25-11-2008
Frank's Thanks
PRIT/PDG/PP Barry Thompson thanked Frank Pezzimenti for his presentation on the Rotary International South Pacific & Philippines Office (RISPPO). As well as thanking him, Barry also presented Frank with the traditional boomerang - a symbol of the hope that the speaker would return to the Club. Frank thought that might just be possible.
Frank's presentation included the following points:
- Regional Head RI SPPO
- 2 weeks ago at RI in Zurich
- RI Institute in Christchurch last week
- RISPPO/RIO (Possible titles)
- R.I. South Pacific & Philippines
- 100 George Street, Parramatta
- Looks after 63,000 Rotarians
- Provides support via Club & District support, Media, Financial Services and Australian Rotary Health.
- 7 International Offices
- I.O. support 87% of Rotarians
- I.O. Parramatta looks after 17 Countries.
- Vision Statement (in Short) – To support and serve the Family of Rotary
- CDS Club & District support
- Rotary trademarks
- Member access
- Club terminations
- Council on Legislation
- Manuals of Procedure (detailed info on running Club)
- D.G’s expenses
- Election disputes for D.G’s
- PETS training et al
- Rules and regulations – referee, coach, advisor and trainer
- Staff do not set policy
- Member Access
- Admission of new Clubs (Rotary, Rotaract, Interact & Rotary Community Corps)
- Membership details
- RI conference registration
- Donating to Foundation
- Rotary Marks
- “Rotary”
- Emblem can’t be altered
- Applies to all media
- Resources
- Finance Team
- Donations to Trust in Australia come towards end of year (55% in June)
- Increase in commercial skills has brought in $100k additional funds – mainly by better investing and lower bank fees
- The Rotary Foundation
- Only Official Rotary charity
- Decrease of 3.5% in 07/08 in USD but increase of 16% in AUD
- USA channels money to Australia to go to countries that they can’t help
- To focus on Australia next 12-18 months
- Educate and communicate with Rotarians
- Government regulations
- The Rotary Foundation Myths
- That it is American
- All money goes to USA
- 50% of money is lost
- Problems
- Growing number of Clubs haven’t given $1 (14% or 160 clubs in Australia)
- Club budget going to The Rotary Foundation is decreasing (roughly 5%)
- Increase in # of competitors for money
- Lack of understanding about how The Rotary Foundation works
- Australian Rotarians do not see the need e.g. Polio
- Paul Harris Fellowships as an award rather than recognition
- Polio Plus
- A polio shot cost 70c = ˝ litre petrol, 1/7 schooner beer, nothing from Newsagents except Lifesavers
- Was an Australian initiative
- Up to 40,000 cases up to 1970’s
- Last case of polio in 2007 in Australia
- Paul Harris tree in Park in Parramatta (Illawarra Flame Tree)
- Centurion Program – support is dwindling a little bit – it is an Australian program – not a Rotary International program.
- Rotary Community Corps
- Established by a previous President from Philippines
- Worked in Villages to allow project funds to be used when there weren’t any Rotary Clubs in area.
- Barry Thompson gave a boomerang to Frank and thanked him for his talk.
Last changed: 13:25:45 30-11-2008
