A huge welcome to our first time quests last week Jo Gorman and Mike Twyford and I hope to see you again in the future as well as fellow visiting Rotarians on their visit to the club.
A very productive Directors last week and each will give a summary at the meeting.
Congratulations on all who partook in the Polio Plus collection at Runaway Shopping Centre where over $1000 was raised.
We have had confirmation the District Grant for the Wheel Chair freight costs, subject to us supplying a written brief and possible photos, expenditure budget and bank account details, has been granted. This will require urgent attention.
Ian H.S. Riseley, of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in 2017-18. He will become the president-nominee on 1 October if no other candidates challenge him.
Riseley says that meaningful partnerships with corporations and other organizations are crucial to Rotary’s future.
“We have the programs and personnel and others have available resources,” says Riseley. “Doing good in the world is everyone’s goal. We must learn from the experience of the polio eradication program to maximize our public awareness exposure for future partnerships.”
Riseley is a practicing accountant and principal of Ian Riseley and Co., which specializes in advising local and international businesses, and has a strong interest in international affairs. He received the AusAID Peacebuilder Award from the Australian government in 2002 in recognition of his work in Timor-Leste. He also received the Order of Australia medal in 2006 for service to the Australian community.
“Governments see Rotary as positive representatives of a civil society,” he says. “We should work with them to advocate for peace and conflict resolution, just as we are advocating for polio eradication.”
A member since 1978, Riseley has served Rotary as treasurer, director, trustee, RI Board Executive Committee member, task force member, committee member and chair, and district governor.
He is also a former member of the Australian Polio Eradication Private Sector Campaign and a recipient of The Rotary Foundation’s Service Award for a Polio-Free World. He and his wife, Juliet, are Multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors, and Bequest Society members.
Ian Riseley will be RI President at the same time our Darrell Brown will be Governor of our District 9640. With Simon Brook as our (and possibly the District's) youngest ever President in 2016/17 and Darrell Brown running the district in the following year, looks like Surfers Sunrise will have a couple of serious action years is coming up!
WHAT IS A PAUL HARRIS FELLOW?
Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given in appreciation to anyone who makes a gift of US$1,000 or more cumulatively to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or an approved global grant. The recognition consists of a certificate and pin. Other optional items include a medallion for $15. Paul Harris Fellows can also be given on behalf of someone through Foundation Recognition points or. We have 18 Paul Harris Fellows in our Club. Since the creation of the Paul Harris Fellow over 1.4 MILLION people have become Paul Harris Fellows.
AREN’T YOU READY TO BECOME A PAUL HARRIS FELLOW AND JOIN YOUR FELLOW ROTARIANS IN FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING THE ROTARY FOUNDATION?
Editor's note: In Australia, in my view quite incorrectly, for decades it has become a habit of clubs to award a Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) to members in recognition of their efforts in the past. This then has resulted in members deliberately not "buying" a PHF, after all, "I don't want to buy my own recognition". This view is patently wrong. Whilst I fully recognize the efforts of all Rotarians who have been awarded a PHF, the original purpose was for a PHF to be "bought".
A PHF can also be bought in recognition of a non-Rotarian person. For example, several of our members have purchased a PHF in recognition of the love of their wives' contribution to their marriage, family and community. Last Saturday, an elderly lady put a handsome note into our bucket, declaring that she had been awarded a PHF, but was not a member of Rotary.
The Rotary Foundation is one of the most efficient charities in the world. If one considers the enormous contributions of major donors such as Bill Gates matching donations of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs 2:1 (in excess of $US 550 Million so far), you can't go wrong. Compare this to "charities" such as one who bears the name of one of Australia's famous cricketers (talk about spin... Less than 30% of donations end up with the target!! - refer article in last Saturday's Courier Mail).
Here is a challenge to any club in the world: Can anyone else claim to have a member who travels by Skateboard? Here is our very own President Elect Simon Brooks rolling in...
One of the many pleasures of being a Rotarian is to do a Make-up when you are visiting another country. Your Editor, on a recent trip to his home country, visited the Rotary Club of Appenzell - Alpstein in Switzerland. Very friendly club indeed, very friendly welcome, lots of handshakes. But one starts to realize that the memory is no longer as sharp as it should be: after greeting about a dozen people, you can't remember anyone's name anymore...! Then, sitting down at the table, at my table opposite me a very elegant and smartly dressed woman (see picture on right) sat down. Groan! I know she is important. I've seen this woman before... might have been a while ago... but damned if I can remember her name... this is going to be embarrassing... "Grüezi Franz, Ruth Metzler" she introduced herself. Then the penny dropped: I had never met this woman after all - but I certainly had seen her picture many times: about 15 years ago, she was the youngest ever elected member to the Swiss Federal Council (Bundesrat). The Bundesrat is the seven member executive which constitutes the Head of State in Switzerland, the highest position one can attain in the Swiss Government. At the time, Ruth Metzler was the equivalent to Minister for Police & Justice, e.g. Attorney General.
Never know whom you may meet when doing a Make-Up!
Ladies, get your fascinators ready! Gentlemen, yes, it is ok to wear a brightly coloured silk shirt with a rosa coloured tie and a heavy gold chain, white slacks and shoes...
Our member and District Treasurer Doug Lipp (he is a race horse owner himself), in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise, is organizing a Race Day at the Gold Coast Turf Club in October. Further, the day is sponsored by our Sergeant Andy Bell's company Eximm too. Tickets are just $70.00 per head, which includes a sumptuous buffet luncheon as well as afternoon tea and coffee. Tables of 10 are available, so why not invite some friends or clients?
Download the flyer, which includes the booking form, in the Download section on the right.
Alternatively, contact Doug Lipp or Darrell Brown.
“War: first, one hopes to win; then one expects the enemy to lose; then, one is satisfied that he too is suffering; in the end, one is surprised that everyone has lost.” ― Karl Kraus
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction
Ian H.S. Riseley, of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in 2017-18. He will become the president-nominee on 1 October if no other candidates challenge him.
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