President's Message 2009-10

A Message from President Geoff Limmer
20th President of the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central

Rotary International President for the 2009 – 2010 year is John Kenny, of the Rotary Club of Grangemouth, Central, Scotland.

Kenny is a past Dean of his Local Law Faculty, a Judge, and a Notary.

A Rotarian since 1970, Kenny served Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland as president and vice president. He has served RI as director, executive committee chair, Rotary Foundation trustee, and has been extensively involved in RI duties for the past 29 years.

The Theme he has given us for 2009 – 2010 is:

The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands

This week we are part of the 1.2 million people who are gathering together under the banner of Friendship, Fun and Fellowship to mark the transition from one leadership team to the next at the 32,000 Rotary Clubs around the world.

Now Rotary may only represent a very small percentage of those who seek to serve humanity, but like many small Rotary Clubs, Rotary International punches well above its weight.

Our new District Governor David Forster is quick to point out that whilst we may not know each other personally in the majority of cases, we can call on one another anywhere in our District, Australia, Zone and the World and say that we are a member of our Rotary Club and are calling to seek advice or support etc and we can be assured that someone on the other end of that communication link will respond and will also be a potential repeat contact, colleague and indeed friend into the future.

It is the extent and nature of this Network, regardless of national identity, political or religious faith – or indeed football team or code – which separates us from other Networks.

We have a greater and more expansive penetration throughout the world and the potential to expand it, and be relevant to the needs of all the societies where we exist should we choose to do so. It is this Network that we can use to promote growth by plugging into our other networks and sharing resources and information.

This year is going to be a big year. A 20th anniversary of any club of any description is a big occasion. I am so privileged and honoured to be leading the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central into and beyond its 20th year.

It only seems like yesterday that this club was Chartered with 34 members, a third of whom were female which was a first for Rotary in this area.

In those 20 years all its members can be truly proud of the achievements of this fine club. Within the District we are considered to be one of the success stories in Rotary, “Punching well above it’s weight” to use the phrase of our District Governor.

Twelve months ago President Greg Cooper said that this past Rotary year’s focus will be about “Back to Basics”. Just like a business, a successful Club must have a balance of vision, review and practical hard work.

Greg has remained true to his word and under his stewardship the club has reviewed its operating procedures and polished its performance.

It is my intention follow in this regard and move the review process another step further.

I intend to make the most of the “F Word” this year. I am determined to ensure that Fun becomes a key part of our activities. If we are able to have loads of Fun then I am confident that our Retention Rate will remain satisfactory.

Also I am reducing the size of the Board from 12 Members to a Board of 8.

There will be a move to drive the decision making process downwards within the Club, so that more members will be responsible and accountable for club decisions.

A Plan has been produced which identifies every club Member with at least 3 or 4 Programs or areas of Responsibility which they will be required to administer and manage within reasonable guidelines. Hopefully this will result in a greater feeling of worth within the Club, and greater ownership of the many Projects / Programs which the club executes annually.

This move should put real meaning into the RI Theme of:

“The Future of Rotary is in your Hands”.

Thank you for the honour and privilege of appointing me to be the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central’s 20th President. I also express my appreciation to my Family and Friends who have given such wonderful encouragement and support in my Rotary endeavours.

I hope I can do justice to the appointment.

Geoff