This month in Rotary is Membership and New Member development month.

Rotary Youth Exchange Program (RYEP):
Currito welcome to Australia mate. Pete and I had the pleasure of hosting Luis Alfonso Indiano (Currito), for one week upon his arrival in Australia on Saturday 22 July 2023. What a wonderful young man from Spain. Currito celebrated his birthday on Sunday 30 July, at the club social brunch at Ryde Park. Pete and I presented him with a gift of a basketball, and a ball pump. Currito is a keen basketballer, and we hope he gets many hours of fun out of his gift. Thank you to all that attended. It was particularly nice to see Bob and Eva come out and join us. See photos here and in photo albums below.

 

Two of our club host families, were also there. Also attending were Robert Sullivan and his son, Jared, our outbound student 2019, who went to exchange in Sweden. It was wonderful to catch up and see where life is taking Jared. Currito and Jared hit it off straight away.The Sullivan family are now hosting Currito for 3 months. Currito is settling in well at Bella Vista. He started school at Ryde Secondary College on Tuesday 1st August. We will hear from Currito on zoom on Friday morning.

Also, the Colville family came to greet Currito, and welcome him to Australia. This wonderful family are hosting Sofia from Brazil now and will welcome Currito in October 2023. I urge every member of the club to consider hosting an inbound Rotary Youth Exchange Student in the future. Just ask Pam Bennett and Rob Wilkinson how that feels welcoming an international student into your family unit. Great conversation was had at the breakfast, and Barbara and Kevin had a wonderful time getting to know everyone. Thank you, Barb and Kevin, for giving up your other Sunday commitments to join us.

Mano Arumanayagam, President & Secretary, Rotary Club of Eastwood-Gladesville, has bought a wonderful collaborative initiative to our club, in keeping with DG Christine Owens’ initiative of Saying No to Domestic Violence. There will be a meeting to discuss moving forward with this, and our local Police unit Domestic Violence person, on 26 September 23 at 6:30pm at North Ryde RSL. Everyone is welcome.

On 31 July 2023, Pete and I attended an afternoon tea with the shadow ministry, hosted by MP, Jordan Lane, at the Ryde-Eastwood League. A wonderful time was spent speaking to many community members, and the Shadow Ministers, finding out their ideas for our community, if they get back into Government.

Thank you to David Martin, for forwarding the invitation to attend DLC Scholarship Breakfast, from Dr. Aladsair Murrie-West, which Pete and I attended 1st August. Our close relationship with DLC over the years, has shone through with of our Club's contributions and recognition at the breakfast and a lovely gift of thanks, presented to Pete and me by Dr. Alasdair Murrie-West. We spoke with many people this morning and have invited three Scholarship recipients to speak to our club, on what it, meant to them to receive the Scholarship. See photos here or in photo albums below.

 

Our club sponsors a student with a scholarship to attend Dunmore Land College and attend the Macquarie University, every year. Piper Duck is the Captain of the Australian Women’s Rugby Team and spoke of how she would not have been travelling the path she is, if not for her Scholarship she received, to attend Dunmore Lang College. What an inspirational young lady she is, at 22 and leading a team of women, mostly older than she. Pete and I both came home buzzing with excitement about our connections with the wonderful Macquarie University, particularly DLC. Let’s think what else we can do to help the students who would otherwise not be able to attend, now that all the national and international students are back on campus.

District:
I attended the President’s meeting via Zoom, on 22 July, under the leadership of our new District Governor, Christine Owen, from The Rotary Club of Kincumber. DG Christine is wanting to encourage collaboration between clubs. I feel our club has this covered. 
DG Christine is passionate about saying NO to Domestic violence in our society, and not turning a blind eye to the situation facing men and women in our society. 

DG Christine has asked that all Clusters consider organising a walk for saying no to Domestic Violence A meeting of the Riverside Cluster on Friday 4 August will bring more discussion forward about this. I will keep you all updated. Michelle Ellery has advised for us to be aware of language when you are participating, which could be triggering for victims who would like to take part in the walk.

Also discussed was the presentation to some clubs of a Centurian banner for 100% membership of a club is a centurion. Well done to the clubs that achieved this.

Regionalisation is progressing and a new council will be elected 1st Jan, 2024.  For all information go to: www.createtomorrwrotary.org. or see here. Bob Selinger OAM will be our club member to communicate between our club and district, and visa-versa. Thank you, Bob.

National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is no longer going to be supported by Rotary, even though it was initially a Rotary initiative. We will be nominating the Science Experience for Marsden High, who have a student interested in the initiative. Unfortunately, this is not open for year 11 students. 

Rotary Learning Institute, (RLI), is a great resource for learning all about Rotary here in Australia. Please see dates to be sure to go on and learn more about how to be involved and productive with Rotary as your leader. As background for our newer members, or a refresher for our more experience members. 

The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) offers training courses for Rotarians to develop their skills in leadership and management within Clubs to improve performance, knowledge and enjoyment in leading, or helping to lead, Clubs in the District.
The next course, currently open for registrations is 11-13th August this will be the 76th course that has been run in our District.
The course consists of three parts over one weekend, all delivered by Zoom. Course materials will be sent to registered participants directly. If you have concerns about sitting in front of Zoom meetings for most of the weekend, please be assured that those who have done so, enjoyed the course and the training it provided immensely. The advantages are that there is no travel involved, there is free time around each of the sessions, and as well as being seen and heard, Zoom Meetings also provide live chat, content sharing, interactive sessions, and many other features to make meetings more productive. Whilst many will argue that there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings, Zoom Meetings can do things traditional meetings cannot. This is great alternative.
 The RLI convenor for 2023-2026 is Amanda Barnes.
 For Course #76 11/12/13 August 2023, please click this link to register for the Course now:
https://rotarydistrict9685.org.au/event/rotary-leadership-institute-course--76/

Club level:
The July Board meeting was held on 25 July 23.
It was a full and interesting discussion and I thank all Board members for their input and attendance. Our secretary, Bob,  reported that the Puddings joint project is ready for launch, and Bob has all the order forms ready to get out to members.
This initiative is a joint project with Rotary Down Under to raise money for the Books in Homes project at Moree East Public School. Again, we show our club collaboration initiative to benefit others in need. What a wonderful club we are in! I know who are getting puddings next Christmas in my neighbourhood and family.
Get behind this wonderful project.
https://rotarydownunder.com.au/2023/07/27/moree-east-public-school-project/.

 

Our club has received an invitation to attend the Rotary Club of Eastwood-Gladesville fundraising Trivia night on Saturday 23rd September 23. commencing at 7:00 pm . Venue: St Kevins Church Eastwood, Church Hall under the Church Address: 36 Hillview Road, Eastwood Parking: Parking on the street or in School playground next to Hall Cost: Adults $25; Students / Seniors $20, BYO Food & Drink RSVP: Thursday, 21 September 2023 Contact Mark Rosenberg on email mark@balancedcurve.com or 0411 265 157 I am hoping that we can get a table together from our members and friends, to attend such a worthwhile event.

Our Carols on the Common committee has been formed and the first planning meeting went very well. We strongly encourage as many of you that are able, to become involved, and make lighter work for everyone by sharing the load. The Carols will be held on 17th December 2023. Please keep that date free. 

I am looking forward to hearing from our guest speaker at our Friday, 4 August zoom meeting.Our guest speaker is  Dr. Lauren McLellan Director, Voluntary Mental Health Check Service; Clinical Psychologist, Co-Deputy Director – Products and Services,
Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre based at Macquarie University.

 

Thank you for a fabulous and productive month.
Bernie