I love spending time with my friends! Having this amazing group of people in my life, is 100% due to me joining the Rotary Club of Berwick almost 20 years ago. We are such a diverse, fun-loving group and we genuinely care about each other and go the extra mile to make sure we check in to see we are doing well. That feeling of belonging is just so important and is one of the reasons as to why I am a member of the Rotary Club of Berwick.
Having a purely social evening, rather than guest speakers and Rotary business, meant we all shared a relaxing night with friends. It was great to catch up with some friends we have not seen in a while, welcome friends from neighbouring clubs and join in with the frivolity of having Christmas in July...complete with bon-bons, thanks to David & Diana. Santa (aka Funno) worked his magic around the room as he handed out a little treat to each one of us. And yes Gus, it is too late to be good! (You will have to check out his T-shirt in the photos)
For the last few months, I have been trying to work out how to get members to share a little bit of themselves in our weekly bulletins. Information about why Rotary is important to them, and their 'Rotary moments'.
As luck would have it, this morning everything I needed arrived in my inbox, from Rotary South Pacific.
Here, they said that 'around the new Rotary year, many Rotary members reflect on what they’ve contributed, what they’ve gained and whether they will continue their Rotary journey. It’s a natural time for reflection, but it is also an important time to remind each other why we stay.'
'Each of us has a Rotary story. Maybe it is a project which opened our eyes to what is possible. Perhaps it’s a friendship that has lasted for decades. It might be the sense of achievement you felt serving as a club or district officer. By sharing our ‘why’, we remind others (and ourselves) of what makes Rotary so special.'
I would love it if each member would share a little of themselves with their Rotary story, which we can get Gus to put into the bulletin each week.
Your story doesn’t need to be polished, just an honest reflection on what keeps you coming back and what Rotary has given you in return...that special thing that makes you proud to be a Rotarian.
If you can send your piece, together with a photo you like of yourself, to president@rotaryberwick.org we will pop each one of these into the bulletin over the year.
Our first board meeting is next Monday night, when the new board will meet and discuss what the next year might look like. We plan to have a role for each club member, so you know how much we value every one of you. We will also be discussing what projects, fundraising and events we may have over the next 12 months.
In a couple of weeks' time, on 29th July, we will have a Club Service Night, where we will share what was discussed at board with you all and we will seek your input as well, as we know, we cannot plan to do things if we do not have the backing and support of our members.
IPP Jen will also launch the new digital handbook, so make sure you have your phones with you and, as 'On to Conference chair', Jen will also be letting us all know how we can register for the District Conference.
PP David will also talk us through some of the information about Club roles that he has been creating on the District Website.
If any of you are in Pakenham on Saturday, or you have an interest in Antiques or have something special you would like valued, make sure you pop in and support the Rotary Club of Casey's Antiques Fair at the Cultural Centre.
This week, our guest speaker, Samantha Clarke, will be sharing what is happening around the world at the moment with Mercy Ships.
Hope to see you all there.
Cheers!
Di
