Rotary Central Melbourne
Meeting Report, September 1, 2020
Chair: Allan Driver
Reporters: Ignacio Inchausti, Tony Thomas, Malcolm Fielden
President Therese Robinson welcomed everybody to the meeting and the 1st day of Spring.
Guests: Teresa Carlson (Echuca Moama Rotary), Temi Salami, Rhys Williams
Guest Speaker:
Pete Jensen acknowledged that he was a Rotary Exchange student in 1983.
Pete Jensen: “Lessons in Happiness from the Third World. What we can learn about happiness from COVID-19”
Health (Physical & Mental) are in increasing decline since COVID-19 pandemic: 78% of surveyed Australians felt worse
Peter made a distinction between Depression vs Anxiety:
- Depression quicksand – not caring about what’s next
- Anxiety – caring too much; simple decision-making becomes excruciating
The BIG Question? How come more joy springs from such scarcity
The challenge - Sustaining Happiness
- Happiness is a daily intentional ritual
- 3 core ingredients
- Recovery is never a straight line – you need to put safety nets, guard rails in place
Key Elements – Community
- Belonging: self or others (The Australian Coalition to End Loneliness); 25% of employees have zero interactions
- Identity: what defines you? Many people in the west are job-defined
- Customs, traditions and rituals – these are very strong in the 3rd world
- Mentoring and rites of passage
- Acts of service – give, contribute without expectations
Purpose – key elements
- Having a sense of purpose
- Clearly identified and I can articulate it
- Connect with it daily, reflect and revisit
- I live and express my purpose by…
- I actively visualise my success
- I connect with something bigger than myself
Gratitude – key elements
- Consciously show my gratitude, daily
Set yourself up for happiness
- What’s going to be my big adventure
- Who can I show kindness to today, what will it be
- What kindness I will show for myself today
Put your ‘Safety Nets’ in place ahead of time
Birthdays, Anniversaries:
- Birthdays
- Rob Hines 7 September,
- Sue Duras 2 September,
- Rotary Anniversaries
- Brett Jones 5 September 2017,
- Campbell Chambers 6 September, 2016,
- Neville Taylor 7 September, 2011
Announcements:
1. Guest Speaker Selection Process: Francesco Fedele reiterated the need to obtain a bio in order to support selection.
2. Neville John: Travelled to Echuca-Moama (via MS Teams) and successfully attended the club’s meeting. Highly recommended by Neville.
3. Peter Duras: additional progress report on Caprice Donations via various sources. All suggestions welcome from additional donation sources.
4. Allan Driver: Trivia Night move has been suggested l from Friday to Thursday
5. Francesco Fedele: Introduced Robina Bradley (Nth Melbourne Club) to share the work with homeless
6. Therese Robinson: Provided a summary update on the last board meeting
Additional Guest:
Robina Bradley shared her history (personal and professional) describing her long involvement with benevolent ‘for purpose’ organisations. She took up the role of CEO of the House of Welcome in Fitzroy, Victoria, which provides shelter, care and respite for in-danger members of society. House of Wellness is also a small NDIS Provider; Robina shared with us the story of a specific individual and the continuing struggles and relief he received from House of Wellness, as one example of the work the organisation does and services it provides. In spite of COVID-19, the House of Wellness has adapted and found ways to continue to provide care and support services.
