The evening meeting kicked off late due to nefarious tampering with our Zoom link by an international spy ring… or just a weird tech glitch.
Thanks to all who stuck with the process to join the meeting! The resulting banter was rather cheeky.
Michelle opened the meeting with an acknowledgement of first nations of our localities; then informed the meeting that Marjorie Gerlinger is rejoining the club.
Club Reports
Club Admin (Suvam Ganguli)
Much change is underway, as we transition into the new Rotary year and the new leadership team. Please be forthcoming with feedback.
We are committed to trialling some new things, including reshaping our arrangements with RACV.
We are also looking forward to locking in details for upcoming major events: Victoria Police Leadership Mentoring Program, Paul Harris Breakfast, and Christmas breakfast.
Thanks to members who have signed up to take on meeting duties, and to all who are embracing & sharing new ideas. John Ilott reminded us of Rotary leadership training available for interested Rotarians.
Youth Service (Rhys Williams)
Goals for the year:
- Promote District programs, RYLA and RYPEN, the National Youth Science program (NYSF), keep in touch with Youth Exchange
- Growing impact of Bernie Gerlinger Scholarships (auspices by Concern Australia)
Strategic Challenges
- There is ongoing challenge to identify and consolidate long-term partnerships. One that is going well is Police Legacy. Also Melbourne Youth Alliance (working with African university students in partnership with Melbourne Huddle), looking to run a youth mental health program. Looking at secondary schools to connect with as the program expands. Simmons College is a potential.
Broader observations
- Rhys shared findings from a recent report regarding a “volatile workforce” influenced by AI and digital, which will drive great displacement over the next few decades. Rhys is looking into an ‘employability initiative’ on this front.
Vocational Service (Ignacio Inchausti)
- The committee remains focused on the two flagship vocational programs - Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria Leadership Mentor Programs (VPLMP and AVLMP)
VPLMP - successfully graduated15 mentor/mentee pairs last year, and the program will start recruiting around October on the (now fixed) Rotary mentor website.
AVLMP - Currently under review
- International Students Mentoring Program - The focus of this newer initiative is connecting international students in Melbourne to local culture and networks. It is currently in a state of hiatus due to our partner, MentorMatch, undertaking a review.
- New Generations Service Exchange (NGSE) - International professional development exchange program to develop young people up to the age of 30 to hone their talent and build relationships. This is a District-wide program (potentially), although our club, along with RC Melbourne, leads the administration.
Fundraising (Campbell Chambers)
- Recent barbecue with Police Legatees raised $2000 for the Legatees and $4500 for the club.
- Next on-line raffle is planned for September.
- Next big event will be the Paul Harris Breakfast. More will come on this, including calls for donations and auction items.
- Bunnings BBQs have been in a slight hiatus, however looking forward to getting them back up and running in the summer.
- Looking for ideas to supplant the Garden Design Fest, which has become challenging to manage in terms of burden of logistics.
Community Service (Rebecca John)
The committee welcomes project ideas from all members.
In the 2023-24 year, the committee:
- Continues to work with Youth Projects in Hosier Lane to address ongoing needs, reminder about the current toiletries callout.
- Ongoing relationship with RYMERN, which provides furniture and homewares to displaced members of our community. The roster is filled out for the remainder of the year.
- Lift the Lid - ongoing fundraising efforts for mental health research
- Tree of Joy partnership with TAL, to coordinate gifts for children
- Christmas Hampers - Coordinating food donations for Lantana and Steps
- Phillip Island Tree Planting (Saturday 12 August)
- IFTAR friendship dinner
- Liaising with district 9800 contacts on projects related to domestic violence
Foundation (Rohan Williams)
- Working with RACV to lock in a date for the Paul Harris breakfast, ideally on Level 17, where 200 people can be accommodated. Date TBA.
- Channel Nine presenter Peter Hitchener is locked in as the keynote speaker.
Treasurer (Doug Robertson)
- Annual dues are due now.
- Club financials are returning to pre-Covid health, with thanks to fundraising and great thanks to bequests.
The meeting concluded with a discussion of the club’s speakers program – all members are asked to identify at least one potential speaker, their topic title, potential speaking dates and online or in-person.
Roy Garrett informed us that Anne Mitchell (STEPS) featured in a recent article in the AGE, from a former role as a teacher, see extract below.
