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WHAT'S IN THIS BULLETIN

29th September 2020 

  • NEXT MEETING (via ZOOM)

  • Meeting Report September 22nd 

  • Trivia Night, Sptember 24th

  • Fundraising During Lockdown

  • GALLERY

NEXT MEETING (virtual) - TUESDAY  29th September
 

Warwick Cavell: Profitable Conversations

Very little gets done in organisations and teams without a conversation of some kind. We invest considerable time in meetings and other forms of conversations. But how many of these conversations are 'profitable'? How many give us a positive return on investment, that is they move the organisation or team toward its goals and they strengthen relationships?

Because conversations are so ubiquitous we tend to take them for granted. However because they are so important to getting things done it is hard to think of a more important lever in improving organisational and team performance. In this presentation I will explore a simple but effective structure of a profitable conversation from my experience working with a variety of organisations, over many years.

Meeting Report September 22nd
Rotary Central Melbourne
Zoom meeting, Tuesday 22nd September.
Chair:        Campbell Chambers
Reporter:    David Jones
        44 members present.
President Therese opened the meeting with acknowledgement of the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet.
Campbell proposed the toast to Rotary International.
Welcome: 
Therese welcomed visitors; Maria Fragomeni, Bernard Marchingo, Paul Cosgriff (Sunrise Probus), Mark Stansbury( RC Echuca/Moama), John Bone (Bearbrass Probus), and mentees of the RCM Pilot International Student Mentor Program Sreeja and Jaimin.
Guest Speaker Presentation:
Ignacio Inchausti  (RCM member). 
“Project and Program Management – The Art and Science of Delivery”
Ignacio presented ‘his personal story’, ‘a mere soundbite of today’s knowledge, presaging what we might expect tomorrow…..‘  An illustrated and clear presentation that struck such a note with members that question time extended well after the meeting closed, possibly setting a record for the club.
Project Management is defined as “The application of knowledge, skill, tools and techniques in order to meet project requirements.” Ignacio explained the body of knowledge is constantly updated through members coordination via their professional body, the Project Management Institute and their published, peer reviewed, “PMI Guide”.  PMI membership covers 600,000 professional spread over 190 countries.
By the very nature of a project there is usually a fixed term and following a well-defined base process, which is varied to meet each unique situation.  Ignacio emphasised the need for communication, communication, communication between the project team leaders and the client at all times, formal, pre-set, meetings and informal as the job progresses.  In addition to expected skills and knowledge required by a good Project Manager Ignacio highlighted integration, communication, conflict resolution, negotiation and influencing and political and cultural skills as being essential requirements.
Reasons for failure of a project often included, poor alignment with organisational goals, ineffective project sponsorship, underestimating the impact of change and poor project leadership.  “A Project Manager is only as good as their last project.”
After the first half of questions Campbell thanked Ignacio, questions continued later after the meeting.
Announcements:
⦁    Trivia evening on Zoom, Thursday 24th Sept.  Contact Roy/Allan Driver.
⦁    “Cook a long” by Puja. Wednesday 30th Sept 5.30pm on Zoom. Prior registration via  Rob Hines please.
⦁    Caprice Donations. Peter Duras advised further donations picked up from Caprice and processed by Sue and himself. Distribution is difficult owing to Covid regulations but challenges are being met. This ‘non cash’ fund raising for service to the community is estimated to be valued approx $80,000 to date.
⦁    Raffle draw. Rob drew on his business associations and presented a virtual wheel to draw the first of the monthly raffles. 
President’s Announcements:
Therese gave feedback from the recent Board meeting;
⦁    Budget v commitments discussed
⦁    Financial reserves. Board has decided that given the present unique situation it is appropriate for the club to draw on a portion of the financial reserves. The intention is to replenish the reserves as soon as times permit.
⦁    Subs. Some remain outstanding. Treasurer is following up.
⦁    Silk Miller sponsorship. This scholarship has been in existence for 20 years. There will be a presentation on 29th Sept meeting. 
⦁    Equity, diversity and inclusion objectives have been reviewed.  They will feature in our November speaker program.
⦁    Seeking two nominees from members [excluding past presidents] for the President Nominee Selection Committee.  Contact Therese – self nomination is ok.
  
Pocket Positive:
Mary told us of a friend’s granddaughter who, together with the rest of her diving team, have been thwarted from competitions and practice owing to Covid 19 regulations.  These 12 year old girls organised a cake competition amongst themselves to help stay occupied and challenged.  
 
“The diving pool - people being creative during isolation.”
Inquisition:
Brett this week gently interrogated Past President Warwick.
Warwick told us of his childhood and formative years living in Hawthorn. His family of 2 boys and 2 girls was often supplemented by up to 6-7 additional boarders, out of town new entrants to the Hawthorn VFL club.  His mother was from a large family and easily coped with providing for the numbers. 
With wife Jill they have 5 children and 11 grandchildren.
Warwick studied Accounting at Swinburne and became a Chartered Accountant, employed by Arthur Young and then smaller practices. Since age 30 he had been self- employed and has moved from accounting into management consultancy. 
His passion is learning and he reads tirelessly.  Sunday lunch is Warwick’s fav meal.
Anniversaries: 
Allan announced this weeks anniversaries;
⦁    Adele and Rankin le Roux,  28th wedding anniversary.
⦁    Bruce Heron,  10 years club membership
⦁    Therese Robinson,  4 years club membership
Meeting Closed.
Therese announced the guest speaker next week will be Tania de Jong AM  and thanked all for excellent attendance this week. 
Trivia Night, Sept 24
About 20 turned up for a night of fun and frolic engineered by Rotary Central Melbourne's Roy Garrett who had a nice selection of questions that were NOT TOO HARD. The roll-up was Rotary 7, Bearbrass Probus 6, Sunrise Probus 3 and miscellaneous (WAGs) 4. Rotary thus wrested control of the night back from incumbents Bearbrass. Roy on one question about the parameters of Pi was challenged to get Pi to a substantial number of decimal places and after a minute, and without consulting his calculator, got it right to about 8 places. Well done. Although we think fellow engineer Alan Seale might have corrected him on one figure. Actually Alan and his intellectual superior Robyn won the night with a great core of 32 out of (we think) 56. The iron rule is that they who win create the quiz questions next time, which is Thursday October 8 5.30pm: are you listening Alan? Anyhoo a good fun night and we believe some alcohol was consumed. btw Roy says Grange Hermitage is made entirely from Shiraz grapes (1 point). We wouldn't know being mere plebs whose price point for our daily bottle is $14 max.
 
 
 
 
Fundraising during Lockdown
Launch of the Raffle
 
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Rotary Central Melbourne monthly raffle.
 
Ticket sales are now open, please click here to go the website and purchase your tickets:
 
 
This month all funds raised will go towards the establishment of the Youth Projects Social Enterprise Cafe at the Royal Alfred Hospital. This project will help young people at Risk of Homelessness.
 
Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 or 6 for $20
 
The prize is a $100 gift voucher that can be used at any Woolworth's owned outlet including Dan Murphy's.
 
Ticket sales will close at Midday on Friday September 18 and the draw will take place during the Club meeting on Tuesday September 22.
 
 
Voluntary contributions
 
To everyone that’s made or intends to make a donations towards club projects, thank you!
 
If you are in a position to make a donation or even a series of weekly donations then please arrange to transfer those funds to the club bank account with the reference “Donation”.
 
Bank Account Details:
BSB 033-000
Account number: 791085
 
Thank you for your support!
 
Regards,
Rob Hines
Director, Fundraising
Caprice Generosity Spreads Far and Wide
CAPRICE GENEROSITY SPREAD FAR AND WIDE
Submitted by Peter Duras
Caprice’s incredible generosity over the last five years in passing on large quantities of their samples has reached an all time high in the last month. Prior to relocating, they have cleaned out their warehouse and we have taken delivery of 16 SUVs absolutely loaded with attractive licenced items   , mainly for kids. These donations mainly consist of backpacks , but also include a huge variety of bags, bed linen, towels , runners, thongs, slippers and gum boots. They feature popular images such as Frozen, Batman, Thomas and Friends, Paw Patrol,  Spiderman and the Wiggles. The 2500 pieces have been collected, checked, deticketed and packed ready for distribution to our traditional charities and a number of Rotary clubs with which we have a connection. So far 2000 items have been delivered by the Duras’s and Frank O’Brien to;
MACAULEY HOUSE AND CAROLINE CHISHOLM via Rotary Club of Essendon
LOCAL CHARITIES via Rotary Club of South Melbourne ( Pam Dittman )
ECHUCA CHARITIES via Rotary Club of Echuca / Moama
NORTH MELBOURNE HIGH RISE SOMALI GROUP via Zaineb Scheik and Rotary North Melbourne
GOOD SAMARITAN INN
BIG GROUP HUGS per Therese Robinson
ST VINCENT DE PAUL  ( Collingwood, Richmond and Fitzroy High Rise )
MARY MCKILLOP
BRIGIDINE ASYLUM SEEKERS 
OLYMPIC VILLAGE EXODUS COMMUNITY , West Heidelberg
ST VINCENT DE PAUL,  Warrnambool

We have 500 items in our apartment still for distribution, a manageable amount. Unfortunately, due to Covid a number of our usual charities such as Berri St Babies Home and Shine for Kids are unable to take donations at present. We will store some items for distribution by the Club closer to Christmas.
It is impossible to thank Caprice enough for their generosity and for the smiles that they will put on the faces of a lot of kids in these difficult times. I would particularly like to thank Sue for many hours of work, and Frank and Pauline O’Brien for all their help with this huge enterprise.                                                                                                                                                                                     
 
 
 
More goods from Caprice 
 
Peter, Frank and Pres Gary Mooney, St Vincent de Paul Conference in his trusty Holden Ute.
 
 
Felicity Rorke, CEO Good Samaritan Inn.
 
 
GALLERY
 

Meeting Photos

 
Chair, Campbell Chambers
 
 
Guest speaker Ignacio Inchausti
 
 
Inquisitor Brett Jones 
 
 Warwick Cavell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rob Hines and the Raffle
 
Mary Voice and the Diving Cake
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Meeting Responsibilities

Chair
AVRAMOPOULOS, Stella
 
Greeter/Zoom Host
DRIVER, Allan
 
Reporter
CHAWLA, Rajesh
 
Photographer
THORNTON, Roger
 
Door
ZHANG, Yanpu
 
Bulletin Editor
CLIFT, Nick
 
Social Media
LIM, Daniel
 

Upcoming Events

School holidays
Sep 19, 2020 - Oct 04, 2020
 
RCM Trivia Night 5:30pm
Oct 08, 2020
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
Cambodia and Laos international projects dinner
Kooyong tennis club
Oct 15, 2020 6:00 PM
 
RCM October Board Meeting
Oct 21, 2020
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
RCM Casual Breakfast Meeting Cup Day
Nov 03, 2020
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
 
RCM November Board Meeting
Nov 18, 2020
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
28th Paul Harris and Business Breakfast
Zoom meeting
Nov 24, 2020
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
 
View entire list

Speakers

Oct 06, 2020 7:40 AM
Recruitment during COVID-19
Oct 13, 2020 7:40 AM
Helping young people to be the best they can be
Oct 20, 2020 7:40 AM
Rotary Central Melbourne Mentoring Academy
Oct 27, 2020 7:40 AM
End Polio Campaign
Nov 03, 2020 7:40 AM
The Royce Abbey Award Program
Nov 10, 2020 7:40 AM
Peace Building & Conflict Resolution – ‘Diversity’
View entire list
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