What opened my eyes very shortly after becoming a Rotarian, to the power and breadth of Rotary, was attending the District Conference. Whether you have been a Rotarian for some years or relatively new to our Rotary world, I urge you to consider registering and coming along to the District Conference.

We have designed the program to hopefully inspire you, to energise you and to show you the value you bring to Rotary. This is the MAGIC! You have the power to make positive change in communities, and in lives, through the projects and events that you and your Club hold. We are show casing many areas where Rotarians have undertaken particular projects that have impacted in a positive way – nationally and internationally.

Our Theme is Experience the FUN in Rotary – as if we do not enjoy what we are doing, we won’t stick around! So, the Conference is also geared to have fun and provide laughs but with Rotary still at its core! Check out the speakers through the Conference Web site: https://www.discon24.com/ Even cooking sausages at your local school or Bunnings has a positive effect (other than showing the community you are the best sausage chef!)

Do you tell your attendees that the money you are raising is going to support your local youth or other causes? The young people’s attendance at our powerful Rotary Youth programs changes them, builds their resilience, gives them confidence and new skills and helps them problem solve. (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment- RYPEN, Rotary Youth Leadership Award -RYLA, National Youth Science Forum NYSF or Model of United Nations Assembly-MUNA and of course, Rotary Youth Exchange )

We don’t do a very good job of telling our stories! Let’s try and do this better! We need to make our Club “Irresistible” so that our community members WANT to be part of it! Contact your local press about every event or opportunity! Last month, the Rotary Club of Blayney has done this very well! Some newer members of the Club decided that they wished to start a Toy Library. This has garnered some great press and also resulted in more toys being donated, coming as far away as the Blue Mountains! Well done Blayney!

So, if you have not yet registered for this District Conference please do so! Also applications are still open for the President or a representative from your club to take part in the Opening Flag Parade. Contact Rob Uhl DG if you wish to do so!

Conference Flag Parade

CONFERENCE FLAG PARADE

If you're interested in taking part and have a volunteer to carry a flag, please reach out to DG Rob at districtgovernor@rotary9705.au.

More information about the Conference can be found at www.discon24.com

Centurian Program Reminder

As we settle into the routines of this Rotary year, I would like to remind all Rotarians of our District 9705 Centurion program. By contributing as an individual personally, or through your club, you are making a tangible donation to the

programs of our Rotary Foundation. All donations through the Centurion program are Tax Deductible and can be set up as a one off contribution, or as a regular donation. As I have mentioned at different times, my donation is set up to be made each year on my birthday so I don't have to worry about remembering when it will occur, and it is my gift to the Foundation and the world on that day.

By using the Individual Donation Form you can specify how and when your payment is made.

Club Treasurers can use the Multi Donor form to collate all donations made through the club and submit it on behalf of the members.

Club membership numbers must be the Rotary International member number which are available from the Secretary from your Clubrunner Member listing or can be read from your Rotary Down Under Magazine subscription cover page where it is the second number shown just above your name and address. Please don't use the first number shown on this page as it is for RDU use only.

I am attaching the updated forms to this email, and have uploaded them to the D9705 Clubrunner website for downloading at any other time.

Funds raised through the Centurion program go towards your District's credit for DDF in 3 years time, and is a Paul Harris Fellow credit for each individual making the donation.

Let's make this a big year and get our club and individual support for the Rotary Foundation under control. Many of the programs of the Foundation are dependent on our financial contributions.

If you would like more information for your club, please reach out to members of the District Foundation committee during the coming months, and especially in preparation for Foundation Month in November.

Thank you for your support.

PDG Ian Tooke

District 9705 Centurion Program Co-Ordinator

The Rotary Foundation

ph: 02 6368 2574 mobile: 0409 590 547

Shelterbox "Off the Grid" Challenge

So what is an “Off the Grid “challenge? Shelterbox challenges Clubs and their members to “Sleep Out rough” to experience
what it is like for those who experience any form of disaster – no power, food, or commodities. The Camp out is to raise essential funds to deliver emergency shelter aid to people around the world who have been left homeless following disaster and
conflict.

Shelterbox delivers emergency aid and essentials that people need to begin to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of these events. Although this is not a Rotary program, Rotary supports it, as it delivers a life saver to families going through these
crises.

Lyn Diskon and Julie Poplin challenged clubs in our District to step up and take the challenge to camp out! This was taken up by Rotary Club of Boorowa, Yass and Canberra Sundowners and DG Rob Uhl and RCL Leigh Robinson. 15 hearty souls
spent Saturday night 7 th September camped out at the Boorowa Showground in Swags. Meeting up in the afternoon to set up camp, set up the fire pit and Barbeque and the customary “nibbles”. All to keep the cool night at bay around a blazing fire
and even warmer conviviality! It’s a wonderful way to get to know your fellow Rotarians!

Rotarians such as Mandy Carter even saw it as a way to increase her exercise by cycling the 60kms from Yass to Boorowa! (and return)

The “chefs” cooked great sausages and served up with coleslaw for dinner and then just after the sun rose on Sunday Mick and Sam cooked up a fabulous “off the grill” breakfast – eggs, bacon and sausages.

Overall, the group raised $16,337 – a great effort. The Challenge now goes out to all clubs and members to consider joining next year, finding sponsorship and enjoying a fun night with other Rotarians! A number of venues have been suggested and it will be up the new Chair, Garth Perkins to work
with his team to organise the next event!