Rotary Community Major Art Union

The Rotary Club of Cairns-Mulgrave Inc. advises that it is proposing to conduct its annual Community Major Art Union between the months of April to September 2002. The major prize will again be a car.

Rotary seeks Expressions of Interest from local charities schools and sporting groups interested in participating in the Art Union. Participating organisations will retain a substantial percentage of the $2.00 ticket price for no outlay, other than a commitment to sell tickets in the Cairns Community.

If your group would like to be involved in this event that last year saw over $48,000 distributed to local participating organisations please contact:

Club Secretary
Rotary Club of Cairns Mulgrave
P.O. Box 2051
Cairns 4870

Enquiries -
David Kirchner
Telephone (w) 40323377. a/h 40547408
Written expressions of interest required by Thursday 7 March 2002
Subject to the approval of the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation.

Cairns Mulgrave Rotary Club

Boxed Gift Pens Available Now

$15.00 each.
Please see Secretary Kevin if you would like one

What's Happened This Year?

We would love to have any - photos - stories - certificates - anything at all of what has happened over the past year.

It's time to start putting the booklet for changeover together so please give any materials to Gina.

Gina Raccanello
Ph 07 4041 0565
Fax 07 4031 9011
Mob. 0407 178898
Email Gina@absolutecomputers.com.au

From Rotary World vol 9. no 5 May 2002

The Perception Of Rotary

Despite more women members, a high priority on service and experiments with new model clubs, the perception of Rotary lags behind the reality.

A recent world wide survey commissioned by The Rotary Foundation found that the public still views Rotary as an "old men's lunch club" - old-fashioned, unwilling to change, and ineffectual - a image that "overshadows the awareness of Rotary's positive community service."

Conducted by the Pulicis advertising agency, the survey queri3ed some 1500 people - non-Rotarians, Rotary club members, and Rotary International leaders - about Rotary's image, Methods included in depth interviews, group discussions, focus groups in nine countries, and an online questionnaire,

The research was carried out in anticipation of launching a public awareness campaign of Rotary. The resulting repeort called on Rotary to raise its profile and project its true image and distinctive "brand" via targeted media.

It named Rotary's greatest strengths as its commitment to local communities and fellowship. It identified Rotary's distinctiveness as its professionalism, internationality, and nonpartisanship. The report authors acknowledged a decline in virtually all civic organizations, particularly in the USA, s8nce their post-World War II heyday. They cited such factors as time constraints, urban sprawl, changing family roles, generation gaps, and alternative leisure opportunities.

At the same time, the report noted a steady upswing in volunteerism. It urged Rotary to tap this altruism by offering programs attractive to both prospective and existing members, It also recommende3d revitalizing Rotary through greater flexibility, recruitment from alumni of Rotary youth programs and Foundation programs, and new member orientation.

The report argued that public awareness of Rotary's mission can create enthusiasm among current members as well as attract new members and Foundation contributions. Resigning members still enthusiastic about Rotary They may have resigned, but many Rotarians are reluctant to leave Rotary.

That good news comes from a recent RI survey of members who have left their clubs. To learn the reason for the resignations, RI sent a survey to 19,820 U.S. and Canadian Rotarians who terminated their membership form December 2000 to June 2001.

Of those who responded (18 %), 40 percent cited and inability to meet attendance requirements, 31 percent listed relocation to a new community, and 30 percent cited competing priorities. Additionally, 16 percent named business and professional pressures, and 11 percent mentioned inconvenient meeting times. Respondents were allowed to cite multiple reasons.

Although they have resigned, respondents expressed overwhelming satisfaction with their formed clubs in all areas surveyed, including club meetings and activities projects, communication, membership expenses and leadership.

Indicative of their contentment with Rotary, 81 percent of those who were relocating said they would consider joining a club in thier new place of residence, and 28 percent reported they had already done so or were in the process of joining. Another 38 percent of the responding former members said they would like RI to notify a Rotary club in their new locality of their interest in joining.

So, the RI Membership Development Department has been sending notifications of their interest to distinct membership chairs. RI is currently tracking the number of individuals who have joined Rotary as a result.

Asking the experts

We asked Ingmar Andersson Rotary Club of Falkenberg-Herting,Sweden, and an RI membership Coordinator-

Q' Why have clubs in your area been successful at retaining members?

A-" Based on experience in my own club and district (2400) and reports from membership seminars, I would highlight 10 things:

§Offering interesting programs
§Providing strong but friendly leadership
§Encouraging fellowship and humor
§Involving members in committees
§Paying attention to absentees - offering help to members in need and visiting members who are ill.
§Arranging additional get-togethers without the usual meeting agenda
§Giving members information - in small doses - about Rotary at all levels
§Encouraging members to attend meetings at the district level and beyond
§Focusing on the club at one meeting, inviting members to give their views
§Inviting young people and other nonmembers to share what they know about Rotary - if anything at all - and having a frank discussion

Four clubs in our part of the district had a Rotary "school" for new and old members. It was an extra evening meeting (with attendance points!) at which everyone could ask questions of the district governor was invited to give his opinion. Everyone thought it was worthwhile, and the neighboring area organised something similar, with success.

In my own club I have conducted anonymous surveys, followed by discussion. It helps members get involved and possibly influence the club's life and goals. Rotary World Peace Scholar appreciates power of diplomacy Richard Gee, of London, England, has seen conflict resolution at work firsthand.

As a trial lawyer in the 1990s, he specialised in family law involving child custody and child abuse cases. 'The experience enabled me to observe many problems often ignored or avoided by society: poverty, domestic violence, drug and child abuse," said Gee. "Utilizing negotiation in otherwise volatile circumstances enabled me to appreciate the power of diplomacy and the need to resolve conflict peacefully and without litigation."

In September, Gee will become one of the first 70 Rotary World Scholars to study at the Rotary Centers for International Studies in Peace and conflict resolution. He will study at the joint center University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.

For Gee, the scholarship is a key step in his pursuit of a career in international relations - a journey that began in 1985 as a Rotary Youth Exchange student to France. Subsequent exchanges took him to Italy, Austria and Turkey. While in secondary school, Gee also worked on the Operation Double Decker project, initiated by his family and adopted by the Club of Chadderton and Failsworth, to convert a bus to a mobile clinic and send it to Surat, India. Gee and his family were able to visit Surat and see the clinic in operation.

A 1999 stint as director of English at a bilingual school in Guatemala, also proved pivotal to Gee. "Guatemala, only recently out of civil war, provided the interest and material for a growing appreciation of politics and international relations," he said. In 2001, Gee attended United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, taking a course in international human rights.

Eventually, he would like to serve his home country or an international agency as a senior public official, policy analyst, or researcher, or as a leader of a non governmental organization.

RELAY FOR LIFE 2002

Hi everyone Well it's over - but the memories and the emails, phone calls, letters and smiles are still coming!

The Relay for Life was without a doubt the most inspiring event Cairns has ever seen . 18 hours of walking in the coldest temperatures Cairns could possibly have turned on, should have seen the 1200 people camped in the middle of Barlow Park packing up and heading for the warmth and comfort of their homes - but it didn't!

Instead people walked to keep warm, singing, dancing and smiling right to the very end. When people started to arrive at 10am - we knew this was going to be quite an event. Watching the crowds of teams arrive carrying tents, fold up beds, pot plants, pools, flags balloons, blow up dolls, you would have thought that they were moving house - instead the 'tent city' was converted in to a small town from a fantasy land.

Imaginations ran wild with pink and purple harem tents, 70's tents, Hilton silver service tent, A castle, the army, Indian tippees to name a few. And to match their sites, the costumes converted the racetrack into a parade that could have walked down Disney's main street. Fish, can can girls, barbie dolls, fairies, Wee Willy Winkie, hats of red shoes on black shoe boxes, Bob the builder, a strange bearded man with a rotary clothes line filled with ladies underwear, green frogs, glittery hair, large glasses, witches - the list goes on and on.

The Survivors walk started the festivities with 300 survivors and carers proudly marching behind the Cairns Show Band for the opening laps. Each and every name was read out - and the crowd clapped these brave men and women. The second lap I will never forget - I ran to the top of the hill to look first hand at our hard work - and couldn't help the tears of joy that streamed down my face.

The track was filled to capacity with banners, colour and costumes - not a space on the whole 400-metre track - who could ask for more support from our wonderful community. The Candlelight ceremony was, as expected extremely emotional. The voices of the choir, the candles and messages of love, the photos of loved ones taped to bags, and Juanita Kelly choking up on the words bought a sombre but realistic moment to the relay.

Trevor quickly bought back up this mood with the QCF Rap and then the entertainment really picked up. A few minor hiccups with the sound - but they got it right in the end. Showstoppers - or should I say Relay stoppers - were of course Troppo No 5 dancers - with Shirvo's daughter proudly being watched by Dad - who incidentally was the envy of every man in the Park - he had the job of collecting all the clothes that the girls stripped off! The crowds blocked the track and the Relay almost came to a standstill - well done girls.

The same thing happened again with the Hot Firies - and of course the Hash House Harriers rendition of Grease. The Womanless Beauty Pageant was - um - interesting - and the fun just got better and better. It did not stop all night - and the people really appreciated it.

Morning came, the sun came up over our beautiful mountains and the hungry hoards filed up for breakfast. The welcome smell of bacon and eggs attracted the people to the grandstand like a magnet. And the walk continued. The closer 10am got - the more people joined the track - by the time it was 9.30 - most of the camp sites were packed up and a thousand people were back on the track - still dressed up - still singing and dancing - still smiling. 10am came - and it was over - and still they stayed - for the presentations and announcements.

I had the best job of all - announcing the total - $275,463.90! Beyond everyone's comprehension - and previously thought unattainable. This past weekend saw mammoth efforts put in by Rotary. Each and every Club pitched in to make this event the success it was. The food was hot, delicious, quick and needed! It was bitterly cold - for the tropics - and people were hungry - and not one person complained about anything.

Tea and coffee and drinks were flowing all night, while the movies were being shown. Breakfast was another miracle - I was worried when at 6 am - on the dot - I saw hundreds of people lined up at the grandstand - filed in single file down the stairs - all cold and starving. But - within a couple of minutes each of those people had climbed the stairs, gone in the room and come out the other side with bacon, eggs, and sausages. An incredible job by all the clubs involved.

And then there is our wonderful Club. I don't know where to start. Our job began 12 months ago - with the formation of the Committee - but we shone on the day. Special thanks go to Gina, Jeff, Max, David, Bill, Cheryl, Chris, Garry, Graham - and I hope that I haven't forgotten anyone - I am still a little weary! - for their total dedication for the whole 18 hours - and then thanks goes to all the Rotarians who participated, in particular to Herman for the Hilton experience!, to Ron and Bev for the underwear! And of course to all of our families that have been so tolerant and supportive.

Today has been a day to reflect - and to date the responses have been nothing but positive - all wanting to know when next year's will be - sponsors that have already committed to next year - teams that want to now be on the committee. We should all be very proud of our efforts - for Rotary has made this event possible.

Thank you to you all for trusting me with this job, and for standing beside me all the way. I dragged you all into the largest event any Club could ever dream of staging - and we did it better than anyone else. I am very proud and I hope the Club feels the same.

Sandy Astill

Chairperson Relay for Life 2002 (Retired!)!

Juanita Kelly

I just wanted to pass on a big 'well done' to everyone involved in Relay for Life - especially Sandy, Mark and Gina. Noela, thankyou for that wonderful speech you prepared for me - I had a good cry. I'm sure the whole weekend was more than anyone expected or hoped for and $275,000 is an incredible result.

Good on you all and Sandy - chill out now babe.

XX Juanita Kelly

STORYBOOK @ KICKARTS

Storybook, featuring the work of Robyn Baker, opens at the Kick Arts Gallery (77b Lake Street) this Friday and will be on show until July 12 (11am-4pm weekdays).

Louise Doyle, Director of the Cairns Regional Gallery, will officially open the exhibition on Friday, June 7. Storybook evolved after the Cairns artist wrote and illustrated a children's book called The Ballerina and the Pig Dog.

The concept developed as Robyn realised that each story illustration was a story on its own. "Every painting, every photograph is a story.

A story exists concerning the subject itself, but there are also many separate stories about how that image came into existence", says Robyn. Storybook comprises three avenues of storytelling. "There's The Ballerina and the Pig Dog - the Storybook. A photo album documents the life of someone. It tells a whole story but each photograph tells a separate story. The Photo Album represents this section.

The third section is a collection of paintings each representing a story in someone's life that I have witnessed or been involved with."

From Barfly May 31 2001.

From The District Governor's Report

We are coming to the end of another Rotary year - a year in which we have been reminded that Mankind is Our Business. At the beginning of the year, RI President Rick King offered us four challenges:

Ø To grow Rotary;
Ø To improve our public image;
Ø To improve the level of training and education for Rotarians; and
Ø To improve the quality of Clubs within our District.

The outcome of the first challenge can be measured in a tangible way - growth in numbers of Rotarians throughout our District. Although we started slowly and even seemed to slip into reverse gear towards the middle of the year, a big finish means we are indeed seeing positive growth in our numbers.

The likely chartering of two new Clubs - Magnetic Island and Dili - will also mean an additional 50 to 65 Rotarians. In fact, we may finish the year with a 6% growth. It is not so easy to measure outcomes from the other three challenges. We have been fortunate to gain considerable media coverage throughout the District this year.

The newspaper supplements and articles during Rotary Awareness Week, the television coverage on our ROMAC activities, radio interviews on the programmes of clubs, community service announcements on ARHRF, the extensive media support for our District Conference - all ensured that the message of Rotary got out to the communities. Hopefully, the public is now more aware of Rotary in our District than ever before. Certainly the new RI training cycle has been in effect this year.

There is PEPS in November, Assemblies in March, District Team Training Seminar, PETS and District Conference in May. The real measure of training can only be determined by individual Rotarians. Do you know more about Rotary now than you did at 30 June 2001? If so, we have achieved our objective.

Our Clubs are very active within their respective communities and there is a wondrous, diverse range of programmes being run for the benefit and betterment of our communities. It is my sincere hope that each and every Rotarian can say, confidently, that your club has improved this year and that you can feel satisfaction with your own contribution.

Did you share your membership this year? Did you make a contribution to improving your club? Did you take some time to learn more about Rotary? Did you tell a non-Rotarian something about Rotary? If you have done all four, you have met the challenges we were offered. If not, it is not too late. The year has not yet ended. You can achieve all four objectives this week and this month.

It is sometimes said that we are just volunteers. We are far more than that. Rotarians care. Rotarians make a difference. Rotarians give of their time, talents, skills, finances, heart and souls to help make our communities and our world better places to live. Being a Rotarian is not simply a matter of attending weekly meetings, turning up at the occasional working bee, assisting in a worthwhile community project.

Being a Rotarian is a way of life. To live by the creed of The Four Way Test, to contribute to the Four Avenues of Service, to fulfil the purpose of Rotary, takes an ongoing commitment by exceptional people. You are one of those exceptional people. You are a Rotarian! Pattie and I have met and made many new and wonderful friends during this year. We have enjoyed visiting and sharing with you.

We will never forget this year of service.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Treasure Life!

Terry Lees, Governor, District 9550, 2001 - 2002

Sowing the Seeds of Love for 2002-2003 By DGE Jeff Crofts

Club Plans for 2002-2003

As the new Rotary year rapidly approaches, incoming Club Officers should be reviewing and finalising their Club plans in consultation with the Club Members and incoming Board, working from the "bottom up" as encouraged by incoming R.I. President Bhichai Rattakul. Your final Club plans are now due to be submitted to your respective Assistant Governor.

"Bottom up" means that it is up to each Club to establish its own goals for the coming Rotary year, thus establishing its own priorities and identifying which programs it particularly wishes to participate in or support. Once each Club has established its own goals and objectives in the four avenues of Rotary service as set out in its Club Plan, it only has to meet those targets to achieve a Presidential Citation for 2002-03.

In keeping with the "bottom up" approach, District goals have also been set at the recent highly successful District Conference in Mount Isa, based on discussion and consultation with incoming Presidents and Secretaries at PETS, as follows:

District Goals for 2002-2003
· · Assist >50% of Clubs to achieve their goals
· · Achieve 10% membership growth in District
· · Achieve District contribution of US$ 65,000 to Rotary Foundation (~ Aus$ 100/member)
· · Publicise Rotary, Promote PolioPlus Eradication
· · Achieve District contribution to Polio Eradication of US$ 100,000 (~Aus$ 150/member)
· · Maximise attendance at:
o PEPS - (100%)
o District Assemblies - (100% of Clubs, >50% of Boards)
o District Team Training - (100%)
o PETS - (100%)
o District Conference - (100% of clubs, >30% of Rotarians)
· · Maximise attendance at Brisbane Convention 2003 - (100% of Clubs, >15% of Rotarians)

Your Club plans are just the first seeds that you will sow for 2002-2003. It will only be with the commitment and nurturing of all Club members that these seeds will take hold, your Club goals will be realised, and through the Club's achievements, the District objectives attained.

Sec's Report…(for secs)…………………from the Isa Bunny

You know how I've been boring you out of your gourds over the year about COMMUNICATION?

How about this as benchmark for next year (not a good one, mind you, but it's a start). Monthly Attendance Reporting: With the new generic email address system across the District, see if you can beat these figures - about 31% of Clubs successfully submitted all monthly reports - about 12% were unsuccessful in their attempts to get any reports in - the remaining 57% got a few in.

As mentioned last month District Awards for attendance are dependent on the performance of the Secretary in getting reports in. Membership Change Reporting: About 51% of Clubs reported at least one change - the remaining 49% apparently didn't have any terminations or new members.

A few thoughts still flying around in the old brain following PETS and the Conference and very much for the incoming

Sec: How do you plan to handle correspondence - a register recording responsibility for action to be followed up at Board Meetings? Board Meetings - are they scheduled at regular monthly intervals and how will you record them. The Budget -has your Board prepared one - is it going to - add in the expenses you may wish to recover? Has that rascally Prez Elect given you your Sec's Manual? How will your Club handle the emailed DG's Newsletter as it contains heaps of good stuff which should be passed on to ALL your members. What about those who haven't got email (L). Will you ensure your weekly bulletin goes to Cathy? Who is Cathy? See page 23 of the Directory.

What's this Directory thing? - Ten copies should have been collected at the Conference - if not, incoming Sec David Court will sort you out - it is an essential resource for Sec's. Using Clubmate? No?L. You have the responsibility of recording membership details and attendance. It will take you a couple of hours per week. Clubmate costs about $1000. It sounds a lot but is your time worth about $10 per hour to your Club?

Think seriously about getting it or something similar which will make your job easier, you more efficient with more time to enjoy Rotary. This is my penultimate (don't you just love that word - much sexier than "second last") Sec's Report. Reflecting on continuing themes in these Reports I guess they were mainly about efficient communication both external and internal, and not wasting scarce and valuable time - probably typical issues from someone who comes from a time when the earth was without form and the lights hadn't yet been switched on.

The penultimate message? Look for ways to improve how things are done at Club level and don't be afraid to change things.

YOUTH SCIENCE PROGRAMS

1. National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Clubs are asked to submit appropriate nominations for NYSF candidates to the District by 15 June. Each club can submit up to two nominations - one from a girl, the other from a boy. Applications from students should already be with clubs as the deadline given to schools was 15 May.

Nominations are to be submitted on the formal A4-sized application form, with all details completed. Costs for NYSF in January 2003 will be $1450, not $1550 as indicated on some of the material distributed by Canberra. Sponsoring clubs of selected candidates will determine individually how much they wish to contribute to the $1450, but should let families know that amount before nominations are submitted to District. Clubs are asked to interview applicants for suitability before forwarding their paperwork to District.

Students who cannot communicate effectively with local Rotarians are highly unlikely to be selected as District representatives. Nominations from NT clubs can be forwarded to S. Prathapan, 8 Pelican Cres, Wulagi NT 0810. Queensland nominations are to be sent to L. Gallagher, 29 Maori Close, Clifton Beach, Q. 4879. District selection processes are to be completed by mid-July. 2.

Siemens Science Experience (SSE)

Club secretaries may have recently received application forms for the Siemens Science Experience. These forms indicate that applications close in August. While this is true for most national universities, it does not apply to James Cook University in Cairns or, to some extent, Townsville. SSE occurs in Cairns towards the end of June and applicants are currently being finalised from Year 9 or Year 10 students.

Any clubs who have students who might wish to attend at the last minute can contact Sue Kelly at the Cairns campus on (07) 40421456 or fax nominations to her on (07) 40421284. Townsville SSE occurs in the September school vacation. Applications for that program should, wherever possible, be to the campus before August. Any further questions can be directed to Larry Gallagher (07) 40553384

Thank You for a Wonderful Year

A year ago, at Mission Beach, we spoke about the year in front of us - and noted that as Rotarians we should be glad that this year would give us 365 more opportunities to be of service. In looking back at the past ten months, Pattie and I are extremely grateful for the opportunities we have had to serve with you.

We have travelled the length and breadth of this vast District, visited all 51 Clubs, as well as the Provisional Club of Dili in East Timor, and met thousands of Rotarians, partners and friends of Rotary.

We were made welcome everywhere we went. The hands of Rotary friendship and fellowship were extended to us warmly and openly. We will never forget the wonderful hospitality that was extended to us and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We have been amazed by the variety and number of Rotary projects and activities that we have witnessed and by the enthusiasm, commitment and dedication of the Rotarians in our District.

I can categorically state that Rotary is alive and well in District 9550 Australia. Rick King gave us four challenges for this year: to build Rotary's membership through the Global Quest; to improve our public image; to improve the level of training and education in our organisation; and finally, to improve the quality of clubs in our District. There is ample proof that we have readily taken up the last three of those challenges and taken giant steps forward in their achievement.

However, the issue of membership is still very much on the agenda as we have shown, as a District, zero growth. Our numbers have remained static! With the possible Chartering of two new Clubs - Dili and Magnetic Island - before the end of this year, and with a strong, active membership drive from ALL Clubs during May and June, we might yet see positive growth. It is up to us!

This year is not over yet. We still have one month to go. There are still goals to be achieved; there are still projects to be started; there are still people with whom we can share our membership in this great organisation that is Rotary International. Thanks to the District Leadership Team

Very special thanks to all members of the District Leadership team -- the Assistant Governors, District Administration officers, Committee Chairs and support members and the Group Representatives. Your service and valuable contributions have been outstanding. Rotary in our District is all the better because of people like you. Treasure Life and above all, remember that Mankind is Our Business.

Terry Lees