Welcome everyone to our new style monthly update from around the District. This will be done via video links and written information displayed on our District website for access at any time. Over the past four months we have seen many changes in our lifestyles and the way in which our day-to-day living has had to adapt because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
This is also been reflected in how we as Rotarians have taken these challenges and turned them into opportunities allowing us to continue to provide support to our communities through these new and innovative ways.
Many clubs have initiated new fundraising ideas and strategies to support their project costs. Some of these include online trivia nights, online raffles and fundraising pages which are being strongly supported not only by Rotarians, but also their local communities. There are many clubs around the District who are initiating joint projects with other clubs in their group and I would like to commend and congratulate our Clubs on their innovation for implementing new ways to function at both Club and District level.
We are seeing our Club meetings still take place, some are still face to face, some as Zoom, and others are using a hybrid style meeting with the combination of face to face and Zoom together as an interactive meeting. I would recommend viewing the most recent ‘Rotary on the Move’ which has a great article on Zoom Meeting styles. This is available through the link on our District website for all to read. I would like to highlight some very important sources of information which are all accessible through our District Website. Our District Website is currently undergoing a major revamp and upgrade to make it the main portal to gain access to the three M's.
The 3M's are;
MyDistrict - which is the District Website https://rotarydistrict9675.org/ Click on MyDistrict in the menu bar (login or create account)
MyRotary - which can be which can be accessed via the link on the District Website https://rotarydistrict9675.org/ Click on MyRotary on the menu bar (login or create account)
MyLearning -which can also be accessed through the relevant link on the District Website at the click of a button. https://rotarydistrict9675.org/ Click on MyLearning in menu bar (login or create account)
So please, I encourage every member to jump online and explore these great avenues of information that have been created by our dedicated District Leadership Team to help us during these difficult times and into the future.
As most of you are aware, the Rotary Club of Sydney are coming into their Centenary Year which is a great milestone in any organisation. Over the next year or two we as a District and Rotary Nationally will be focusing on the Centenary of Rotary in Australia and will be joining the celebrations by participating in a number of planned events and projects across the District and the Nation. The Rotary Club of Sydney will be keeping Club Presidents informed of events and projects via regular emails. You can also view these events on the RC of Sydney Website. https://sydneyrotary.com/
R100, which is the National Centenary of Rotary in Australia have announced that there will be a Commemorative Stamp and Coin released to mark this special milestone in our Rotary history.
As most of you are aware, the Rotary Club of Sydney are coming into their Centenary Year which is a great milestone in any organisation. Over the next year or two we as a District and Rotary Nationally will be focusing on the Centenary of Rotary in Australia and will be joining the celebrations by participating in a number of planned events and projects across the District and the Nation. The Rotary Club of Sydney will be keeping Club Presidents informed of events and projects via regular emails. You can also view these events on the RC of Sydney Website. https://sydneyrotary.com/
R100, which is the National Centenary of Rotary in Australia have announced that there will be a Commemorative Stamp and Coin released to mark this special milestone in our Rotary history.
Please see the link for the launch of the Centenary of Rotary in Australia, that was held at Government House in Canberra and Melbourne via a live TV link. https://www.stagepass.com.
Another great announcement is the launch for District Conference 2021, ‘Opening Opportunities Through Rotary’Conference chair Past District Governor, Sue Hayward and her fantastic team have been and are still working on delivering a high class Conference with International speakers and is planned to be held as a face to face event on the 19th to the 21st of March, 2021 at the Sydney Masonic Function Centre, COVID-19 restrictions permitting. For more information please follow the link on our district website to see our theme video. https://youtu.be/_4aNDZjcESE I look forward to seeing you all there for a great conference experience.
Earlier this month RI announced a Seventh area of focus 'Environment and Sustainability'. This area of focus was initiated by Rotary International to give more ways for Rotarians and Rotaractors to bring about positive change to our environment.
As a District we appear to have had great foresight in this area having established a Climate and Environmental Committee in June this year. This committee is directed by DGE Jeremy Wright. Last Thursday evening, Jeremy was involved in establishing a Climate and Peace webinar which went to air to an audience of just on 400 participants. For those of you who may have missed it, there is a link that has been provided on our District Website.
More great news to come out of RI this month is the announcement that Jennifer Jones is to be the 2022/2023 Rotary International President, the first time for a woman President in the 115 year history of Rotary. Congratulations to Jennifer.
The Rotary month of August is for Membership and New Club Development. Our District along with many others around the world have had declining membership over the past several years, this is not as a result from lack of new members, but our inability to retain members within our Clubs. Many of these Rotarians leave because of their expectations in the Club that they joined not being achieved. I would like to encourage every Club and member to participate in conducting a survey based on what their expectations are. This can be done anonymously through our new District Survey Monkey account.
Another great announcement is the launch for District Conference 2021, ‘Opening Opportunities Through Rotary’Conference chair Past District Governor, Sue Hayward and her fantastic team have been and are still working on delivering a high class Conference with International speakers and is planned to be held as a face to face event on the 19th to the 21st of March, 2021 at the Sydney Masonic Function Centre, COVID-19 restrictions permitting. For more information please follow the link on our district website to see our theme video. https://youtu.be/_4aNDZjcESE I look forward to seeing you all there for a great conference experience.
Earlier this month RI announced a Seventh area of focus 'Environment and Sustainability'. This area of focus was initiated by Rotary International to give more ways for Rotarians and Rotaractors to bring about positive change to our environment.
As a District we appear to have had great foresight in this area having established a Climate and Environmental Committee in June this year. This committee is directed by DGE Jeremy Wright. Last Thursday evening, Jeremy was involved in establishing a Climate and Peace webinar which went to air to an audience of just on 400 participants. For those of you who may have missed it, there is a link that has been provided on our District Website.
More great news to come out of RI this month is the announcement that Jennifer Jones is to be the 2022/2023 Rotary International President, the first time for a woman President in the 115 year history of Rotary. Congratulations to Jennifer.
The Rotary month of August is for Membership and New Club Development. Our District along with many others around the world have had declining membership over the past several years, this is not as a result from lack of new members, but our inability to retain members within our Clubs. Many of these Rotarians leave because of their expectations in the Club that they joined not being achieved. I would like to encourage every Club and member to participate in conducting a survey based on what their expectations are. This can be done anonymously through our new District Survey Monkey account.
Upon analysing the survey, District would be able to implement strategies to help Clubs in the retention of their members, hopefully increasing our membership numbers by not losing members across the District while still encouraging new membership at the same time.
District is currently working on this survey and will present it to all members to complete online. So please once again I encourage you in using our District website to keep you up to date with the latest information from around our District and Internationally.
District is currently working on this survey and will present it to all members to complete online. So please once again I encourage you in using our District website to keep you up to date with the latest information from around our District and Internationally.
Please stay safe and well.
Thank you for your time.