Category Archives: enews

enews, Rotary, Youth

Rotary District 9660 Youth Exchange Program for year 2023

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ROTARY DISTRICT 9660 YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM COMMITTEE
11 Trevor Judd Avenue, South West Rocks 2431 NSW AUSTRALIA Chair:    Bev Bartlett  –  Rotary Club of Wauchope Inc
Mobile:         0439 853 867  Email:            bbartlett7@msn.com

Re: Rotary District 9660 Youth Exchange Program for year 2023

 The Rotary Youth Exchange Program Committee is seeking your assistance in providing information to potential outbound exchange students for 2023. We anticipate that the successful students will leave Sydney in January 2023 provided that the pandemic and government regulations allow this to occur.
Due to new regulations from the NSW Department of Education, outbound student applicants must be in Year 9, 10 or 11 in the year they make application to be eligible for the program. All outbound students will be required to return to secondary education in Australia for at least one scholastic year. The preferred age of applicants is between 15 to 17 years.

Could your Club please seek out interested applicants from your local schools?  If further information is required please direct students to the Rotary Youth Exchange website, or contact a member of the District YEP Committee. Expression of Interest can be lodged on the website www.ryea.org.au and contact will be made with the student upon receipt of this Expression of Interest application.
Applications close on 20th May, 2022.

Could you also please place this information in your Rotary Club Bulletin?
Most secondary schools in the new District 9660 area have been sent information on the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and you may also see advertising on the YEP program.
Your Club’s support with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program is appreciated by the YEP Committee and all prospective students involved in this great program.

 

 

enews, Online Education News, Rotary

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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We are dedicated to enhancing your Rotary experience by supporting what is important to you, our members. You have consistently told us that you want Rotary to be a place that celebrates diversity, that fully represents our communities, and that offers all members equitable opportunities to thrive.

You also recognize that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) will allow us to do more meaningful work while engaging with people who know they’ll be valued for the qualities that make them unique. These sentiments were reinforced last year by the more than 31,000 members around the world who responded to our first DEI survey.

To ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are ingrained in everything we do, the RI Board of Directors, guided by the DEI Task Force, has strengthened our commitment to DEI and is taking action in response to the survey findings.

Our DEI Code of Conduct

What we say and how we behave matter. Although free expression is important, we must take responsibility for how our words and actions may affect others. The Board has approved a new DEI Code of Conduct to help Rotary members create and maintain an environment that is collaborative, positive, and healthy for everyone.

Simply put, the DEI Code of Conduct asks you to:

  • Use respectful language
  • Be supportive
  • Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment
  • Celebrate diversity

All Rotary leaders, from club presidents and district governors to directors and trustees, are expected to apply the DEI Code of Conduct uniformly to help members recognize the impact that their words and actions can have on other people.

If you experience behavior that does not align with the DEI Code of Conduct, you have ways to respond:

  • If the situation can be resolved through discussion, please talk to the person directly. Often, the person who said something or acted in a way that made others feel excluded, marginalized, or targeted did not do so intentionally. Although there might be mistakes, missteps, and uncomfortable conversations along the way, having this dialogue will lead to a better and stronger Rotary.
  • If a discussion is not possible or the situation involves someone in a leadership role or another club, contact Rotary’s Club and District Support staff, who will review the information and follow up appropriately.
  • If you are in danger or your safety is in doubt, contact local law enforcement officers and notify Club and District Support staff.

As an organization, we are stronger when we embrace the diversity found in our clubs and communities. We are more effective when we offer a valuable, inclusive experience that provides equitable opportunities for people to serve, to lead, and to participate with us. To grow Rotary and become a more dynamic organization, we must take DEI seriously. And with your support, we are doing that.

Sincerely,

Shekhar Mehta, RI President
and the 2021-22 RI Board of Directors

You can support DEI in Rotary by:

enews, Rotary

Tenterfield and Torrington

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The club has had 2 projects on hold for a while because of COVID restrictions and recent flooding, however, on Friday 22nd April we were able to progress these.

Project 1: During the bush fire episodes in the New England area, Mr Mitch Ford of Tenterfield lost his life tragically whilst fighting the fires, leaving behind his widow Kerry.  My wife Vicki and I, together with Club members John & Dorothy Barwick travelled from Tamworth to Tenterfield to meet with Kerry to make a financial presentation to support her during her challenging times.  This project was instigated by Club member Warren (Cowboy) McLaughlin, and we thank him for his coordination through local friend Gina Carpenter. We met with both Gina and Kerry at a local Tenterfield Café, had morning tea and presented her with her cheque.

Project 2: Also, during the bushfires in the New England area the small village of Torrington lost 14 homes and devastated the area. Again, club member Warren McLaughlin came to the fore and convinced our Club to support the small village in some way. The Club agreed to financially support some renovation work required at the Community Hall in replacing the front and rear fire doors. On our return trip from Tenterfield (above), we called in at Torrington where 10 of the locals met with us and provided us a lovely homecooked lunch. At the conclusion of lunch John, Dorothy and myself were able to make our financial presentation to the group which was very much appreciated.
Unfortunately, our Club President, Ken Hall was unable to attend as was project coordinator Warren McLaughlin, however that gave John & Dorothy Barwick and Vicki & myself the opportunity to carry out these important presentations.
A long day trip, but very rewarding being able to not only help an individual during a difficult time, but then also assist a small village who sometimes feel they have been forgotten.


Thankyou again to Warren, John & Dorothy and my wife Vicki.

Steve Beaton, President Elect

enews, Rotary, The Rotary Foundation

Life after floods in Northern NSW

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Our thoughts and prayers go out to communities that have been impacted by the recent floods in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia and the West Coast town of Westport in the South Island of New Zealand. It was not that long ago that the Southern provinces of the Philippines endured a super-typhoon right before Christmas.
As if the pandemic was not enough, we have weathered through bushfires, earthquakes, typhoons and floods in the past two years. We have had wake-up calls from all directions to take concrete action on the environment and climate change.
During the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), Tuvalu’s Minister of Justice, Communications and Foreign Affairs–Hon Simon Kofe gave a speech recorded from an area that used to be dry land.
“We are sinking, but so is everyone else. We cannot wait for speeches when the sea is rising around us all the time.”
The video went viral soon after because it started with just a close-up of the minister while he was delivering the speech and everything looked normal until the camera slowly panned out to reveal his location. The minister, with the lectern,the backdrop and flags were all partially submerged in ocean water.From when the Environment became Rotary’s seventh area of focus in 1 July 2021 to 9 March, The Rotary Foundation has since approved 11 Environment global grants amounting toUSD830,000. Even before it became a separate and distinct area of focus, USD18.4 Million in Foundation global grant funding had been allocated to environment-related causes in the past five years through our support of community and economic development and water, sanitation, and hygiene projects.
It is hard to make the call to respond to the environmental crisis when there are many urgent appeals needing our support and attention. This is possibly why many governments have dragged their feet in addressing this concern. It is not imminent and long-standing enough.Nature, however, has been persistent in its call for help. These disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. We seem to be addressing just the symptoms but barely getting down to the root of the problem.Do you have projects planned toward this area of focus? If so, please share this with us as we are eager to provide you any support we can extend.
Best Regards,
Grace
Grace Ramirez
Manager, International Office and Financial Service

enews, Rotary

World Polio Day is 24 October 2021

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View Online
Join us for World Polio Day
24 October
World Polio Day 2021 Visit endpolio.org
Take action for World Polio Day!
Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta says that polio eradication can be achieved if Rotary members stay committed. He calls on every club to offer support this World Polio Day.

Watch and share President Mehta’s World Polio Day video message.
Watch the video

Tell us how your club is supporting Rotary’s polio eradication efforts for World Polio Day.
Register your club’s participation

Help Rotary eradicate polio by making a donation in honor of World Polio Day. Your contribution will be tripled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Donate to PolioPlus

World Polio Day messages are sent to a broad range of polio eradication advocates, including:
• The RI Board of Directors and directors-elect
• The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees and incoming trustees
• Past RI presidents
• District governors, assistant governors, and governors-elect
• Rotary and Rotaract club presidents
• Regional leaders (RRFCs, RCs, RPICs, E/MGAs, and End Polio Now coordinators)
• District Rotary Foundation chairs
• The Communications Committee
• End Polio Now newsletter subscribers
• PolioPlus committees (the International PolioPlus Committee, End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign Committee, Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Forces, PolioPlus national advocacy advisers, national PolioPlus chairs, district PolioPlus subcommittee chairs)
© Rotary International
One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-3698, USA

This message was intended for: hallkr@bigpond.net.au

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Join us for World Polio Day
World Polio Day 2021 Visit endpolio.org
24 October is World Polio Day!
As World Polio Day approaches, the Rotary community is getting ready to amplify our message about eradicating polio to protect the world’s children from this devastating disease.

Together, we’ve made tremendous progress. Now it’s time to intensify our fight to make polio the second human disease ever to be eradicated. Last year, the World Health Organization’s African region was certified free of wild poliovirus, showing that eradication is possible even in very difficult circumstances. The wild poliovirus remains endemic in just two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. We can use World Polio Day to advocate for the support we need to end polio in countries where it still paralyzes children.

Inspire action
Take action for World Polio Day by promoting the importance of polio eradication, raising funds, and planning events. Let’s engage our communities in the fight against polio — because as long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere.

Use the World Polio Day Toolkit to find resources and tips for planning activities and promoting a polio-free world. Inspire others to join us by hosting virtual and community events, creating fundraisers, and sharing posts on social media.
Download the World Polio Day Toolkit
Register your club’s participation in World Polio Day to show how Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs around the world are taking action to eradicate polio. If you register your events, fundraisers, and promotions by 14 October, you’ll get early access to a download of Rotary’s World Polio Day Global Update one week before the program will be shown on 24 October on Rotary’s Facebook page and endpolio.org.
Register your club’s participation
Use Raise for Rotary to start an online fundraiser to benefit The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus Fund for World Polio Day. Then, share it with your network! The top Raise for Rotary World Polio Day 2021 fundraisers will be featured on My Rotary.
Start a fundraiser

World Polio Day messages are sent to a broad range of polio eradication advocates, including:
• The RI Board of Directors and directors-elect
• The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees and incoming trustees
• Past RI presidents
• District governors, assistant governors, and governors-elect
• Rotary and Rotaract club presidents
• Regional leaders (RRFCs, RCs, RPICs, E/MGAs, and End Polio Now coordinators)
• District Rotary Foundation chairs
• The Communications Committee
• End Polio Now newsletter subscribers
• PolioPlus committees (the International PolioPlus Committee, End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign Committee, Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Forces, PolioPlus national advocacy advisers, national PolioPlus chairs, district PolioPlus subcommittee chairs)
© Rotary International
One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-3698, USA

This message was intended for: hallkr@bigpond.net.au

Update your preferences or Unsubscribe

 

 

enews, Rotary

Lift The Lid Walk for Mental Health

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If your club is looking for a new Community Service project, we’ve got just the event for you.
As we approach our annual Mental Health Month campaign, we’re encouraging everyone to get outside for a walk and help us Lift the Lid on Mental Illness. Whether you live near a scheduled event or even if you are in a lockdown area, we’ve found a way to get everyone walking this year!
Mental health should be on everyone’s agenda and that’s why the Lift The Lid Walk for Mental Health is just that, a walk, not a race. It offers members of our communities an opportunity to get together, to have a chat, “Lift the Lid” on mental illness, and in the process, raise much needed funds for mental health research.
With the amazing support of Rotary clubs so far, we’ve already grown to 15 locations committed nationally to holding Lift the Lid Walk events in their communities in 2021. We’re growing every week and you can see these locations on our website.
After all the ups and downs this year has thrown at us, we thought it was really important to try and get as many people involved as we could. However big or small your club is, in addition to our traditional event options, this year we can get you walking through our new extra simple, virtual neighbourhood format. All you have to do is register your club’s interest to be involved, pick a date and encourage your members and friends to register and get walking.

To find out more and register for this year please fill out the Expression of Interest Form and return it to us.

WE ALL HAVE SOMEONE TO WALK FOR!!!

enews, Rotary, The Rotary Foundation

Rotary Foundation Australia new website launched

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As you may know, Rotary Foundation Australia (RFA) is one of The  Rotary Foundation’s eight Associate Foundations around the world.  We enable Australians – both individuals and organisations – to make tax deductible gifts to the Foundation.
I am pleased to announce that RFA has just launched a new website: RotaryFoundationAustralia.org.au.  It provides material that is highly informative – both to the public and to Rotary members.  Please click the link and visit the site, I think you’ll find it very useful.
For Rotarians, a key resource in the site is the My Foundation page.  Think of it as the go‑to page you’ve always wanted, with links to a whole range of resources, such as how-to’s,  brochures and forms, as well as frequently used pages in rotary.org.
The site also displays stories about grant-funded projects that Australian clubs have pursued to deliver significant and sustainable impact.  Our clubs have so many great stories to tell about their amazing grant-funded projects and I would encourage you to submit stories for inclusion in the site.
Can I also encourage you to include links to the site in your club and district websites, social media pages, etc.? This will help to raise the profile of Rotary in Australia and the great outcomes that we all deliver.

A key audience we aim to influence through the site is corporations and wealthy individuals who may be interested in helping to fund large Rotary projects.  If you have:

  • a great project that is in need of significant funding, or
  • contacts with a corporation or wealthy individual who may wish to support Rotary with a gift of A$50,000 or more,

please contact me (PDG Maurie Stack) at rfa@rotary.org.

Rotary Foundation Australia looks forward to supporting your endeavours by helping you to fund high-impact projects – it’s by making an impact that Rotary thrives.