Thelma Hutchison has assisted me with as treasurer and our resident lawyer Peter Moore is invaluable in converting my babble into intellectual lawyer speak!!! The Playground dismantling effort seems to be one of our latest positive projects under Mark Howlett’s guidance.The 100 year Project championed by Don Moore and Richard Blakeman needs to be watched for where we can step in to 
help. It is frustrating that the clusters are not generating the same hype that we require coming up to the playground finishing.
help. It is frustrating that the clusters are not generating the same hype that we require coming up to the playground finishing.So, what is news this week?
The board met, via zoom, last Tuesday. Much was discussed. Keep an eye out for developments for the 100 Year old project, Farmers’ market updates and many of the projects that we are working on. Please consider going to the International Women’s Day Breakfast March 11th. An impressive list of orators are speaking. (See Bulletin for details).The men’s’ shed’s progress has caused some angst amongst our members. Peter Harries on that committee is updating us. We have asked for clarity as to the direction the shed is going since COVID seems to have changed their sense of direction.
“Our Club – Refreshing our meetings – have your say”
On the gathering for March 9th, the much touted Attendance Survey will be conducted as well as business around how we should conduct our meetings. We have a few other issues to update the rank and file and so it will be a good gathering to attend. I would ask everyone to join in the discussions on this night. We need to gauge, as we come out of COVID shutdowns and in light of that experience, how we should progress with future meetings.
Don’t forget to book on Try Bookings which is a trial to how we should book in advance. Please note there are no cashiers and you really do have to book in advance. I noticed that some just turned up as of old, but Kooyong will turn them away in future. Obviously PLEASE read the Bulletin to keep up to date.
Clean up Australia - You should by now have received an email asking for volunteers about “Clean up Australia”. It is now March 14th (Sunday) at Patterson Reserve. Please volunteer. Membership night – I have set March 23rd for a membership night. Elizabeth has been busy getting new members interested
and we really need to support our membership committee. I would encourage and expect everyone to bring a potential member along to this meeting. The video, which Richard Blakeman prepared for our Australia Day Celebrations, is to be shown as it is a fantastic showcase of our work.
and we really need to support our membership committee. I would encourage and expect everyone to bring a potential member along to this meeting. The video, which Richard Blakeman prepared for our Australia Day Celebrations, is to be shown as it is a fantastic showcase of our work.So, see you at the next gathering on tomorrow night!
President Mark