Steve’s Snippets
22 January 2003
Happy New Year everyone and welcome back. As you know tonite is our first meeting at Strathfield Golf Club, and I’m sure we will have a long and happy stay here. Because of changed food serving arrangements it may take a week or two to "gets the bugs out" of our meeting procedure, but I am conscious of the member’s view of finishing on or close to time.
For those able to attend last weeks bowls night, our last night at South Strathfield Bowling Club, after I believe 20 years or so (I’m sure somebody will tell me exactly), I’m sure you will agree it was a great night, with good bowling fun, an excellent BBQ (thanks to George Helou, Shirley and cook Brian Johnston) and short speeches. I believe we left the club still friends, and we have agreed to continue our yearly bowls night with them. Two weeks ago some 31 members and partners attended Axi’s restaurant at Hunters Hill for an excellent meal and pleasant post Xmas conversation, even though it was on one of the wildest nights of the year.
I have also received from Moree on Gwydir Rotary Club receipts for the donations made to the bush Xmas appeal, and another letter of thanks. They have also sent an article to Rotary Down Under about our combined approach to assisting those in need.
The revised Xmas stocking format was a great success thanks to the hard work and organisation of Angelo Franco. Angelo will provide an update tonite but I think we raised over $4,500 NET. Certainly sales at Strathfield Plaza were not terrific (as we predicted) but the self fundraising by charity groups selling tickets (like the Infants Home and St Anne’s church) was terrific
OK then, you’re back at work now, holidays are over, we’ve moved, and I’m sure the food and ambience will be good, so let’s get on with the program!!!!!
As I indicated this is now going to be a very busy six months with,
the Golf Day in about THREE or FOUR WEEKS,
our huge charity fundraiser in about SEVEN WEEKS,
the conference in EIGHT WEEKS (we are BBQ’ing for Sunday lunch),
the new "Olympic Park Cycle challenge" in early May,
our new "Policeman of the Year" award also in May,
followed by the FUN RUN in late June.
Have I missed anything ????
I’m sure there will be other things happening like a car rally and lunch to Ross Brown’s home at Yarramalong, and a return visit(also a car rally) to the Alvaro’s in Bowral. Keith Byrn is also organising a weekend away to Moree, and I’m sure there will be the odd theatre party or two as well organised by club Service Director Keith Stockall.
We can also expect a visit from the visiting GSE team from Scotland in late February
By the way be warned fellows, PP Euan has asked me for a five minute spot EVERY WEEK to talk about our fundraiser.
Unfortunately RYLA was a disappointment this year with Both Joe Campisi’s applicant and my own son unable to attend, both because of work complications. Thankfully additional applicants from other clubs filled the void so I hope it was still a successful camp, and we will get a refund of the fees paid.
The Conference
Registrations forms are available form me this evening and DG John has asked us to register EARLY, it’s actually not far away now. For those interested in attending PLEASE get a registration form TONITE, and complete your registration ASAP.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE BRISBANE JUNE
I will endeavour to update you all tonite on whose going, accommodation, costs etc, for the international conference in Brisbane. It’s not far away now !!
The collar of office
You will be pleased to know the newly renovated collar of office should be back around my neck next week, hopefully
VALE.
It is with sadness I report the death last Saturday of PDG Charles Morrison (member of Liverpool West and recently retired South West Pacific office of Rotary financial controller) Harley may have funeral arrangements tonite.
ATTENDANCE
As I’m sure all members know, or should know, Rotary has attendance requirements for continuing membership. Members should attend at least 60% of meetings, or make up where possible at other clubs. Where prolonged absence is proposed, a leave of absence can be arranged, and this has been well and properly used in our club. And of course a number of members in our club are excused from attendance due to the "85" rule. When a combination of age in years plus time in Rotary exceeds 85 attendance is no longer compulsory. Notwithstanding this we still have some attendance issues to confront, which the board will have discussed on Tuesday evening, and we will all discuss it again I’m sure.
For your information general attendance percentages are as follows :
Above 80% - 17 members
Between 60% and 80% - 22 members
Between 40% and 60% - 9 members
Below 40% - 8 members
Quite a few members in the 40 to 60 percent category have been on leave of absence or are not required to attend, with a couple in the below 40% area, ,but it still leaves at least ten (10) members not meeting anywhere near there membership requirements
The point I’m trying to get across is not so much whether you attend, but what you do when you attend.
This is going to be a very busy period in our club and the various project organisers will need a lot of help. We need to spread the load a bit, not just concentrate it on those few who do the most. Effectively we are not really a club of 57 members at present; we are more like a club of 30 to 40.
Fellow members I implore you, for the next six months, please be involved, offer to help, don’t wait to be asked to do something, all ideas and offers of assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Anyway, I think on that note it’s enough from me. Enjoy the next six months and let us together achieve our goals, while having fun and enjoying each others company
Steve.