FROM THE PRESIDENTS

We are hearing a lot about the regionalisation pilot so we both thought it would be useful to summarise how it began and where it is up to. For over two decades, Rotary has grappled with declining membership and retention issues. Despite various efforts, we haven't kept pace with what current and future members seek: inclusivity, value, flexible leadership opportunities, and streamlined structures. To address this, the Shaping Rotary’s Future (SRF) Committee was formed in 2018 to revamp our membership experience and organizational structure. After analysing club needs and successful practices, the committee proposed Rotary Community Leaders (RCLs) to support clubs in growth planning and development. They will undergo a tailored Learning and Development program to equip them for their role.

Rotary Community Leaders or RCLs will support their Rotary Community Group to develop a growth plan that each club can implement to attract new members and increase their impact, and access the support they need to grow and thrive.

RCLs will not tell clubs what to do, force them to change, or even implement a growth plan on behalf of clubs. Clubs are and will remain autonomous, and can decide which strategies they will and will not implement on their path to success. Rather, RCLs will primarily work with leaders from each club in their RCG, coaching and mentoring them to build their capacity to lead and strengthen their own clubs.

RCLs will also not be required to schedule club visits. During the pilot phase, RCLs will collaborate closely with District Governors (DGs) to ensure a smooth transition. RCLs and District Governors (DGs) collaborate closely but do not have a hierarchical reporting relationship:

• DGs and RCLs decide together on communication methods and support strategies for clubs and members during the Pilot, possibly including regular meetings
• Both DGs and RCLs support clubs and members during the transition from traditional DG club visits to a new approach.
• DGs still attend important club and Rotary Community Group (RCG) events as the senior Rotarian in the District.
• DGs visit clubs upon invitation by RCLs or clubs

DGs will maintain their role as the District's primary contact while RCLs focus on their respective Rotary Community Groups (RCGs). As we embrace this new approach, Wil Cornelissen has been provisionally appointed pending a 14-day challenge period from 8 April 2024 as per Rotary International Bylaws (Article 12.030).

The pilot's success will be measured by various factors, including new club charters, membership growth, engagement levels, and diversity metrics.

Bev and Amanda

RECENT ROTARY EVENTS

Rotary District 9810 Conference, Warrnambool  - March 2024

The theme of the conference this year was “Mind Matters” and was attended by several members from the club. It was stated from day 1 that the aim of the conference was for it to be informative, inspiring and fun…….. all three were achieved in spades!!!

The 2 MC’s Dee Mason and Jonathan Usher kept us well entertained with their fabulous humour and Jonathan bamboozled many of us with his clever and impressive magic. 

The Rotary International President Personal rep, Haresh Ramchandani from Jamaica delighted us all as he danced his way on and off the stage throughout the weekend, (that man has rhythm!) and to top it all he has invited us all (approx. 350 candidates) to visit him in Jamaica.  Little does he realise that Aussies are serious travellers and may start turning up on his doorstep shortly.

The weekend really highlighted so much of the wonderful work Rotary does and made me feel proud to be part of the organisation and enthusiastic about the coming year.

The speakers were of a very high standard and my favourite was Professor Arnold Dix who gave an awesome presentation on the rescue he led of 41 men trapped in a tunnel in India.

The mountain was still in avalanche mode as they worked to save the men. His calm, intelligent, respectful approach resulted in all 41 men being brought out of the tunnel 17 days later…. All alive!

The masked dinner on Saturday night had a great vibe and lots of fun dancing….. great to spend more time with club members, all in all a terrific weekend and I was so glad I made the effort to go.  Next year it will be in Bendigo and I would urge everyone to seriously think about going.

Gill Merzvinskis – President elect – Rotary Club of Hampton.

President-Elect Training at Traralgon 2024

I would like to thank the Rotary club of Hampton for sending me on the president elect training held in Traralgon recently. It was great to be amongst an enthusiastic bunch of fellow rotary members all keen to learn more about Rotary and how we can be effective in the role.

It was a reminder of what a huge organisation Rotary is, the fantastic work they do and the support available to our clubs. It was also good to meet other Rotarians in our district who we may well share projects with at some stage.

Stephanie Urchick, the US Rotary International President would like all clubs to make ourselves “simply irresistible”!!!!!! All ideas are welcome!!!

Gill Merzvinskis, President Elect – Rotary Club of Hampton

UPCOMING CLUB MEETINGS/EVENTS

April Program

Tuesday 16th April - Social night - Sandringham Yacht Club

Saturday 20th April - Preschool Hearing Screening at Hampton Primary School

Tuesday 23rd April - Club meeting in private room at Picasso’s Restaurant, 469 Hampton St

Tuesday 30th April - Board Meeting

May Program

Tuesday 7th May - Joint meeting with RC Sandringham at Highett RSL. Speaker – Mike Jensen, Founder of Park St Community Garden Project

Tuesday 14th May - at Picasso’s. Speaker – Clarine Wheeler, Leader for Community Engagement, SES Moorabbin. ‘Role of SES, building a relationship with Rotary’

Monday 20th May - Bayside Volunteer Expo 3-6 pm at Brighton Town Hall

Tuesday 21st May - Club meeting at Picasso’s

Tuesday 28th May - Board Meeting

Date for Changeover – Tuesday 16th July

YOUTH AND EDUCATION PROJECTS

Next Pre-School Screening Coming up on Saturday 20th April

Hampton Rotary Club, in partnership with Uni of Melbourne Audiology and Bayside City Council, and supported by Hampton Primary School, will be delivering the always popular FREE Pre-School Hearing Screening to Bayside children aged 3.5 to 6 years old on Saturday 20th April 9am-4pm.

In addition, we’re also co-locating a team from the Uni of Melb Physiotherapy Dept who will again be offering screening for Large Motor Skills of pre-school children as well. This has now become a popular addition to the pre-school screening program for over a year.

Thanks to Marie Arendsen for leading this project, and to all the Club members who have volunteered to help on the day.

For further enquiries about this project, contact: Marie Arendsen at: arendsen.m.a@gmail.com

2024 Project Delivering Mental Health Training for High School Students kicks off in April

Our youth mental health project to directly assist young people in the local Bayside community kicks off this year in April, with all the Year 10 students at Sandringham Secondary College to participate in the Teen Mental Health First Aid training course. 

Since the inception of this project, more than 700 students in total, across three Bayside secondary colleges, will have benefited from participation at this vital mental health training programme for teenagers.

For further information about this project please contact:

Christine.lindsey@gmail.com

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

March Bayside Farmers’ Market

Thank you to everyone who visited our March market. It was another great community event with many people out and about enjoying the summer weather, doing some fresh food shopping, relaxing with family & friends (…and furry friends as well), and enjoying a coffee and snack, while chilling out to great live music.

Remember, the BaysideFarmers Market is held on the 4th Saturday every month at Trey Bit Reserve Sandringham. We can’t wait to see you all again at our April market on Saturday 27th April 8am-1pm.

Next Bayside Farmers’ Market – Saturday 27th April

Our April market is coming up on Saturday 27th April, 8am-1pm at Trey Bit Reserve (Jetty Road), Sandringham. What a great way to kick-start the weekend, with a visit to the 60+ market stalls featuring seasonal fresh produce direct from the farm, gourmet and artisan foods and beverages, take-away food, drinks & coffees, and live music…all at a fabulous beachside location…..…so get your family and friends together and join in this fantastic community event!

HERE’S WHERE YOU’LL FIND US:

🗓When: Saturday, 27th April

📍Where: Trey Bit Reserve (Jetty Road), Sandringham*

⏰Time: 8am-1pm

🐶Dogs welcome on lead also

More details about the market are also available at:

Website: https://BaysideFarmersMarket.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BaysideFM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baysidefarmersmarket_

*For parking options at the market, please refer to the market website

Bayside Volunteer Expo – Monday 20th May

Hampton Rotary will be participating in the Bayside Volunteer Expo, coming up on Monday 20th May 3-6pm at the Brighton Town Hall.  There will be more than 30 organisations participating, and entry to the expo also includes VIP entry to the Bayside Gallery. There will also be a Roving Repairs station there as well.

Come along to the expo and say hi to the Hampton Rotary volunteers who will be manning our information booth.

Market Volunteers Needed

If you’re interested in joining our volunteer team at the monthly Bayside Farmers’ Market, we’d love to hear from you. It’s only a commitment of 3 hours each month and no experience is necessary…so if you like meeting other locals and want to get involved in a fantastic community event that raises funds for many worthy causes, please get in touch.

If you are interested, then please contact Lance Blackley at 0411 741 586 or email: admin@hamptonrotary.org.au

WHERE TO FIND US

Club Meetings 

Club meetings are held at Hampton RSL, 25 Holyrood Street, Hampton Victoria 3188.

Details of meetings can be found on our website and you can refer to our website for updates on the upcoming meeting program: https://hamptonrotary.org.au/all-events