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I'm finding that the life of a Rotary president is very busy. There is a significant amount of behind-the-scenes work, but it leads to positive interaction with Rotary Club members from many clubs, as well as the general community. Last week I attended a Citizenship Ceremony, photos from which are below, as well as food packing for FORaMEAL, answered numerous emails and am trying to study up on Rotary bureaucracy. I congratulate every one of you who has fulfilled the President’s role in the past, especially those who have done it more than once. Hopefully I'm not deterring others from accepting the position.
FORaMEAL has been very active, with packing at Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College, in collaboration with Camberwell Rotary last week. Tuesday we took a trip to Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges, and this was an interesting one. I have occasionally been helping Nora with her background work for FORaMEAL. Nora is to really be congratulated again for her work behind the scenes. There are approximately 24 boxes filled with “things” and every one of those boxes must be washed and dried after use. There's also a lot of organisation required in setting up the schools and Rotary clubs etc. that we aren't privy to so, we need to be very grateful to Nora, and Doug, of course, for this project.
The big discussion points this week is whether we host an exchange student. Last week I became aware of an exchange student who is in limbo at the moment, after one club had offered to help, but weren't able to find a host family because most club members people felt they were too old! Alan has very generously offered to host him, and Michael Stillwell and I will probably do it as well, but if there is anyone in the club who could think about it or even do more than that by offering to host this boy, or even help with holidays or weekends, we would be very grateful. This kid apparently is an elite athlete of Olympic standard.
The next item of course is our New Members Night on 25th May. This is going to be a special night. We will have special speakers, have drinks and cheese on arrival, Pam's fantastic grazing platter for dinner with salad, and then sweets afterwards. Wine will be supplied by the club! Hopefully your partners and friends of Rotary can attend!
The next discussion point is changeover on Monday 29th June. You should all have received your invitations. There is a RSVP date for the bookings, so please follow the instructions, thank you
And then in a month from now we will be having our birthing kits packing. I will discuss this in greater detail closer to the date and I'm really hoping that you will take part. This is an extremely valuable project, which helps reduce the maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality in third world countries. It will also be a time for fellowship, chatting while you fold up gloves. No babies involved!
Enjoy the week.
Cheers
Jillian
