As this will be my last entry into Networker, I wanted to start with a big THANK YOU. This goes to all Rotarians in the district for all the work you do in the name of Rotary. Every day District 9800 Rotarians are making the world a better place and changing the lives of others and themselves. And that is what Rotary is all about. ROTARY CHANGES LIVES.
This phrase can easily be applied to every Rotary activity and project locally and worldwide, across all six areas of focus and beyond. We improve the lives of those around us in every way and in doing so, we also change our own lives.
As mentioned last month we have achieved our goals of Staying connected, ensuring we have projects, and having some form of fundraising. I know this because I have been visiting many club meetings and also many district meetings hearing first hand about the great work being done by Rotarians and clubs in our District. This is a wonderful example of the inventiveness and adaptability of Rotarians moving to new on line meeting formats and activities.
I started the year with a quote from Rotary founder Paul Harris…’the world is a changing place and we must change with it. The story of Rotary will need to be written again and again.’
Whilst this has always been the case nobody could predict the challenges we would face this year or how we would respond. As always, we have responded well. The speed of change may have been quicker than we would have normally preferred, but we didn’t just manage, we excelled.
Although recently there has been a slight easing of the restrictions, there is a real need to proceed with caution in recommencing face to face meetings. Several factors need to be considered when considering getting back together including the need to meet face to face. The personal preferences of Rotarians will need to be appreciated and accommodated.
Factors to consider include;
- Age and pre-existing medical conditions of those attending
- Current health status and the presence of flu like symptoms (headache, runny nose, sore throat, fever). If any symptoms present, they should not attend. If symptoms develop during the event they should leave and seek medical advice
- Having received the current Flu vaccination
- Limiting numbers in attendance
- Ability to maintain social distancing, hand sanitation and other healthy habits
- Provision of alcohol based hand sanitiser in all common areas
- Keeping names and contact details of all those attending also needs to occur in case contact tracing is required.
- Avoiding buffet style meals and ensuring individual serving and utensils
- The use of disposable cups
- Regular cleaning and disinfecting of rooms and toilets
- Minimising congestion
Minimisation of unnecessary exposure and risk mitigation will lessen the risk of cross infection and will need to be maintained for many months to come. The rate at which more restrictions will be eased and not reinstated depends a lot on how we do as a society in limiting the spread of COVID 19. I know all Rotarians are sensible and will do the right thing to lead the way and be an example to the community.
District Zoom meetings are now occurring on the weekends with recent ones for Presidents and PEs. In May we have already had presentations on Vocational service, Building a funding pipeline that focussed on external and philanthropic grants.
Last week the District Assembly was also held and was very successful with over 360 people attending. Congratulations to DGE Philip Archer and his team for putting together a wonderful event. The feedback has been very positive and once again we have shown that it’s possible to successfully run large events and several concurrent individual sessions.
Morning Tea with the DG will continue every Saturday morning at 11 am ending on 20th June. This will be an opportunity to chat informally and ask questions about what’s going on in the District, clubs and across the Rotary World. There will be the occasional special guest so stayed tuned to Website and Facebook page for details. I started the year holding these regularly and now we can continue on the Zoom platform.
The district and clubs continue to work had there is a lot happening in the district and around Rotary;
- the Bushfire Response Committee, bushfire support projects and the application process to access funds from our appeal.
- R100 projects
- ROCAN CD sales in memory of Yvonne Moon OAM
- Keep cups for sale (think about them as a speakers gift)
- RI Virtual Convention
- District Changeover
It is necessary to recognise many special people and this will be done over the next month and club meetings and the changeovers. There are special RI and District recognitions that will be presented at the D9800 Special Awards event at 5 pm on Saturday 6th June
I look forward, along with the DGEN (Philip, Dale and Mandi), in joining many of your club changeover events in June and July this year. Likewise, we hope you can join us at our District Changeover on Saturday 27th June commencing at 1 PM.
It is more important in these challenging times to maintain focus and continue to support our communities. We will be judged by how we perform across the entire year but probably more so how we perform during the COVID 19 restrictions. I know when the restrictions are over that we will certainly appreciate our lifestyles, communities and Rotary experiences more than in the past. It is important to stay positive and be supportive.
Its been a wonderful year in Rotary and it has been a great pleasure and honour to serve as your District Governor. Melissa and I look forward to continuing to be involved in Rotary and hope to see you all soon.
Stay Connected, Stay Safe and Stay well.
Rotary changes lives.
GrantGrant Hocking ASM (Melissa)
Woodend Rotary
District 9800
District Governor 2019-2020
Email: granthocking64@gmail.com
Phone: 0429 802 722
