This week has seen the coming and departure of the GSE team from Pennsylvania and what a great team they were. Our thanks to hosts Geoff, Larry, Darrell and Simon and all other Rotarians who helped in making this a very memorable trip for the GSE team. They declared their visit to our Wheelchair factory last Saturday to have been one of their highlights.
This week is the formal notice to all Rotarians that, with effect from the 1st June 2016, we will be meeting at Surfers Paradise RSL and will conduct all future normal weekly meetings at this venue. Further details will be given at this week's meeting.
This Wednesday we have our visit from District Governor Anne Egan and I am sure we will all make her welcome.
A Reminder: Next board meeting has been set for Tuesday 17th May at 5-30 at Andy Bell's office.
This week we'll again meet at Surfers RSL Club. (You can park free of charge at the Bruce Bishop Car Park directly opposite on Beach Road, Surfers Paradise - take your ticket in the usual manner, you will receive a free pass out as you leave the club).
District Governor Elect Nominee Darrell Brown will bring us up to date on what is happening and what will happen, in particular in relation to his upcoming year as District Governor in 2017/18. Just 16 months away!
The breath of fresh air is apparent right from the beginning: Not your every day Power Point presentation with neatly ordered slides all in the same uniform layout, but a presentation from Simon's iPad, big on gesture control - scrolling all over the place, enlarging, shrinking, mixing images with text... Simon had given the presentation already before, and, last Sunday at the District Assembly, did it again. It was better this time... Why? Simon had a side kick (or was it the other way round?), fellow "young person" Kaye Tidmarsh (Rotary e-Club NextGen). So, how can one do justice to such a presentation in mere words? With great difficulty... Here is a brief summary:
In essence, there are 4 questions to ask:
1. What is the problem?
Why do you want young people? Do you even want young people? Well, the issue is quite obvious if you look at it from the angle that, due to the current average age of Rotarians, about 40% of the membership may "fade out". Put harshly, the breed may become extinct... We need new blood, new and fresh ideas and... energy! Just have a look at this graphic: Pre-baby boomers communicated in writing. Baby Boomers discovered the phone. Gen X discovered e-mail. Gen Y is texting. And for a new generation, Gen Z, texting is old style. The first step: acknowledge that there is a problem!
2. What are the challenges?
What is the connection? How many of you can recognize most of the current texting abbreviations: LOL, ROFL, OMG, IMHO, BFF, AFAIK, BTW, BRB? And we haven't even started with Emoticons yet. Simon displayed a picture of a cassette tape (yes, if you have been born after 2000, you have never seen one) and a pencil. Who can make the connection? None of the young people can. Get the message? Our challenge is not just finding them, but also understanding them.
3. What do young people want?
It's not at all difficult. Yes, contrary to popular conception, young people do want community participation. But they also want mentoring in personal and business development (so did most of us when we were young). With programs such as Group Study Exchange (GSE) and programs such as RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award), we are ideally placed to provide this. The engagement needs to be challenging and stimulating and provide for social interaction. "We want flexibility" Simon exclaimed. This means less formality, less structure such as meeting at the same place every week, eating the same food. And less paperwork (read: emails), translating into greater efficiency.
4. What are you going to do about it?
Are you willing to compromise? Are you willing to change? What would you sacrifice? Are you willing to talk about commitment level, meeting times, social level?
"We need old friends to help us grow old and young friends to help us to stay young"
Gerald East was at the door (yes, again. He's getting quite good at it... ☺), Doug Lipp (for Larry Murray) was Chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Mitch Brown, Julian Price, Jo Gorman, Graeme Isaacson, Chris Thurtell, Darrell Brown and John Franich.
President Paul Seymour welcomed all members and guest Al Sirovs (guest of Doug Lipp - see picture on right) and our Youth Exchange Student Martina Missarelli.
Paul advised that we can expect a reciprocal visit by the Rotary Club of Hope Island in mid April, and reminded us that next week we'll meet again at the RSL Club in Surfers Paradise.
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson's report was remarkably short: he advised that an arrangement has been reached with the Gold Coast Council in relation to getting rid of scrap - thanks go to Secretary Peter Morgan for liaising.
Fundraising Director Doug Lipp confirmed that all is in readiness for the Crazy Whist night on (this coming) Saturday 12th March (see separate article).
Gerald East reported on the recently held meeting at the Southport Golf Club of returning Youth Exchange Students, GSE members etc. Also, this year's Horizon Raffle ticket involvement with the Suns AFL club at Metricon Stadium will start in Round 1 on Easter Saturday 26th March.
President Elect Simon Brook is looking for somebody with a boat to take our GSE Team guests out to Tipplers when we host them in May.
A rare event indeed: Andy started off by fining himself, after announcing Doug Lipp to be Chairman, and noticing the long face of Geoff Croad (he was the one on the roster. Not only that, Geoff specially dressed up for the event!). That was where the niceties ended:
Simon Brook and Geoff Croad: I'd love to do a time and motion study: About 1 1/4 hours to setup the screen for your presentation, Simon?? "Pope" Des La Rance, it's never a good idea to mention in passing "I'm going to get fined..." Gerald East, again on the door: today, after your complaint last week, almost everyone had the correct change. And guess what? Moan, moan... Bob Harrison, you are looking good. Good enough to pay a fine... Franz Huber, can't you get anything right? It is the Black Caps, not Cats! [hmmm... sorry, didn't realize that the more interesting name had already been taken...] Doug Lipp, it is claimed that you have more money than the Pope... Peter Morgan, you are taking the limelight from Mario Fairlie: Is there anyone still left in the club who has NOT seen the scar on your reconstructed knee? And last, but not least: Terry O'Shea: what on earth are you wearing? "Strong and Bold"? [No, nothing to do with cider. It's the Richmond AFL Club's Guernsey]
Doug Lipp is organizing another one: Saturday 12th March 2016. Bring friends along. Whilst for some the rules of the game may be somewhat "different", it all contributes to everyone having a good time. Lots of hilarious moments! See Events pages.
WHAT ARE SOME FINANCIAL BEST PRACTICES WITH GRANT FUNDS?
* Follow your spending plan to distribute and use grant funds for the stated purpose in a timely manner.
* Make project-related expenditures by check or other traceable method.
* If payments are made electronically by one person, maintain a paper trail showing that the payment was approved by both signatories.
* Maintain detailed receipts and record each transaction in a ledger. The ledger should list each transaction, noting the date, amount, and reason for the transaction.
* Make sure to share the information so grants run smoothly and funds are secure!
THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR GRANT OVERSIGHT TOP NOTCH!
This week we'll again meet at Surfers RSL Club. (You can park free of charge at the Bruce Bishop Car Park directly opposite on Beach Road, Surfers Paradise - take your ticket in the usual manner, you will receive a free pass out as you leave the club).
The breath of fresh air is apparent right from the beginning: Not your every day Power Point presentation with neatly ordered slides all in the same uniform layout, but a presentation from Simon's iPad, big on gesture control - scrolling all over the place, enlarging, shrinking, mixing images with text... Simon had given the presentation already before, and, last Sunday at the District Assembly, did it again. It was better this time... Why? Simon had a side kick (or was it the other way round?), fellow "young person" Kaye Tidmarsh (Rotary e-Club NextGen). So, how can one do justice to such a presentation in mere words? With great difficulty... Here is a brief summary:
Missarelli.
A rare event indeed: Andy started off by fining himself, after announcing Doug Lipp to be Chairman, and noticing the long face of Geoff Croad (he was the one on the roster. Not only that, Geoff specially dressed up for the event!). That was where the niceties ended:
the club who has NOT seen the scar on your reconstructed knee? And last, but not least: Terry O'Shea: what on earth are you wearing? "Strong and Bold"? 
Doug Lipp is organizing another one: Saturday 12th March 2016. Bring friends along. Whilst for some the rules of the game may be somewhat "different", it all contributes to everyone having a good time. Lots of hilarious moments! See Events pages.
A club can have all these offerings, but the thing that's the heartbeat of it is the social experience in the middle, i don't think that's going to ever change. We're Facebook for real. Community is important to everybody and being a part of something and feeling you belong, and that happens at clubs.
