President Peter Smith's Column

·         Last week, at Club Assembly, it was agreed that we formally adopt the Strategic Plan for 2011-2014. The plan, which was first circulated in November 2010 for comment and discussion, was adopted without amendment – a true compliment to the drafting skills of PP Rod McDougall!

It was also agreed, at the club assembly, that a club directory of personal email addresses would be made available to members. If for privacy, or other, reasons you would prefer not to have your email address on such a list would you please let me know?

A full report, regarding the other assembly items, is provided elsewhere in this newsletter.

·         February 23 is Rotary’s birthday – and in a recent newsletter I advised that various clubs within the District were proposing that we celebrate in grand style by going to the "theatre".

20^th Century Fox have arranged for a pre-release screening of “Conviction” starring Hilary Swank as Betty Anne Walters who dedicated 18 years of her life in the hope of exonerating her brother of murder charges. 20^th Century Fox is hoping to raise some $600,000, world wide, for the End Polio Now Challenge.

While the 23 February is a regular dinner meeting for Strathfield Rotary there is the opportunity for us to either have a transfer meeting and/or allow the option of members to have a make-up at the movies. The 6 clubs in our zone have the chance of attending the Burwood Greater Union at 6.30pm at a cost of $20 pp – with all proceeds going to the End Polio Now Campaign. A commitment Sheet will be circulated on 9^th February to gauge interest.

·         Book Buzz - which is the Indigenous Literacy Program of District 9690 in partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation – is organising a large fundraising raffle with great prizes (4 nights at Port Douglas, 2 Bridge Climb tickets and 5 other wonderful prizes. Tickets will be each table this evening – just $1 per ticket. Your support would be greatly appreciated. The raffle will be drawn at the District Conference.

·         Tonight our guest speaker will be Rotarian Roger Norman from the RC of Turramurra who is the Team Leader of the Graffiti Removal Project – a project that I understand is being taken up by an increasing large number of Rotary Clubs. Roger will be ably assisted tonight by his “Technician” PP Guy Kingdon – also from Turramurra Rotary.

President Pete