We all will need to do this update to ensure our meetings continue as they now do.
You'll be prompted to update if you attempt to use an old version of Zoom. Just follow the instructions that will be available via a clickable link
ZOOM Latest News
As we are all using Zoom for Club meetings or social meetings, this messge from Zoom affects all of us.
"Beginning November 1, 2021, customers will be required to update their Zoom software to ensure it is no more than nine months behind the current version, at any given time. From that point on, users will be prompted to update their software when using the platform should their version fall behind this nine-month window. For example, if on November 1st the latest version of the Zoom Client was released in September 2021, customers who try to access Zoom services with a version prior to January 2021 will be prompted to update to a more recent version in order to access the platform. This change is in line with industry practices and designed to help ensure that Zoom users receive the latest Zoom features, as well as any privacy and security enhancements we make to the platform. To prepare for the new schedule, we recommend customers update to the latest release supported by their organization or at minimum software version 5.5.0, prior to November 1st. Starting in September, we will introduce a prompted update to help customers update to the latest version of the Zoom client. If you have prompted updates turned off for your organization, you will not see the prompt."
Every year, the Rotary community mobilizes for World Polio Day to raise awareness about global efforts to end polio for good. If we stay committed, we can make polio the second human disease ever to be eradicated.
As Rotary members, we use our connections to create lasting change in our communities and around the world. And although we’ve all faced the challenges of the pandemic for the past year and a half, we’ve continued to take action, solve problems, and make a positive impact. So we are optimistic that we can gather in person to explore new opportunities for friendship and service at the 2022 Rotary International Convention, 4-8 June in Houston, Texas, USA. We invite you to join us! At the convention, you will:
Develop new friendships and strengthen old ones
Share your Rotary experiences and learn more ways to get involved
Find inspiration in the family of Rotary
Register now to take advantage of our reduced rate, available until 15 December. You’ll be able to cancel for a full refund, minus a $50 per person administration fee, until 30 April. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your passion for Rotary.
From PDG Marilyn Mercer, Club Verification Officer
Each club member will receive a reminder when their clearance is due for renewal. Please read the following from the Office of the Children's Guardian. Please contact Marilyn if you have any queries.
More Working with Children Check extensions announced
Working with Children Checks due to expire between 27 September 2021 and 26 January 2022 have been extended for three months. People who are granted an extension will be advised by email and the system will be automatically updated.
As restrictions are extended due to COVID-19, the primary concern for the Office of the Children's Guardian is the safety of children.
NEWSFLASH... The Big Red Bus has found a new home in western NSW. Given the tourism downturn, the double decker was not the ideal vehicle for current operations. We thank the generosity of Jason Cronshaw of Fantastic Aussie Tours over the last 18 months for the use of the bus. Jason continues to run his business in the Blue Mountains. Thanks also to driver Norm and Cheryl Kitto and Rotary logistics manager Lucian Keegel.
"Mentoring Men" is a charity providing free one-on-one mentoring to men in our community who may be in need of a mentor. We have been in existence for just over 2 and a half years and currently have over 1,000 men engaged in the program from all around Australia. Men are matched together by a trained social worker employed by Mentoring Men and this is based on personal interests and geographical area of the men. We seek out and offer free mentor training to all men from all backgrounds. As a guest speaker, I am one of the volunteers and have been involved in 3 mentoring relationships since inception and have seen one man make great improvements to his life. There is tangible evidence that the Mentoring Men program is saving lives. Currently, 7 men a day in Australia make the decision to end their life by suicide. For more information, please visit our website. Any club can reach out to me directly if they are interested in having me speak at one of their meetings.
Please update your records as to the RI Regional Office (Oceania) address. As of Monday, 6 September our new address will be:
Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office
Level 1, 25-1 Maitland Place, Norwest NSW 2153
PO Box 6985
Norwest NSW 2153
The phone numbers will stay the same. Mail will still be collected from our Post Box in Parramatta until early 2022 to ensure all correspondences sent to the old address are received
ROTARY VISION: Good communication as a basis of true understanding.
" Rotary believes that the citizen who best serves his country is the one who wishes to know the truth about his neighbours, and who desires to replace hatred between nations with friendship "
- address to the 1939 Rotary Convention, Cleveland, Ohio. USA
How the club experience shapes the Rotary membership experience
Rotary conducts annual surveys to gauge member satisfaction, find opportunities to improve program participants’ experience, and monitor trends in membership. A recent analysis of the results gathered by surveys from 2019 to 2021* revealed that a good and fulfilling club experience is necessary for members and is a key factor in their decision to continue their membership.
What makes for a good club experience? Rotarians and Rotaractors were asked what they liked and disliked about their club meetings. The five most prominent factors that they liked are:
Friendship and personal interaction
Getting involved in the local community
Learning new things from guest speakers and discussing interesting topics
Well-structured meetings that start and end on time
Leaders who listen to and engage members
If you want to learn more about membership patterns, the newly updated State of Rotary Membership presentation shows how Rotary is doing as of 1 July 2021. The 16-slide PowerPoint presentation can be shared and is easy to customize to meet your region’s needs. You can also watch a recording of The State of Membership webinar. The webinar examines current trends in Rotary’s membership, discusses ways to elevate Rotaract as an equal partner in service, and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity.
*The data for this analysis was taken from five sources: the 2019 Member and Participant Experience Feedback Survey, the 2020 All-Member Survey, the 2021 DEI Survey, the 2021 Leadership Survey, and the BI Membership Universe.
NEWSFLASH... The Big Red Bus has found a new home in western NSW.
