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DG Bernie's Message

MEMBERSHIP - A DIFFERENT ANGLE?

The following comments from RI President William "Bill" Boyd are taken from a speech he delivered at the 2006 International Assembly in San Diego, February 2006.

Around the world, since before any of us here were born, Rotary has been changing lives in too many ways to count. As Rotary leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that Rotary remains strong and able to help for many years to come.

New Rotarians join our clubs every day. Unfortunately, every day, some of those Rotarians leave. I know you all know this, because it's a message you've heard many times before. Whenever anybody gets up in front of a room of Rotarians and starts talking about membership, you see a lot of eyes start to glaze over.

The truth is that our time is not best spent talking about how to attract new members. Our time would be far better spent in strengthening our clubs. Because Rotary, working properly, is attractive enough to retain existing members and attract new ones.

New Rotarians leave because of poor leadership, cost, and a lack of service opportunities. That's what they tell us. So I ask all of you to focus on strengthening the clubs in your districts in those three ways: making sure that there is a strong and effective club administration, that the cost of membership gives good value, and that every club runs a variety of engaging, useful, and productive projects, both in its own community and with partner clubs.

There are so many ways to make Rotary more accessible and more friendly to new members. A meeting doesn't need to involve a hotel meal; breakfast meetings are both more affordable and easier to fit into a busy schedule. Encourage your club presidents to listen to their members and value their opinions. Encourage your clubs to break out of their established routines and to explore new ideas for projects.

As Rotarians, we are not content to let matters stay the way they have always been, in our clubs or in our communities. We are not content with the status quo, and we do not look at a problem only to say someone else will solve it. We are the ones who ask why not us? We are the ones with the skills and the desire to build a better future. And we are the ones who must Lead the Way.

We hope President Boyd's words inspire you as you Lead the Way in membership development efforts this year.

DG Bernie Walshe

Calendar of Events:

The Rotary Foundation - More good news

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

May we share some good news with you on behalf of The Rotary Foundation.

On June 28, Charity Navigator, the premier charity evaluation service in the United States, awarded The Rotary Foundation its highest rating of "4-Stars" for sound fiscal management, and for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances. The "exceptional" designation from Charity Navigator differentiates OUR foundation from its peers and demonstrates to our fellow Rotarians and to the public that it is worthy of their trust.

Your commitment and volunteer efforts have significantly helped our Foundation receive this recognition.

Sincerely,

Don Jago,

RRFC Zone 8

AUGUST IS MEMBERSHIP MONTH

RAWCS CAPE YORK SHELTER PROJECT
Volunteers still needed!
Teams required to build 5 shelters, at various locations, starting mid September through November. The first team leaves on the 13th September.

Particularly required are builders/tradesmen for later teams, but others with building skills would be welcome.
Volunteers only need to find their way to and from Cairns, from where they will be transported to the sites. Camp facilities will be ready for them and they will be fed by the aborigine families. Locals will assist in building the shelters.

This is a great opportunity for cultural exchange while Leading The Way. If your Club doesn't have any volunteers, but would like to be involved, you could sponsor an advanced apprentice or two. Although in Australia, this is an approved RAWCS project, unfortunately expenses are not tax deductible.

David Barkley of the R C of Geelong is co-ordinating the teams:
dbarkley@barwonwater.vic.gov
Tel: H 52223378 W 52269240 M 0417310197

For further information contact David Barkley or:
PP John Steven, R C of Camberwell
Email: johnsteven@bigpond.com Tel: 98826184
Rotary Friendship Exchange Bus Tour:
Fri 27^th - Sun 29^th October 2006
D9800 has a team of 24 Rotarians and partners visiting us from Sweden and Iowa USA, from 14th - 31^st October. At the end of the Exchange they will be taken on a bus tour - Click here for details. D9800 Rotarians and partners are invited to join us for a great International Fellowship experience. Seats Limited, so get in early.

The following Outgoing exchanges are available for Rotarians and their partners (or single Rotarians) for 2007. There is a maximum of 12 people per team.

D2340 Sweden  17 May 30 May 2007

D2390   Sweden 12- 25 June 2007

D1100 Bristol England July 2007

D6000 Iowa USA after convention in Salt Lake city June/July 2007

Would anyone be interested in an exchange to Scotland?

Looking for clubs to host up to 6 couples max. for 3-4 nights for the following incoming exchanges

D1100 Bristol England 21 Feb - 6 Mar 2007

D2390 Sweden 17 - 30 Mar 2007

D7500 New Jersey USA Oct/Nov 2007

Up to August 20 contact: Jeanette Lynch D9800 RFE chair:
(h) 03 9390 5400 (m) 0419 568 639   Email:  m_j_lynch@msn.com.au
August 21 - Oct 18 Contact Leon Lewi (h) 03 9532 8924 or John Steven (h) 03 9882 6184
Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians

Annual Tournament - Warnambool & Port Fairy
19 - 23 March, 2007

Entries close 18 January, 2007

For further information contact:
David Richards
Phone 03 5561 1840 or david.richards@westnet.com.au
or go to www.rcw.org.au and follow links to AGFR
The Rotary Group Study Exchange Program
Group Study Exchange with District 1580 - Netherlands

To All Club Presidents - a message from Neville John Chairman - District 9800 GSE Committee

This year's GSE outbound applications and information package were emailed to you in July. The applications for outbound Team members and leader close on 29 September. In order to ensure that there are no disappointments, would you please check that your Foundation Committee has received the documents. In the meantime, if there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact Neville on 0417 387216.

The Exchange will take place approximately during the period 28 April 2007 to 2 June 2007. You can visit the D1580 website at http://www.rotarydistrict.nl/d1580/

The Team leader interviews will be held on Sunday 8 October 2006 at International House. The Team leader once selected must immediately join the D 9800 GSE Committee and be available to attend the selection process for the outbound team on 22 October & 29 October 2006 at International House.
The Application Form for Team Leader is available by clicking here and for Team Member click here.

5.   DISTRICT RAWCS SEMINAR
      Sunday 27th August
      9.00am - 9.30am
      Concludes at 12.00 pm
      International House
      241 Royal Parade, Parkdale

There is still time to register for the once a year opportunity to learn in detail about
some of the most exciting work your District is involved in.

If you are interested in International and Interstate Projects this is an opportunity
you should not miss.

Come along and listen to some inspirational speakers who started with an idea and
made a huge difference in Developing Countries.

This seminar is a must for all Rotarians and in particular the newer Members.

To Register please contact Virginia Turner - 9592 4691 or email
v.turner@bigpond.net.au

6. Variety Club Party for Special Kids - it is on again and all Rotarians are invited
     to volunteer to help at the Variety Clubs Special Children's Christmas Party-
     Thursday 30th November
     Contact -Jim Thompson (9354 6694)
     Special Events
     Essendon North Rotary Club
    Click here

7.   Improving Rotary's Image - Application for Grants now open
      Click here for details

8. WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CLUBS

RC Essendon North

The Rotary Club of Essendon North is heavily involved, in conjunction with Tulla-
Calder Interchange Alliance in an open day- Click here for details.

     The open day will be supported by the Rotary Club in the following ways; The club
     will man the entry gate and collect a gold coin donation from all visitors. The club
     will also be responsible for marshalling in the car park. And guess what we will run a
     sausage sizzle and soft drinks stall.

In addition the public will be able to:

Walk or ride along a new freeway section to the top of the Tullamarine Bridge See construction plant in action Talk to project staff at key construction site
View a simulated drive through of the new roads.
And enjoy a family day of fun and entertainment.

WHEN SUNDAY 27TH AUGUST 2006. 10 am to 3 pm.

RC Albert park: Is the move again - From Wednesday August 16^th 2006 at

      THE RISING SUN HOTEL, CNR RAGLAN ST & EASTERN RD
      SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205
      7.15 am for 7.30 Start - Finish 8.30am
      MELWAYS MAP REF: 2K F

     RC Camberwell - Attention Lawn Bowlers
     The Rotary Club of Camberwell is proposing to organise a Rotary Bowls Day with
     proceeds to go to the Rotary Foundation. At present we have a venue, Kew Heights
     Bowls Club at 397 Barkers Rd., Kew, and a date being Friday 30^th. March 2007. The
     participants are to be Rotarians and partners from Metropolitan Clubs.

     Further details coming soon

      New Members
     Good to see a lift in the number of new member inductions and a big Rotary welcome
     to the following new Rotarian:

      RC Balwyn
     Margaret Jack

      RC Bendigo
     Ron Ruff,
     Brian Wheatley
     Bob Pascoe
     Trevor Giles

      RC Hawthorn
     Max Brenner

      Paul Harris Fellows:
     Congratulations to all PHF recipients through whose recognition the Rotary
     Foundation has benefited significantly:
      RC Bendigo
     Bryan McMahon
     Colin Burns

      RI Exchange Rate
      The August Rotary exchange rate for the AUD is 1.31

     Don't forget - you can always check the back issues of Weekly News if you missed
     something:  2005-2006 Issue 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14
     15 16 17 18 19 20   21 22 23 24   25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
      36 37 38 39 40   41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

2006-2007: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Speakers Bank Update - the very latest: Click Here

District 9800's website: www.rotaryd9800.org