How lovely to be able to induct 4 new members at our last club meeting. Tracy, Tess, Jeff and Cheryl will add further vibrancy to this fantastic club.

 

Update from the African Action Network (AAN) - re-usable masks project. Kate Field, Mavis, Salaminah and myself (from the GNMRC) met with some colleagues of Mavis and members of the AAN on Tuesday 20th April to discuss specific projects for our colleagues in S. Africa. I am excited and delighted to say that we had a very positive meeting and we have a plan forward. With great pride, I can also say our Rotary Club is the first Rotary club to be involved with the AAN.

 

For information about the countries where the AAN have already commenced projects for reusable masks for nurses & midwives click on this link: https://africactionetwork.com/projects/mask-making-projects.

 

Further, I am also delighted to say that Kate Field will now be project lead for our club working with the AAN and S. African colleagues and will keep our members updated on the progress of the projects and ways in which our club can be further involved moving forward.

 

Update from the mental health support/education project for colleagues in S. Africa. I joined a meeting with Mavis and her colleagues via zoom on Monday 19th April. It was an inspiring, thought-provoking meeting. Great discussions about target groups and how to best deliver education/support on what can a very sensitive topic for many people. Mavis and I will continue to feedback to members as progress continues on this project.

 

Club Strategic Planning Workshop As we come towards our initial six months as a Rotary Club it is good to start planning for the growth and sustainability of the club over the next three years. Having a three-year strategic plan in place will assist Club Presidents in 2022-2023 & 2023-2024 to keep moving the Club forward. The goals that we develop for our strategic plan will also assist new members to understand and be part of our vision and identify ways in which they want to be involved as members of the GNMRC. We will plan to have this meeting before June 30th this year.

 

Treasurer Team - We have a position available in the treasury team and invite members (especially those living in Queensland) to let us know of your interest to be part of the team. It is a great way to learn about how the finances of the club and Rotary work. Allison Treasurer Portfolio lead will be delighted to have you join her.

 

District 9570 Conference Gladstone 1st May 2021. Many of you will have met Adele Hughes District Governor of District 9570 through our meetings. She has had a great interest in our club as she is keen to start a similar cause-based club for teachers. She has invited Sue & I to have an information table at the District Conference in Gladstone. This will be a great promotion for our club and there may even be a few nurses and midwives in the audience whom we can invite to join our club. I look forward to spending time with our Bundaberg members when I am up there.

 

Education Certificate and presentations coming up. As you know offering education opportunities to our members has been an important focus for our club. Sue has developed a certificate which she will send out to members following meetings where the guest presenter theme is of significance to us professionally.

 

In addition to the guest speaker at our meetings, we will also be offering a once a month education session (50mins) to members only. Our first education session will be from Olive Fast on infection rates and control strategies internationally. Many of you enjoyed Olive's presentation on SPECT earlier in the year. I am delighted that she is also doing this extra session with us. The education session will be via zoom. All going well we can record the session and then make the link available to members who cannot attend the zoom session. Olive’s education session will be Friday 7th May 0700hrs-0800hrs Brisbane time. 

 

Education Team. We envisage that having a specific education team in our club will greatly enhance our capacity to offer varied, interesting and topical sessions to our members. If you are interested in being part of this yet to be formed team please let Sue and myself know. To date, Pammie and Priscilla have put up their hands which is great.

 

Next meeting 27th April 0700hrs (Queensland time) I look forward to seeing you from where ever you can join in from around the world.

 

Our guest speaker is Beth Moyle Secretary for the QNMU. She will be sharing a great passion of hers Interest-based problem solving - solving problems together.