BULLETIN 01 Aug, 2023 (Aug 01, 2023)

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WHAT'S IN THIS BULLETIN

01st Aug 2023

Next Meeting
Guest speaker Tuesday, 01st August 2023
From the Last Meeting
Request for Support - Youth Projects
Tree Planting Day on Phillip Island - Saturday 12 August 2023
Fortnightly Communication from the District Support Team

Gallery

Chair

TAYLOR, Neville

Greeter/Zoom Host

SWANN, Millie

Reporter

GARRETT, Roy

Photographer

THORNTON, Roger

Bulletin Editor

HARVEY, Koren

Social Media Editor

GANGULI, Puja

NEXT MEETING

This is a face-to-face meeting at the RACV City Club on Tuesday 01st August from 7:30am.

If you would like to visit our meeting, you are welcome to join us at the Theatrette, Chancery Level of the RACV Club. There is no charge for attending the meeting.

If you would like a more general discussion about attending a Rotary meeting, please contact the club secretary at rotaryclubcentralmelbourne@gmail.com

The meeting will commence at 7:40am and conclude no later than 8:30. Members and guests are invited to stay for coffee or breakfast in the club Bistro following the meeting.

GUEST SPEAKER TUESDAY, 01ST AUG 2023

Kerrie Hicks: On a path to more peace in the world

On September 11, 2001, Kerrie was a recruit in the Victoria Police Academy when the 9/11 terrorist attack against the USA occurred. This catastrophic event had a profound impact on her determination to ensuring the community not only are safe, but that they feel safe. Two decades later, whilst working for the UN in Iraq, Kerrie watched the coverage from neighbouring Afghanistan as Taliban leaders declared victory, bringing an end to America’s longest war and a new era of security challenges. It provoked an awakening in Kerrie to explore where she could best be of service on the peace spectrum.

Kerrie’s introduction to Rotary was in 2015 when she was a mentee in the Victoria Police Rotary Leadership Mentoring Program, matched with RCM mentor Stella Avramopoulos. Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self resonated strongly, aligning with Kerrie’s values and dedication to community safety.

Kerrie will share some stories from her path to peace, including the influence of Rotary, and will introduce the profound opportunity of the coaching dialogue in peace building.

Kerrie had a successful career in Victoria Police, serving the community and evolving her leadership style over time to one of Leader as Coach. Her policing career included various senior leadership roles eventually leading to the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team. The combination of community engagement, investigation, and emergency management experience led to the opportunity to work for the United Nations, leading an international criminal investigation into atrocity crimes committed by ISIL/Daesh against the Iraqi Christian community.

Inspired by the grit and resilience of the communities Kerrie had served in various roles and her passion for developing human potential, she established ‘Gritential Coaching’ in May 2022. She works with emerging and executive leaders and their teams in organisations to be even better humans and leaders by empowering them to harness their grit, realise their potential and live their lives well. Kerrie’s coaching counterparts describe her as “Safe. Gentle and strong. Impactful”. Kerrie finds joy in serving the community with her vision for building peace in the world, one coaching dialogue at a time.

FROM THE LAST MEETING

Rotary Central Melbourne Breakfast Online (Zoom) Meeting Report

Tuesday 25^th July 2023

Posted by Mary Voice and Sarah Overton

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.

REQUEST FOR SUPPORT - YOUTH PROJECTS

It is known to many that RCM has been a strong supporter of Youth Projects over many years. We recently supplied a number of sleeping bags for distribution to clients that are sleeping rough. Youth Projects recently advised that there is a need for toiletries for their female clients. For example, the type of things you would typically find in a business class airline toiletry bag, such as small bars of soap, tooth paste, tooth brush, hand sanitiser, female sanitary items, small shampoo/conditioners and the like. We are asking all members and friends to see what they can find or put together (in a small bag please) with a view to bringing them to the in-person club meetings, with close off being on Tuesday 1 August. If you are unable to attend any those meetings please let Maureen Jackson know and we will sort something out. Maureen will be coordinating this request so any questions or clarifications you have please reach out to her on email maureenjackson23@gmail.com.

TREE PLANTING DAY ON PHILLIP ISLAND - SATURDAY 12 AUG 2023

In 2018, Rotary Central Melbourne donated a trailer to the Phillip Island Landcare group. The trailer had done sterling service to the club for its Community Village project. When that project finished, the trailer was surplus to the club's needs, so a new home was found for it.

The Landcare group now uses it for their planting days and for promoting their activities at community events. The gift from RCM is still recognised by our (old) branding on the trailer.

The intention at the time of the donation was that the club would join the Landcare group for planting days, as part of its hands on service activities. We have had two very successful planting days over the last two years (see happy volunteers below) and we have arranged for another opportunity this year.

It is proposed we join with the Landcare group and other volunteers on Saturday, August 12. It is on a new site this year at 300 Watts Road, Ventnor. The day starts with morning tea at 9.30 am and we plant from 10 to 12.30, followed by lunch. Refreshments and lunch are provided by the Landcare group.

All that people need to bring are sturdy footwear, gloves, a water bottle and wet weather gear. As an alternative to planting, people can also help with assembling materials and preparing the lunch.

Please let me know by the end of this month if you are interested. Give me or Kevin Love a ring if you need further clarification.

Thanks in anticipation.

Roger Thornton