Hi all, really looking forward to the meeting this Wednesday. Our guest speaker Warren ‘Luffy’ Luff got himself on the podium at Bathurst, coming in second. What a great achievement. I’m sure however, that as he was coming across the top of the mountain on that final lap, foremost in his thoughts would have been how excited he was going to be to talk to the Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise.
On another matter entirely I would like to talk about ‘change’. Change is defined in the Dictionary as: verb; -- to make the form, nature ,content ,future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.
Rotary, by its very nature, ideals and constitution embraces change regularly. Every week we have a different Chairman, a different guest speaker or topic for discussion and every year a new President and Board.
I think our Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise would be quite conservative, as opposed to some other clubs. In my humble opinion it works well for us and we like it that way. But, we do have to embrace planned and calculated change, otherwise we will over time fade away and cease to be relevant.
I remember when as a ‘Male only’ club the consensus was that the admittance of females would spell the end of all we held dear and further, a young President who rode a skateboard to the meetings - Never. How wrong that thinking was. Thanks to all the members who pushed for those changes, because today we are a vibrant, industrious and growing club.
Just remember - Nothing changes if nothing changes. ……….just sayin.
Barry Rassin, of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2018-19. He will be declared the president-elect on 1 September if no challenging candidates have been suggested.
Rassin’s nomination follows Sam F. Owori’s death in July, just two weeks into his term as Rotary International president-elect.
The speaker for the coming week is Michael Scurrah - Program Manager Regional Assessment Service, Feros Care - a national Aged and Health Care provider based in Coolangatta.
Michael has played a pivotal role in assisting the Chief Executive Officer with the integration of strategic planning as well as providing direction and support for e-governance, project and portfolio management, strategic management processes and a range of projects . Michael has strong links with Government and played a pivotal role in preparing Feros Care to prepare for the changes in the Aged Care industry and will share his insights with us on this rapidly changing sector.
At last week's meeting, Neil Thurlow and Mario Fairlie presented the new banner to fly on the School about to be sent off to Apia, Samoa. It will be located in the same complex as the House of Hope, which was also provided by our club, is located. Photo by Jo Gorman.
Associate Membership for those who volunteer regularly at 'the Project Shed'. Club will pay for their membership.
Recycle Bikes. Club and volunteers will refurbish the donated bikes and sell them for a modest amount.
Wheelchair design to be examined. Look at engaging appropriate faculty at TAFE or/and Uni to design a modern wheelchair under the parameters set out by Des. Committee of Des, Neil and Angus to work on this.
We need to explore other appropriate projects that can be undertaken at the 'Project Shed.
Gradually, our pre-constructed school for Samoa is being dismantled and packed up to be shipped for on-site erection in Apia, Samoa, in September. The pictures below show Al Sirovs and his grandson Hudson hard at work, and Des La Rance and Mario Fairlie loading a pallet of water bottles, donated by Mario -Thank you Sir! - into the few free spaces. Photos provided by Al Sirovs.
I may have mentioned this before: Maintaining and expanding our membership is the responsibility of every member, not just the committee.
But perhaps we should look at some reasons why it is perceived that, in today’s world, there is less interest in joining a Service Club such as Rotary. Then, think about how we are going to address these reasons. Some may be real, some imagined. This is an extract from a blog by Quentin Wodon – click on this link to read the full version:
Lack of resources. Because of dues and other commitments, membership in clubs has a financial cost that not everybody can afford, especially during hard economic times.
Lack of time. Life and work pressure keep people busy; membership in clubs may take too much time for some, especially under the traditional weekly meeting format.
Less prestige. Membership may not have today the same prestige in local communities that it once had.
Less professional networking opportunities. Membership may not bring the same professional networking benefits than in the past, or at least there are now more alternative ways to network professionally.
Lack of vitality and size. Some clubs may not look attractive to younger generations; they may not be as vibrant as they used to be, especially when they are very small.
Lack of interest in community service. This last factor is controversial, and personally I don’t believe that there has been a reduction over time in interest in service work, but some have suggested that this also has contributed to membership loss.
So, how are you going to address this? Recently, our District Governor Darrell Brown inducted 5 new members into the Burleigh Heads Rotary Club. Whilst that in itself is significant, what is even more interesting is that of these five, four were below the age of 30! That much for “today’s young people… etc etc”! Our club's recent board decision to cater for 'Associate Membership' certainly can assist! But you need to start. Several decades ago, in a sales training manual, I came across the expression of the 'GOYA principle'. The acronym stands for Get Off Your... ah.... backside! - still as relevant today as it always was.
Conference Chairman (and President Elect) Jo Gorman and her team have been busy, beavering behind the scenes. Next March's District Conference at Seaworld is coming together nicely, thank you. Click on this link to learn all about it, where you can also register. Attendance at the conference, including attendance to all the keynote speakers is free; individual meals and the Saturday night entertainment naturally attract a fee. Registrations are now open.
“For in Paris, whenever God puts a pretty woman there, the Devil, in reply, immediately puts a fool to keep her.” ― Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly, Les Diaboliques
Based on Section 18c, here is a borderline story provided to your editor by Gerald East:
Father O'Malley rose from his bed one morning. It was a fine Spring day in his new Parish. He walked to the window of his bedroom to get a deep breath of the beautiful day outside. He then noticed there was......... a donkey lying dead in the middle of his front lawn.
He promptly called the local Police Station. The conversation went like this: "Good morning. This be Sergeant Jones, how might I help you?" "And the best of the day te yerself, This is Father O'Malley at St.Ann's Catholic Church. There's a donkey lying dead in me front lawn....and would you be so kind as to send a couple o' yer lads to take care of the matter?"
Sergeant Jones, considering himself to be quite a wit, and recognising the Irish accent, thought he would have a little fun with the good father, replied, "Weeeel now Father, it was always my impression that YOU people took care of the last rites!"....
There was dead silence on the line for a brief moment.........
Father O'Malley replied, " Aye, 'tis certainly true; but WE are also obliged to notify the next of kin first,....which is the reason for me call.
The speaker for the coming week is Michael Scurrah - Program Manager Regional Assessment Service, Feros Care - a national Aged and Health Care provider based in Coolangatta..JPG)
At last week's meeting, Neil Thurlow and Mario Fairlie presented the new banner to fly on the School about to be sent off to Apia, Samoa. It will be located in the same complex as the House of Hope, which was also provided by our club, is located. Photo by Jo Gorman.
Gradually, our pre-constructed school for Samoa is being dismantled and packed up to be shipped for on-site erection in Apia, Samoa, in September. The pictures below show Al Sirovs and his grandson Hudson hard at work, and Des La Rance and Mario Fairlie loading a pallet of water bottles, donated by Mario - Thank you Sir! - into the few free spaces. Photos provided by Al Sirovs.
Conference Chairman (and President Elect) Jo Gorman and her team have been busy, beavering behind the scenes. Next March's District Conference at Seaworld is coming together nicely, thank you. 
“For in Paris, whenever God puts a pretty woman there, the Devil, in reply, immediately puts a fool to keep her.” 