Each fortnight, when I put my contribution to “Open Doors” together, I strive to provide clubs with ideas, inspirations and opportunities that are within their reach. Rather than “big picture” information, my approach is to share projects, activities and social events along with inspirations for membership recruitment and retention. Of course, every activity and every innovation that makes a club more vibrant and exciting improves its chances of recruiting more members.
This week I had a conversation with Rotarians about adding more “hands-on” community projects to their clubs’ activity lists. Several mentioned that, in their club, all the work is done by only a handful of the willing who are at significant risk of burn-out. But why restrict ourselves to club members to engage in those projects requiring many hands? Making significant attempts to recruit community volunteers to assist with projects not only increases a club’s ability to carry out such projects but provides a pool of people to call upon in future as well as some potential club members. The approach here is think bigger and think wider to increase Rotary’s impact in your community.
Plenty of fabulous info for you this fortnight including;
Has the COVID experience changed your meetings?
Playground recycling project finds a new home in D9810
Promotion opportunity for your club
Two great membership inspirations and a promo video to watch
Three great D9810 club projects to inspire
… and lots, lots more.
Governor’s Travels
Last weekend I took a trip to visit the Kingston Farmers’ Market in Highett run by the Rotary Club of Chelsea. Crowd numbers were a little down due to the long weekend but the weather was perfect and the market appeared busy to me. Arrived to find Maree Vinocuroff and Barry McArtney flat out at the egg and bacon roll stall so jumped in to lend a hand.
Last week I attended the Rotary Club of Maroondah’s launch of their Automated External Defibrillator. There was a presentation about CPR and how to use the AED and with plenty of practice dummies, I tried my hand. My patient didn’t regain consciousness! Here I am with Pres John Harding-Smith, Secretary Andrew Bownlie and presenter Nigel Longman.
Also managed to attend the Doncaster Hill Rotary Market and Rotary club of Doncaster.
Now that more clubs are meeting in person, it would be great to receive invitations to visit.
How COVID Changed Meetings
I managed to attend a meeting of my own club (RC Doncaster) this week. It was the first time this year I have managed a face-to-face meeting there. I was pleased to see that the experience of having meetings online during the lockdown has helped a re-think in the way the meetings are run.
The meeting is opened at 7.00pm by the sergeant who takes care of the preliminaries and then, without further ado, the chair introduces the guest speaker, who may be at the club in person on joining through Zoom. Usual time allocation for the speaker is 20 minutes. The meal is then served at 7.30pm. Club business is then taken care of after the meal and the meeting closes at 8.00pm.
This arrangement allows the guest speaker to have the full attention of the meeting, the meal to be served and eaten without interruption and still allows plenty of time for announcements and meeting fun. Naturally, there is lots of fellowship time before and after the meeting.
If your club has made significant changes as a result of the lockdown experience, I’d love to hear about it.
D9810 Website Update
The TechComm team has just added new information to the D9810 website. “How to” pages on hybrid meetings and “tap and go” payments have been added. So if you’re struggling to get a quality experience for those “zooming” in to your meetings or if you’re getting a bit frustrated with those folk who can’t give a donation because they don’t carry any cash, head on over to the site. When you get there go across the tabs until you find Links for Members, click there and then click on the first heading “D9810 IT Help”.
Thanks to our amazing TechComm for the research and effort in putting together these tools.
Foundation Giving Crisis
Here, in D9810, we have a proud history of giving to the Rotary Foundation and have held the Ian Riseley trophy for annual per capita giving several times. I know this year has been a tough one for fund-raising and it’s difficult to prioritise Foundation giving and the prospect of money for projects in 3 years’ time when immediate needs appear to be so great.
As we enter the final quarter of 2020/21, I appeal to all clubs to re-examine their capacity to give to the Rotary Foundation.
As all donations to the Foundation are tax deductible, now is also a good time for individuals to consider their capacity to give.
The figures indicate that D9810’s YTD contributions are down 26.4%, which is more than 10 times the global average shortfall of 2.35%.
Giving to the Foundation is greatly appreciated and I thank all clubs and Rotarians for including the Rotary Foundation in their giving program.
Playground Recycling Project
Later in the issue you’ll find information about the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds project. I urge you to read and it seriously consider being involved. If, after you read the article, you’re still not sure check out these two 90 and 120 second videos – I’m sure they’ll be enough to generate significant enthusiasm in your club.
Promotion Opportunity for Your Club
As you are all aware Rotary will be celebrating its 100th birthday this April.
The Rotary Club of Waverley, District 9810, in conjunction with our Major sponsor, SONIQ and EasyDigital Media, would like to present all Australian Rotary clubs an opportunity to promote their work.
We are planning to roll this out to over 2500 news agencies Australia wide who have a visual display unit advertising various products and services. The Rotary 100 display will be repeated on these screens on a regular basis throughout the month of April. It will include the Rotary International website details to obtain further Rotary information.
Sometimes concentration just lapses and mistakes are made. In the last issue of Open Doors, I made a doozie! Here’s the same info with the correct date. One invitation has already come my way but I would be happy to drop in to more than one event during the evening.
Back in the old days when conferences were held at a venue and over a whole weekend, the Friday night was set aside for club dinners. Why not get into the spirit of conference weekend by organising a club social event for Friday 30 April. I’d love to receive an invitation or two.
Join in R100 Celebrations
Further down in this issue you will find the list of the R100 celebration activities in D9810. Why not join in the fun and attend at least two – the one being run by your club or neighbouring club and at least one more.
Be sure to gather the whole gang to join the world record attempt at Jells Park on May 15.
Membership Inspirations
This issue’s membership inspiration comes from Rotary District 5950 in central and southwestern Minnesota, USA. Read eleven short inspirations for recruiting new members here.
Also nine great tips on retaining the current membership here.
Would any of these work for your club? You’ll only know if you read them, think about them and discuss them in your club.
Rotary Promo Video
While trawling the Rotary web, I came across this fabulous promotional video for Rotary. When you get to the page, scroll down to see the video.
If you’re a club that regularly shows Rotary videos to members, you’ll really want to see this one!
COVID Tracing Made Easy
Many clubs are struggling with the requirement to register attendance at events for COVID tracing requirements. The Victorian Government is now making it easy to register clubs, events or sites for contact tracing purposes. For more information click here.
100kms for 100 Years – RC of Emerald & District Celebrates R100 (from “Sparkle” 16 March)
This year Rotary celebrates its 100th year birthday in Australia.
It's been a tough year, difficult to get out, get active and enjoy the fresh air - now is your chance to change all that - have we got a challenge for you?!!
Starting on 20th March (or earlier if you like) and ending 18th April we challenge you to walk 100kms for 100 years (with or without your fur-baby).
By asking friends and family to sponsor your effort, we can raise much needed funds to support those doing it tough in the hills.
So what are you waiting for? Why not sign up and get those walking shoes ready to go!!
This is a fabulous project by RC Manningham working with local welfare agency, Doncare. Congratulations to the club of the innovative thinking and regular commitment to making this project, hatched during lockdown, an on-going success.
Youth Mental Health First Aid by RC Hampton Fills Quickly (Hampton Herald March 2021)
RC Hampton was thrilled to announce that the first public Youth Mental Health First Aid training course has been fully booked out in advance.
Hampton Rotary Club partnered with the Rotary Club of Brighton North to offer this course as part of a commitment to develop programs which improve youth mental health. This course for ADULTS who work with youth, was specifically developed for people such as teachers, school wellbeing officers, sports coaches, community group leaders, youth leaders, and the police. Adults learn how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental illness, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
Project leader is Christine Lindsey.
12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose Show Dates: May 28th to 26th June
Based on the 1957 film, TwelveAngryMen tells the story of a jury of 12 men as they deliberate the conviction or acquittal of an 18-year-old defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt, forcing the jurors to question their morals and values. Exploring themes of prejudice, justice, innocence and class as well as cultural and historical themes, the story forces the characters to confront their personality flaws whilst deciding on the fate of the boy as well as exploring the power of one man to elicit change.
Special deals for Rotary clubs on Thursday evenings. Organise a social event for your club or join with other clubs to fill the 40 - 50 (COVID-safe) available seats.
Meet and Greet with cast following show. Coffee and Tea provided
Perfect reference for your older youth project participants, children or grandchildren. Good money sense presented with know-how and humour.
Saving money is like eating kale – we know it’s good for us, but we’d much rather just buy chips.
If you could do with lessons in financial literacy, then we have a brand-new podcast for you.
Introducing the Bendigo Bank Life Coach podcast with accountant turned comedian, Suren Jayemanne. This series is full of real life, practical tips to guide you through those big money matters with the help of our very own experts.
Passionate about climate change?Want to save the planet?
The Environmental Committee of the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central is raising funds for our local environmental projects, and we’d like you to join us as we watch the uplifting movie “2040”.
“A vision of 2040: everything we need for a sustainable world already exists”
- Damon Gameau
The film “2040” is a powerful Australian documentary looking at the effects of climate change on the earth and the powerful actions and technologies today we can harness to stop it.
Tickets are limited, so RSVP quickly to get a spot!
Tickets: $10
Date: Saturday afternoon 27th march, 2021 Time: 4pm to 6pm
Location: St Peter's Anglican Church, 1038 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill
Overview Of Rotary Global Grant – “End Malaria In Vanuatu – For Good”
With a lot of work put in by RAM National Staff the “End Malaria in Vanuatu – For Good” Global Grant was submitted at the end of June 2020. The four Southern Region Districts involved were D9790, D9800, D9810, D9820 and District 9910 in New Zealand. New Zealand’s PDG Lindsay Ford (D9910) is managing the Project.
The Project will train Trainers for their National Indoor Residual Spraying Program (IRS) and provide IRS equipment and insecticides to the IRS Teams in two Provinces that are Malampa and Sanma. The total value of the Grant is USD111,024.00. Money raised was through the generous donations of DDFs from five Districts, contributions paid into the Southern Region RAWCS Fundraising Account and one third of what was required was funded by RAM itself. Our contribution is vital to malaria elimination in Vanuatu.
*We REALLY NEED your help to continue and extend this worthwhile Project in the near future and wouldgreatly appreciate your contributionsvia: https://donations.rawcs.com.au/104-2019-20
The RORP Story – Great for kids and great for the Environment
The harvesting of playgrounds started with a cup of coffee. Whilst attending a Bendigo Bank Directors Conference in Adelaide, Peter Cribb of RC Flemington met with Eshantha Ariyadasa from Sri Lanka, who was staying with friends as he wrote up his PhD on Sri Lankan Social Services.
Long Story Short! His later request, five years ago, for a playground for a girls’ school became the genesis for the RORP program - Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds. One playground has evolved now to over 70 being sent to Sri Lanka, Fiji, Tanzania, PNG, Tanzania, East Timor (Timor Lest), and the Philippines. Next month, another 10 will be sent to Nepal. Uganda is a new destination coming up. How fantastic is that?
The RORP concept has now spread to other Districts -D9780, D9790, D9820, D9510 and soon perhaps D9600.
The intricate details can be found at THISLINK. For various reasons, RC Flemington now needs to let go for others to take over the overall management of this marvellous program - a bit like the baton relay for the 100 year celebration of Rotary in Australia. RC Nunawading, with a bit of prompting from Bob Allardice, has decided to take on running RORP Central - it is too good a program to let die. RORP Central provides advice to the other RORP’s and handles playgrounds mainly from Districts D9800 and D9810.
Following on from the article above on the evolution of RORP (Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds) itself, we need a new depot of some sort. Ideally, we need a laydown area of 100-140 sq m plus space to drop a 40ft container! It would help if we had power and water too!
Does anyone know of a space we can use/borrow, even if only for a few months, so we can store playgrounds over the North East side of town? Actually, anywhere near Eastlink or the Eastern would be great. Do you have some unused space in your factory or block of land that we can borrow for a bit? Any and all offers gratefully considered.
ROTARIANS AGAINST MALARIA: SEVERAL IMPENDING VACANCIES
We are pleased to advise that several key positions are available within RAM. We wish to invite all Rotarians who may be suitable candidates to email us with an ‘Expressions of Interest’ for the positions below. Orientation and mentoring are available for all positions.
Vacant now:
Grant Writers / Project Managers / Malaria Experts for the RAM Grant Writing Team
Vacant on 1st July 2021:
National Secretary for RAM
We would expect the incoming nominee to take the opportunity to be mentored by the existing incumbent, Gloria Hargreaves.
Contact:
National Secretary Gloria Hargreaves (egharg@netspace.net.au) for the Role Description and Nomination Form.
RDU Advertising Commission - Boost club funds by up to $7,000
Rotary Down Under is offering a 25% commission incentive to clubs and districts that secure advertising in the magazine. See information above and, for more, contact Judy Drake at RDU on 02 9633 4888
Here, in D9810, we have a proud history of giving to the Rotary Foundation and have held the Ian Riseley trophy for annual per capita giving several times. I know this year has been a tough one for fund-raising and it’s difficult to prioritise Foundation giving and the prospect of money for projects in 3 years’ time when immediate needs appear to be so great.
Later in the issue you’ll find information about the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds project. I urge you to read and it seriously consider being involved. If, after you read the article, you’re still not sure check out these two 
Go to the Zoom link 
Further down in this issue you will find the list of the R100 celebration activities in D9810. Why not join in the fun and attend at least two – the one being run by your club or neighbouring club and at least one more. 
This issue’s membership inspiration comes from Rotary District 5950 in central and southwestern Minnesota, USA. Read eleven short inspirations for recruiting new members 
Based on the 1957 film, Twelve Angry Men tells the story of a jury of 12 men as they deliberate the conviction or acquittal of an 18-year-old defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt, forcing the jurors to question their morals and values. Exploring themes of prejudice, justice, innocence and class as well as cultural and historical themes, the story forces the characters to confront their personality flaws whilst deciding on the fate of the boy as well as exploring the power of one man to elicit change.
Perfect reference for your older youth project participants, children or grandchildren. Good money sense presented with know-how and humour. 
