Page 4 - Connections Issue 2 Autumn 2020

Physical Isolation—Not Social Isolation

COVID-19 may have changed the way we meet
but Rotarians across Australia and around the
world are successfully staying connected.
In Australia Rotary clubs are Zooming in for general meetings,
catch ups, board meetings and training sessions.
One of the silver linings open to us is that we are able to invite
guest speakers from all around the world to our meetings.
In District 9500 you can Zoom into eConnections at 6:30pm each
Monday with DG Jane—to date over fifty to 74 Rotarians have
attended each session:
1. 30 March: DG Jane, with guests PDG Marie Dorrington and
AG Dannielle Camporeale—Membership. Attendees 74
2. 5 April: DG Jane with guests PDG Doug Layng and AG Marie-
louise Lees—Foundation. Attendees 71.
3. 20 April: DG Jane and others—making the most of Zoom to
keep club members engaged. Attendees 55.
4. 27 April: DG Jane introduced two Australian Youth Exchange
Students, Ella Dixon and Renee Chamberlain—Renee back in
Gawler, home from Germany and Ella in Denmark where she is
in lockdown with her host family taking great care of her.
Attendees 59.
Read the full stories here ...
Alice Springs Rotary was the first in the district to induct a new
member via Zoom—followed a few days later by Adelaide Central,
proving again that Rotarians are innovative and haven’t lost their
ability to adapt to any change in circumstances.

Joint Statement from Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs

International, Optimist International, and Rotary International

Woven through the fabric of virtually every community on earth, volunteers must not cease! Our immediate response after the
service clubs of Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, crisis will be necessary to support local Governments respond to
Optimist International, and Rotary International are working the many social and economic challenges that will ensue in its
safely and diligently to maintain connections with each other and aftermath." – Adrian Elcock, Optimist International President,
our neighbours so that we can cope with and overcome the effects 2019-2020.
of COVID-19. We are leveraging the strength of our combined “Great challenges test us, but they also bring us together. Lions are
networks of 3.2 million members to provide comfort and hope to finding new ways to safely serve. Our Lions Clubs International
those feeling the effects of isolation and fear. And we are focusing Foundation has granted over one million dollars to help
our collective skills, resources and ideas to support frontline health communities facing extreme rates of COVID-19, and additional
workers and first responders as they battle this disease and save grant requests are being received daily. Our communities depend
lives. on service clubs, and we will be there, supporting and
In these times of uncertainty, your local service clubs remain strengthening them just as we always have together.” – Dr. Jung-
committed to meeting the challenge of finding innovative ways to Yul Choi, Lions Clubs International President, 2019-2020.
take action together to help communities around the globe heal “During these difficult times, we’re seeing everyday heroism across
and thrive – and become more united than ever. the globe. I encourage us all to recognize the health and safety
“The global effort against COVID-19 depends on actions taken in professionals who are putting their own health at risk for the
every country. As people of action, this is our time to connect with greater good. To the educators, grocery workers, delivery drivers
each other to offer immediate help to people in need.” – Mark and the countless professionals who can’t stay home, the Kiwanis
Daniel Maloney, Rotary International President, 2019-2020. family thanks you. We all play an important role in keeping our
"The scale and magnitude of this global pandemic requires our friends and neighbours safe. Please follow the advice of the World
world's citizenry to heed the advice and cautions of the Health Organization, your local health agencies and the
experts. The work and plans of our collective members and instructions given by your Government. Please, stay safe.” Daniel
Vigneron, Kiwanis International President, 2019-2020. 

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