President Peter's (Words of Wisdom).
Following the club meeting on Thursday night, I have taken a moment of reflection before putting my finger to the computer keyboard.
On my presidential induction last July, I commented on changes to the Rotary club since my previous opportunity to lead this great club in 2004-05. Similarly, to Changeover last July, I looked at the Club’s membership attendance at last Thursday’s meeting both in number and age. Two things are obvious: we are now an old club, our membership is predominantly populated by retired persons and we are now fewer in number. The above was highlighted when, at my table, we had three guests who were significantly younger than our current membership and all three are employed.
If I could go back to when I was President in 2004-05, neither of the above comments would have been true.
Now the extraordinary club meeting on Thursday 13th October had added significance. DGE Craig Dowling gave a compelling presentation on the Rotary Club of Loxton’s launch of a satellite club. In the initial few months of this membership experiment, the satellite club has enjoyed spectacular growth. Loxton club has characteristics not unlike our Club: similar number of members, stable but ageing membership and a regional club.
The Club’s board will discuss the concept of a satellite club, will monitor Loxton satellite club’s progress, and report a recommendation to club members in due course.
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Guest Speaker Adam Robinson
A young man’s acknowledgement of his opportunity to attend a recognised Rotary program is always worth listening to. Such was the presentation from Adam Robinson who recently attended this year’s RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) program held at Nunyara Conference Centre in Belair. The program encompassed leadership, citizenship and personal growth.
Adam began by telling the gathering that he arrived at the venue on a wintery Saturday morning. "My phone has always gone where I’ve gone. However, not this time as it was sealed in a plastic bag and taken as contraband." Adam’s immediate reaction was to exclaim, “A week without my phone. I haven’t gone a day without it in over ten years.”
Thirty young aspiring leaders sponsored by Rotary Clubs throughout District 9510, were split into five teams. Adam was allocated to the red team and had already noted that the RYLA participants were incredibly diverse and multicultural. He commented, "I’ve never had the opportunity to work with so many different individuals.”
The seven-day program included speakers on a whole range of subjects. The first covered Resilience and what resilience meant to us as individuals. Discussions included where resilience comes from and how to build and develop it to situations where you may need strong resilience. The next speaker covered the different forms and skills of public speaking, which included rhetorical questions, projection, eye contact and body language. Participants were encouraged to speak in front of the group and put their newly discovered skills into practice.
Adam went on to say that the session on Emotional intelligence in Leadership for him was a very powerful session. It was centred around the ability to use your understanding of emotions and deal with people and problems in a way which reduces anger and hostility. The difference between empathy and sympathy were a highlight and putting yourself into someone else’s shoes to get a greater understanding of their position.
At the end of week, long lasting friendships had been made and a big family had been born. More importantly Team Red had taken out the title of winning. Adam said, “RYLA allowed me the opportunity to speak with many young people with completely different backgrounds and learn about their past and everyday lives. I’m incredibly lucky to live in the Barossa Valley and I’ve grown a greater appreciation for this beautiful region.”
Attending a RYLA program at the age of 25 allowed Adam to appreciate and absorb more information and relate it to everyday life than if he had attended the program at a younger age.
Adam rounded off his presentation by acknowledging the presence of ‘Fred and Myrtle’ as Mum and Dad at the Camp, better known to us as Mark and Sue Graetz who were a massive support for the participants. He said, “It was fantastic getting to know such an inspiring couple.”
Finally, he thanked the Barossa Valley Rotary Club for selecting and sponsoring him to be a part of the program and was truly grateful for the opportunity to attend.
Prue and Adam with RYLA 'Mum and Dad.'
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Rotary Satellite Clubs
The following has been structured from the Satellite notes provided to all members
At a special meeting held at the Vine Inn on October 13th, twenty Rotarians, and three guests attended, to listen to the benefits of establishing a Satellite Club. DGE Craig Dowling from the Loxton Club, had already provided information to members wanting to understand the advantages of having a Satellite Club.
The Rotary Club of Loxton didn’t start out to establish a Satellite club, they were just trying to increase their membership initially. However, as they worked through the process it soon became evident that a Satellite club could be the better option, particularly when people pointed out the reasons why they didn’t want to join Rotary, and it was realised that by removing those barriers, they could still recruit more members, just in a different way.
DGE Craig commented that this is the process that the Rotary Club of Loxton followed, and it worked well for them, but that’s not to say that it will work the same for other Rotary clubs.
So, the Loxton Club took that path and in a short time numbers had grown to around twenty plus members. Craig has presented to other clubs recently, including Rotary Club of Gawler.
He took our gathering through the seventeen steps of setting up a Satellite Club and then highlighted the three things necessary in following this new path.
1. Remove the Barrier to Entry
a. Whatever issues that you know have prevented potential members from joining your club in the past - change them
b. The objective is to make it attractive and possible for people who want to serve to do so. Don't make it unattractive or difficult.
2. Empower the Satellite Club
a. Get it started
b. Give them the reins
c. Get out of the way
3. Enable the Satellite club
a. Give them a budget so they can start a project immediately
b. Be available for advice and guidance
c. Offer support through your club's own programs
d. Connect them to opportunities through District and RI.
The existing Rotary Club must at all times emphasise the independence of the Satellite Club and its right to act at its own discretion.
Obtaining new members over recent years has become more and more difficult and our club is no exception to that. Members are getting older and consequently, we have seen some retiring for various reasons. The Friends of Rotary seemed to work for a number of years. However, these numbers have dropped considerably with only a few regularly attending meetings and showing any interest. So, is a Satellite Club a possibility? It is over to the Club board and all members to thoroughly discuss and research what is happening at other clubs across our District. Whatever happens one way or the other we need more hands and exposure throughout the Barossa Valley.
By supporting a Satellite club attached to our club, we can enable members of our community to achieve more for our community!
Just imagine the benefits if we had a Satellite Club as we head into 2023 and our next Rotary Airshow.
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Our Next Meeting November 3rd at the
BUSH GARDENS
Arrive at 5.00 pm for a walk through the gardens. Enter via Rotary gates off Research Road. Food provided at $10 per head. BYO Drinks and nibbles and anything else you might need.
Please make sure you have notified
Marie Rothe if you are 'not' attending.
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Rotary Foundation Dinner
Old Spot Hotel Monday 7/11/22
The Rotary Foundation transforms donations into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago The Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life changing sustainable projects.
The dinner has been arranged by the Salisbury Club and it will be held at the well-known Old Spot Hotel 1955 Main North Road, Salisbury Heights, on Monday the 7th of November 2022. from 6:30 pm arrival starting at 6:45pm
Cost is $35 per head includes a three-course meal and a donation to The Rotary Foundation. The evening will include several chances to hear first-hand about the work of The Rotary Foundation from two keynote speakers. The event will conclude at 9.00pm.
Bookings are essential and payment by Monday 31st October. Using
https://events.humanitix.com/rotary-club-of-salisbury-foundation-dinner
For event enquiries please contact Rick Henke (0432 145 902)
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Update from Gavin working away in Canberra
“Things on the ground in Uganda have changed quite quickly even from when Lifen and I visited the region in April this year. Renewed violence in Congo has led to a dramatic increase in the number of Congolese refugees in the camp, and the war in Ukraine, a seeming world away, has led to a dramatic increase in the price of food staples. The importance of schooling and education in this refugee camp has never been greater. Schools in Nakivale not only provide education, they also provide meals (and ever since my last global grant, Toothbrushing and Dental Care) for the children
As Moise Sarick, the Principal of the school eloquently put it:
"Let me say that we have survived guns but we are likely to die of poverty and hunger"
Rotary and Rotarians will find a way to protect these children from hunger and poverty.
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Attendance Report October 20th 2022
