At our 2019 convention, Rotary members become insiders — the first to discover the latest news, along with the ideas and strategies that drive Rotary.

Whether it’s a chance meeting at the House of Friendship that leads to a new project partner, or a speaker who inspires you to take action, you’ll find plenty of excitement around you. Explore new cultures and fresh perspectives by taking part in preconvention meetings, unofficial affiliated events, and Rotary- and host-ticketed activities.

*Ideas that make an impact*
Interact with people whose ideas are transforming lives. Discover insightful perspectives from world-renowned speakers, engage in stimulating breakout sessions, and explore innovative solutions to community problems at the House of Friendship.

*Relationships that last a lifetime*
Whether you’ve just joined Rotary or you’re an experienced member, our annual convention is an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in diverse cultures and develop rich relationships. Connect with influential peers from across the globe and deepen your friendships with members who share your desire for meaningful action.

*Knowledge that strengthens your community*
The opportunities for learning are endless. You’ll hear about new approaches and strategies for successful projects, uncover ways to attract and engage members in your area, and bring home a renewed passion that will inspire your club members.

*Fun that you’ll never forget*
The Host Organization Committee is busy planning unforgettable activities and events for the entire Rotary family.

 

 

D9700 RI Convention Convenor DG John Glassford: 0498 190 880 or email jacksflat@gmail.com

 

N.B. So far only two from D9700 have registered for Hamburg 2019.

 

The germ of the idea is basically to create awareness and raise funds in D9700 for PolioPlus and the fact that by 2019 it should be eradicated or close to it, will help.  With 9 new cases of wild polio virus confirmed so far up to May 31st 2018.  I have my doubts that the declaration of the end of polio will happen for a while yet.  There still has to be 3 clear years before it can be declared extinct by WHO.

 

We have two Past District Governors looking after the initial committee and they are PDG Fred Loneragan and PDG Michael Milston.  We are in good hands.

 

We have started looking at the route that the relay will take and we have included every town and city in D9700 that has a Rotary club.  The total distance covered will be around 1,600 kms. over the month of March finishing at 5.00pm in Griffith on Friday afternoon the 29^th March 2019.

 

Over the next month we will firm up the plans and the route.  As well how to raise funds for such a project from the public.  We are looking for a limited number of volunteers with cycling experience to join our committee.

 

 

 

 

Several of us from D9700 attended the 2018 Australia New Zealand Conference held in Hobart.  Also as part of the events was the Governor Elect Training Seminar (GETS) attended by DGE John McKenzie and Fayah McKenzie.

 

Also representing D9700 were DG John and Susan Glassford, PDG George and Carol Weston, PDG John and Maria Egan, PDG Irene and Terry Jones, PP Deidre and PP Phillip Tome, PP Clare Lawlor.

 

There was so much to see and do and above all learn.  The Governor Train or G’ Train as it is known get down a few days earlier for the GETS training.  The DGs and partners get together in their class years and on a separate night the D9700 delegates have dinner.  Next year the Australian New Zealand Conference is in Christchurch and everyone is welcome.

 

 

I look forward to many more photos and getting to know our new members.  So would you all make sure that any inductions of new members are covered and sent to me for inclusion in the DG’s monthly newsletter?

This should help with all those questions that I am getting at the moment as to where the funds from the Ch9/RAWCS/NFF Drought Appeal are going to.

 

Update on our RAWCS Project # 38-2018-2019 Rotary Districts 9700 and 9710

 

Donation Page:

 

https://donations.rawcs.com.au/38-2018-19 

 

Last week we applied to RAWCS/NFF for $250,000 for our two Districts for distribution in drought affected areas of our two Districts.

 

Our Committee is as follows and will stay this way unless:

 

CHAIR David Post Rural Outreach Counsellor and RC Wagga Wollundry D9700 

 

AG Chris Finkel RC Forbes RAWCS D9700 Chair

PE John Mercer RC Belconnen RAWCS D9710 Chair

PP Peter Darley RC Orange North D9700

PP David Benn RC Wagga Wollundry Secretary D9700

PDG Bill Seelis RC Berry D9710

PDG Rob Woolley RC Canberra City D9710

DGE John McKenzie RC Orange North D9700 Service Projects Consultant D9700

PP Paul Murray RC Wagga Wollundry D9700 Communications Director D9700

PDG Phil Armstrong RC Moruya D9710

 

Project Managers DG Margaret Hassall D9710 and DG John Glassford D9700

 

 

 

 

 

Every Thursday morning, I receive an email from the World Health Organization with an update on the status of polio eradication. It contains a wealth of information, country by country: where and how immunization campaigns are being conducted, how many millions of children are being vaccinated, and where environmental surveillance has found evidence of circulating virus. But every week, when that email appears in my inbox, my heart seems to stop for just a moment until I read the first few lines – and learn whether a child was paralysed by wild poliovirus that week.

 

That, my friends, is where we are today in the work of polio eradication. The question on my mind as I open that message isn't how many thousands of cases we might see in a year, as we did not too long ago, or even how many hundreds. Instead, when that WHO email arrives every Thursday, the single, binary question it answers is: Was there a new case this week, or wasn't there?

 

Thirty years ago, 1,000 children were paralysed by polio every single day. Since then, we've marked our progress, year by year, week by week. We've celebrated as country after country, region after region has been declared polio-free. As we've come closer and closer to our goal, and the number of cases has dropped further and further, the children those numbers reflect have become less and less of an abstraction. When I open that Thursday email, I don't wonder what number I'll see. I wonder, was a child paralyzed this week or not?

 

We are so close to eradication – but there is so much work left to do.

 

This month, I ask every Rotary club to help End Polio Now by marking World Polio Day on 24 October. Last year, thousands of Rotary clubs around the world held events to raise awareness and funds for polio eradication. This year, we want to see more World Polio Day events registered than ever. If you have an event planned, be sure to register and promote it at endpolio.org so that more people can take part. If you haven't planned one yet, it's not too late – visit endpolio.org to find ideas, information on this year's livestream, and resources to help your club organize a successful event.

World Polio Day is a tremendous opportunity for clubs to highlight Rotary, and our historic work to eradicate polio, in their own communities. It is also a great way to take advantage of the challenge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: For every dollar that Rotary raises for polio eradication, the Gates Foundation will give two more. Join me, and Rotarians everywhere, on 24 October for World Polio Day – and Be the Inspiration for a polio-free world.

 

 

 

August 1^st 2018

 

G ‘day

 

July has come and gone and Susan and I are enjoying the DG Club Visits.

 

Time moves fast and we need to be working towards our membership targets and goals right now.  I am asking you to send me stories on your new members inducted into Rotary over each month.  Please send a photo and a story.

 

We are looking for interested members to join one of our two 2018-2019 projects Special Committees.  Please contact me if you can volunteer to serve on these two important events for 2018-2019.

 

 

Do not forget to download the District 9700 Directory which is on our D9700 web site.  Communications Director PP Paul Murray has put a huge effort into producing a high quality Directory for you to use.

 

Plenty of news this month and I look forward to the DG Club Visits over the next 4 weeks.

 

Please put the D9700 Griffith 2019 Conference into your club bulletins and diaries:

 

Friday 29^th Saturday 30 and Sunday 31^st March 20191.

 

Yours in Rotary

 

DG John Glassford

 

 

 

***Thanks to Debbie Vance RC of Sunshine Coast Sechelt BC Canada (for the graphics).