Last week I revisited the Zone 8 Regionalisation Project and the requirement for our Club to discus how we see ourselves. The key questions from the presentation have been circulated and this week we were able to discus and agree our response.  Secretary George-Anne and I have compiled what I see as our collective Club response:

 

Questions in the Club Preferences Form

What are we most passionate about?

Members are most passionate about the culture of Mount Eliza Rotary Club.  The fun gained by doing things together.  Care for one another is high.  Members are passionate about making a difference locally and internationally.

 

What are our biggest strengths and challenges?

Members see our long established trust fund as a big advantage for the Club.  The interest generated can be distributed annually to projects with the status as charities and this takes pressure off fund raising.  The Club is very broadly based in its interests including community, youth, environment and international areas. 

Our satellite Club gives us a source of extra younger members efforts for all activities.  It broadens our scope in attracting new younger members into Rotary.  At the same time the senior Club has an issue in attracting new members to provide a source of  leadership candidates.

An additional challenge is to identify a moderate scale fund raising project that can be established and perhaps become a signature project for Mount Eliza Rotary over a longer period.

 

What do we imagine our club could achieve with increased support and collaboration?

 We see an opportunity to have more impact if we had a more comprehensive public relations package that improves the identity of Rotary.  We would fill up our satellite club, start a Rotaract club and maybe have Interact clubs in several schools. 

 

What is our preferred primary way of being grouped with other clubs?

Members see that a geographic basis as our preferred way of being grouped.  Our Peninsula cluster is strong and we see a linkage with the neighbouring Nepean cluster as preferred.  Additional clubs either from neighbouring areas around Port Phillip Bay, Westernport or even the Bellarine Peninsula would be appropriate.

 

Are we interested in being part of a secondary grouping?  If so, based on what shard interest?

Members would consider a secondary grouping with clubs interested in international projects.

 

 

We plan to approve our final rersponse at the Zoom meeting next week.

 

Carolyn Such

Following on with the tradition started by Rotarian, the late Tim Acton, our Annual Melbourne Cup Calcutta evening is again to be held at Le Hoang Vietnamese Restaurant on Cup-eve. The function will start at 6.30pm.

Our auctioneer, the ‘Fabulous Phil Key’ will auction each of the 24 runners in the Cup. This year we shall have a straight auction; unlike last year, the horses shall not be put to re-auction.

In addition, a range of other wonderful items will be up for auction.

Le Hoang will, once again, be providing a great banquet menu. BYO drinks (no corkage) or beer/wine can also be purchased.

Tickets are $40 per person.

Bookings are limited to 80 people. Please invite your family and friends and remember to BOOK EARLY.

A taxing situation

According to unofficial sources, a new simplified income-tax form from the ATO contains only four lines:

1. What was your income for the year?

2. What were your expenses?

3. How much have you left?

4. Send it in.