Welcome

Attitude before Action

Along with the successes that I’ve been privileged to see in service design and delivery across District 9620, a very Rotary feature constantly shines.

The service projects that Clubs are most proud of, the ones that seem to attract most energy and those that deliver for the recipients with a high degree of success are those where the club members radiate a positive attitude towards them. They are talked about with an energy, they are talked about with enthusiasm and they are talked about not just within the club but to visitors and community members alike.

Always, I’m left to think about that feature of Rotary.

We are volunteers giving ‘Service Above Self’ and having a good time while we’re doing it. Be ready to put your hand up to volunteer and to share the experience with others.

Thank you to everyone who’ve welcomed me along to visit their club – be it face to face, as a stand alone or multi club visit or on-line. The key is connection.

Look at what you’ve done with Membership

You’ve achieved more than we thought would be possible for the start of the year.

When the monthly table of membership growth came out last week there we were – Rotary District 9620 welcomed 85 new members into our great family. 85 new members inducted during July and August. The highest growth in Australia.

Some clubs have welcomed one, two or three new members to their fold and then there’s Sunnybank Hills who’ve inducted 17 new members – a new Satellite Club. There were so many to induct that we had two major meetings for welcome – Jitendra, our Membership Coordinator went along to a dinner meeting to induct 10 and I was along to a breakfast meeting to induct a further seven. What was special about this group is that they were all known to each other and have strong ties that will stand them in good stead as they build on their fellowship and service.

That’s a focus we should look to – sometimes we can approach groups rather than one or two new members. While everyone is important and we want to invite them to join us remember that with our new flexibility in club models we can grow differently. We can do as Sunnybank Hills have – give birth to a Satellite club – and be their mentor.

Each month Rotary has a focus. In September it’s Basic Literacy and Learning

This is the month when we think just a little more strongly about what our clubs are doing with those who need assistance in early education and learning.

I had the privilege of hearing from the Earlyact club in Gympie when I visited there during the month. It’s the third time I’ve heard directly from this club. I like to hear about the projects they select, the different ways they have to get involved and to raise funds and the way they stand as a committee and tell the story of the role they play in their school. The Gympie Club is helping to develop leaders as an integral part of learning – and the Gympie community is benefiting from seeing the young people connect through their involvement with Rotarians.

I invite you to tell me more, through this newsletter (email the editor: 9620dgnewsletter@gmail.com) how your club is contributing to your community with programs supporting Basic Literacy and Learning, and don't forget to send images, or video, so we can share the experience across the district.

The Lord Mayor’s Brisbane Civic Reception

The variety of emails that arrive via our District 9620 website are wide and varied but the most amazing by far was to receive an email from the Lord Mayor of Brisbane to say that he wanted to give the Rotary Clubs of Brisbane a Civic Reception to celebrate the 100 years of Rotary in Australia.

On Monday evening 6 September Rotarians representing 40 Rotary or Rotaract clubs within the Brisbane city boundary joined Lord Mayor, Councillor Adrian Schrinner at Brisbane City Hall for our celebration. In Brisbane city we enjoy a strong relationship with our Council as many of the councillors support the activities of our clubs – and they come along to local functions.

The relationship we have with the Lord Mayor goes back many years and in his speech he recalled some of those times. He certainly demonstrated one of his special skills when he recalled so many of those present individually or with their clubs.

In his welcome speech he told stories about some of his personal links with Rotarians and how he respected how we work in the community and how we hold places of community leadership.

He also spoke of the history of Rotary in Australia – including the fact that one of his heroes is Sir John Monash, reminding us of the role he played in starting the Melbourne Club. This man was such a hero to the Lord Mayor that he named one of his sons after him – Monash Schrinner.

In fact, earlier this year the Lord Mayor, his wife and four young children joined with Rotarians in as activity making doves of peace.

I’m certain that everyone one of the 100 plus Rotarians and Rotaractors who shared the evening took away memories of an event filled with good conversations and laughter.

Thank you again to the Lord mayor and the City of Brisbane.

Our Foundation

The annual report regarding the health of the Foundation was released this past month. In Australia we raised the highest funds since 2011 – At a time in our country when we need to give as much support as possible, many have stepped up. Thank you. The Rotary Foundation is our charity and it’s good to see that we remember that when we make decisions to give support.

Across the world donations equated to $440.7 million.

Last month I mentioned the challenge we have with the polio plus campaign. Can we each aim to donate a minimum of $10 per member. Last year only two clubs in Australia reached that goal – and Archerfield was one of them. Congratulations to the Club for their commitment to our foremost project.

Our District Grants are well under way. If you’ve been the recipient then please make sure you comply with the stewardship standards – keep all of your receipts and take actions post the date you were advised of success. Finally, remember that when assessing the grant for reconciliation there’ll be a look to make sure that what you spend your money on must align with what was approved.

Are you on line to get The Citation for your Club this year?

Receiving the Citation is one way that you can keep a focus on achieving Rotary goals. Details can be found on Rotary Club Central – 26 potential goals are listed and at least 13 have to be reached for the Club to earn a citation.

The goals include topics such as membership (growth and retention), service participation, participation in a Rotary Action Group or a Rotary Fellowship group, participating in Rotary Fellowship activities, donating to the Foundation, the polio fund, on-line participation and attendance at the District Conference – remember to book accommodation in Caloundra for 18 – 20 march.

Just so you know!

• Congratulations to Donations in Kind (DIK) – they’ve successfully negotiated on a three year extension for the site in Kingston. It’s a real hive of activity and I enjoyed seeing the team working last Thursday as they received, sorted and planned for all of the activities. A big problem still remains the cost of transportation and the purchase of the containers so please remember that we need funds to be able to send the goods to where they’re needs.

• Congratulations to the Roma Club – they were successful in gaining a Smart Digital Grant and received a pop up cinema that will be used for community events.

• District 9620 has been recognised as a Peacebuilder District. It’s a recognition from the Foundation for Districts that have donated at least $25k towards the Peace Centre or towards peace and conflict prevention.

Thanks for the welcomes:

If I could write a book about the welcomes I’m getting from the clubs as I visit it would be a story of hope and energy. Thank you to all. Together we will be inspired to Do More and Grow More for Rotary and Rotaract.

Remember: DO THE PROJECTS YOU’RE INTERESTED IN

Wendy Protheroe

Charter District Governor