Dear Everyone,
Thanks to the Fundraising Committee, a fun night was had by all last Tuesday at our Melbourne Cup Posh Picnic by ZOOM! The goodies the team provided were indeed delicious and were very thoughtfully packaged with horsy stickers and a horseshoe. The effort that Shalini, Kelly, Kris and Emma went to, to ensure that the night was a success was incredible. And it was wonderful to have so many guests join us.
Via snail mail last Wednesday, I received a lovely card from District Governor Alma Reynolds thanking us for the warm welcome we gave to her and Greg. Alma pointed out some of the Club’s strengths, and notably that “the Rotary Club of Emerald and District appears to be a thriving club with a great sense of camaraderie in the membership group….In taking its current direction, there is little doubt RCED will have a good year.” This is encouraging, and I take this opportunity to thank members for all of the excellent work being undertaken in new directions, given that our traditional pathways have been blocked because of COVID.
As you know, through AG Brian, Yarra Ranges Cardinia A Cluster has applied for a District 9810 Grant for a Youth Wellbeing Project. Yesterday I received the news through Alma that the application for a District Grant has been approved.
Alma wrote,
“Congratulations to all the clubs and project partners involved in undertaking this project. The development of a program to support the welfare for young people in the Cluster area sounds like a worthwhile project and I hope it all works out well for all involved in delivery and those who will benefit from this project. I’m looking forward to hearing about the outcome.”
And now work can begin.
I have registered for the “Planning for Success and Environmental Sustainability Workshop” taking place tomorrow the 7th of November at 8:00am. District 9810 Rotarians Pat Armstrong, Clare Caulfield and Liz Stinson will steer us through a five-step process to develop, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate, and sustain successful Rotary projects.
They will also show us how to access online a comprehensive guide, practical templates, worked examples and other resources.
As “Sustainability and the Environment” is our new area of focus and that Pat is our guest speaker next Tuesday, I hope that some of you will join me. If you haven’t registered yet, do so by going to the D9810 Highlights Newsletter you received by email on the 2nd of November.
Calling all artistic members, we invite your input regarding our Club pennant. In its next incarnation, the Rotary wheel logo needs to be updated but do we want to make any other changes? Would we like new artwork or do we keep it the same? We need to hear your opinions.
Now that you have access to our Rotary Program Master Sheet for the year, have you viewed it? This is your opportunity to have a say in the guest speakers you would like to have come to our meetings. We are thinking of including speakers from our local traders and businesses maybe once a month, to better understand their needs and to strengthen our ties with them.
The Membership Committee is looking into this possibility. We also want to leave space for our “Behind the Badge” and “Know Your Rotarian” talks, and while we are meeting via Zoom, to have more fun via the Breakout Rooms and other informal activities.
- Kindly email Russell Marnock or me with any suggestions for speakers.
And now for something completely fabulous - Shalini passed the following email on to me last Tuesday afternoon:
Dear Members and Contributors,
In October I was the surprised recipient of a voucher donated by yourselves!
St Luke's Anglican offered me a food package and supplied me with a voucher too. I am so grateful. This kindness really touched and helped me as things got tougher through the Lockdown. I lost work hours, the three kids' Dad lost his job and I am now supporting three kids alone. At the time your voucher arrived, I was needing to take and pick up a primary schooler to Dandenong for school daily, returning home to "work from home" in the interim. A lot of petrol! The voucher got me a full tank, (and another few litres spare in a petrol container). Very, very helpful. I thought of Rotary gratefully every time I passed a petrol station in relief all week.
Please pass on my thanks for this support!
My thanks again,
Erin
Isn’t it wonderful to know that the efforts of the Community Service Committee in particular and our Club in general are not passing by unnoticed and unappreciated? In alignment with our Mission Statement, we really are making a positive difference in the wellbeing of community members most impacted by COVID.
Next week:
On the 10th of November, we have Guest Speaker Pat Armstrong talking about Rotary’s new Area of Focus, “Sustainability and the Environment”. There are lots of things our Club can do and Pat will give us the impetus to get started.
Many people have accepted our invitation to join us and include
- President of Friends of Emerald Lake Park (FELP) Sheila Hampson and member Karen Newman
- Acting Principal of Emerald Secondary College Eleni Stathatos
- Alumni and former ESC students Charlotte Reid and Monica Innes
And perhaps others.
Please encourage your family members to attend as the environment is everyone’s responsibility.
Our “Know Your Rotarian” is another Club Champion, our longest-serving member Russ Nielsen. It will be very interesting to learn more about Russ.
The following week:
On the 17th of November, we have Guest Speaker Amy-Lou Cowdroy-Ling talking about “Kids Under Cover”, a not-for-profit which provides support for young people at risk of homelessness. I’m sure our understanding of this worrying issue will be greatly increased.
Stay safe, enjoy your weekend - and stay Rotary Proud!
Yours in Rotary,
Vicki.
