Two inspiring talks

In the absence of a speaker this week, IPP Carol Stier presented two inspiring videos - the first was Rotary International President-Elect, Mark Maloney, and the second by John Hewko, Rotary International General Secretary.

PE Mark Maloney spoke about all of us being together for one purpose - to build a stronger Rotary so that all Rotarians and Rotaractor's in our family of Rotary can serve our world better than ever before.  The goal of a true leader is getting everyone around you to achieve the most that they can achieve.  To increase Rotary's impact, to expand it's reach, to enhance participant engagement and to increase our ability to adapt. 

International President Elect Mark Maloney

In the new Rotary year we will have four emphasises to guide us in our work - first emphasis is to grow Rotary.  To grow our service, grow the impact of our projects, and most importantly to grow our membership so that we can achieve more.  One way to do this is through the classification system - what classifications are missing from our Club?

The second emphasis is - Our Family.  We need to involve our families more within Rotary.  Young professionals should not have to choose between Rotary and their families.  We need to change the existing culture and welcome children at every level.  We cannot ignore the needs of the very demographic we want to attract - the community minded young professional.  We need to meet them right where they are, at their stage of life and welcome them.

The third emphasis is Building a viable path to Rotarian leadership for Rotarians who are actively involved in their professions.  The Rotarian leadership ladder should not be hard to climb - we can make it easier.  You should not have to be retired to hold a leadership position within Rotary.  Rotary lives in the world it serves and it serves to unite that world.  It is time to adapt to the changing times.  You can be a great Club President without doing everything yourself.  Begin to change the culture of leadership within your own District.  

The fourth emphasis is to focus on Rotary's historic and enduring relationship with the United Nations.  Rotary already supports the sustainable development goals of the UN - clean water, better health, improved education and economic stability for the worlds less privileged people.  Rotary shares the UN enduring commitment to a healthier, more peaceful and more sustainable world.  Rotary offers what no other organisation can match; an existing infrastructure to allow people from all over the world to connect in a spirit of service and peace and take meaningful action toward that goal.  

Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.  We are people of action.  Rotary connects the world, and that connection is what lies at the heart of the Rotary experience - it is what brings us to Rotary and it is how we will grow Rotary. 

The second speaker was John Hewko, Secretary General of Rotary International.
John spoke about Innovation and flexibility within Rotary and what it means for the Clubs and the organisation.  "We want Rotary to be your oasis in the desert.  To be attractive, however, we need to change and to take Rotary to even greater heights.  This is the year when our new strategic plan is put into action, and the fundamental pillar of that plan is to use innovation and flexibility to take Rotary into an even brighter future.  If we are really serious about attracting new members from all demographics we must innovate.  It begins by making innovation a core principle in Rotary.  Also by developing a culture of positive change and adapting to the needs of our new reality and the changing world around us".  

Innovation is about transformative technologies - we call this sustaining innovation, or constantly developing our suite of products to serve our existing members.  We need to increase our ability to adapt through the use of "disruptive" innovation.  We will do this by pushing the envelope and growing Rotary through the establishment of new pioneering Clubs.  We need to think out of the box and to grow Rotary through new innovative Club models.  The three clear paths to make the changes and grow Rotary are:

• Innovation in existing Clubs
• Creation of new innovative Clubs
• Incorporating Rotaractors

John Hewko - Secretary General of Rotary International

Ian Widdop thanked Carol Stier for the stimulating videos and also thanked all Rotary members for their inspiring commitment.  

Amina Frehnse gave feedback on the Humanitarian Centre in terms of the Book Project and said that she had established a WhatsApp group for those who wanted to be involved.

Tony Reddy gave feedback on the Meriting project and said he was deciding which businesses to support and what budget was applicable for each business.  

Tony Reddy discussing the Meriting project

Helene Bramwell  reiterated that the Club needs marketing and that she had attended a symposium "Partners for Possibilities" working with schools.

During Easter, Club members donated a number of easter eggs for both the 5 Cee's and Woodside Sanctuary.  Please see the photo we received from the 5 Cee's.

Christchurch Christian Care Centre children celebrating the easter eggs

Thought for the week:  "When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."  - Maya Angelou