President’s Report April 2010
APRIL IS ROTARY MAGAZINE MONTH
Well, it’s possible that by the time you read this bulletin, we will be in flight on our way to Singapore for 3 nights and Phuket for 10 nights. I will probably not think of you at all as I am lying by the pool or having a Singapore Sling at Raffles or riding and elephant. But, I will bore you with all of that when I come back, rest assured.
Unfortunately, I think that half the club will be overseas in April with PP David and PE Brad both in Europe, Greg floating around America and me in Asia. But, I am pretty sure that PP Steve will look after you all.
Speaking of which, please let Steve know on 0438 114 600 your availability for the Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on April 18th. We will be a bit short of helpers because it is also District Assembly.
The guest speaker at our last meeting was the amazing Ian Armstrong. He never ceases to entertain us with his stories and this time was no exception with antique portable record players and magnificently carved knives, just to mention a few items that he brought along to show us. He will be featuring in the latest episodes of The Collectors, shown on ABC1 Friday evenings, hopefully he will remember to tell us when he will be on.
We had a few visitors with Chris Angerer and Peter Hose visiting to see how a really good club with lady members conducts itself, just in case they ever find a female silly enough to want to join them. Please don’t take offense as we really quite like you guys from Sunrise. (Yes, they read this bulletin so I have to put that bit in) and AG Sam presented us with the result of our participation in the 105th Anniversary BBQ – $775.00 to The Rotary Foundation for Polio Eradication. Well done, Frankston Long Island!
The first official meeting of the Peninsula Rotaract Club was held on Wednesday 17th March and they meet again next Wednesday 31st March at the Karingal Centre, Ashleigh Avenue, Frankston. Please feel free to go along and offer your support in their early days. They probably won’t want us oldies there too much later on, but I am sure they would appreciate the support at the moment. If you know anyone aged 18 to 30 who might be interested in joining please tell them about it. They are a great bunch of young people eager to help make a difference in the community.
The first Information Night for the Alternate Schoolies Program was held on Tuesday 23rd March with some very keen young school leavers registering for both Tanzania and Cambodia. If you have any contacts at local schools please try make sure that they let their students know about the program. I have sent letters to 10 secondary colleges and so far have been contacted by Mt Erin College. Frankston High and Woodleigh School have both had presentations. The next information day will be held on April 17th at Frankston Wranglers, please contact PDG Janet for more information.
Another item of interest is our ongoing search for a venue. PE Brad, PP Steve and myself checked out the Frankston Lifesaving Club and have made a booking to hold a meeting there on Thursday 6th May to see whether it is going to be a suitable venue for us on an ongoing basis. It means that we will have a Continental breakfast instead of the usual cooked one. It also means that we will not have to pay for 20 meals when only 10 turn up to a meeting. We do have 21 members so this shouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, it is a problem and we are losing an average of $120 every time we meet – a situation that must be fixed. There are three ways of doing this:
- Every member attends every meeting – 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month just in case you have forgotten!
- Find a venue where it doesn’t matter how many people turn up.
- Introduce more new members.
This really means it is up to you! So we meet at Daveys on Thursday April 1 (Happy Birthday Michael!) and again on Thursday 15th April. The first meeting in May will be at Frankston Lifesaving Club and we can all take a vote on whether this becomes our home or whether we stay on at Davey’s. As I said: It’s up to you!
April is Rotary Magazine Month, so it will be a good time to send them some information regarding our Alternate Schoolies Program and the Peninsula Rotaract Club.
Ok, now I am off to pack my bags. See you all in two weeks! Don’t forget you have a meeting this coming Thursday at Davey’s Bar & Bistro!
Cheers
President Judy