Last week, President Bruce was not able to be with us having booked himself into hospital with cellulitis and the meeting was instead capably chaired by Past President Steve Beaton.
Our guest speaker Sarah Gordon gave us a very interesting talk about Organ donation and even gave us hope that as a group of oldies we are still useful in donating organs such as corneas and kidneys. Sarah outlined the differences between brain dead donation and donation from a dead person and the role played by relatives in determining whether transplant could occur or not. She indicated that Australians were amongst the lowest nations for organ donation but this could be attributed to the fact that we must register for organ donation whilst in many other countries you must register to not donate.

Before the start of the last Rotary meeting the Book Sale committee had a brief meeting to check progress on securing a site, collecting books and promotion. Everything appears to be proceeding adequately at this time. Paul Cole reported that the Deco Rug site at Tamworth Home space (same building, on the corner near the pharmacist) is available and we should have keys to it by this meeting. It was agreed that we would start having Tuesday nights out there from April 13th with sorting on that night from 5.50pm to 7.30pm followed by a meal and fellowship at Outback Jacks. Further sorting nights would then be held on 20th and 27th April and 4th May. Reserve these dates in your diary. The Book Sale committee will meet again at 5.30 on Tuesday, before our regular meeting.

Paul Ying reported that Bowelscan has gone very well again this year and was well supported by Rotarians and the community. Ken Hall and Paul Ying also reported on a very successful District Conference at Port Macquarie.

The Breakfast Cafe at Tamworth High School will be 10 years old during May 2010 and the volunteers intend to celebrate this milestone on 10th May from 7.30am to 9.00am. PP Keith Smith has been invited to join us on that day ( Keith was President in the year the breakfast club commenced) as also is Gail Snelgar who was manager at Red Cross in the year that it commenced ( May 2000). Reserve the date in your diary and come and join us for breakfast.

This week Alec has arranged for Sue Denison to speak to us about counselling services. I am looking forward to a great meeting and will see you at the Services Club on Tuesday.

We also have a board meeting on Tuesday that was deferred from last week.

YIR,

Bruce

Annual Club Elections were held last December and the following members are to be congratulated on being elected for the 2010-2011 Rotary year.

President: Ken Hall
President Elect: TBA
Club Service/Membership: Steve Beaton
Secretary: Shirley Burke
Treasurer: Peter Godden
Community Services Director: Paul Cole/John Nash
International Services Director: Wayne Woods
Vocational Services Director: Raymond McLaren
Youth Director: Rob Dorrington
Publicity & Public Relations: John O'Connor
Public Officer: Les Rae

From the Combined Rotary Clubs of Port Macquarie - a simple request...Keep voting....

Lorryl Rumble, President of the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie calls for all Rotarians in District 9650 to help the Club in an easy way with it’s latest Service Project:
ROTARY PARK - We need your support!!!!
The combined Rotary Clubs of Port Macquarie are working together with the Port Macquarie/Hastings Council to upgrade Rotary Park. Panthers in conjunction with Tooheys are offering a $20,000 grant for a community project and have been successful in being selected as a finalist. If we win the grant, the $20,000 will be put towards the first part of the project which is to build shelter sheds and a BBQ facility before the next Christmas holidays. The Park at present is an underutilised prime location with limited facilities. There is only one shelter shed and no BBQ facilities. The children’s play area has no sail for sun protection and there are no walking paths. The Observatory which is situated in the park requires some major maintenance.
To win we have to receive the most votes from the Public. The voting period runs between 1st March and 21st March and each individual can cast one vote a day during that period either by going to www.Panthers.com.au/Port Macquarie (just click on this link to help) or by picking up a form at reception in Panthers and depositing it in the box provided.

RYLA - RYLA nominations are due. Contact Ivana Agapiou , Port Macquarie Sunrise ivana.agapiou@gmail. These applications are now very urgent.

District Changeover – DG Neville Parsons - set for Saturday 3rd July 2010

Useful work phrases.

I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.
I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.
I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy.
Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist
Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental
I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't care.
I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off.
Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
No, my powers can only be used for good.
How about never? Is never good for you?
I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me
You sound reasonable...Time to up my medication
I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.
I don't work here. I'm a consultant.
Who me? I just wander from room to room.
My toys! My toys! I can't do this job without my toys!
At least I have a positive attitude about my destructive habits.
You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
Someday, we'll look back on this, laugh nervously and change the subject.

TIMELINES

International Convention Montreal Canada - June 20-22 June 2010.

International Convention Sydney 2014
            The Host Organising Committee (HOC) is seeking expressions of interest from Rotarians who would like to play a role in the organisation and conduct of the various activities which are the responsibility of the HOC.  Ken Hall has the details of the skills being sought.

CHILE DISASTER RELIEF APPEAL

TRF Chairman Glen Estess has advised of the action taken in concurrence with President Kenny in the aftermath of the earthquake in Chile. The
Rotary Foundation is establishing an account to receive contributions from Rotarians and the general public for longer-term disaster recovery efforts in Chile. Contributions to this account will not receive PHF recognition credit but the funds contributed to this account will be utilized in Rotary Foundation projects to address infrastructure needs in Chile. Districts may donate District Designated Funds (DDF) to this account. Rotarians, clubs, individual members of the public and corporations wanting to contribute to this program should direct their contributions through the Parramatta office where the appropriate receipt will be issued and posted back to the donor. Cheques should be made out to The Australian Rotary Foundation Trust and the receipts issued to corporations and individuals will be tax deductible. As in the case of the Haiti Fund, personal contributions also do not become part of the donor’s accumulated giving figure. An indication that funds are for the Chile program should be noted on the back of the cheque. Credit card contributions can be handled in the traditional manner using the contribution form. Information regarding the account will be posted on the RI website as soon as possible. Read more at the Rotary website at www.rotary.org or subscribe to the weekly Rotary news update at http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/EmailAlerts/Pages/ridefault.aspx

MAKE-UPS

Please remember to forward all make-ups to the club secretary Wayne Woods.