Stawelltalk 10 to 18 February 2014
10 to 18 February 2014 StawellTalk
Hi to all our readers we have had our first Group 7 meeting for the year, and a fair bit of territory was covered. And as was pointed out by AG Douglas, it is not just the variety of what the clubs are doing, but quantity, that he is in awe of.
All Clubs were represented by their presidents and members , and this has turned into a great evening over the intervening years since the beginning, in 2005/6
All the Presidents were introduced, and their members introduced themselves, but the formality was not to rigid as we all know one another very well, after a good meal the Presidents gave a detailed explanation of what their respective clubs had been engaged in , and it was after this that the comment above was made b y AG Douglas.
We take this time to point out to the members that these group meetings are in effect our meeting for the weeks they are called, this is mentioned due to the numbers that did not appear, and this is not good for our club or the members of the other clubs that miss the company of those not in attendance.
A question of what does the badge mean, and that he would like to take the explanation and make it part of the new member induction. To that end PDG Ted offers the following.
There are many things that the Badge can represent and even more of how much one or the other mean to various Rotarians, however Past President Ron Russell of the Wanganui Club NZ, was asking this question many years ago that he discovered that there was no story or legend of the Wheel. Of course there was a history of the wheels evolution, from cart wheel to the famous cogged wheel including the Keyway that we have today.
There is a complete copy of his summation at a site on the rotary.org web site , History of the Rotary Wheel.
However in part and we quote him, “Perhaps our fascination with the whole movement, and its emblem, we should refocus our attention on the small slot, the keyway, in the middle, and the importance of those who fill it , and whom we invite to fill it “ unquote.
It may be as well to mention that the original of having a rotary badge goes back to 1906, emphasising the millions that have worn the badge with honour and pride, from then to now.
There are several other expressions of what the Badge means to various people sprinkled throughout various Rotary publications , so good luck with that, and of course if you are a good wordsmith, you can put down your own thoughts, providing that those thoughts stay in the focus of R.I.
The Jazz festival last Sunday the 9th, was an extremely profitable and well run event from all reports.. and sold out of everything and the job was wound up before 4.30, PM. Well done to the folks that attended, Kimberley, Pauline Val Noelene, John A and Robin
This month February, with Rtn Robin in charge of the programs for the Month. It is PP Kens B/day on the 12th Feb, Rotary’s Anniversary on the 23 rd., 109 th. to be precise, then have PE Vaughan & PDG Ted’s birthday the very next day on the 24th, PDG Ted recons that the he feels 109 at times.
Robin has to arrange for speakers on the 18th and an evening out on the 25th. The theme for February is “world understanding month”.
Valentines day on the 14th and PETS 21 to 23 Feb 14 for PE Vaughan, then it is on to March Literacy and Polio eradication month , with Rtn Kaye is in charge
Further areas of general discussion from our position at the Group Meeting.
Pres Kim in her report made mention of the retirement of PDGTed at the end of the Rotary Year 30 June 2014. There was generous reaction to this announcement by the members present.
As an aside, as mentioned last week, this has brought into sharper focus the need for a greater membership base, but of equal importance is the matter of attendance and members are reminded again, that it is a requirement to attend 50% of the available meetings, and should not be treated as a Country Club to attend when one feels like it, and not otherwise. Of course there are exclusions to this, most notably family, vocational and Health requirements, however there is an expectation that the 50% attendance request is not too difficult for a committed Rotarian, to maintain.
The Antiques and Collectables fair in scheduled for March, [decision pending] this rated comment by Pres Kim, thus making for a busy time, right through to the end of the Rotary year.
[So as can be seen attendance will become important, and is not so bad so long as the work is spread across the whole membership, not just the few willing horses]
The 60th anniversary celebrations are coming along and it was expressed again that the group clubs, are invited and that invitations will be coming out in the near future.
Discussion also settled on the efforts at various outdoor events, by PP Val, in her capacity of PR person as mentioned in other editions of the news letter Val has done outstanding work in this area and was noted at the group meeting. And listed in the minutes of the board meeting last week, and the bulletin last week.
From our point of view that just about covers most things, some excellent work has been done by all the Clubs with some high powered business being dealt with via various set of people and programs to assist in the alleviation of family violence, by the Maryborough Club, Ararat doing great work via the local Youth, and Beaufort has made a conscious decision to look at them selves and to move into a stronger Club position, while still doing Big things with Defying the Drift program involving the Marcus Oldum College , so we are all very busy and maintaining the effort.
Now it is time with some trepidation, to go where only the bravest may return, Norman’s Nonsense.
Now we know we have all heard of the Blond Jokes, but these are for the ladies.
A woman phoned her male blond next door neighbour, and told him that he should close the curtains when you and your wife are enjoying yourselves, the whole street was watching yesterday. The reply came quick sharp, the jokes on all of you, I wasn’t home yesterday.
A Blond bloke takes his gold fish to the Vet. I think my fish has epilepsy he says to the vet, the vet looks at the fish , well I don’t know, it seems pretty calm to me. Hang on says the blond bloke I haven’t taken him out of his bowl yet..
This same blond bloke ‘s dog goes missing, Why don’t you put an add in the local paper says his wife, he rushes out the door to the paper office. 2 weeks later there has been no reply. What information did you put in the paper asks his wife , the blond bloke says “Here Boy”
Oh dear!!
So Rtn Robin is to organize a speaker and a Vocational visit, and while mentioning that, Ed received a text from Pauline she is through her operative procedure, so that is the very best news, always an added worry with folks that have a breathing or thoracic problems , but Paulie has come through well, what a good girl she is, some Pain relief is required and that is understandable, but being the lady she is that wont slow her down for long, so our very best wishes to PP Pauline and we guess the hardest part is laying flat on her back for an extended period. We look forward to seeing her home again soon.
And so that’s about all for the moment folks, enjoy the cooler climate, because it aint going to last.
Remember,
We should measure success, in terms of the contribution an individual makes to their fellow human beings.
Have a great week in Rotary. Ed