A Social Meeting, Women's Rights, the AGM and Rotary partners with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

Last Week

 It was a very Social Meeting and we all just enjoyed chatting to each other plus a few odd jokes.

These meetings are important because we seldom get the chance to talk to each other as the formalities and the guest speaker take up the whole hour of the meeting.

Fortunately the pizza saves us from a fate worse than death....well, death.

 This Week
It's the Annual General Meeting for the Rotary Year 2016 - 17.  I will send out the President's Report tomorrow so that you don't have to listen to me droning on.
Lyn's major concern is that we do not have a President Elect this year or anyone lurking in the shadows for the following year.
It really is bad policy for a club of our size, roughly 40 members, to have to ask a Past President to do it again.  It's a year, it's not a Hastings Banda President for Life and the club is very supportive so don't be shy in coming forward.
It reflects very badly on the club at District and International level if we have nobody.  I know that there are all sorts of reasons why you cannot be President but rather look on the positive side. Look at the support you have from the club, the pride that you have in being President of our club when you interact with other Rotarians and Presidents from other clubs in terms of what we achieve as a club.  There are very few clubs in the District that are able to do what we do.  Most important of all it is really is Service above Self in the situation the club finds itself at present when our President Elect resigned from the club at the beginning of the Rotary Year.

Christmas Lunch Friday 8th December

Don't forget to book with Les Short.....I'm one to talk as I haven't done it myself yet....I will do so before you get this issue of the Ramble!

Rotary partners with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

EVANSTON, IL (August 7, 2017) — About 80 percent of the world's 285 million visually impaired people have treatable eye diseases, according to the World Health Organization. Rotary and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) aim to promote eye health to underserved communities.   

Under the one-year partnership signed today by Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko and Vice President of IAPB Victoria Sheffield, Rotary clubs can partner with IAPB member agencies to provide access to continuous eye care and blindness prevention services such as eye exams, cataract screenings and treatment, and diabetic eye examinations and follow-up services. 

Victoria Sheffield, vice president of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and John Hewko, Rotary International general secretary, sign the partnership agreement.

IAPB champions the belief that in the 21st century no one should have to live with avoidable blindness or sight loss,” said Rotary General Secretary John Hewko. “Rotary also sees global health as a core priority. With IAPB’s expertise, and the power of Rotary’s volunteer network, we will strengthen our ability to transform the lives of millions of people who live with a visual impairment.” 

"The impact of blindness prevention efforts is lasting and has a palpable effect at the local level. This service partnership agreement will help eye care agencies and hospitals tie-up with local Rotary clubs to deliver positive, lasting eye care to local communities" noted Victoria Sheffield, CEO, International Eye Foundation and Vice-President, IAPB. “Eye care work will greatly benefit from the passion, energy, and support of Rotary members worldwide”.

IAPB’s mission is to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by bringing together governments, non-governmental agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of sustainable eye care programs. 

Rotary members develop sustainable projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, and grow local economies. The recent partnership will help clubs further their efforts to provide disease prevention and treatment and maternal and child health programs worldwide. Over the past three years, nearly a quarter of a million people benefited from Rotary’s interventions for disease prevention and maternal and child health, supported by almost $100 million awarded through its grants programs.

IAPB joins a list of Rotary service partners including, the Peace Corps, Dollywood Foundation, the Global FoodBanking Network, and Youth Service America. 

About International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness 

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is the coordinating membership organization leading international efforts in blindness prevention activities. IAPB’s mission is to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by bringing together governments and non-governmental agencies to facilitate the planning, development and implementation of sustainable national eye care programs. 

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