9 July 2003
Thank you to the members who attended the Club Assembly last week and to those who contributed to the meeting with their various points of view. I believe it was good positive discussion.
There were two main topics discussed, the singing of Rotary Grace and meeting time closure. There was sound support for the singing of Rotary Grace and various views were expressed about the appropriate time to end the meeting.
A review of the club assembly will take place at the Board Meeting to be held on Tuesday 8 July.
For those of you who haven’t noticed, the Honour Board has been extended with a matching piece of timber and expertly matched. This was necessary due to the fact that the board had run out of space to accommodate the 2003/2004 office bearers. Thanks to Keith Byrn for organizing the timber extension and to Tony Lanzafame for arranging for the sign writing to be done.
Tonight we welcome Peter Corcoran, Education Officer, Australian Rugby League Foundation.
Jonathan Majiyagbe, Rotary International President 2003-2004 spoke on 1 July, with a call to Rotarians to place the family at the centre of their quest for "Service Above Self," and to consider it a touchstone of efforts to increase and retain membership.
"I am asking every club to form a Family of Rotary Committee to find more ways to create and nurture an atmosphere of warmth and caring," he said.
"This greater sense of a family atmosphere within our clubs is so important to the overall health of Rotary. It will not only make our Rotary membership more meaningful, it will support the work we do outside of our clubs."
To translate the 2003-04 Rotary theme, "Lend a Hand," into action, Rotarians will devote their professional and business skills to serving in their own communities and internationally with an emphasis on activities that help in alleviating poverty, addressing health concerns, and promoting literacy and education.
Majiyagbe is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and principal counsel in J.B. Majiyagbe & Co.
Born in Lagos, he is a graduate of the University of London. A member of the Honourable Body of Benchers, Majiyagbe is a former member of the Interim Judicial Service Committee, Kano State, a past vice president of the Nigerian Bar Association, and a member of the International Bar Association.
He has served as a trustee of the Kano Lebanon Club and the Kano Club.
He was a long-time chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Kano and served as chairman of the Kano branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society for many years.
Majiyagbe is also a member of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture.
A Rotarian since 1967, Majiyagbe is a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Kano. He has served Rotary International as District Governor, International Assembly Instructor, committee member, director and trustee of the Rotary Foundation.
He is a recipient of the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service and the Distinguished Service Awards.
Majiyagbe is a past chairman of the African Regional PolioPlus Committee and a former member of the International PolioPlus Committee.
Have a successful week.
Keith