Presidents Report
We started what is a huge week of activity in our Club calendar, by conducting the second of our Biannual Club Forums on Monday 6 March. Club Forums are an important way to step back from day-to-day operations, and check in on the health and vitality of the Club and to consider some of the bigger issues that relate to our Club and surround the wider Rotary community. This year’s international Rotary theme has challenged us all to imagine and reimagine Rotary. We’ve been active in this space in our Club in working on alternative business models, undertaking varied fundraising and community service projects, exploring new international opportunities and enhancing membership in number and diversity. It was wonderful to hear feedback from members indicating they support Board initiatives in these areas, that the level of GDH - Gross Domestic Happiness (thank you to the nation of Bhutan for this beautiful acronym) in the Club is high, and that our Club continues to be vibrant and evolve in responding to community needs and expectations.
Our efforts last month attest to this energy and drive as we look back and see what we achieved:
Getting to Monday night saw several key events take place at the end of the previous week. On Friday 3 March, Carol, Neville and I attended the International Women’s Day Breakfast organised by the Rotary Club of Norwest Sunrise. Together with around 50 participants, we were inspired by the work and deeds of refugee advocate and NSW Local Hero 2021- Rosemary Kariuki; para-athlete and Commonwealth games medallist - Julie Charlton; and June Young OAM, Rotarian and Legacy ambassador. I went to work feeling totally uplifted and in awe of these truly amazing women who work tirelessly on behalf of all women. A big thank you Norwest Sunrise for a great event. This was followed on Saturday 4 March, by our third sorting day for the Giant Annual Book Sale. The 26 club members and partners in attendance did a brilliant job and put us in good form for this week’s Book sale tasks. And to add to the trifecta of activities, Sue Moore organised and coordinated the Club’s Clean Up Australia event on Sunday 05 March. This saw the Makins, Moores, Neville, George, David and myself, join together with Cherrybrook RFS, 1st Cherrybrook Scouts and Cherrybrook Girl Guides to clean up the precinct around the RFS, Cherrybrook oval and the lakes of Cherrybrook. And finally on Monday 6 March, Kerry and Ros H attended and represented our Club at the Rotary Club of North Gosford’s SOKS (Save our Kids from Suicide) Benefactors dinner at Doyalson on Monday 06/03/2023. This event sees program participants and benefactors come together to celebrate the successes and outcomes of this wonderful program.
And now to this week and the week ahead – and what a week it is!! We have:
Our efforts last month attest to this energy and drive as we look back and see what we achieved:
- 02/02 – attendance at the opening of ‘Grace’s Place’ as part of Homicide Victim’s Support Group (HSVG) (Community Services)
- 04/02 – 1st Book Sort for Giant Annual Book Sale (Fundraising)
- 05/02 – Neville’s attendance at Eugowra Flood Relief community event and showing of Eugowra Stories – Heartache and Hope (Community Services)
- 17/02 – Working Party meeting re Environmental Officer position (Community Services)
- 18/02 – 2nd Book Sort for Giant Annual Book Sale (Fundraising)
- 22/02 – Collection of coffee bags for Goods Rehoused and Rehomed (Community Services)
- 24/02 – Working Party meeting re Sponsorship Officer position (Public Image)
- 24/02 – Donations to Grandmothers for Refugees in conjunction with Goods Rehoused and Rehomed (Community Services)
- 27/02 – Mega meeting with 88 attendees from across the Rotary Hills cluster as well as community groups and friends of the Club with guest speaker Greg Page and charity ‘Heart of the Nation’ highlighted (Club Services)
Getting to Monday night saw several key events take place at the end of the previous week. On Friday 3 March, Carol, Neville and I attended the International Women’s Day Breakfast organised by the Rotary Club of Norwest Sunrise. Together with around 50 participants, we were inspired by the work and deeds of refugee advocate and NSW Local Hero 2021- Rosemary Kariuki; para-athlete and Commonwealth games medallist - Julie Charlton; and June Young OAM, Rotarian and Legacy ambassador. I went to work feeling totally uplifted and in awe of these truly amazing women who work tirelessly on behalf of all women. A big thank you Norwest Sunrise for a great event. This was followed on Saturday 4 March, by our third sorting day for the Giant Annual Book Sale. The 26 club members and partners in attendance did a brilliant job and put us in good form for this week’s Book sale tasks. And to add to the trifecta of activities, Sue Moore organised and coordinated the Club’s Clean Up Australia event on Sunday 05 March. This saw the Makins, Moores, Neville, George, David and myself, join together with Cherrybrook RFS, 1st Cherrybrook Scouts and Cherrybrook Girl Guides to clean up the precinct around the RFS, Cherrybrook oval and the lakes of Cherrybrook. And finally on Monday 6 March, Kerry and Ros H attended and represented our Club at the Rotary Club of North Gosford’s SOKS (Save our Kids from Suicide) Benefactors dinner at Doyalson on Monday 06/03/2023. This event sees program participants and benefactors come together to celebrate the successes and outcomes of this wonderful program.
And now to this week and the week ahead – and what a week it is!! We have:
- Cherrybrook Uniting Church inviting Club members and partners and join in their BBQ breakfast on Thursday 09/03 as we are onsite in the lead up to the Book Sale later that week. This is a really lovely gesture on behalf of the Church and evidences the strong collaborative relationship that exists between our organisations.
- Upcoming Giant Annual Book Sale 10-12/03. This is the Club’s biggest fundraiser and this year we’re raising funds for ‘Heart of the Nation’ – Greg Page’s charity. So please as many members, partners, and Club friends as possible pitching in to lend a hand.
- Face-to-face meeting at Springfield House on Monday 13 March to welcome our 4 amazing guests from Eugowra and the Rotary Club of Parkes as we hear of their first-hand experiences during the flood crisis and the ongoing road to recovery. As this is the week of St Patrick’s Day, please wear a touch of green.
Night Report
Night Report 6 March 20N23 (Zoom)
Opening: President and Sergeant for the night Janelle Craig opened the meeting which was a Club Forum night.
21 members participated on the night.
Our guest speaker for the night Kalma McLellan will be joining the meeting about 8:00 PM as she is participating in another Club meeting until then ...
President’s Report
Director’s Reports
Michelle Rochella will be needing some help to fill a shipping container bound for Lebanon and also to repair another container. Neville will seek member assistance in relation to these:
Vocational (Edwina):
Organising a visit to Bob Whyms’s business in Seven Hills on 8 May. Minimum members required is 10 and a maximum of 20. Planned for 6:30 PM followed by perhaps a dinner at Seven Hills. Will require member confirmation by 3 May
Treasurer & Social (Tony Coote):
Key points only or preferably member will provide a brief synopsis to the night reporter prior to the meeting.
Guest Speaker
Name Kalma McLellan
Organisation
Topic Update on ZONE 8 Project
The project is aimed at achieving a single point of contact for the country, a single governance standard and a more efficient governance and reporting structure. In addition technology is proving to be a challenge even within jurisdictions and districts.
A report is being prepared to go to the international board in April. Member communication will issue in a couple of weeks
General Business
Sergeant at Arm’s
None this week
Opening: President and Sergeant for the night Janelle Craig opened the meeting which was a Club Forum night.
21 members participated on the night.
Our guest speaker for the night Kalma McLellan will be joining the meeting about 8:00 PM as she is participating in another Club meeting until then ...
President’s Report
- President Janelle welcomed all present and outlined the plan for the night’s Club Forum
- She provided updates from past week;
- Norwest Sunrise International Women’s Day breakfast 03/03 – Carol, Neville, Janelle. Presentations by really great women guest speakers were inspiring in relation to refugees and handicapped youths.
- Giant Annual Book Sale, 04/03 – book sort 3; 26 club members and partners in attendance did a brilliant job and put us in good form for this weeks Book sale tasks.
- Clean Up Australia, 05/03 – Makins, Moores, Neville, George, David and Janelle, plus RFS, 10 Cubs/Scouts and 2 Guide leaders.
Director’s Reports
- Community Service (Neville):
Michelle Rochella will be needing some help to fill a shipping container bound for Lebanon and also to repair another container. Neville will seek member assistance in relation to these:
- Club Services (Neville)
- Breakfast at the church at 7:30 AM Thursday
- Eugowra presentation at next week’s face to face meeting. We will be meeting the two young guys who helped to evacuate a number of residents.
- District Assembly half day on 5 April 2023. It will clash with the Bunnings BBQ so those attending make alternative arrangements.
- District Conference on 17 to 19 March
- ANZAC dinner with the Lions club is scheduled for 24 April at the WPH Sports Club
- Foundation (David):
- Fund Raising (John Caruana)
- Book Sale this coming weekend
- Mother’s Day Market this year. Thank you to all who volunteered for the sub-committee. First meeting 20 March
- International (Peter Stanton):
- Membership:
- Public Image (Keith):
Vocational (Edwina):
Organising a visit to Bob Whyms’s business in Seven Hills on 8 May. Minimum members required is 10 and a maximum of 20. Planned for 6:30 PM followed by perhaps a dinner at Seven Hills. Will require member confirmation by 3 May
Treasurer & Social (Tony Coote):
- Remind all members and partners about baking for the book sale workers this coming weekend
- Friday night of 21 April dinner at E; Posto at Epping. Will send out details to pay shortly.
Key points only or preferably member will provide a brief synopsis to the night reporter prior to the meeting.
Guest Speaker
Name Kalma McLellan
Organisation
Topic Update on ZONE 8 Project
The project is aimed at achieving a single point of contact for the country, a single governance standard and a more efficient governance and reporting structure. In addition technology is proving to be a challenge even within jurisdictions and districts.
A report is being prepared to go to the international board in April. Member communication will issue in a couple of weeks
General Business
Sergeant at Arm’s
None this week
Humour
A Couple of New Ones here... contributed by Jim
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The Church Gossip... contributed by Tony C
The Church Gossip
Mildred, the church gossip and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business.
Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities but feared her enough to maintain their silence.
She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon.
She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing!
Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away.
He didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing.
Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house ... Walked home... And left it there all night.
You gotta love Frank
Mildred, the church gossip and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business.
Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities but feared her enough to maintain their silence.
She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon.
She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing!
Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away.
He didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing.
Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house ... Walked home... And left it there all night.
You gotta love Frank
The Parrot... contributed by Neville
The Parrot
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary.
Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.
John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary.
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed.
Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude.
As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird spoke-up, very softly,
"May I ask what the turkey did?"
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary.
Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.
John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary.
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed.
Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude.
As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird spoke-up, very softly,
"May I ask what the turkey did?"
