President's Desk 01-04-13

From the President's Desk

Good Morning E-Club Members, Rotarians and Friends of Rotary,

We hope everyone's Easter was spent having fun with family and friends with a little chocolate tucked in there for good measure. We have found that there is a correlation between our children's ages and the quality of chocolate asked for.

The e-Club had its first International Guest Speaker at last week's Forum; Sam Brown and his presentation was on Project Amigo. There was a little hiccough but it was soon sorted and we were able to watch his YouTube video. If you missed it, please have a look, it is really worthwhile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59gfJOeNS1E

The project has been running for 30 years and it encourages children to go to school through bonus trips instead of cutting cane in the fields. It seems such a simple idea but they have had many young students go through the project and then go on to be lawyers, teachers and even the Mayor.

It only costs around $100 per primary aged student to sponsor and I believe it would be a wonderful project to support, we will get a letter from the student twice a year (translated into English) giving us a closer connection. We have contacted some of the Youth Exchange Students from Mexico and they think it's a great idea and very necessary for Mexico.

Sam has spoken to a few different e-Clubs and ours was the first with the live 'GoToMeeting' format which he really enjoyed. As he was able to answer questions immediately and not throughout the following week via Facebook pages. He also said, "It was exciting to be a part of our enthusiasm and fellowship".

This week our own e-Club Member from Humpty-Doo, Wendy Mackay will be doing a Presentation entitled, "Building Communities, Bridging Continents: The Northern Territory Open Education Centre & Kerang Youth Community Connect Project." Please read Wendy's bio on the front page of the eclub website (www.rotaryeclubnextgen.org), from her background as a Registered Nurse you can see Health is her primary focus.

It is always wonderful to get to know our Members from around Australia and the World, so I hope more of you will contact Mary (admin@rotaryeclubnextgen.org) and book a spot. Let's get to know you better and the project that you are passionate about.

April is Rotary International's Magazine Month, during which time they have asked Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to do whatever they can to recognize and promote Rotary regional magazines.  So, please put an e-Club sticker on your Rotary Down Under or Rotarian Magazine and give them to friends or colleagues as they may have no idea what Rotary is or does. Most people think Rotary is for old retired people, our Club is different of course so let's think of new places to place our magazines instead of doctor's surgeries and hospitals. Maybe university café's; gyms and childcare centres, so we can target the younger demographic.

April also means the District Conference is coming up soon, Friday April 12 to 14th, 2013 so all of those Members that haven't booked please do so; it is a great event with awesome Guest Speakers (http://www.rotary9640conference.org/).   It also gives us as e-Club Members an opportunity for friendship and fellowship face-to-face. As with all conferences you come away enthusiastic and full of great ideas. Let's harness that energy and we are excited at the thought of all the new ways we as a Rotary Club can help others achieve their goals in the future.

Yours in Rotary,

Rick Jewson

President