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 = ½ 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.

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Last changed: 13:25:45 30-11-2008