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Colourful
signage gave Rotary a major. presence in the Birkenhead Christmas
Parade.
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Rotary
partners assisted the local library with a profitable Christmas
book sale. |
History
of Rotary in New Zealand, John Hall-Jones the History of the Rotary
Club of Inver argill and Peter Muller the History of District 9980 which
will be available at the end of 2004
Birkenhead
spreads Christmas joy: Birkenhead Rotarians (District 9910, N.Z.)
make the most of the opportunity to create Rotary Awareness at their
annual Christmas Parade.
The Rotary
Club of Birkenhead has organised the annual parade for 17 years with
special emphasis on children and the family. Partners of Rotarians joined
the local library for a special book sale in conjunction with the parade.
The day
proved an outstanding success for the community. Fifty floats, numerous
bands, horses and vintage cars made a colourful and entertaining parade.
Birkenhead Primary School added to the fun with its annual school fiesta.
Family of Rotary success: R.I. President Jonathan Majiyagbe's
emphasis on "the Family of Rotary" this Rotary year has seen
many splendid initiatives by Rotary clubs and Districts.
Most are
making a real effort to include family in many more Rotary programs
and activities.
Family days and functions have been very popular with imaginative
innovations. It is also pleasing to note the extra effort by some Rotarians
to create new families and District 9810 is leading from the front.
Rotarians Margaret Khaw and John Mason of the Rotary Club of Bentleigh
Moorabbin Central, Vic., tied the knot on February 28 and Rotarian Angela
and Simon Forthum of the Rotary ChB ( Glen Waverley, Vic., are celebrating
die arrival of their son Max Henry on February 13. Congratulations to
all!
Speaker's
topic Malayan police : Rotary clubs in the Sydney area should add
the name David Brent of the Rotary Club of Rose Bay, N.S.W., to their
list of potential guest speakers. Rotarian David (telephone (02) 9388
1479) was assistant superintendent of police in the Malayan Police Force
from 1952 to 1958 when the police was combatting terrorism. He is a major
contributor to a book published last year titled Operation Sharp End.
Memoirs of the Malayan Police and has many interesting stories to tell.
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Jottings
from
Director
John
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As
I write this it is Easter and therefore a time for reflection
for many people and sermons for others! Paul Harris had a one
word sermon. He said, "One of the best one-word sermons
ever preached is the sermon 'Smile'. Smiles warm one in the
winter, cool one in the summer, and cheer one all the year round."
Certainly, in my view a smile either in person or in writing
can help many situations even stressful ones.
A
legacy our club presidents could leave their clubs this year
might be a new member. The multiplier factor is enormous - there
are about 1,450 clubs in our 29
Districts.
If each club president in the next few weeks introduced and
then inducted one member each, we would have 1,450 new members.
In
addition, this is what would make a significant difference -
if, after July 1, that immediate past president became a tenacious
mentor for the new member and introduced him or her to the many
pleasures and opportunities of service based on sound friendship
... then that new member would soon become an active Rotarian.
To
me this would be a wonderful, practical example given by the
current club presidents and their, legacy for this year when
we all LEND A HAND.
As
readers responded strongly about a recent Jottings, it was clear
that all we need in each club is one person to take up the challenge.
If it is not the current club president in your club because
of other pressing duties - is it YOU?
John
G. Thorne, RI Director 2002-04
•
John G. Thorne, of the Rotary Club of Hobart North, Tas., is a
Rotary International director 2002-04. He can be contacted through
thorne@tassie.net.au
or www.geocities.com/john.thorne
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