Presidents Report
Hi all, tonight we had some 46 members, partners and guests attend our meeting at Springfield. Tonight, we had DG (District Governor) Christine Owen visit us for her annual visit. We also had our newly arrived Exchange Student Iisa Vilander and our outgoing Exchange Student Georgia Ryman and her whole family visit us. It was a good meeting with lots of fun and laughter. The Clubs Portfolio Directors presented the Club’s goals and objectives for the year.
DG Christine presented her goals for the year and gave us an update on the District.
Updates from past week:
That’s it for the week so let’s look after each other, stay safe and let’s do it.
Regards Neville Hansen
DG Christine presented her goals for the year and gave us an update on the District.
Updates from past week:
- Iisa arrived on Friday morning, landed about 6:15am and then we never saw her until approx. 8am, caught in customs. Janelle, Julianne & Peter & myself met Iisa at the airport. Julianne and Janelle had organised a balloon, flyer and a bunch of flowers, photos on Facebook and Bulletin. We meet the Rotary Club of Shoalhaven at the airport also, they were waiting for Amanda from Finland, their Exchange Student.
- Georgia Ryman our outgoing Exchange student will be going to Chile which she is very pleased with. Enjoy Georgia.
- International Student Commitment. Everything is coming together but this is a commitment by the Club. We all need to get involved and help the Host families. If you are going somewhere pls ask the Host Family if you can take Iisa. Multiple benefits, Good for you, good for Iisa, rest for the Host family
- Rotary Leadership Institute Courses (RLI): RLI is a training course offered to Rotarians to develop their skills in leadership and management within Clubs to improve performance, knowledge and enjoyment in leading or helping to lead Clubs in the District. The next course, currently open for registrations is 11-13th. Run via Zoom and starts on Friday night.
- There was a Trivia night meeting last Tuesday night; 25 July. Pls have a look at our “What’s On” for more information.
- Some 25 of us attended the Christmas in July at Pennant Hills Golf Club on Friday night; 28 July. Food was fantastic. We all ate too much.
- There were three Zoom sessions this week on Regionalisation. I attended the one on Thursday night; 27 July. I hope a number of other people also attended. Implementation starts from Jan 2024 and Go live is now scheduled for 1 July 2024. I encourage you to keep up to date as to what is happening.
- We have now finished the Cleanup of the BBQ gear at the Church, all sorted, labelled, numbered and a new rack ready for the first BBQ on 12 Aug.
- Greater Hills Rotary Book Sale. A number of months ago the Greater Hills Rotary Club offered us their site at Johnson Road and the whole Book sale.
A Working Party was formed and charged with the brief to investigate this proposal on behalf of our Board. The Working Party came to appreciate both the opportunities and challenges of this event and its associated site and facilities presented and completed effective due diligence on this offer.
The recommendation to the Board, which was accepted and has now been conveyed to Greater Hills Rotary is to decline the offer on all fronts. We consider our Club lacks the capacity, especially in terms of physicality to take on an event of this magnitude, in addition to it being out of area for us. We have looked at many options but still come to the same conclusion. We know we already have a very busy few years ahead and endeavouring to take on any of this would mean having to drop one of our major events which would be to the detriment of us building and collaborating with our own community and businesses.
- The End Plastic Soup Seminar was on Thursday night (27 July) and Colin Sharpe and Keith Ball attended. It is all about cleaning up the environment. I saw this at the Melbourne Convention. Very interesting and lots of good ideas.
- Last week we met at the Vicar in trying alternate venues to Springfield. Next week (7 Aug) we have a Club Forum where we will vote on a Venue. The Choices will be Springfield, Pennant Hills Hotel, or the Vicar.
- Two weeks (17 July) we had our Technology Night. Anyone who missed out, Andrew is happy to put the links on your smartphone.
- Youth Exchange – Janelle has been appointed to the District RYEP Team. Congratulations Janelle.
- Tues night (1 Aug) is a Community Service Meeting. Pls have a look in “What’s On”.
- Wed night (2 Aug) is a Trivia Night Meeting. Pls have a look in “What’s On”.
- Wed 6:30pm for 7pm 2 Aug – Visit to Pennant Hills Rotary – Thornleigh Zig Zag Railway
- On Friday afternoon (4 Aug) there is a District Domestic Violence Committee meeting. Janelle will be attending.
- There is a Youth Exchange Training Camp in the Blue Mountains this weekend 4-6 Aug. Janelle, Iisa, Georgia will be attending for the full weekend, Nicole & Todd for Sunday morning and then Julianne, Peter & myself are going up for the BBQ on Sunday lunchtime.
- Iisa is staying with the Stanton’s for the next two weeks to settle in. There is lots to do in getting Iisa ready for School and setting up bank accounts etc. Thanks very much Janelle, Julianne, Peter & Tony M.
That’s it for the week so let’s look after each other, stay safe and let’s do it.
Regards Neville Hansen
Night Report
Night Report – 31 July 2023
Opening: Sergeant David Turnbull opened the meeting and welcomed special guest DG Christine Owen and AG Mercedes Durante. He also welcomed our exchange students Iisa from Finland and Georgia going to Chile.
President’s Report
President Neville made a special welcome to our DG Christine and AG Mercedes as well as to our exchange students He also welcomed Karen Lambert who is visiting us.
Neville encouraged new members to participate in the Rotary Leadership Institute course which he found very useful. He also encouraged all members to follow the progress of the Regionalisation Project via Zoom as this will be an important admin development for Rotary. Go live date for Zone 8 is 1 July 2024.
All the club’s BBQ equipment, condiments, etc, have now been sorted and properly labelled at the church.
Our club has been approached by the Greater Hills club to take on their annual book sale, as they do not have sufficient resources to undertake it. A special club committee is currently investigating the pros and cons of the proposal before making a final decision in this regard.
Neville also reminded members who have not already done so to download the club’s Whatson App. Andrew can assist.
Director’s Reports
This Christmas we will continue to undertake our annual Tree of Joy project.
“Teacher in a Box” will be coordinated as part of the trip. Andrew is coordinating and upgrading suitable laptops so that school students can have access to thousands of books online.
Our new web page is up and running. We have a couple of minor technical issues with face book which will be quickly resolved.
New promotion material has to be compliant with Rotary Standards.
to the Science Experience. We will also be supporting summer RYPN and RYLA in March next year.
Other
Janelle discussed the development of Zone 8 Regionalisation Project and that she has been elected as a district representative for the Domestic and Family Violence Initiative. Domestic Violence will be a key part of the club’s activities this year.
Every club of the 66 clubs in our district has been asked to come up with projects individually or with other clubs to raise awareness about this important issue.
Guest Speaker
The guest speaker for the night was DG Christine Owen who discussed her vision and goals for the district in this upcoming year.
The district includes 66 clubs, 1 Satellite club and three Rotaract clubs. There are 1,660 club members 33% of which are female.
Christine discussed the theme behind the RI President’s Statement of “Create Hope in The World” and is seeking help from all clubs to create this Hope.
Her Main goals for the year are :-
Ms Owens also discussed the progress of the Regionalisation Project and the need to improve the readership of the District-news and communications.
The DG also highlighted the minuting requirements for the clubs’ insurance policies.
There is also a need for clubs to cooperate and learn from each other in relation to environmental projects being considered. We were strongly urged to discuss these with District
General Business
Sergeant at Arm’s
Heads & Tails won by: Mercedes Durante
Raffle won by: Barry Freeman
Opening: Sergeant David Turnbull opened the meeting and welcomed special guest DG Christine Owen and AG Mercedes Durante. He also welcomed our exchange students Iisa from Finland and Georgia going to Chile.
President’s Report
President Neville made a special welcome to our DG Christine and AG Mercedes as well as to our exchange students He also welcomed Karen Lambert who is visiting us.
Neville encouraged new members to participate in the Rotary Leadership Institute course which he found very useful. He also encouraged all members to follow the progress of the Regionalisation Project via Zoom as this will be an important admin development for Rotary. Go live date for Zone 8 is 1 July 2024.
All the club’s BBQ equipment, condiments, etc, have now been sorted and properly labelled at the church.
Our club has been approached by the Greater Hills club to take on their annual book sale, as they do not have sufficient resources to undertake it. A special club committee is currently investigating the pros and cons of the proposal before making a final decision in this regard.
Neville also reminded members who have not already done so to download the club’s Whatson App. Andrew can assist.
Director’s Reports
- Community Service:
This Christmas we will continue to undertake our annual Tree of Joy project.
- Foundation:
- Fund Raising:
- International:
“Teacher in a Box” will be coordinated as part of the trip. Andrew is coordinating and upgrading suitable laptops so that school students can have access to thousands of books online.
- Membership:
- Public Image:
Our new web page is up and running. We have a couple of minor technical issues with face book which will be quickly resolved.
New promotion material has to be compliant with Rotary Standards.
- Vocational:
- Youth:
to the Science Experience. We will also be supporting summer RYPN and RYLA in March next year.
- Club Services:
- Social:
Other
Janelle discussed the development of Zone 8 Regionalisation Project and that she has been elected as a district representative for the Domestic and Family Violence Initiative. Domestic Violence will be a key part of the club’s activities this year.
Every club of the 66 clubs in our district has been asked to come up with projects individually or with other clubs to raise awareness about this important issue.
Guest Speaker
The guest speaker for the night was DG Christine Owen who discussed her vision and goals for the district in this upcoming year.
The district includes 66 clubs, 1 Satellite club and three Rotaract clubs. There are 1,660 club members 33% of which are female.
Christine discussed the theme behind the RI President’s Statement of “Create Hope in The World” and is seeking help from all clubs to create this Hope.
Her Main goals for the year are :-
- Engage on meaningful projects
- Collaboration between clubs on projects and ideas to create benefits
- Achieve 100% donations by members to the Rotary Foundation
- Say NO to domestic violence
Ms Owens also discussed the progress of the Regionalisation Project and the need to improve the readership of the District-news and communications.
The DG also highlighted the minuting requirements for the clubs’ insurance policies.
There is also a need for clubs to cooperate and learn from each other in relation to environmental projects being considered. We were strongly urged to discuss these with District
General Business
Sergeant at Arm’s
Heads & Tails won by: Mercedes Durante
Raffle won by: Barry Freeman
Humour
The Sunday Philosopher STATE of No Origin ... contributed by Neville
Extinction... contributed by Cawas
Priest... contributed by Cawas
Out of the Mouths of Babes... contributed by Jim
Children Writing About the Ocean.
1. This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. (Kelly, age 6 ).
2. Oysters' balls are called pearls. (Jerry, age 6).
3. If you are surrounded by the ocean, you are an island. If you don't have ocean all around you, you are incontinent. (Mike, age 7).
4. Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily Richardson. She's not my friend anymore. (Kylie, age 6).
5. A dolphin breathes through a butthole on the top of its head. (Billy, age 7).
6. My uncle goes out in his boat with 2 other men and a woman and comes back with crabs. (Millie, age 6).
7. When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes when the wind didn't blow the sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans (William, age 7).
8. I'm not going to write about the ocean. My baby brother is always crying, my Dad keeps yelling at my Mum, and my big sister has just got pregnant, so I can't think of what to write. (Amy, age 6).
9. Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting. Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves into chargers. (Christopher, age 7).
10. When you go swimming in the ocean, it is very cold, and it makes my willy small. (Kevin, age 6).
11. Divers have to be safe when they go under the water. Divers can't go down alone, so they have to go down on each other. (Ann, age 6).
12. On our holidays my Mum went water skiing. She fell off when she was going very fast. She says she won't do it again because water went right up her bum. (Eli, age 7).
13. The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don't drown I don't know. (Bobby, age 6).
14. My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean. What he doesn't know is why he stopped being a sailor and married my mum. (James, age 7)
1. This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. (Kelly, age 6 ).
2. Oysters' balls are called pearls. (Jerry, age 6).
3. If you are surrounded by the ocean, you are an island. If you don't have ocean all around you, you are incontinent. (Mike, age 7).
4. Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily Richardson. She's not my friend anymore. (Kylie, age 6).
5. A dolphin breathes through a butthole on the top of its head. (Billy, age 7).
6. My uncle goes out in his boat with 2 other men and a woman and comes back with crabs. (Millie, age 6).
7. When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes when the wind didn't blow the sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans (William, age 7).
8. I'm not going to write about the ocean. My baby brother is always crying, my Dad keeps yelling at my Mum, and my big sister has just got pregnant, so I can't think of what to write. (Amy, age 6).
9. Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting. Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves into chargers. (Christopher, age 7).
10. When you go swimming in the ocean, it is very cold, and it makes my willy small. (Kevin, age 6).
11. Divers have to be safe when they go under the water. Divers can't go down alone, so they have to go down on each other. (Ann, age 6).
12. On our holidays my Mum went water skiing. She fell off when she was going very fast. She says she won't do it again because water went right up her bum. (Eli, age 7).
13. The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don't drown I don't know. (Bobby, age 6).
14. My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean. What he doesn't know is why he stopped being a sailor and married my mum. (James, age 7)
Check Up... contributed by Cawas
An annoyingly self-righteous man went to the doctor for a check-up.
He said, "I feel terrible. Please examine me and tell me what's wrong with me."
"Let's begin with a few questions," said the doctor, "Do you drink much?"
"Alcohol?" said the man. "I'm a teetotaler. Never touch a drop."
"How about smoking?" asked the doctor.
"Never," replied the man. "Tobacco is bad, and I have strong principles against it."
"Well, uh." asked the doctor, "do you have much sex life?"
"Oh, no," said the man. "Sex is sin. I'm in bed by 10:30 every night and I always have been."
The doctor paused, looked at the man hard, and asked, "Well, do you have pains in your head?"
"Yes," said the man. "I have terrible pains in my head."
"O.K.," said the doctor. "That's your trouble. Your halo is on too tight!"
He said, "I feel terrible. Please examine me and tell me what's wrong with me."
"Let's begin with a few questions," said the doctor, "Do you drink much?"
"Alcohol?" said the man. "I'm a teetotaler. Never touch a drop."
"How about smoking?" asked the doctor.
"Never," replied the man. "Tobacco is bad, and I have strong principles against it."
"Well, uh." asked the doctor, "do you have much sex life?"
"Oh, no," said the man. "Sex is sin. I'm in bed by 10:30 every night and I always have been."
The doctor paused, looked at the man hard, and asked, "Well, do you have pains in your head?"
"Yes," said the man. "I have terrible pains in my head."
"O.K.," said the doctor. "That's your trouble. Your halo is on too tight!"
