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Rotary Round Up
March 2nd 2023
Editorial
  There is a great deal of information in this newsletter this week. Many of the links or "Read More" sections lead to large additions to the body of the newsletter, and all of them are relevant to us as Rotarians in District 9685. There is new information about the Distict Conference, the International Convention, and there are many items in the latest News and Club Buzz. Persist with your reading of the newsletter and open the links as we try to share as much information as possible with you.
 
ROTARY'S VISION
 
DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE
Greetings Fellow Rotarians,
 
I can safely say we are all well and truly into a busy year already. There is so much happening around our district. I have completed most of my club visits and I’m now enjoying revisiting and taking part in some of your events. As I go from club to club I am impressed with the number of projects and fund-raising events being planned for 2023, and we certainly put ourselves out there as a district on Australia Day with most clubs providing a variety of activities for their respective communities. It was also great to see clubs joining together and pooling their resources.
 
DGE Christine Owen and I attended two very successful events last week where clusters joined together. The Riverside Cluster meeting provided each president the opportunity to talk about their projects. There was a real buzz in the room and the next joint meeting is already in the pipeline. The Hills Cluster invited their members to an inspiring speaker event with around ninety in attendance, all enjoying themselves as Rotarians love to do.
TEKKS (Terrigal, Erina, Kincumber, Kariong-Somersby) also come together regularly to enjoy good speakers and fellowship. I know there are other clubs combining on a more regular basis recognising that we are more powerful together than working in isolation. I like to think that the next step is to find a joint project that clubs can work on together and ‘increase our impact’ in the community. So many projects have similarities that have the potential to morph into something bigger.
 
The regionalisation summit held a few weeks ago for the DGEs, DGNs and any DGs who could get there was successful in getting everyone on the same page and comfortable with the process moving forward. The core team, who I am in awe of considering the amount of work they are doing, are extremely busy putting together a business plan for the RI Board. If all goes well we will be ready to start implementing the pilot by Jan 2024. A big part of the discussion was the importance of communicating regularly with our members throughout the zone. Please make sure you read the communiques when they start coming out, especially if you are in a leadership position in your club. It is up to all of us to stay informed in order to have ownership of the pilot.
 
Some important reminders:
  • submit your stories for the RDU magazine. Our district will be featured in the July issue so send your contributions to Marilyn Kenney by mid-May.
  • Register for PELD and District Assembly so that your club is up to date and ready for the new Rotary year.
  • Join us at our District Conference in Cowra this month. The committee is doing a wonderful job and we have a great speaker line-up. Thank you to all who have registered so far.
  • I know that the Melbourne Convention will also be a fantastic experience so I encourage you to register for that as well.
See you there!
 
And for those of you who hate acronyms:
DGE – District Governor Elect
DGN – District Governor Nominee
RDU – Rotary Down Under
RI – Rotary International
PELD - Presidents Elect Learning and Development
 
Mina Howard
District Governor 2022-2023
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
District 9685 Rotary Foundation Success
Thanks to every Rotarian who supports The Rotary Foundation.  You are making it possible for District 9685 to do so much good in the world! 
Between 2020 and today, District 9685 has served as the International Sponsor for 58 global grant projects worth over $US 4,000,000.  We are the most active District amongst the 21 districts in Australia/New Zealand.  Even though we account for only about 5% of Rotarians, we generate 20% of all grant activity! 
 
Why is this?
I think there are at least five reasons for our success:
  1. Our members have a better idea about how The Rotary Foundation works than many other Rotarians, thanks to our proximity to Rotary’s regional office in Norwest and the enthusiasm of PDG Bruce Allen, Mark Anderson and Rob Byrne over the years.  I’m sure they help everyone who calls them, but it’s great to have them as Rotarians in District 9685!
  2. Our District Leaders have been passionate about “doing good in the world” through The Rotary Foundation.  PDG Tony Castley and PDG David Rands developed the key internal policies and training materials to guide our clubs in making donations and in preparing grant applications.
  3. We have built partnerships with Rotarians overseas to assist in funding projects.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Grants Chair, Haran Ramachandran, we have partnered with Districts in India and Sri Lanka that have raised most of the money themselves for projects in their countries and have provided funds to us for projects here in the Sydney area.
  4. We have made it easy for non-Rotarians to support our Global Grants by setting up special Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) projects.  RAWCS make it easy for the community to make tax-deductible donations for specific projects, assisting in raising the matching funds needed to qualify for a global grant.
  5. Generous Rotarians have provided substantial gifts to The Rotary Foundation to support global grant applications from our District.  The Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation is the “Seed Bank” which enables our District to match money raised by clubs for a global grant.  However, donations are stored for three years before becoming available.  Additional ways to support global grants are to make pledges to specific grants, or make a Directed Gift which allows the donor to specify the District and Area of Focus to be supported.  District 9685 clubs have used several of these Directed Gifts to magnify the money raised by clubs.  More gifts are available!
If you have an idea for “doing good in the world,” please consider applying for either a Rotary Foundation District Grant or a Global Grant.  The District training program for 2023/2024 is about to begin, and new funds will be available in the new Rotary year.  All projects require you to raise a major portion of the funds needed – either from your club or from the community.  To start the ball rolling (and to find out if anyone reads this note) I’m happy to offer a $100 personal donation to the first five Rotary Clubs in District 9685 whose current Foundation Chair sends me an email containing a project idea for 2023/2024.  My email address is listed below.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
PP David Dean
District 9685 Rotary Foundation Chair
0412 798 526
 
PP Haran Ramachandran 
Grants Subcommittee Chair
0419 980 529
 
TÜRKIYE AND SYRIA EARTHQUAKES EMERGENCY UPDATE
Türkiye and Syria Earthquakes Emergency Update - Aid has arrived in Türkiye
 
Dear ROTARY CLUBS OF DISTRICT 9685
 
ShelterBox aid has arrived in Türkiye. Hundreds of tents have arrived in country on a free flight provided by Turkish Airlines from Panama – where we had stock pre-positioned.
 
 
We also have stocks of tents and household items, such as blankets and mattresses, en route to one of our existing and well trusted partners in northern Syria. Distribution of warm winter clothing to affected children in northern Syria has begun through another existing partner.
Additional ShelterBox response team members have arrived in Gaziantep, where a humanitarian hub has been set up. Having an extra team on the ground means we can be more agile and work more closely with partners as we to scale up our response.
 
Our response will focus on where the need is greatest across Syria and Türkiye
  • Through the provision of emergency tents, helping people to shelter from the winter weather
  • The provision of essential aid items like warm blankets and solar lights
  • The provision of warm children's clothing in northern Syria
Thank you so much if you have already donated to our emergency appeal. Your generosity is the reason we can respond so quickly and get aid to those who need it most. Your support is incredibly powerful.
 
Mike Greenslade
CEO ShelterBox Australia
DISTRICT 9685 AND BEYOND NEWS
 
1. Important Events in the Distict Calendar
  • District Governor 2025-2026 applications are open. These close on 31st march
    For more details view past Rotary Round Up Newsletters.
    For further details, please contact: Chair of the Nominating Committee, PDG David Clark, 0414 364 812 davd.clark.1606@gmail.com    (Please note there is no (i) in davd in the email address
  • President Elect Learning and Development Day, 4th March
  • District Assembly, 15th April (arrangements TBC)
  • Western Sydney MUNA at Nepean CAPA HS, 3rd-4th June. Applications close 31st March
    To view each of the following MUNA documents, please click on the names below:
2.   End Polio contributions
You may have received this excellent promotional material from PDG Murray Verso – our END POLIO NOW Zone Coordinator. We are so close, but the fight to End Polio in the world is not yet over.
To view the PolioPlus Society overview, please click HERE.
To download the PolioPlus Society Commitment Form, please click HERE.
To view the 2022-23 District Designated Funds Form, please click HERE.
 
​​​​​​3.  Pocket Pals for Earthquake Victims
Our inspiring club knitter, Deborah Wood (RC of Springwood Inc), has developed an easy knitting pattern for these so very cute Pocket Pals for children who are earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.
She is encouraging Rotary members and friends in our District to start knitting so that we can send a consignment overseas in the near future. They are little and cute, approximately 12 cm long made from a knitted rectangle, and are easy to knit for even the most amateur of knitters.
Once there is a collection of the knitted ‘skeletons’, we recommend that clubs hold a ‘stitching and stuffing day’ where the collective group can finish them off and ready them for sending.
Would your club be interested? The pattern is available from Deborah Wood on helixfac@outlook.com
Let’s start knitting!
 
4. RAWCS Eastern Region quarterly Meeting - 11th 12th February
To view the report, please click HERERAWCS | District 9705
Regardless of the mammoth challenges we had to hold this meeting, it was probably the best we have ever had.
A huge thank you goes out to Dianne and David Waterhouse for opening up their home to the 30 plus who attended the meeting.
 
Due to the change in our circumstances we had to adjust the Saturday afternoon format. Regardless, we had three fabulous speakers showcasing the work of RAWCS in District 9685. 
Guest speakers included Lucy Hobgood-Brown who has just returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Phil Isaacs speaking on the strength of Rotary clubs collaborating to work on valuable community projects in the Blue Mountains area. 
 
Mary Crammond  showcased her project 'Shelterbags' which are being distributed all over Australia to support the homeless and those living rough. Quality time was spent on Saturday night socialising before we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant. 
Sunday's meeting chaired by Brian Goldstraw saw the introduction of our new ER Secretary Susan Morgan. We thank those who travelled far and wide, from Canberra, Mouraya and Port Macquarie. 
This was an inspiring event where lots of fellowship was enjoyed with like minded souls.
Jan Pryor
RAWCS Chair
 
5. Rotary Voices - Rotary Growth in Ukraine
To view this facinating article, please click HERE.
Extract from the Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Blackheath, 21 February 2023
 
6. Club insurance declaration by Presidents
Presidents please take note of the following format recommended for inclusion in all future Presidents Reports:
  1. For the months of February and March each year, confirmation that the Club insurance declaration has been provided to the District Insurance Officer (DIO).
    YES – NO – (circle) - Comment……………………………(as appropriate)
  2. Monthly, confirmation that an Insurance Pro Forma has been completed for any activity or project that is being planned for the Club, and that appropriate and necessary liaison has taken place with the District Risk Manager and/or the District Insurance Officer (DIO).
    YES – NO – (circle) - Comment……………………………(as appropriate)
7. Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS - another acronym to add to the list published in the last newsletter)
We had a RAGAS presentation at our meeting yestereday.  DG Mina also attended. About five of our members have already put up their hands to be guest speakers throughout our District to do the RAGAS presentation and ensure all Rotarians in our District are also aware of this program.  
Polio Plus started out slowly and it's taken nearly 40 years to eradicate this disease - but, WE did it - Rotarians throughout the world.
If it also takes 40 years to stop human trafficking, it will be worth it - WE just have to start.
If you want to know more about RAGAS, go to https://ragas.online/about-us/  and https://www.facebook.com/ragascentral/
 
 
8.  Vocational Service Information
 
Vocational Service Schedule and Information Rotary District 9685 Notes for D9685 Rotary Round Up 2 March 2023
A great deal of information is behind this link. Please click HERE to view this information.
Ken Broadhead OAM RFD
Vocational Service Chair
 
District Service Awards
To download the District Awards Application Form - May 2022, please click HERE
 
Rotary Emergency Services Community Ards (RESCA)  Awards
  • To attend the launch of the RESCA Awards, use the QR Code on the image to the left
  • To view the RESCA  Award and Nominations Guidelines 2023, please click HERE.
  • To view the RESCA website, use the following QR Code
  • To view the RESCA Code for Nominations Guidelines 2023, use the following QR Code
    Read more...
    THE CLUB BUZZ
    "The Club Buzz" is where you will find some exciting and relevant programs or events happening in our Clubs and in District 9685.
    To view the Club Buzz Design Guidelines for Clubs to provide information for Club Buzz, click HERE.   
    To view this week's Club Buzz 2.03.23, click HERE. It contains the following news and events for Clubs in District 9685.
     
    Rotary Club of Wahroonga - Wine, Women and Song
    Rotary Club of North Sydney - Pig on a Spit Report
    Rotary Club of Brisbane Water - High Tea For a Cause report
    Rotary Club of Woy Woy - Opera in the Arboretum
    Rotary Club of Castle Hill - Bee Champions Creating a Buzz
    Rotary Club of Brookvale - Beach to Beach
    Rotary Clubs of  Dee Why Warringah - Comedy For a Cause
    Rotary Clubs of  Northern Beaches - Save the Date
    Rotary Club of Belrose - Fundraising
    Rotary Clubs of Kariong-Somersby - Phillip House Mt Penang Trivia Night
    Rotary Club of  Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise - It's Not Just a Cookbook
    Rotary Club of Gosford City - Comedy For a Cause
    Rotary Club of Terrigal - Dementia Cafe
    Rotary Club of Pennant Hills - Clean Up Australia Day
    Rotary Club of Brisbane Water - Peace Poles
    Rotary Club of Lane Cove - PDG Lindsay May OAM and his journey
    Rotary Club of Gosford North - Footy Tipping Competition
    Rotary Club of Mosman - Empowering Girls
     
    ROTARY MATTERS
     
    Rotary Matters
     
    Triple H 100.1 FM
     
    On air Friday 3.00 pm - 4.00 pm
     
     
    Radio is a powerful way to spread your Club stories. If your Club has a project, local or overseas, which would interest the wider general public, discuss it with Rotary Matters presenter Ian Stuart who will be glad to help spread the word. Ian.stuart@optusnet.com.au 0416 138 860
    • Dementia And how a D Cafe works
    • Mentoring Men
    For these latest podcasts, see "Read More"
     
    Read more...
    THE CLUB HIKING STICK CHALLENGE
    The Club Hiking Stick Challenge - Raising funds for Australian Rotary Health
     
    The Cowra Breakout Conference Team is throwing out a challenge to all clubs. They want you to:
    •  Design a hiking stick and bring it along to the Cowra Conference, 17-19 March 2023. 
    • The sticks can be decorated using any design or method limited only by your imagination.
    • The attendees will be asked to vote for their favourite stick by putting in a minimum of a dollar donation per vote.
    • The stick that raises the most money will win a PHF for their club to award to an outstanding member of their community.
    • All entries must be available for sale to attendees.
    • The club whose stick sells for the most money will also be eligible for a prize.
    • All proceeds will be donated to Australian Rotary Health.
    Restrictions:
    One entry per club.
     
    All hiking sticks need to be submitted to the Conference organisers on Friday 17th March
    There is much competitiveness about the hiking sticks, with each Club thinking it has the best. This is going to be a thrilling competition witha a great deal of artistic creativness. Bring it on.

     
    DISTRICT 9685 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023
    A heads up about the Rotary District 9685 Conference 2023
    Click HERE or on the poster below to go to the latest information on the Conference website
    Click HERE for the costs of Conference registration packages 
    Go to "Read More" for more news about the Conference
    or use the QR code below
     
    Read more...
    RI CONVENTION 2023 - LATEST NEWS
    RI CONVENTION NEWS - MARCH
    Click HERE
     
    Dates are 27-31 May 2023.
     
    Everything you need to know is here >>> https://convention.rotary.org/en
     
    Plenary sessions are held at Rod Laver Arena.  Breakout sessions and House of Friendship will be at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) or Rod Laver Arena unless otherwise indicated.
     
    And there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer also.  Visit the host organising committee website https://rotarymelbourne2023.org/ for more details on volunteering and the Convention.
     
    See "Read More" for :
    • the Latest Convention News, and
    • a letter from Ian Riseley about "Golf at the Melbourne Convention" 
    In addition, there is an Offer for a Program for Non Rotarians.  Click HERE to view
     
    “I’m going to Melbourne.  Are you?”
     
    PDG Peter Ward
    Read more...
    WATER AND SANITATION MONTH
     
     
    Read more...
    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
     
    In the spirit of reconciliation, Rotary District 9685 acknowledges
    the Traditional Custodians of country throughout our district,
    and their connections to land, sea and community. 
    We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and
    extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
     
     
    Australia Printables for Primary School - SparkleBox
     
     
    District 9685 Governor
    2022-2023
    Mina Howard
    In Memoriam
     
     PP Bill Payne PHF - RC of Ryde
     PP Frank Childs - RC of Berowra
     Andrew Rios - RC of Penrith Valley
                                   
    Please email 
    to let us know of any bereavements you would like published.  
    You may also inform your Assistant Governor, the District Secretary, or the Governor.  Remember to also update your club's member database on the District website.
     
    THE MONTHLY THEME FOR MARCH IS WATER AND SANITATION MONTH
     
     
    THE ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE COURSE 75
    2nd to 4th JUNE 2023
    by Zoom
     
    The next opportunity is RLI 75 which will be held on-line.
     
    To view the RLI brochure, click HERE
     
    There is still time to register for the RLI 75 Learning Opportunity.  Past RLI courses concluded with great success and rave reviews. Don't miss out .
    Register Here Icon Png , Free Transparent Clipart - ClipartKey
     
    NEWSLETTER
    FEBRUARY 2023
     
    Great articles such as:
    • Patient Update 
    • Transforming the Health of Communities
    To read, click HERE
     
    ROTARY IN REVIEW
    10th FEBRUARY 2023
     
    Great articles such as:
    • Rotary responds to earthquake in Turkey, Syria
    • Peace and safe drinking water for Lebanon
    To read, click HERE
     
    ROTARY IN REVIEW
    24th FEBRUARY 2023
     
    Great articles such as:
    • How Rotary is helping in Turkey, Syria
    • Finding purpose in Rotaract
    To read, click HERE
     
    END POLIO NOW
    FEBRUARY 2023
     
    Great articles such as:
    • 2022 in review
    • To end polio, address community needs
    To read, click HERE
     
    ROTARY SERVICE AND ENGAGEMENT
    FEBRUARY 2023
     
    Great articles such as:
    • Use a new video about service resources to inspire members 
    • Explore the Rotary Voices podcast
    To read, click HERE
     
    YOUNG LEADERS IN ACTION
    FEBRUARY 2023
     
    Great articles such as:
    • Interactor shares wisdom on mental health in Rotary magazine
    • Do you know about Rotary Peace Fellowships?
    To read, click HERE
     
     
    AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH NEWSLETTER
    FEBRUARY 2023
     
    Great articles such as: 
    • Healing The Past – How We Can End Intergenerational Trauma in Indigenous Youth
    • LIFT THE LID WALK Campbelltown, SA
    ​​​​​​​       ​​​​​​​To read, click HERE
     
    WASH - RAG NEWSLETTER
    FEBRUARY 2023
    SPECIAL EDITION
     
    Great articles such as:
    • Meet 2018-2019 Rotary President Barry Rassin at WASH-RAG World Water Summit 15
    • Are you interested in scaling up a WASH project?
    To read, click HERE
     
     
    UPCOMING EVENTS FOR
    YOUR DIARY
     
    DG 2025-2026 Applications Now Open
    Feb 01, 2023 9:00 AM –
    Mar 30, 2023 5:00 PM
     
    President Elect Learning and Development Day (PELD
    St Josephs Conference Centre
    Mar 04, 2023
    8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
     
    President Elect Learning and Development Seminar 2023-2024
    Mar 04, 2023
    8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
     
    District 9685 Annual Conference
    Cowra Showground Pavilion
    Mar 17, 2023 – Mar 19, 2023
     
    District 9685 Conference 2023
    Mar 17, 2023 6:00 PM –
    Mar 19, 2023 5:00 PM
     
    G Train Meeting No. 5, 2023
    On-Line by Zoom
    Apr 01, 2023
    8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
     
    COTA Meeting No. 5, 2023
    On-Line by Zoom
    Apr 01, 2023
    8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
     
    District Assembly 2023
    TBA
    Apr 15, 2023 9:00 AM –
    Apr 16, 2023 4:00 PM
     
    DGN 2025-2026 Interviews
    Rotary Down Under
    Apr 23, 2023
    9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
     
    Rotary Leadership Institute Facilitator Training Day
    Apr 29, 2023
    8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
     
    Rotary Leadership Institute #75
    Jun 02, 2023 5:00 PM –
    Jun 04, 2023 4:00 PM
     
    Western Sydney MUNA
    Nepean HS
    Jun 03, 2023 9:00 AM –
    Jun 04, 2023 2:00 PM
     
    Winter RYPEN
    Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood
    Jun 16, 2023 – Jun 18, 2023
     
    View entire list
     
    The 2022 version of the Manual of Procedures has been released. Click on the image below to view/download a copy of this very informative and valuable document (login to My Rotary may be required).
     
    KENNARDS STORAGE
    Contact Details
    6-8 Phyllis Avenue
    Thornleigh NSW 2120
    Phone    +61 2 9481 9400
    Email      thornleigh@kss.com.au
    Website   www.kss.com.au
     
    CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO FIND OUT ABOUT GETTING A BANNER TO PROMOTE ROTARY
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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