Extract from District Governor Doug Layng’s May Newsletter
On Saturday 14th May, Lynne and I joined Rotarians from Districts 9500 and 9520 who gathered together at the Convention Centre for one of our event highlights of the year.
PDG Euan Miller, MC for the evening with District Governors Dick Wilson and Doug Layng welcoming approximately 150 attendees; among them, RI President Nominee (2017/18) Ian Riseley and his wife Juliet, and RI Past President (2006/07) Bill Boyd and his wife, Lorna. There were 17 bequests recognised on the night, totalling $637,000.
Ian Riseley, Rotary International President Nominee was interviewed on stage by Wendy Gaborit (Public Image Co-ordinator – Zone 8). Ian joined the Rotary in 1978, and is a Past President the RC of Sandringham, Victoria. We got to know a little about Ian who divulged the story of his club’s position on having women as members. In 1982, Ian seriously considered resigning if women were not accepted into his club. The then President asked him to stay and help to influence the club members that women would be a great resource. There were meetings and finally a vote, which eventually saw women welcomed into the club’s membership.
Ian also told us that he believes that we will achieve our goal of eradicating polio from the planet. We can’t afford to stop now that we are “This Close”.
To hear this entertaining interview, click the play button below:-
RI Past President Bill Boyd, a Rotarian since 1971, and member of the Rotary Club of Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand gave us an insight into what the Rotary Foundation and how it works to benefit the work of Rotarians. It is the facilitator between those of us who make our contributions and those in the world who need our support because they don’t have the resources we have. The Foundation has become much more efficient over the last few years with the adoption of the new Grants structure.
The Rotary Foundation rates 4-STARS on Charity Navigator which rates in an “overall” and “financial” capacity. The CEO of Charity Navigator recently wrote to Rotary to say that The Rotary Foundation is in the top 2% in the world. Bill pointed out what he knows to be Rotary’s “point of difference”. Rotary is not simply a Service organisation; it is an organisation which is in the business of “Community Service on a Global Basis”. Rotary is unique.
Bill encouraged all of us to make our own charity, The Rotary Foundation, the first on our lists of those to which we will donate, and that we should take this message back to our clubs.
Like Ian, Bill also believes we will achieve our goal of eradicating polio because if we work through our Foundation, together with the wonderful resources and skills of clubs and individuals around the world, we will stay true to the cause.
If you would like to hear Bill’s most engaging talk, click the play button below:-
This event was one which will be long remembered by all who were there, thanks to Ian and to Bill.