Meeting Report Monday 3rd February 2020 - Meeting #3027
Chairman Dino opened the meeting greeting members and guests: Montana Doudle (Rotary Indigenous Scholar sponsored by the Gawler Club), Grace and Gabriella Barilla (guest of Steve), Sara Di Lauro (Rotary Exchange Student), Georgia Hartwig (guest of Patsy), Keith Weinel (Friend of Rotary) and
guest speaker Peter Laintoll.
Mark Smeaton: reminded members of the official opening of the new shed/workshop at the Willows Men’s Shed on Saturday Feb 8th. All Rotarians welcome but must know numbers for catering purposes.
PP Patsy Johnson: reminded members of the continuing stamp collection for Trachoma eradication.
PP Marie Louise Lees: provided an update on the polio eradication program. Good news passed on included the continued support of the Gates foundation for the End Polio program. The development and imminent distribution of the killed vaccine which will stop the incidence of vaccine induced polio cases. Bad news includes the new cases which have been seen in recent months and the deaths of vaccination volunteers in the Pakistan – Afghanistan border region. The push is on to involve the Governments of these countries in improved security for the volunteers.
PP Bruce Eastick advised members of correspondence received from an Exchange student from many years ago. Atsuko from Japan passed on her best wishes to the club and suggested perhaps a visit in the future.
Fines were donated to Bushfire Relief.
Guest Speaker – Peter Laintoll - Northern Health Volunteers
Peter gave members an outline of his history with Gawler having grown up in the town and attending school here, although never having worked here. His parents Peter and Mary were long time residents of Gawler, with a strong affiliation with the Gawler Trotting Club and other organisations. Over many years Peter has worked in a number of jobs and held various positions in the public service and other organisations.
He is currently the CEO of the Northern Health Volunteers which manages the Hospital volunteers from the Lyall McEwin and Modbury hospitals. He explained the various areas of the hospital where the volunteers make such a difference in the smooth operations of the facility. Fundraising, Drivers, greeters and guides, shop volunteers and administration and training are just some of the tasks falling to the volunteers. It is obvious that both hospitals would struggle to maintain standards of care and comfort for patients and visitors if the volunteers were not as active. The volunteers are seen as a community within the hospitals and the individuals see this as important in their own lives and rely heavily on the opportunities the organisation provides for them.
Peter was thanked in the usual manner and a donation to End Polio was made on his behalf.
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WHAT IS A SATELLITE CLUB?
By PDG Development and Extension Chair, Sandy Doumany District 9640.
Aimed at introducing Rotary to those who would not otherwise join, the concept of satellite clubs was developed to provide an alternative approach to forming clubs. Since the launch of the concept in 2013, satellites are now proving a powerful tool for membership development. When the idea was suggested Rotarians closed minds had many reasons why it would not work. I travelled around the district and eventually offered myself as a club guest speaker. This became a yearly education routine with new presidents each year. Since then, membership in 9640 has grown with seven successful satellite clubs formed, two of which have now chartered as full Rotary clubs. But clubs must have the passion and drive to make this happen. It will not become a reality otherwise. Clubs that have embraced the concept are the winners, with the satellite club’s numbers added to its membership base. Not only are there extra hands to help with projects, fundraising and BBQs these new members can breath life back into a club with diminishing membership.
Clubs with “senior” members should seriously consider sponsoring a satellite club, remembering to look at the big picture for the future and understand that the satellite club can give them continuity. I have a motto. THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE AND BE FLEXIBLE, because there is no reason why every club should not consider sponsoring a satellite club. In June 2018, 15 people were inducted into the Pakuranga River Rotary Club in NZ – 15 people who were fresh diverse and keen new members, who began their Rotary journey in an entirely different way to traditional clubs. Gone were the guest speakers, sergeant sessions, meals, banners and paper communication, in were planning meetings, working bees and assisting other clubs, while learning about our amazing organisation.
Eighteen months on, the club has completed 8 projects, as well as supporting 3 other clubs with large projects. During this time 3 other new members have joined the group and 5 members were seconded to act as Sergeants at the South Pacific Presidents Elect Training Seminars in March. This was great experience and opportunity to learn more about Rotary and the bigger picture our great organisation represents.
