PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

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CHALLENGES

Attendance at Meetings

Our regular weekly meetings’ attendance is not very encouraging as we average only about 43 per cent at Club level. Moreover, more than 90 per cent of these attendees are the same members, week in week out. Several of our members are justifiably utilizing their monthly attendances at our Service Avenue Meetings as” make-up attendance”. Interesting luncheon speakers, good menu at reasonable rates, favourable venue, etc. do not seem’ to do the trick’. We have to give this area a more serious thought.

Fellowships

Whilst we are not lacking in this sector as far as Service Avenue Meetings’ fellowships are concerned, a more determined effort has to be made for fellowships at Club level where total membership participation is to be garnered. The bi-monthly evening meetings where our Anns are encouraged to join us are a good alternative, but here too, the attraction is waning. Probably, cruises and dinner theatres are to be explored!

Membership

I have written about this in my weekly Presidential messages in our Newsletter, the PeeJay Pos. For our Club’s continuing growth and development, there must be a fresh contribution of vigour and zeal; and this could be achieved by an infusion of NEW BLOOD and INCLUSION OF THE ‘OTHER GENDER’.

Finance

Our 47th Club Anniversary on Friday 4th January 2008 will not only be a fun-filled event but will double up as our major FUND RAISER. We have been prudent in our expenses as part of our consolidation efforts.

Reflections

Six months into my tenure as President of this esteemed Club, I am happy to say that there have been no major issues of consequence. We are doing very well at District level, we are continuing to contribute to our Community and I believe we may have to re-think and have a re-look to re-focus our concerted actions into our own Club affairs and development.

The lines of succession in RCPJ have been decided, and this augurs well for the future of our Club as we WORK TOGETHER on a SHARED CLUB AGENDA.

ROTARY SHARES.

The Meeting on 5 February 2008 is CANCELLED.

TRF Future Vision FAQ 

The Future Vision Plan represents a forward-looking approach for the way that The Rotary Foundation operates. Rotarians have posed many questions about how the changes to the Foundation's grant structure will affect their club's humanitarian and educational efforts. Although all the answers won't be available until after the Trustee meeting in April and the June meeting of the RI Board, the following FAQ addresses some of the concerns expressed.

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Q. I'm a dentist who has used Volunteer Service Grants to cover travel expenses for dental missions in developing countries. Will the Foundation continue to support such trips? 

A. The details of how travel for service and planning missions will fit in the new model have not been decided. It is anticipated that individuals will be able to participate in this kind of activity with funding from their districts' block grant.

Q. What are the names of the new grants? 

A. The trustees will determine names of the grant types at their April 2008 meeting.

Q. How will districts be selected to participate in the pilot program? How can my district apply to participate? 

A. The Trustees will determine the requirements for district participation in the pilot program at their April 2008 meeting. All districts will be notified regarding the application process and will be encouraged to apply during the 2008-09 year.

Q. If my district is selected to participate in the pilot program, can we still apply for a Matching Grant?

A. No. All pilot districts must be fully committed to the new grant models and cannot participate in the current programs.

Q. My club doesn't have the resources to do large international projects, but we try to do one small Matching Grant project each year. Will the World Fund continue to support smaller projects? 

A. The minimum grant amount has not been determined, but it is expected that grants will be larger in size. Smaller projects can be funded through the district block grant, or clubs and districts are encouraged to join together to implement larger projects under the areas of focus that will have a more long-term and sustainable impact on the community.

Q. There is no mention of restricted cash contributions to Matching Grants. Will restricted cash contributions continue to be accepted in the new model? 

A. The details of using restricted cash contributions in the new model have not been decided. The Trustees are expected to take a decision on this issue at their April 2008 meeting.

Q. The new grant models sound very promising. How can I convince others in my club and district of the positive benefits of the plan? 

A. Encourage members to read more about the Future Vision Plan. Plan a club meeting to discuss the plan and how your club can benefit from it. Make sure it's a topic at your district conference or district assembly.

Source: The Rotary Foundation

A little old lady went into the Bank of Canada one day, carrying a bag of money. She insisted that she must speak with the president of the bank to open a savings account because, "It's a lot of money!"

After much hemming and hawing, the bank staff finally ushered her into the president's office (the customer is always right!). The bank president then asked her how much she would like to deposit. She replied, "$165,000!" and dumped the cash out of her bag onto his desk.

The president was of course curious as to how she came by all this cash, so he asked her, "Ma'am, I'm surprised you're carrying so much cash around. Where did you get this money?" The old lady replied, "I make bets." The president then asked, "Bets? What kind of bets?"

The old woman said, "Well, for example, I'll bet you $25,000 that your balls are square." "Ha!" laughed the president, "That's a stupid bet. You can never win that kind of bet!"

The old lady challenged, "So, would you like to take my bet?"

"Sure," said the president, "I'll bet $25,000 that my balls are not square!"

The little old lady then said, "Okay, but since there is a lot of money involved, may I bring my lawyer with me tomorrow at 10:00 AM as a witness?"

"Sure!" replied the confident president.

That night, the president got very nervous about the bet and spent a long time in front of a mirror checking his balls, turning from side to side, again and again. He thoroughly checked them out until he was sure that there was absolutely no way his balls were square and that he would win the bet.

The next morning, at precisely 10:00 am, the little old lady appeared with her lawyer at the president's office. She introduced the lawyer to the president and repeated the bet: "$25,000 says the president's balls are square!"

The president agreed with the bet again and the old lady asked him to drop his pants so they could all see. The president complied. The little old lady peered closely at his balls and then asked if she could feel them.

Well, Okay," said the president, "$25,000 is a lot of money, so I guess you should be absolutely sure." Just then, he noticed that the lawyer was quietly banging his head against the wall. The president asked the old lady, "What the hell's the matter with your lawyer?"

She replied, "Nothing, except I bet him $100,000 that at 10:00 AM today, I'd have The Bank of Canada's president's balls in my hand."