Wednesday 29th February 2012
THIS WEEK’S MEETING
Maleny Hotel with a 6:30pm for a 7:00pm for a Partners' Night. The guest speaker will be David Crewe. David is an interesting and inspirational speaker. He will share his worldly experiences which include working for the Queen, writing songs and being involved in Theatre. David’s wife Helen will also be attending. The cost of the meal will be $20 as usual. It will be great to see club members and their partners at this Partners' Night.
Apologies
Please tender meal apologies to Karen Binstead by noon Tuesday.
DUTY ROSTERS
29th Feb 7th Mar 14 Mar
Duty Officer Bernice McL Angela G Keith R
Registration Malcolm B Bill H Debra L
ADO & Scribe Jeff C Brian D Brian K
Fellowship John McL Geoff C Lloyd L
SAUSAGE SIZZLE ROSTER
3rd March
Bernice McLennan (Leader) John McLennan Angela Griffin Bill Hankinson
17th March
Jeff Cornfoot (Leader) Jim Atkinson Geoff Coughlan Brian King
LAST WEEK’S MEETING
Chairman Andy opened the meeting by welcoming President Alex and the Nambour 76 Rotarians and Partners, our Partners, guests and Hypothetical Facilitator, John Boyd – a Past President of the Rotary Club of Toowong. And what a fitting celebration of Rotary’s 107th Birthday it turned out to be with exceptional fellowship and loads of fun – Vocational Service Director, Charlotte, is to be congratulated on organising what was arguably one of the best Rotary meetings ever! The meal was first class too! Interestingly, I had met a lady at my table five years ago when she led some Japanese Interactors on a visit here while I was DG. She told us that, after 40 years living in Japan, her family had been forced to return to Oz because of the fallout from the nuclear disaster – it would appear that contamination is a lot worse than we realise.
Brian K announced that once again he was volunteering his locks for the “shave for a cure” and would welcome contributions for the cause.
Charlotte introduced John and the panel (consisting of Helen Turner, Bob Hardy, and Alex Blake from Nambour 76, and Bernice, Rick V, and Brian K) were assembled to be quizzed on a series of ethical hypotheticals which John assured us had all occurred in the past. The scenario was a Board meeting of the Rotary Club of Ballyhoo and while the Directors were waiting for the President to show up questions about ethics in business were discussed - Alex thought there was much room for improvement.
• Helen, who considered her business of real estate to be one up from child molesters and used car salesmen, nevertheless adroitly parried some difficult issues involving the sale of property to a relative and how she would deal with her commission.
• Rick V maintained that self-values were probably more important than employer values and that they became more rigid with age. Those caught doing wrong should take full responsibility for their actions and there could be no allowances.
• Brian K admitted that he worshipped Naplan and would not be ringing the parents if underachieving grade 9’s happened to be absent on the test day. As promotion depended on performance it raised some interesting dilemmas for those in the education system.
• The club had done some sterling work at the local aged care facility and team leader Bernice had been given a scratchy in thanks from Mary, one of the residents – what to do with this gift and who should share in the winnings caused much hilarity but Bernice was firm in the belief that it should all go to charity – hopefully The Rotary Foundation.
• Alex was faced with the dilemma of whether it was ethical to sweeten a tender with a gift and somehow or other he managed to wriggle out of that one, while Bob wrestled with the appropriate punishment for fraud. There was a proposal to donate the latest 3D TV to the aged care facility and it was suggested that if Brian bought it through the education system, a considerable amount of GST could be saved – Helen objected, citing the 4 way Test, and Bob came up with the solution – to give the facility the money and they could buy the TV GST free! Questions over the relevance of the 4 Way Test were raised and it was realised that it could not always ‘be fair to all concerned’.
• Bob was on the District Conference Committee and discovered that the costs had risen but there was a holiday for 2 in it for him if he overlooked this – this was initially refused but, on hearing that the DG’s brother-in-law was somehow involved, the problem was solved by using the freebie as a raffle prize.
• Finally Rick was faced with a very difficult scenario involving a government tender and whether or not to keep his employees informed even though he was sworn to secrecy on the outcome and they really needed to know the truth because of actions they may or may not take in anticipation of lucrative job offers – obviously a born diplomat, Rick passed the ball very quickly to the Minister.
John summed up amidst much hilarity, the $250,000 did indeed go to The Rotary Foundation and Mary’s portrait now hangs in the Arch Klumph gallery, Brian ended up as Director of Education, and Helen won the R.E.I. Integrity Award. There was more but I was laughing so much that I can’t read my writing!
Rick V proposed the vote of thanks and presented John with the ubiquitous bowl and a copy of the Maleny Club history book. Chairman Andy was effusive in his thanks to all concerned with the organising of the meeting and to all who attended, particularly PP John, and closed the meeting. As usual when we go to Flaxton it was raining!
WORKING BEE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL
There was a free and easy atmosphere and a certain amount of sitting down on the job was allowed.
As can be seen it was not a small slab.
Congratulations to all in the team!
FUTURE MEETINGS & EVENTS
7th March Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:30pm with guest speaker to be announced.
14th Mar Probus 25th Anniversary Tea.
14th Mar Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:30pm with Jim Atkinson speaking on "A White Christmas".
21st Mar Vocational visit to Maple 3 at 6:30 for 7:00pm.
23-25th Mar District Conference at the Events Centre, Caloundra.
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
28th Feb Marlene H 2nd Mar David B 5th Mar Judy T 17th Mar Lloyd L
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES FOR MARCH
6th John & Beth 22nd Peter & Kay
NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
FROM A PASSING MARRIAGE COUNSELLER
THE TRADITION OF MARRIAGE IS GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF FLUX
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE CHANCES OF THE NEW BRIDEGROOM WINNING AN ARGUMENT WITH HIS NEW BRIDE HAVE REDUCED DRAMATICALLY
HOWEVER IN SCOTLAND NOTHING HAS CHANGED:
"Och, it's all goin' pure brilliant," says Jimmy. "Ay've got everythin' organised ulriddy, the fluers, the Kirk, the mootor caurs, the recuption, the rings, the minister, even ma stag night".
Archie nods approvingly.
"Ay've even bought a kilt to be married in!" continues Jimmy.
"A kilt?" exclaims Archie, "That's magic, you'll look pure smart in that. What's the tartan?"
"Och," says Jimmy, "Ah'd imagine she'll be in white..
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