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PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
 
Dear Fellow Rotarians and Friends
Well, we a great night last Monday for our Presidents Changeover and Pride of Workmanship Dinner, and wasn’t it great to actually see one another face to face, as opposed to Zoom!
Our special Guests included, District Governor (DG), David Clark, Assistant DG, John Zhang, and Northbridge President, Kevin Tattrie.   And we managed to present Pride of Workmanship Award, to Elisa and Meg.  In addition, our outgoing President Mark was very pleased to induct Tracy Fraser as a full member of our Club.  Welcome Tracy!  I hope you enjoy your future membership and please announce to your family and friends, tell them you have joined a great Club, and tell them about the work that the Rotary Club of Crows Nest is progressing each year.   Many Thanks to members Mark, Tom & Joy, Phil, Cyril and all the other members and friends, in making sure the night ran smoothly and on time. Special thanks to our 'company' photographer Phil for his usual sterling job.
So, in all, a great night!  Click here for my detailed comments on the night. 
If you are reading this message, as the new President I extend to you an invitation to come and visit our Club and see first hand what a great social Club we have and what great work we do in the community and overseas.  Click on this link at 12.30pm next Monday!
Moving forward, despite our best plans, the Crows Nest Hotel is not ready for us to return, due to 'Social Distancing Rules', and for at least the month of July we will continue to be on Zoom from home, but we will be alternating between Monday lunchtime 12.30pm and Monday evening 7.30pm Meetings.
Also concerning our announcement that our Bunnings BBQ will start again on 1st August, members Bruce and Cyril are still working out with Bunnings the new operating procedures, which we will hopefully advise in due course.
Finally, as part of our plan for this year to establish a 3-5 year Strategic Plan for the Club, I will be sending out shortly a Membership 'Satisfaction' Survey which will become the starting point of the process, I urge all members to respond with pros/cons and ideas, and participate to make us an even better Club!
Yours in Rotary, Stay Safe!
Ian
OUR NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-2021
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Board Minutes 7 April 2020
BBQ ROSTER
 
Bunnings has advised that our BBQs are back in August and we are booked in for the 1st, 15th and 29th.  Roster to follow soon!
Meeting Responsibilities Roster
 
 
 
2020 - 2021
Our Next Meeting on Monday 20th July 2020 our Speakers will be the Northbridge Rotary Club, presenting 'COVID19 assistance being given to the people of Nepal'.   
 
TIME: 12.30pm LOCATION:  ZOOM Just click on this link.
 
The President of the Rotary Club of Kathmandu, is appealing to Australia for funds to assist with the impact of COVID19 on the people of Nepal.  Currently, funds are needed to install mechanical hand washing Stations in Hospitals and communities.  Also their Club is distributing essential PPE to disabled and deprived community people.  

In Australia District Grants are being considered under the guidance of the RC of Northbridge and assistance has also been sought from the RC of Lane Cove, and Chatswood Sunrise.  

Luke Keighery and Liz Grey from the RC of Northbridge will present the project with photos.

 
 
ALL July meetings will be via Zoom. 
Meetings will alternate each Monday, - 7.30pm on the 2nd & 4th Monday of the month.  12.30pm on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month.
Just click on this link five minutes before the Meeting.

Changeover Dinner - Monday July 13th

 

International Toast: 
 Howard proposed a toast to Rotary International and it was responded to by District Governor David Clark.
 
41 members and friends attended our Presidents Changeover and Pride of Workmanship Dinner at the Northbridge Golf Club last Monday evening. 
As usual MC Tom Sweeney did an excellent job of guiding Past President Mark Staples through the handover to President Ian Pocock. 
Mark's 'Year in Review' is has been added to the Website and below.  
 
 
 
Also we inducted our new member Tracy Fraser.  Welcome Tracy! 
 
 
 
 
We also took the opportunity being our first "LIVE" meeting, to present two Pride of Workmanship Awards. 
 
Meg Chatterton for excellent service as Manager, Events at the Crows Nest Hotel. 
 
Elissa Grigg , Bar Manager, for her amazing efforts at the Chatswood Concourse Theatre.  
 
 
 
News: 
 - Discussions still in progress about our return to the Crows Nest Hotel. The July 20th meeting will be via Zoom at 12.30pm. 
 - Bruce/Cyril continue discussions on the revised process for our return to the Bunnings BBQ, hopefully on August 1st.    Howard & Angelo are working on the roster.  
 
Reminders: 
     Monday August 3rd District Governor's Visit - David Clark 
     Monday November 30th AGM
     Monday December 7th. Xmas Party/Giving night. 
Changeover 2019/2020 Year in Review
Monday July 13th 2020 saw President Mark Staples handover to incoming President Ian Pocock.  
 
   
 
  
 
Year in Review: 
 
Despite the Challenge of COVID19 we have a number of achievements.
 
Community Services under Sue’s management
 
Key achievement is that we have reactivated a strong relationship with the Crows Nest community centre. It is great to see CEO Denise here tonight. Tom was MC at their Seniors week, Philip was their ‘best Santa ever’ at their Xmas lunch, we ran a BBQ for Children’s week, submitted a grant for IPADs in Ian’s year, and also have a Laundry for the homeless on the radar. Our biggest CCNC project, in conjunction with North Sydney & North Sydney Sunrise clubs, was setting up a Dementia Café at the centre. All the prework was done just before COVID19 shut the centre down. We plan to open the Café in Dementia awareness week in September. Big effort by both Denise and Sue.
Another big event was our sponsorship of the Neuroblastoma Gala Dinner in February which raised $150,000 for research into this cancer that only impacts kids under 6 and kills 50% - great cause and great exposure for the club.
We again participated in the 2019 Tree of Joy Christmas project at Chatswood Chase. Crows Nest Rotary together with neighboring Clubs in the Chatswood and Roseville areas collected donated Christmas gifts and hampers from the local community and local business organisations. These were distributed to a large number of charities and organisations bringing a little happiness to those less fortunate and struggling in our community. Lets not forget our continued support for Mary’s house, a refuge for victims of domestic violence, as well as a BBQ for the Crows Nest Xmas Carols and participation in the Crows Nest Fair. I’m sure I missed a few other activities.
.    
Philip leading the youth portfolio this year, enabled Phoenix House to receive our contribution, together with a District Grant, to establish a new IT Laboratory for their teenagers.  Phoenix House continue to run educational services and a ‘drop in’ coffee shop for youth.  Their CEO Edward is here tonight. Taldumande Youth Services continue to receive our support and they remain in our focus with simple things like $250 for a microwave a few months back. 
The Club sought applications for Rotary District’s annual Youth Programmes, such as, the Model United Nations Assembly, Rotary Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment, but this year there were no applications and many programmes were cancelled due to COVID19.  Thanks Philip. Also for Zoom and eBulletin efforts.
I did give our local community priority over International. Our local Police commander has reminded us that the lower North Shore is NOT immune from the problems of homeless, domestic violence, youths.  However, Internationally Crows Nest Club, under Ian, is working with Mosman Club on the supply of water suitable for drinking and sanitation purposes at the future Teachers Training College in Maliana, East Timor. On hold with COVID19 with the architect awaiting Government approval for his plans.
Unfortunately after 3 years, we had to cancel our project for water harvesting and the construction of suitable toilet blocks at two schools in East Pokot, Southern Kenya. Lack of finance from the local Rotary club, tendering issues and the final nail in the coffin was COVID19, plus recent floods. This was disappointing given the effort put in by Ian & Howard as well as our partner SoTheyCan.
With Howards Guidance we were award the District Silver Award for our continued support of ShelterBox.  Please talk to Howard if you haven’t heard of ShelterBox. 
We continue to oversee RYLA in East Timor and support the annual Orphan’s Xmas party in Dilli. Thanks Ian – Also an eBulletin editor.
Whilst small our membership is stable with no net loss of members this year. Director George has returned from his 2 year sabbatical and I’m know that Ian & George have big plans for this year
We remain key supporters of the Rotary Foundation as well as ensuring that we apply for the maximum grant which I have already mentioned. Director Bill tells me 3 members were centurions this year, and I have personally given two Paul Harris awards to members for significant donations. They do not wish any fanfare.
In the vocational world we had to cancel our planned for a joint Pride of Workmanship awards function, in March, with 4 other local clubs, but it is fantastic that director Tom can present to our nominations shortly.
Thanks Tom & Bill for their input to the board. Also lets me not forget to also acknowledge our treasurer, Owen, and my right hand man – Secretary Angelo.  
 
On the financial front, for those of you who missed last December’s Giving night, it was a pleasure to see PP Sue give away over $50,000.  I have already given $16,000 for charities like Blaze aid and a few already mentioned. Unfortunately I need to mention that word COVID19 AGAIN. Our BBQ income was down by at least $10,000 this year, so this year’s giving night dinner will be main course only. No entrée, no desert. 
 
Appropriate at this time to acknowledge my mentor, our member Harold Sharp, for being appointed Chairman of ROMAC Australia & NZ. One charity I do NOT intend cutting this year. ROMAC flys in Children from Oceania for life saving surgery that can’t get in their own country. Well done on your Queens’ birthday honors (OAM) as well.
Finally a big Thank you to all club members for their support. For a small club you have achieved a lot.
 
It also gave me great pleasure to present Paul Harris Awards to two members for many years for service above & beyond.  

Sue Raveane - Running the busiest portfolio of community services, including the D-Cafe project, assisting in other portfolios and  a very successful year as President. 
Angelo Raveane - Consistently performing extras duties with great success. Melbourne Cup trifecta , Overseeing East Timor RYLA, Tree of Joy assistance, BBQ backup, chasing up District on significant issues to chasing members for dues & attendance at functions etc etc.   
 
 
 
Sue also presented Joy Sweeney with a Paul Harris award for her many years of active support to the club. 
Centenary Baton Launch
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FUTURE SPEAKERS

Jul 20, 2020
Impact of COVID19 on the people of Nepal
Jul 27, 2020 7:30 PM
Retirement or visit? to Orange, NSW and its Region.
Aug 03, 2020
Future Plans for the 2020-21 year, both District and Club plans.
Aug 10, 2020 7:30 PM
Apollo 11 Exhibition and the Museums space collection
View entire list
FOR YOUR DIARY
BBQ August 1st
bunnings
Aug 01, 2020
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
BBQ August 15th
bunnings
Aug 15, 2020
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
BBQ August 29th
bunnings
Aug 29, 2020
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
View entire list
MEETING RESPONSIBILITIES
eBulletin
 
Editor
Staples, Mark
 
International Toast
 
International Toast
Clark, Cyril
 
Speaker Introduction
 
Introduce Speaker
Smith, Philip
 
Speaker Thanks/Write-up
 
Thank Speaker - Write-up
Sullivan, Howard
 
Front Desk
 
Welcomer
Clark, Cyril
 
Welcomer
Lee, Bill