New RI President Gordon R. McInally calls for Rotary to create hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing. He urges members to engage in tough conversations and earn the trust that’s necessary to realize these values.
Agenda - 12 march
meeting #2422
6:30 pm
RCWL Invocation
"We are proud members of Rotary International where we can serve our community and those needing help across the world. We enjoy meeting together for meals and mutual service in the convivial company of other Rotarians and guests."
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
Apologies:
Alan, Ros, Andrew
GUESTS:
-
Toast to the People of Australia -
International Toast -
Heads & Tails -
Birthdays & Anniversaries
SECRETARY REPORT - Jane
TREASURER REPORT- Len
Done
CLUB IMAGE & COMMUNICATION- Scott
Done
ongoing
Coming up
tbc
To do
Any ideas from Club members always gratefully received.
COMMUNITY & FUNDRAISING- Ros
Done
tbc
Coming up
BBQ at Bunnings on Sat 23 March
Please register in Events Folder so we can see if we need to connect with Partners
normal Monday Bunnings BBQ on 1 April
Carousel 6/7 April
Bub's birthday at the NRM is set for 21 April. This will be one of only two events at the NRM for us this year.
To do
Chasing down presentation to HeartKids in February
INTERNATIONAL REPORT - Andrew
Done
District Foundation planning for Showcase at Conference in Loxton
AED tracking (District Grant)
Heart of the Nation have confirmed 4 sites entered now on App (yet to check). Also have process to register more.
The code to use if anyone wants to is ANDE130224
Have provided an update report on Grant to District.
Coming up
Tentative dates for RARE (DIK) working bee Sat 4 May - please check folder
End Polio Now - let's continue the fight Donation tin to be at each Bunnings BBQ
Andrew is scheduled to speak at:
RC Morialta on 20 March;
RC Campbelltown on 22 April;
RC Henley Beach on 1 May
To do
tbc
VOCATION & ENVIRONMENT- Alison
Done
FMCG Open Day: Sat 21 April
Planning going well.
Coming up
ntr
To do
suggestions?
YOUTH REPORT - Robin
Done
Outbound Youth Exchange Student
Abby - no update this week, she must be at School!
Coming up
ntr
To do
We are still awaiting suggested dates for our Science Experience student to speak at our club soon. Denis Ralph may have some additional information soon.
Merilyn, from RC Morphett Vale, is the current Coordinator of Interplast in South Australia. She talked to the Club about the valuable work that Interplast does, supported in part by donations from Rotary.
History
In the 1960s, one man believed plastic surgery could transform the world. One patient at a time…
That man, Dr Donald R Laub of Stanford University, pioneered the idea that reconstructive plastic surgery could rehabilitate, reintegrate and transform lives. In 1969, his vision led to the creation of Interplast (USA), now Resurge International. Thousands of medical volunteers extended a helping hand by travelling overseas and assisting those in need. Mr Leo Rozner, an Australian plastic surgeon, was one of those volunteers.
Returning to Melbourne from South America, Mr Rozner’s promotion of the Interplast experience to the Rotary Club of Cheltenham intrigued Dr Gerald Duff, a general practitioner and Rotarian who instigated discussion regarding transplanting the Interplast concept in Australia with Rotary District 980 (now 9800). Back and forth, the conversational tennis match between Doug Mills and Keith Walter of 980, Interplast in the United States of America and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, through Professor Donald Marshall, the then Chairman of the Plastic and Reconstructive Division, eventuated in the birth of Interplast Australia in 1983. Dubbed a joint project between Rotary District 980 and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Interplast Australia was established to provide voluntary medical teams to carry out plastic and reconstructive surgery in developing countries.
Changing futures through medical care and training
In Australia and New Zealand, we often take it for granted that if we ever need medical care, we will be treated quickly and effectively by highly qualified doctors, nurses, surgeons and other specialists.
But right next door in the Asia Pacific region, a lack of resources combined with limited training means people with repairable conditions are often not treated fast enough or well enough – if they are treated at all.
The numbers are almost impossible to grasp.
An estimated 143 million people each year go without surgical attention they urgently need, according to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. More than 99 million of those cases are in Asia and Oceania, where Interplast works.
Plastic surgery has the power to change the future of entire communities, yet for millions of those who need it most, it is simply not available or not affordable.
Of course, no single organisation could ever help that many people, which is why – in addition to free reconstructive surgery – Interplast delivers high quality training for local medical professionals in each of our 17 partner countries, in response to their requests. We do this in close collaboration with our local partners and a network of organisations in Australia and New Zealand.
Our training programs help strengthen health systems by giving professionals the skills they need to restore function – and hope – to people affected by burns, tumours, hand and foot injuries, congenital anomalies and more. In the meantime, our volunteer medical teams work tirelessly to help as many individuals as they can.
When you donate to Interplast, you contribute directly to changing futures today. Your donation will give someone in need the chance to have life-changing surgery, and it will give someone the opportunity to learn new skills that will benefit their community for years to come.
Thank you so much for your postcards! I hope all of your projects are going well, it’s exciting to hear you may be hosting a student! The safari tour sounds amazing, and I know the students are definitely enjoying it.
On Saturday, I went to Florence (Firenze) with the other students in district 2041. We had an incredible day, we went to the Uffizi, had lunch at an incredible restaurant, and walked around the town.
The Rotary Community Groups are part of the new governance model being trialled in the Regionalisation Pilot.
Some clubs have asked if this means they should stop other existing collaborations.
The new model does not ask you to cease any partnerships or joint-working arrangements that your club currently enjoys.
West Lakes is in Group 4 (see below)
The next step is for each Rotary Community Group to hold an establishment meeting.
This will address the leadership and support each group will need, in preparation for the election of their Rotary Community Leader.
We will soon receive details about the establishment meeting for our group, which will be facilitated by a member of the District Leadership Team.
All clubs in each group will be represented in their establishment meeting.
Club representatives are aware of, and authorised to speak on the club’s position in relation to the following questions:
What areas would your club like to work together on with the other clubs in your RCG? (Note: This is a preliminary brainstorm on possible areas to increase community impact, Rotary's profile, and membership attraction/retention. For example, a joint project.)
What sort of leadership and support will our club need? (eg facilitation, project management, club modernisation - anything that would help our club be successful in our growth plan)
What arrangements would work for our club (eg meet in person once or twice a year, then project teams work in between, possibly use online collaboration tool etc. - a wide variety of arrangements is anticipated)
As part of the activities on the day they have suggested making mini wicking beds (see photos below). Could we please start collecting clean 2L milk cartons for this purpose. Visitors can take part in putting one of these together with a seedling inside (e.g. lettuce plant) and take them home from the event.
As a follow on from our recent Club sponsorship of an Outbound Student (Abby O'Brien, now in Italy), we have been asked to consider sponsorship of a reciprocal Inbound Youth Exchange Student.
There is an indication that an Inbound Student could be arriving in Late August 2024.
Given that this can be considered a significant Club Project, our Youth Director Robin will be speaking to this Potential Sponsorship.
Sponsoring an Inbound Student comes with responsibilities and a total club commitment.
Should our club commit to moving forward on the proposal the following are some key points to consider:
Two club positions required: Youth Exchange Officer & Club Counsellor
Club Responsibilities: Arrange (3 or 4) Host Families, (not necessarily Rotarians).
Arrange a variety of administrative schooling requirements.
Costs: Hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange student is considered a Club project and therefore all costs to the Club are project costs.
Costs ~$3,000 to cover: Allowance (minimum of $150/mth), Dinner Fees, Training Weekends, School Fees, Uniforms etc.
Adherence with Rotary RYE “rules”.
From our decision to host until the student completes their exchange with our Club there may be a period of 15 or more months.
The exchange commitment covers more than one Rotary year.
If you need any more information, please speak to:
- Robin, Youth Director
- Ros, past Exchange Student, Republic of South Africa, 1979
- Alison, past Exchange Student, Utah USA, 1980
- Peter, past District Chair of Youth Exchange
Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace, one young person at a time.
Rotary Youth Exchange inspires young leaders to serve as catalysts for peace and social justice in their local communities and throughout the world, long after their exchanges end.
This program is possible because of the dedication, leadership, and passion of the tens of thousands of volunteers — Rotary members and nonmembers alike — who make this unique program so successful.
Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.
What are the benefits?
Exchange students unlock their true potential to:
Develop lifelong leadership skills
Learn a new language and culture
Build lasting friendships with young people from around the world
Kevern Kendle graced us with his presence at the meeting (with Susan of course).
Len Loechel gave a heartfelt speech, thanking Kevern for his 12 years of service to RCWL, with particular note of his effort in:
Past President
Path of Memories
doing the books on Christmas Carols
volunteering
Whilst we wish Kev the best, it won't be the last we will see of him, as he has advised that he will be willing to continue to assist with volunteer work in the future.
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