People of Action know that achieving any vision, big or small, requires a plan.

Rotary International pioneered a model of service leadership more than a century ago based on person-to-person connections. That model is just as powerful today as ever. Except now, those individual connections span the globe. Today's Rotary doesn't just reach out to act on communities' needs close to home; we transcend borders, generations, languages, cultures, and historic differences to create hope for a better world.

When we imagined where Rotary is going in the next 100 years, we developed a plan built on four priorities: increasing our impact, expanding our reach, enhancing participant engagement, and increasing our ability to adapt.

Watch the video, read more and learn about the Action Plan Toolkit for Clubs here

Dear reader

It's been an action packed week, I want to acknowledge the dedication and energy that make our projects and initiatives thrive. Whether through leadership transitions, successful fundraising, or community-focused programs, the Rotary Club of Brisbane continues to make meaningful contributions. Here are the key highlights:

Leadership and Club Structure

Our ongoing leadership transition remains a priority. We’ve established a Nominating Committee, chaired by Keith Watts, to identify a President for 2025–26. We also formalised Keith’s appointment as Club Historian, recognising his outstanding work in preserving our legacy. Additionally, a mid-year update request was made for members overseeing international and local projects to ensure transparency and progress reporting.

Fundraising Success

The 50/50 Charity Raffle on Melbourne Cup Day was a tremendous success, raising approximately $36,000. Our club’s share is $4,000 —thank you to the volunteers who made it happen! We are also exploring additional opportunities to participate in 50/50 raffles with the Rotary Club of Hamilton. The upcoming Kyeema Raffle promises to be another impactful initiative, with further details to be shared ASAP.

Youth Empowerment and Community Impact

We are proud to sponsor a student for the Rotary Youth Transitional Seminar (RYTS), an impactful leadership program for high school students. The Teacher in a Box project, led by Dickson Ken, is in the process of being adopted as a formal club initiative, providing offline educational resources to underserved communities in Papua New Guinea. The board also approved the formation of a Rotary Youth Exchange Program Committee to facilitate cultural and educational exchanges, lead by Juan Laporta.

Engaging Initiatives

A dedicated Kids & Carers Room will debut at the 2025 District Conference, ensuring inclusivity for parents attending with young children. Thank you to District Governor Sue Mulraney for her support in making this happen. The initiative sets a precedent for future conferences, demonstrating our commitment to fostering inclusivity within Rotary.

Decisions Made

Key motions passed during the board meeting include:

• Kinross Scottish Ceilidh (Fair) Participation: Our club will join as part of the Kinross Cluster management committee and explore a fundraising stall, potentially selling haggis and tatties.
• Guest Speaker Recognition: VIP visitors and speakers will now receive a copy of our club history book, a token of our appreciation for their contributions.
• International Service Agreements: Agreements with inactive clubs will be reviewed and potentially retired.
• Autism Global Project: Member update in minutes to follow.
• Social Media and Marketing: Five marketing students under the guidance of Winnie Chen are assisting with social media efforts, aligning with a proposed campaign to attract younger members from the Brisbane CBD.
• Governance: Deadlines for board meeting documentation have been adjusted to streamline preparation and decision-making processes.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks to Keith Watts for his tireless contributions to International Service, overseeing vital projects and fostering meaningful partnerships. His work ensures our club’s global outreach continues to grow. Thanks are also due to all members who have supported fundraising, youth initiatives, and community engagement efforts.

Looking Ahead

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

• Monday, 2 December: QBI Breakthrough Project Update RSVP
• Monday, 9 December: AGM and our last meeting of the year RSVP + Christmas celebration drinks afterwards on the big terrace at Friday's
• Monday, 20 January 2025: First meeting of the new year RSVP
• 28–31 March 2025: District 9620 Conference in Toowoomba REGISTRATION

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the Rotary Club of Brisbane. Together, we are making a difference in our community and beyond. Let’s continue this momentum into the festive season and the new year ahead.

Angela Murphy
Chuffed to be 2024-25 President of the Rotary Club of Brisbane