A friendly reminder that next Monday, 28th of May, there is no regular meeting at the Brisbane Club but a Club event at the Queen Street Mall Stage to celebrate our Club 95th anniversary. For catering purposes, could you, please, register if you are coming by EOD 24th of May (this Thursday) at http://brisbanerotary.org.au/event/95th-anniversary-celebratory-event/? If you are experiencing problems with the website, please, let me know and I will include you in the list.
Our one and only regular meeting at the Brisbane Club for May, on the 21st, was very dynamic. Jaqui de Lacy got her first chance to chair a meeting and did a great job. She also shared that she enjoyed the experience so she will certainly be getting more of it in the future.
We had a decent turnout with 20 people around the tables. Amongst them we welcomed Dan from the US, Keith from the Rotary Club of Melbourne who is considering switching to a place with more favourable weather, i.e. Brisbane, and Bruce from the Rotary Club of Albany Creek. I am not sure if I shall be mentioning Bruce as a guest as he comes more regularly to our meetings than quite a few of our very own members.
I used the meeting to distribute some wine to well-deserving members. Actually, I used it also to distribute reflective bracelets which I brought as souvenirs from China but as everyone got one I won't be elaborating on this fact. So on the 21st, as my only choice for a regular meeting this month, I presented two President's bottle of wine Awards.
The April one went to James Delahunty. I will not try to describe all his achievements through his long Rotary service as they are not relevant for the Award. For the last it is important what he is doing now for the Club which is not in any way less important than what he has done before. If there is a need for reminding, here is the information: http://brisbanerotary.org.au/Stories/dela-s-roast-a-burning-success-raises-10-000-for-donations-in-kind. James's effort is a very strong claim for our biggest fundraiser this year.
The May Award went to the person driving the other competitor for Rotary Club of Brisbane biggest fundraiser in 2018. This is Graeme Whitmore and the event is our 2018 Golf Day which is fast approaching and is scheduled for the 15th of June. If you have not booked yet Graeme can certainly help you do that.
Following the bottles of wine, it was my greatest pleasure to present a PHF+7 pin. Jacqui Page is the member who earned it. Well done, Jacqui!
And last but not least Jillanne Myers was called to the lectern. She was presented with her Rotary pin and a brand new Rotary welcome pack, i.e. Jillanne is our newest member who I had the honour of inducting. Welcome to the Club, Jillanne!
RYLA is over and I was pleased to hear that our Club money was well invested. I heard Matt Murden had a fabulous time at RYLA and is keen to come along to a Club meeting but is looking for convenient time. He said to Jacqui Page it was a life-changing experience for him and now he plans to join Rotaract in Brisbane. Mark Williams shared similar feedback from Rhys Williams: life-changing experience and plans to join Rotaract in Toowoomba. Nevertheless it will be nice to hear those things directly from the sources and why not accompanied by "Thank you, Rotary Club of Brisbane!" notes from the respective Rotaract clubs.
For the people that can't make it to our meetings: Our Club is rostered to help at DIK on the 23rd of June. Jacqui Page expressed interest in volunteering. If there are other keen members, please, let me know!
OR Register Here: http://brisbanerotary.org.au/event/rcob-rostered-day-for-donations-in-kind/
For all that can make it: I look forward to see you on the 28th to share some real burgers and virtual reality Ecstasy, Cannabis and Magic Mushrooms.
Jacqi de Lacey chaired the meeting and began with Rotary Grace and Toasts to the Queen and Rotary International and the new happy royal couple.
President Daniel welcomed members.
There were apologies from Don O'Donoghue, Warren Walker, Stan Francis, Robyn Burridge, and Dan Adler.
The club welcomed the following visitors:
Keith McNeil from the Rotary Club of Melbourne
Daniel Stark from Houston Texas
Bruce McNaught from the Rotary Club of Albany Creek.
Daniel briefed the meeting on his conference in Shanghai and displayed a banner from the Rotary club there.
We are fast approaching the Club's ninety-fifth anniversary. Please register to attend through our new website and if you have any problems simply email Daniel. There is no regular meeting next week on 28 May so instead come to the Queen Street Mall stage outside Myers. It is an 11.30am start for 12 noon.
Could members please put it in their diaries that we are rostered at DIK on 23 June. If you can make it, please let Daniel know or register here: http://brisbanerotary.org.au/event/rcob-rostered-day-for-donations-in-kind/
Daniel presented his President's bottle of wine award twice! Firstly for April he presented a bottle of wine to James Delahunty for all the work he did in making his testimonial dinner such a success. For May he presented the award to Graeme Whitmore for all of his efforts over the golf day and our club more generally.
Daniel then presented Jacqi Page with another Paul Harris Fellowship Award Pin - her seventh such Pin, which is a magnificent achievement.
Daniel inducted Jillanne Myers as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Brisbane. Jillanne then introduced herself to the club members. Well done Jillanne.
RYLA is over we are eager to hear all the experiences from the two people that the club sponsored.
Daniel then played the fifth and final video of the strategic workshop. He then advised that Jayani has completed her Strategic Plan for the Club. It is a very interesting read which will soon be made available to members once President-elect Chris Muir has had a chance to review it.
Rotary has announced an increase in the Rotary International Dues of US$4 per year in 2017 – 18 followed by another US$4 a year in both 2018 – 19 and 2019 – 20. This this will result in each member’s dues being paid to Rotary International increasing to US$60, then US$64 and then US$68. Club subscriptions may have to increase to cover these new costs.
Spots
Mark Williams confirmed that Rhys Williams attended the RYLA Camp on 5-11 May at Coolum. Rhys said that it was a great experience and that he would join Rotaract. Jacqi also confirmed that her grandson Matt said that it was a life changing experience and that he would also join Rotaract.
Luke and Mark attended the Rotaract Professional Development workshop on 2 May and felt that it was an extremely successful event.
Jackie advised that the James Delahanty testimonial has raised $12,000.
Graham Whitmore reminded members of the golf day on 15 June where 50 players have so far registered, but they want 90.
Keith Watt called for members to register for the District Assembly on Sunday, 22 March at Caboolture. Members can register through our club website. So far only Keith and Chris have registered.
Denise mentioned the upcoming speakers. On 4 June the CEO of Legacy will be the speaker. On 11 June the speaker will be Phillippa Lazenby, who is a scientist at the PA hospital.
There was no Sergeant. The raffle was won by Peter Ryan, but only after Jillanne Myers drew her own number and then Clive Shepherd drew his own number! The Joker is still in the pack.
On the evening of May 2nd, The Rotaract Club of Brisbane Rivercity held the culmination of a multi-week professional development workshop at the Pig'N'Whistle.
The focus of the workshops were three skill areas particularly valuable to young professionals - interview skills, public speaking skills and conflict management skills. To that end, Rotarians attended meetings of Rotaract Rivercity over a number of weeks to impart theoretical knowledge in these three areas, and then on the evening of the 2nd May, about a dozen Rotarians from the city cluster clubs, including RCoB's own Luke Marshall and Mark Williams came together with Rotaracters to put the icing on the cake with practical exercises. Cluster Assistant Governor Lisa Bateson was also present, underlining the importance of the event.
Rotaracters and Rotarians Come Together for Professional Development
Jireh Mabamba, second from left, with members of Rotaract in Minnesota.
By Jireh Mabamba
Sometimes, all you need is a chance – that one opportunity of a lifetime. Rotary gave me that chance.
I grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where human life has little value. Children are taken from their families and forced into the army, women are raped daily, and men are killed in front of their loved ones. Massacre is the norm. The only way to survive this brutal environment is to flee the country, and when I was nine, that’s what my family and I did.
We moved to South Africa, a country that was foreign to us on so many levels. The language and the currency were different. We knew no one. Of the few people that showed us kindness, most were Rotarians. They came forward and helped us when we needed it most. At that time, I knew nothing about Rotary. In 2007, Rotary Youth Exchange students from Australia, France, Germany, and the U.S. came to my school for their year abroad and it was through them that I truly became interested in Rotary.
I learned about fellowship, the value of friendship, and what it means to serve. The more I learned of the work of the Rotary Club of Durban Berea, the more my interest grew. When I completed high school, Rotary International gave me the opportunity to be an exchange student in Duluth, Minnesota, USA.
My life changed in so many ways during my exchange. I grew as a leader by surrounding myself with Rotarians who were leaders of action in their professional field and their community. I contributed to hands-on projects that made immediate impact in the community. When I met other youth exchange students, I was exposed to new cultures, traditions, and languages. My experience built my self-confidence, allowed me to be more globally competent, and it gave me an opportunity to make lifelong friends.
When I returned to Durban, South Africa, after my exchange, I joined the Rotaract Club of Durban Berea to be with people my age who knew the value of serving others. This allowed me to further develop my leadership skills, to network, and to continue having fun with like-minded people.
I was accepted at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, allowing me to return to the U.S. in 2013. I built upon the relationships that I had developed during my exchange year with host families and Rotarians to found the Twin Ports Rotaract Club in Duluth. I started this club because I felt empowered by Rotarians from Durban and Duluth. My goal was to form a group of vibrant and dynamic individuals who enjoy serving their community, a group that does not discriminate based on gender, race, or nationality.
Twin Ports Rotaract has done several service projects in Minnesota, South Africa, and recently in Guatemalan communities. When I look back, I can see how my life has been completely transformed by the generosity of the people I met through the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Today, I am more passionate about empowering others and making a significant impact in the lives of the people I meet because of the Rotarians who took the time and believed in me.
About the author: Jireh Mabamba lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with his wife, Kayla, who is finishing her doctorate degree in physical therapy at the University of Minnesota. He works for the University as an Associate Development Officer for the College of Education and Human Development. His primary responsibilities are to connect and reconnect with alumni of the college – to assist and advise them with their philanthropic goals and priorities regarding the college.
Binish Desai’s company makes bricks from industrial waste otherwise destined for the landfill.
By Binish Desai, a member of the Rotary Club of Bulsar, India, and a former Rotary Youth Exchange student
I started my journey in Rotary as a Youth Exchange Student in 2009-10, hosted by the Rotary Club of Waukegan, Illinois, USA. I’m now a member of the Rotary Club of Bulsar, India, and Rotary helps me live out my dream, a dream I have had since age 11 – giving back to my community in service.
In 2005, I created my first brick using industrial paper waste and chewing gum. Similar bricks of recycled materials would go on to make thousands of stand-alone toilets for rural communities by 2015. The company I founded, Eco Eclectic Technologies, continues to research and invent new products in pursuit of a clean India. It is a vision captured in one of my mantras:
“Nothing is useless in this world. What might be a waste to you is someone else’s assets.”
I like to tell people that Eco Eclectic Technologies is a transformation parlor for industrial waste. Neglected and unwanted waste comes to us instead of the landfill, and we transform it into useful items that people can use in their everyday lives.
Light fixtures made from recycled materials.
EcoLights Studio: a micro social enterprise that is connected to Eco Eclectic Technologies, aims to employ non-skilled women and rural artisans. We teach them how to create light fixtures, made entirely of waste, by hand. Every light that is purchased recycles 7 kilograms of waste, helping reduce carbon emission and electronic waste. The lights themselves are 90 percent recyclable.
Bin-Nish means “without darkness, spreading light.” To fulfill the meaning of my name, I teach a waste management course for college and high school students. Students experiment with waste to find innovative solutions. When you start experimenting with waste, you will never end up empty handed. These students represent the hope of finding even more solutions, toward the goal of constantly improving our country.
And throughout this process, Rotary and Rotarians have supported my innovations and have been able to contribute to many of our unique projects. One way we show our dedication to the environment is plant one tree in an industrial area for every light fixture we sell, and ensure they are maintained. It thrills me to know that Rotary shares my concern for the planet, a fact demonstrated by President Ian H.S. Riseley’s challenge this year to clubs to plant a tree for every member of their club. It’s yet another way I find my own values aligning with Rotary.
Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self has always inspired its members to contribute to society. To me, Rotary is family. And I look forward to continuing to make a difference in the world with innovations for a cleaner and more sustainable world, inspired and supported by my Rotary family.
About the author: Binish Desai runs Eco Eclectic Technologies, a lab that recycles and reuses more than 50 different types of industrial waste and converts it into more than 150 products. In 2017, Desai received the RI Alumni Global Service award for zone 6A. Desai was recently listed by Forbes Asia in their list of 30 Under 30 social entrepreneurs.
President Daniel Vankov
Secretary Michael Stephens
Treasurer Warren Walker
President Elect Chris Muir
Imm. Past President Graeme Whitmore
Sergeant-at-arms Luke Marshall
The Rotary Club of Brisbane Inc.
ABN 75 152 438 499
GPO BOX 2909 Brisbane Qld 4001
District 9600
Club Number 17787
About the author: Jireh Mabamba lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with his wife, Kayla, who is finishing her doctorate degree in physical therapy at the University of Minnesota. He works for the University as an Associate Development Officer for the College of Education and Human Development. His primary responsibilities are to connect and reconnect with alumni of the college – to assist and advise them with their philanthropic goals and priorities regarding the college.
About the author: Binish Desai runs Eco Eclectic Technologies, a lab that recycles and reuses more than 50 different types of industrial waste and converts it into more than 150 products. In 2017, Desai received the RI Alumni Global Service award for zone 6A. Desai was recently listed by Forbes Asia in their list of 
