Hi everyone,
Thank you Allan Burrows for chairing the last meeting at such short notice. Everything went well!
I gather that the speaker, Rob Hughes was very interesting and had quite a bit to tell us about water resources and some about the latest desalination plant options and locations etc.
This week we have our AGM, when members will be able to address any issues they may have. There are a couple which have come to the Board via Committees so they will be addressed as well.
PE Colin West will announce his Board of Directors to take our Club through years 2010-11.
I have been on the inevitable trail for a President Elect for 2011-12 for several months now, and I have pursued every eligible member who has been a director for 2 years, a secretary or a treasurer at least one year, but they have all declined! I look forward now to some nominations at the AGM, and someone willing to think seriously about stepping up to the task! Everyone brings their own style to the job, and it does not need to take over your life, but it does require your commitment for 18 months.
Is that too much to ask for one instance?
I recognise that over the last few years in particular, it has become quite ‘the norm’ for almost half the retired active members to be away during the 5 months from May to September of each year, including PET and District Assembly times in early May, and the initial 3 months of the Club’s operation in the new Rotary year, but it does make the task harder for those remaining members to co-ordinate the running of the Club.
To have a club where 50% of members are away for 3 months of the year or longer, and that has only achieved 60% attendance twice in the last 6 months, is becoming a less viable working proposition, and I am really not certain what the solution is... I am really sorry to write such a gloomy patter at this time of the year, but I am quite concerned about our future direction.
Certainly it is now more important than ever, to ensure that the potential members we have canvassed recently are invited to our meetings early in 2010 by their original nominators or others seconded to the task. We need to induct them as active Rotarians as soon as possible.
These new Rotarians will form a significant increase in our active membership and hopefully overcome any problems related to our lifestyle changes and our consideration of the objects of the Club, our District and Rotary International. We look forward to these new members increasing the vigour amongst existing membership and the Club in general.
However this can only be achieved if the existing members support the new Rotarians during their transition into Rotary. This will ensure that everyone benefits from engaging with these new and different personalities in our own Rotary family.
Christmas Dinner:
Venue: Ravendale Community Sports Centre
Date: Sat 19th December 6.30 for 7.00 pm.
Cost: $25.00 pp (Two course choice each-mains and dessert)
NOTE: Terry Doyle would like to collect the money from you over the next couple of weeks, so we don’t have to deal with it on the night.
** Please fill in the attendance sheet doing the rounds this week. **
Donation: On the night, we will be donating a small gift, either for a boy or girl, newborn to 7 years, to Envoy Garry and Judith Cox of the Salvation Army, who we have invited to our Dinner. |
