It was a tough gig at the last meeting presenting to the club on the Four-Way test for 2 reasons.  First, everyone present knew as much about it as I did.  Second, I was talking to the converted - so what is left to talk about?
In my favour, there was a low turn out.  It was a shame because we ended up having a very lively meeting with a lot of discussion and thought provoking ideas about the Four-Way Test and ethics in general.  It was, I thought, an enjoyable meeting and I just loved the input from members.  After the meeting, I wondered why there were so few members there.  I recall that last year Barbara also presented on the Four-Way Test and I think the attendance of members that day was also fewer than usual.  Perhaps any topic with the word "test" in it would scare people off?  I don't know but everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves.  Perhaps members did not have enough notice of the speaker and the topic?  It is to this second question that I direct my attention to for the remainder of this message.

We have a wonderful line up of speakers for the next month and I will make every effort to continue that trend for the next few months.  Here is a snapshot of what you can expect:

24 February - Gary Ledson, Wendy's brother will share his experiences as a member of the Migration and Refugee Review Tribunals (from a long career in the education sector).  This will be a very interesting presentation about the operations of the tribunal where I am sure we can ask some very trick questions (whether Gary can answer them is another matter).

3 March - Christian Fröhlicher and another from SBS German Radio – Christian will be talking about the SBS and in particular about his German radio show.

10 March – our very own Chris Trueman will be updating us with news from the Xanana Vocational Education Trust.  For our guests and newer members, you will find out the connection the Trust has with our club and see an example of where Rotary can lead to!

17 March – Richard Randla, General Manager of the North Metro Region of the Community Correctional Services Victoria (CCSV), will show us his work at the CCSV and his work with the Australia/Fiji Law and Justice Sector Program when, in 2006 to 2008, he worked in Fiji to improve their justice system.

24 March – Chris Watters, CEO of Drinkwise Australia, a “Think Tank” funded jointly by the government and the liquor industry.  We will hear his views on the methods of tackling binge-drinking and his insights on how this national problem can be tackled.

31 March – Southbank fellowship event - bowling and laser skirmish night.  This is a meeting not to be missed.  Thanks to Leigh, we will start with a quick game of skirmish where you get to shoot indiscriminately at every member of the club and still abide by the Four-Way Test!  This is followed by a round of bowling where some of our members and guests will shine brightly and the others smile brightly!  Get set for a great meeting!

7 April – Rebecca Scott, CEO of STREAT, will tell us how STREAT is a providing homeless and disadvantaged youth with a pathway to long-term employment in the hospitality industry.

So mark it down in your diaries and let’s have FUN!

Yours in Rotary,
Gabe

Thanks to Lyn for excellent scribe notes!

We had a small but dynamic and philosophical meeting on Tuesday 17/2/09. There were no guests in attendance this week.
Announcements: - Do you or members of your family or friends have any retired glasses frames lying around that could be recycled for needy people? Following on from the excellent presentation we had 2 weeks ago regarding eye health and the implications that can occur from not having our eyes tested regularly, the request has come out searching for old frames which can be recycled. Rhys has offered to be the collection point for such items so please ask around your colleagues and give them to Rhys.
Rotary Southbank has donated funds to the Shelter Box project. Tracey informed us that 200 Shelter Boxes have been sent to the fire devastated areas in Victoria and they now require additional funds to start replenishing stocks of these incredible boxes.
Tracey needs an urgent response please!!!! - Homeless World Cup Soccer camp 20-22 March. Could all members that have not responded to her email yet please do so, all she requires is a yes, a no, or the times that you may be available.
President Gabe has raffle tickets available for a stunning cruise to be drawn at District Conference.
Rhys shared an enlightening and brief Members Moment with us.
President Gabe presented a thoughtful session on the Rotary 4 Way Test which led to great discussion in response to questions he asked around the 4 way test as shown below.

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The meeting was concluded at 7.35pm with 2 special “Thought’s of the Day”

 

     RLI Leadership Institute Part 2

 

After a very entertaining and inspiring Part 1 session of the RLI Training last year the first 16 Rotarians met for the follow up part 2 last Sunday at Montague Continuing Education Centre in South Melbourne.

It showed that the previous trainings had already created significant impact on the group. Discussions were more lively than before and ideas were exchanged with even more passion and commitment.

The content was based on part 1 topics with specific focus on aspects like Vocational Service, Membership Recruitment, the Rotary Foundation SHARE program, how to organise Club Meetings and how to implement Continues Improvement Initiatives in Clubs.

With many of the participants coming in as presidents of their clubs in the following years these themes proved to be vital to serve and manage Clubs well.
No surprise that we also spent a considerable amount of time to define a SMART way to set targets:

S     pecific M    easurable A    chievable R    ealistic T    imeline

Or some of you may well know a popular definition:

K    eep I     t S    imple S    tupid

Trainers PDG Ann White, Bronwyn Scarffe and Ken Vasquez did an excellent job in sharing their extensive Rotary knowledge and experience with the group.  Thanks also to PDG John Wigley and Jan Knight who supported them with more detailed information in specific areas and David Pisterman who once again organised training manuals, nametags and catering amongst other vital ingredients.

I am sure that PDG Cathy Roth, current Regional Vice Chair RLI, who visited the course together with her husband, was very pleased with atmosphere and outcome of the training.

If you haven't booked yourself into a RLI training course you should do so quickly.
It's a most entertaining and inspiring way to learn about Rotary and for yourself!

Bettina Harlos

(to read about RLI training part 1 click here)