President Peter Smith's Column

During 2010-11 it is hoped that we will be able to finalise some slightly overdue procedural housekeeping.

Strategic Plan: a 3 year plan and vision, encompassing such matters as membership retention and recruitment, club direction, community participation and creating significant projects etc. Strategic planning is seen by RI as an integral component in ensuring the revitalisation and growth of Rotary both locally and internationally. Our club’s goals will of course need to align with those of the district and RI Strategic Plan.

Some early work has been done in drawing up a Strathfield Plan and PP Rod McDougall has offered to “fine Tune” it and to bring it back to the club for adoption within the next few months.

Club’s Constitution and By-Laws: Due to the constitutional changes (which came into effect on 1 July 2010) made at the recent RI “Council on Legislation” it will be necessary for both our constitution and by-laws to be amended. One of these changes involves the inclusion of the club’s Immediate Past President as a member of the club’s board. There are other minor (and previous) amendments that have made our documents out of kilter with the RI Constitution. It is imperative that our by-laws and constitution “must be in harmony with the standard Rotary Club Constitution”

It has been suggested that it may be best to totally delete our old constitution, prepare, adopt and file a new one, with the Department of Fair Trading, which would comply with the current RI requirements. Secretary Roger, in consultation with PDG’s Harley and David, will “drive” this matter forward.

Our last week’s speaker, Rick Brown, gave us a great insight to education in Uganda. It was inspiring that despite their extreme poverty the parents still made huge sacrifices so that their children received the education they were perhaps denied. My thanks to Jan Barrett for her contribution on the evening.

Our guest speaker this evening is Johns Williams who will speak to us about “The Leaving of Liverpool” – and of his experiences while starting life in 1947 in Australia as a Barnardo's child. John is a member and PP of Liverpool Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellow and has a life time of service to the community to share with us tonight. Please make John welcome.

President Pete