It is a busy week coming up for the club.  First we have our vocational tour at Penny Royal.  We meet in the Gunpower Car Park at 6:55am.  Dean Cocker from Chromys will be taking us through this amazing development.  Make sure you are not late!  There will be no breakfast organised for this Wednesday after the tour.

Its Carols by Candlelight time!

Yes, it is that time of the year, when all the hard work of our dedicated Launceston Carols by Candlelight Committee come together.


On behalf of the club, I would like to thank all of those on the Committee who have been working hard over  
the last few months in bringing the event together, particularly Danny, Lou, David, Judy, Susan N, Alicia, Leigh, Melissa and Jane.    Thanks also to all of you who will be directly involved in the event on the day and in packdown. 


Truly...thankyou - you are amazing! 



Carols is a terrific community event for Launceston and it takes a community of people to make it a success.  It is about collaborating, not only with our sponsors and key supporters, but also with other Rotarians.  Special thanks must go to our key parners Vos Construction, One Agency and other sponsors W.D. Booth Trust, our wonderful friends StLukes Health, Crowe Howarth, Launceston City Council, Tasmanian Alkaloids and Festivale.   Other supporters that we are grateful to are Netspertise, Southern Cross, LAFM, The Examiner, Scott Signs, Marcom Watson, Tas Fire Service, ToxFree and the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania.    I would like to thank all Rotarians across Northern Tasmania for their support as well as the Girl Guides and St Johns Ambulance.  


Thank you one and all for your contribution to Carols - this is a wonderful signature event for our club to be involved with and each one of you on the night will be marvellous support.


I will be heading away just after Carols, so Chris and I thank you for your friendship over the last year, and I look forward to an even more exciting 2015 with the club.  


All the best to you and your loved ones over the Festive season.  Regards Caro

 

This week we have Zoe Polacik and her companion from the Royal Guide Dogs Tasmania.  This will be a terrific opportunity for us to understand what is needed to train and support companion dogs.

Our member's minute this week is from Jane Pybus and although tupperware has been THE THING over recent weeks, we have been advised that the discussion will be on a slightly different topic!

Toni also visited Rotaract last week so we look forward to a quick update.

Have a great week!

WOW, what a busy meeting.  First we had our AGM for the club.  Leigh Hart was confirmed as President for 2015-16, Secretary Danny Gibson and Toni Wagner as Domestic portfolio.  All other positions (Treasurer, International, Club Management) remain vacant.  If you would like to take on one of these roles and would like to know more, feel free to speak to the President, President-Elect or the portfolio holders.

After our AGM PDG James Wilcox spoke to us about the Rotary Foundation.  An excellent presentation on what opportunities there are to support projects and how the Foundation works.  If you like to know more, contact James direct.   

As you know our District Grant (as part of the Rotary Foundation work) Books for Kinders is underway.  We are hoping to present to the school i in the next week or so depending on the book order.  James is after lots of photos!

Finally, our club meeting followed James and we had two club proposals submitted.  One (East Tamar Primary School fair) was endorsed, the other "Contribution to mens shed" needs some additional ideas - so if you have any, send through to Danny.

The Club decided that as it is such as busy year we will also not have a seperate Christmas function but focus on our White Envelope pre-Christmas breakfast.

We will hold a get together in February instead.   

Are you interested in taking on a role in the club for 2015-16 year?  

Well it is AGM this week and even though it is seven months until changeover, now is the time to consider who will be working alongside our President-Elect Leigh Hart.  

Roles up for grabs include:

Treasurer
Secretary
Club Management (Ministry of Fun)
Domestic
International

Nominations can come from the floor on the day - so THINK BIG about the possibilities and how you can be involved!

A motion has been received regarding the Club By-Laws and this was circulated to you last week.

The Club financials for the year were circulated by our Treasurer to our club a month ago.  

A quick board meeting will then follow to discuss our fine session money direction for the next two months.  

SPEAKER FOR THIS WEEK:
PDG James Wilcox will be coming along this week as our speaker on the Rotary Foundation.  Annual Program Fund contributions provide the cornerstone for funding of Rotary Foundation Programs.  James will talk to us about what is happening in Rotary Foundation and also the "Rotary Day" on 8th March 2015 and how we can be involved.

The District is keen to submit one or more nominations for either a Master's Degree or Professional Development Certificate through the Rotary Peace Centres Program in 2016.


There is a competitive selection process for each qualification.  Rotarians are not eligible for the Degree but may be considered for the Certificate (three month intensive course).


Please refer to http://www.rotary.org/rotarycentres for further information and how you or another that you know can nominate.


You can also contact Dr Irene Gray (Chair of the D9830 Peace Fellowship Committee) on [email protected] for any questions.

This week we have Tim Nyborg joining us to share with us the work that is undertaken for patients in palliative care support through to the Hospice at Home Unit.  


This is an important facility for the community.  The Palliative care approach aims to improve the quality of a person's life (for those who have a life-limiting illness with no prospect of cure) while recognising the needs of family and friends.  


Our member's minute is Danny Gibson - I wonder what he will share with us - will it be those secret behind the scenes moments from Victor of Dibley?  


Jane has a birthday this week - happy birthday Jane!


The November Rotaract scheduled visitors for the month are Lou Mason and Toni Wagner.  


Enjoy the week everyone!

Last week, our new Club Captain's Janice Devine and Toni Wagner commenced their activities for November and December.


Our fun activity was a Rotary version of Celebrity Head.  Our quest speaker was Chris Westlake from Rotary Club of Youngtown regarding the joint club project with RC Kings Meadows for the Men's Shed.  An amazing project and we are sure to hear more.   Lou Mason kindly donated a range of tools for the Men's Shed and following on from the meeting Secretary Danny Gibson indicated that the club will be receiving a proposal to support the project.


Lou Mason was enthralling as always for the Member's Minute!