Exact numbers attending and apologies must be advised before each meeting. Please advise by 4 pm on the Monday before each meeting. To ph: 442-3484 / fax 442-3494 or email: admin@rilean.co.nz
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
M Mulholland
PRESIDENTS BLOG
In talking to visitors to our Rotary Club over the years, two things that are constantly mentioned as characteristics of our club are the lack of inclusiveness and the cliqueness of our club. Apparently, we do make people feel warm, welcome and included - this is especially so for women and young people. They find our Club quite intimidating and we have to front up and own this.
To counteract the lack of feeling welcomed, I have asked Pat Jefford to lead a team of greeters. These greeters would greet guests, learn something about them and then introduce them to a member of the Club whom they thought would be on the same wavelength as the guest. For various reasons, people being away etc, it has not worked out as well as I had hoped. Maybe if all of us made a point of trying to help Pat and her team, we might present a better and more welcoming front to guests, especially women.
One of the examples that is used regarding our cliqueness is the Sergeant’s session. It is seen as full of in-jokes, is exclusive and a complete mystery to outsiders. Again it is seen as something that erects barriers between us and them.
To try and counteract this, I have tried to adopt Cromwell’s tradition of the Happy Fine. The Happy FIne is a selfie fine. You fine yourself for something positive - for example something that you are grateful for that happened in the week. This takes away the cliquey, in-joke type atmosphere and could even allow guests to take part. Again, it breaks down the barriers. I know we all love the traditions like the Sergeant’s session; but, again, maybe it is time to let it go and focus more on sharing things in a positive way and a way that helps cross divides.
Last Tuesday we witnessed two very important events in our 2017 calendar.
Firstly, the annual visit from Dist 9980 District Governor Bruce Cowan from Dunedin. Bruce gave us an extremely well structured and well-presented presentation of all things Rotary both locally and Internationally with a collage of slides around the various topics he covered. He of course emphasised the changes needed within our organisation if we are to stay relevant in today's world. He then went on to offer our Club a $300 district incentive if we accept and achieve the challenges he presented.
From a local perspective, DG Bruce had the honour of presenting a Paul Harris Fellowship Award to our local and popular member Alan Ward. Alan has been a hardworking and diligent member of Queenstown Rotary since joining in 1994. As well as being a Director and serving on all the Clubs committees over the years he has given unstinting service to the Travel industry since 1977 starting with Dalgety's, then in the mid 80's joined Mt Cook before starting his own Travel business in 1994. A very well-deserved award.
If you will be away, or for some other reason you cannot do your duty on the nominated day, it is your responsibility as soon as possible, and certainly no later than the Monday night before the meeting, to arrange a substitute. A swap with the person who has the duty the next week is suggested. Also you must advise the Sheriff: Alan Ward Ph. 021 475 0077 Alan@TSQueenstown.co.nz
Please be there by 5.25 pm if you are on Reception or Meet & Greet.
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