Damian Leach had been asked to summarise and facilitate discussions on the findings of the recently conducted survey of club members. David Middleton introduced Damian..... Membership Chair and Past President of RC Campbelltown, Director at District level of Youth Services and Rotary Alumni. Damian has joined the District Board with responsibilities for clubs and membership. He works with the SA Department of Health on Covid.

Campbelltown has traditionally been one of the State's strongest clubs but began to decline and lose membership with an average age of over 70. A reinvigoration process was launched. Female membership has since grown from 20% to 35%, 4 new members already this year and more prospective. Average age is back to 65 with an influx of young members.

He explained that the results of the survey will be fed back to the relevant committees and to the Board for action. Ideas by members included the following:

Club Committees - regular meetings with club feedback, hands-on projects, major projects to be discussed by whole club

Club Vibrancy - all about trying new ideas, more vocational visits, learn more about fellow members

Public Image - more outward effort including paid advertising, improve our public face on the website and social media....not too late to start a modelling career

Professions - look for gaps in the club's occupational cross section and fill gaps....wonder if billionaires count.

Joining - the three attractions are community service, volunteering on retirement, involvement with friends. There were divergent views on our target audience through the formation of  Rotaract and e-clubs clubs to concentrating on attracting retirees.

Expectations of members - need to involve all members in volunteering their services, preferably with hands-on community projects. Provide positive feedback.

Listening - invite member's opinions and suggestions and  provide feed back on action taken

Club meetings - trial new/different styles of meetings...editor in favor of two-up for Anzac Day

Anything else??? - Major effort needs to be put into attracting new members (eg each member to introduce a guest to the club....buy one and get one free). The variety and style of meetings are vital. Damian put the view that the most critical issue for every club is COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE CLUB. 

Discussions followed. The strongest feedback was around having up-to-date procedures and policy manuals to guide the operations of the club.

Damian was thanked by applause...and to assist the dental fraternity, a bag of fruchocs for his kids. 

Spots

Leonie Kewen advised that due to Covid priorities the ceremony for SA Police Officer of the Year had been postponed from 17 September to 13 or 14 October.

President Nathan relayed a message from Brenton Judge that Treasure Boxes is again seeking assistance this coming Friday 17th at 11am. John Peacham volunteered to take Heather Kilsby's afternoon shift at the Thrift Shop next Saturday.

Trevor McGuirk expressed gratitude for the handiwork of Bob Mullins and the ready assistance provided by Ken Haines at the Thrift Shop.

Finale

Stephen is happily ploughing through the packets of licorice gifted on Father's Day and displayed his newly acquired golf socks. He and Beverley are headed for the Eyre Peninsula next week. Trevor  was delighted to have attended his grand-daughter's 21st birthday. David Middleton is still smiling from the prawn and lobster sandwiches scored on Father's Day.....if repeated next year we all expect an invite.

John Russell won the filthy lucre and Ken the fruchocs

The meeting closed 7.53  pm.   

ROTARY NEWS

Providing shelter after Hurricanes Iota, Eta

Posted on September 3, 2021

 

By Céline Chhea Operations Coordinator, ShelterBox

                

 

Through my work as an Operations Coordinator at ShelterBox, I have had the opportunity to work with Rotary clubs around the world. But the work together has never been more instrumental than last year during the pandemic.

 

In November 2020, Hurricanes Iota and Eta brought a wave of destruction across Central America.  ShelterBox responded in Honduras, where an estimated 82,307 homes were damaged and 174,241 people had to shelter in collective centers.  

ShelterBox partnered with the Rotary Club of San Pedro Sula, Hábitat para la Humanidad Honduras, and Habitat for Humanity International to support those who could return to their homes to clean up and repair their homes. Through the partnership, we distributed emergency shelter solutions in the form of ShelterKits, tarpaulins, tools, training, and household items to 3,208 families. This response is a key example of the strength and effectiveness of our global partnerships with Rotary International and Habitat for Humanity International.

Before the pandemic, I would have deployed to Honduras to support our partners. Having response teams in the country is vital to our operations. It helps us build relationships and connections, as well as giving us a ‘real time’ understanding of the situation. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions we had to take a different approach.

 

We worked closely with the Rotary Club of San Pedro Sula and Habitat for Humanity, whose knowledge, connections, and networks enabled a community led response. Each team played a crucial role, bringing their capacity, resources, and knowledge to the response. Our role was to provide equipment and aid, organize international logistics, and provide digital training and technical support. Our pre-positioned stock in our Panama warehouse enabled us to respond more quickly.

 

Habitat for Humanity Honduras was responsible for implementing the response: identifying need, delivering trainings, running distributions and post distribution monitoring activities. By working closely alongside communities and local government, Habitat for Humanity ensured that the people ShelterBox worked with were at the heart of the response.

 

Members of the Rotary Club of San Pedro Sula took on the large and complicated task of getting our shelter kits into Honduras. They did amazing behind-the-scenes work throughout the response, including coordinating the arrival and unloading of eleven 40-foot containers, arranging the tax exemption, and providing and managing a warehouse for safe and secure storage. Without Rotary, we would have struggled to get our shelter support into the country. The club also  coordinated other Rotary clubs around the district to support Habitat for Humanity Honduras to select project participants, mobilize communities, and distribute emergency shelter solutions.

 

When we work together with partners, we each play an essential role in making sure disaster-affected communities receive the help they need. Our partnership with the Rotary Club of San Pedro Sula and Hábitat para la Humanidad Honduras in our response to Hurricanes Eta and Iota demonstrates how we are truly stronger together. 

Bunnings Mile End and Mitre 10 Barbeques 

We have been allocated the last Monday of each month.....next one 27 September

The Tale End.....                                                  

Brendan Kenny's suggestion for a great Father's Day present next year....eau de sausage

                             

 

                                                 

 

"Florida Woman Stops Alligator Attack Using a small .22 caliber Ruger Pistol."

Another true story.

 

This is a story of self-control and marksmanship by a brave, cool-headed woman with a small pistol against a fierce predator.

 

Here's her story in her own words: "While walking along the edge of a pond just outside my house in the Villages discussing a property settlement with my soon-to-be ex-husband, and other divorce issues, we were surprised by a huge 12-ft alligator which suddenly emerged from the murky water.

 

It began charging us with its large jaws wide open. She must have been protecting her nest because she was extremely aggressive. 

 

"If I had not had my little Ruger 22 caliber pistol with me, I would not be here today!

 

Just one shot to my estranged husband's knee cap was all it took. The gator got him easily, and I was able to escape by just walking away at a brisk pace.

 

The amount I saved in lawyer's fees was really incredible and his life insurance was also a big bonus!"