Rod McDougall
President 2006-7
Rotary Club of Strathfield
The President's View
Wednesday 2August 2006
What a broad church our club represents – and nothing like a club assembly to demonstrate the point.
I requested a healthy airing of issues, and members certainly obliged. Of course, there was not complete agreement on all points raised and your board was left with much to consider. Our next board meeting follows this week's club meeting, so the timing was excellent. Attendance was quite respectable for a club assembly, my thanks to those present.
This is not the place to mention all items discussed or all those who contributed (I suspect Secretary Roger Vince is still attempting to decipher his notes – such was the pace of the meeting). But I would like to thank Steve Taylor and Roger for their positive suggestions on membership development. Kevin Beltrame had clearly planned for the meeting and his many suggestions on the financial aspects of the club's operation will be given serious consideration. Thanks to each of the directors for their reports – and for sticking to the limited time each had available.
On the subject of a need to define or reconsider the dress code/standards/policy, a number of different viewpoints were unambiguously expressed. Our club has an evolving dress code and it seems there will always be room for disagreement between members as to what meets minimum requirements. I hope that as a group we continue to enjoy fining members for perceived violations – but for this year your board wishes to concentrate on more demanding priorities and plans no action on the issue. For partners nights (both official, and those nominated as optional) I trust all will continue to appreciate that these nights are special events requiring an appropriate standard of dress.
Those present lat week would have noticed a subtle but significant change in meeting procedure with Sergeant Peter Foss taking a more active role in the control of the meeting. This will continue further, with the aim of ensuring that we have an orderly meeting - which finishes on time!
Enjoy Rotary … by getting involved!
President Rod