The Rosebank Ramble

 18 August 2023... Rosebank Rotary goes social... The Youth Committee announcements... News from the two exchange students Emma and Mille ...John Symons talks about the Club Finance 

From the Pen of the President...

There is so much happening over which we have no control. Rampant wildfires, electricity outages, crime and violence, food and living cost inflation, etc. are commonplace these days.

However, we do have the power to decide how we will react to whatever we face. We can remain positive and do what we can to address challenges or give in to despair and become negative. Remaining positive and giving thanks for blessings we receive, however small they may be, will make life so much happier and pleasant both for ourselves and those we interface with.

Costa Qually

President

Tailpiece

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence" – Helen Keller

Save the date...

Please save the date of Saturday 30 September for a wonderful Rotary lunch that Richard Tonkin is organizing. 

Once the details have been finalized, we'll let you know. 

 

Report of the Youth committee...

The members of the Youth Committee met on Monday 7 August 2023 - it is a relatively large and enthusiastic committee! The following Rotarians attended the meeting: Jean Bernado (Chair) David Bradshaw, Les Short, Michelle von Benecke, Jeanette Horner, Anne Hope- Bailie, Viv Brokken, Marianne Soal and Tyron Sharnock. 

The following exciting projects were discussed: 

1. Interactors

The Interactors are busy under the guidance of Marianne Soal!

•  They are participating in a blood drive.

•  On 17th August, there will be a presentation by the "Upcycle Organisation" to the group      about recycling. 

• The Interactors are making Eco-bricks from 2.5l plastic Coca-Cola bottles filled with excess packaging and plastic waste. 

Marianne Soal will be in contact with the teacher at Holy Family School regarding the Interact Club at their school. Peter James-Smith has requested that we take over the responsibility for that Interact Club.

2. Careers Day 

        The next Careers Day is booked for the 27th of July 2024.

 3. Senior Youth Leadership camp. 

The date of the SYLC is 6-8 October 2023. 

Tyron Sharnock (the Course Coordinator) was welcomed to the meeting to discuss the arrangements for the Senior Youth Leadership Camp. 

Tyron requested the details of the proposed sponsorship of the SYLC. 

Anne Hope Bailie has sent out a Save the date notification. 

Provisions will be bought at the Spar at Hartbeespoort.

Participants will leave Johannesburg at 11:00am by bus. 

Tyron will begin the Senior Youth Leadership Course at 14:00

The "Mystery Box" will be for the main meal and for dessert. 

Viv and Scott will stay overnight with the youth.

The braai will be coordinated by Scott. Les, John and Steven Hood.

Les will be compiling a history/overview. 

The numerous duties for the SYLC were agreed. 

Seven weeks to count-down! 

The course will be held at Kadesh Barnea. These photos are from their website. 

  

 

News from Emma, our exchange student...

 

 

News from Mille, also an exchange student...

 

Rotary Finance - Report by John Symons...

1. Lunch charges...

The weekly charge for the Friday lunch meeting is to be adjusted to R 60 per person – due to the higher cost of pizzas.

It was suggested that one of the YOCO card machines can be kept by Pam Donaldson and members can deposit an amount of, say, R 240 for the next month, or next 4 meetings – or a larger amount for a defined number of meetings.  Pam could then keep a balance alongside that member’s name. (just to remember there is no reference identifying a person in a YOCO transaction – only the date of the transaction)

Also possible is for members to deposit their chosen amount to the Club bank account, (with reference member’s name and lunch monies) and I would let Pam know the amount and the relevant member.

 

If members use YOCO or the Club bank account Pam would need a float to pay for pizzas – which can be topped-up by Pam requesting an ETF from the Club at the end of each Friday meeting, and then Pam making a withdrawal from her bank account during the following week for the next Friday.

 

Suggestions from Rotarians are welcome. 

2. Rosebank Rotary Club dues and finances - John Symons...

The Rotary International Dues have been increased by $2-00 to $ 37-50 and this has coincided with a weak rand exchange rate – pushing up RI Dues per member from 

R 1 291 to R 1 411 p.a.  This has necessitated an increase in the Club subscription to 

R 2 400 per annum. 

Your Club has already paid the July Rotary International Semi-Annual dues of your behalf and will soon pay the District Dues on your behalf.

The invoice has the payment options available to members. 

The RI July Semi-Annual dues invoice of R 23 145-45 is payable before 31^st July – the Club would prefer members to remit all or a portion of their subscription as soon as possible.

With 33 members, Club subscriptions total R 81 600. The cost of RI Dues, plus District Dues, plus magazine Rotary in Africa, is R 77 117 – allowing for R 4 483 for Club expenses.

 

District Dues invoice is awaited, but these dues were not increased last year, so a small increase of R 20 per member to R 620, has been budgeted.

 

There was no increase in cost of the digital Rotary in Africa magazine (R270 per annum), but an increase in the subscription to the printed version –

 R 400 to R 430 per annum.

                 

Club expenses are similar to last year, some being adversely impacted by the weak Rand.

 John concludes his report by saying: 

Best wishes for the new Rotary year – may the year be filled with projects and fellowship.

Blankets for the needy...

Rosebank Rotary distributed blankets to 

13 needy charities this winter.

These are photographs of some of the blankets being distributed to the fire victims and to bedridden citizens.   

For your diary...

Friday 25^th August.    Social.

Friday 01 Sept.          Guide Dogs Association. Pieter Van Niekerk. Thanks of the club Jeannette (TBC).

Friday 08 September. Brigid Booth “MY STORY”. Thanks of the club Costa.

Friday 15 September. Business Meeting.

Friday 22 September. Social.

 

 ROTARY ANNS' NEWS

Prizewinners...

 

Winners of the Rotary Anns 100 club draw for the month of August 2023

 

Prize	Amount	Ticket number	Name
Second	R150	32	James Robinson
First	R300	42	Nolan Cohen

            In conclusion...

 Have a happy friendship week!