Valedictory Address By 2011/2012 President Austen Burleigh

It’s hard to believe it’s 12 months since I was inducted as President of this wonderful Club.  Thank you for having the confidence in me to be your President; it has been a great honour.

“Reach within to embrace humanity” was the RI and Club theme for this year.  And so, I set about honouring this theme with planning and goals “to advance our members’ knowledge, understanding and involvement; to connect with our members, District and community, and to strengthen our Club”.

I reflected on the focus of RI Immediate Past President, Ray Klinginsmith, famous for his cowboy logic”, who emphasised innovation and strategic planning to determine if the policy and practices of each Rotary Club were indeed best practice.  This was followed by RI President Kalyan Banerjee’s focus on

• continuity, i.e. building on what Rotary does well, and
• change, change what needs to be changed.

To deliver both continuity and change required a new approach to the leadership of the Club.  And so it was that 2011-2012 became a transitional year where I have been working closely with President Elect Clive and President Nominee Keith on the strategic direction of the Club.  We have worked as a team with different roles and responsibilities but a cohesive approach to give the Club greater strength.  We have been developing a program which will gradually implement changes seen as necessary to maintain relevance in an ever-changing environment.

We recognised early on that the Club must continue to evolve, and this was our responsibility.  Contemporary challenges identified included the increased mobility of our membership targets, decreasing membership numbers, alternative options for community service without the cost, and the Corporate Social Responsibility programs of businesses, professions and corporates.  All of these factors were spokes revolving around the hub of the Rotary wheel; this hub being Membership.

How fortuitous that our Club was selected as one of 200 Clubs world-wide to participate in the RI Innovation and Flexibility three-year Pilot Program.  The guidelines enabled us to change the way our Club operates, and introduce a Corporate Membership/Partnership Program.  This first year has seen the identification of target corporations and the implementation of a calling program which has already produced some success.

As you know, we have moved the focus from attendance to engagement as a measure of contribution in the Club.  Our Rules have been changed to reflect this new emphasis.

The approval of a new partnership or project, or involvement in an event or activity, is only the beginning; the critical part is the implementation or delivery.  We must deliver the outcomes on what we plan.  To do otherwise creates the potential for reputation risk.

We need to close the gap between ideas and action.

Membership and its mix is one of our greatest challenges.  I’m pleased to report that membership became a strategic focus for the Board.  Understanding the structure of our membership base helps our overall resourcing considerations, and identifying specific needs, so we don’t over-commit.  This will provide direction to our membership acquisition strategy also.

One of the joys of being President this year has been getting to know many members and partners much better.  What emerged during many conversations was the depth of untapped potential within our membership emanating from relationships within and outside the Club.

I’ve noticed a strong correlation between effectiveness and knowledge of Rotary and the Club.

My experience is that knowledge of Rotary provides a perspective on the Rotary organisation, where our Club fits in, the opportunities and the expectations.

We all have the same opportunity to acquire this knowledge by involvement in the Club’s activities and self-education.  This year four of our members completed the three-part District Rotary Leadership Institute training, and I encourage more of you to undertake this beneficial education program to gain a condensed understanding of how Rotary works.

Our Club, being the first Club chartered in Australia, and the largest, has a proud, honoured and enviable tradition of serving others.  We have the responsibility to use our business and professional knowledge, connections and intellectual capacity to lead the way.  I believe we’ve demonstrated this through our support to the District by

1. organizing and hosting next Sunday’s  District Changeover Luncheon;
2. organising and hosting the District Vocational Service Forum;
3. agreeing to be the Sponsor Club for the proposed Rotary e-Club of Melbourne;
4. being actively involved in the seven-Club Batman Cluster, and
5. supporting District Committees and our overall attendance at the 2012 District Conference.

In turn, our District colleagues have been strong supporters of our Club this year.  Thank you DG Keith and AG David for the assistance you both gave in your respective roles.

Over the past two meetings you have heard wonderful reports from Vice Presidents Mary Barry and Keith McNeil on the Club’s significant accomplishments and administration during the year.

I’d like to mention the following which I thought were highlights also.

1. My visit to the Rotary Club of Hamilton, accompanied by Bruce Davidson and Zone RI Director Stuart Heal, to share in the posthumous recognition of Walter A Drummond as a Paul Harris Fellow.  Walter Drummond was our Club’s Foundation Honorary Secretary, and our Honorary Secretary for the first eight years.
2. The good fortune we had to be visited and addressed by the new RI General Secretary, John Hewko, when he outlined his five point Strategic Plan.  This was a preview of his 20 minute address at the RI Convention in Bangkok, which was attended by five of our members.  You can see it on-line – just “google” it.
3. The Angus Mitchell Oration in February given by Don Argus AC, and the subsequent press coverage.
4. The visit by Spencer Bock, Trevor Nink and Garry Fowler to the Philippine Lubang and Cabra Islands joint water project.
5. The goodwill generated by the Inter-Club visits to Clubs with which we have a specific connection.

There are a few people I’d like to thank for their contributions, some of which may not be widely known.

• The Vice Presidents, other Board members and office bearers for their support in carrying out their responsibilities with professionalism, especially the tireless contribution of our Honorary Secretary, Garry Fowler, and Honorary Treasurer Robert Read’s fastidious attention to the finances of the Club.
• The Bulletin Editor, wordsmith Peter McCall, who provided a weekly entertaining and informative communication to all members – no small feat.
• Our webmaster Phil Bowley who is online wherever he goes, and Directory Editor Chris Knight who also undertook a significant individual fundraising effort by the sale of Christmas hampers.
• The legendary Bob Fels’ contribution to outstanding outcomes with the Ambassadorial Scholarships and Rotary World Peace Fellows programs.
• Who could forget Alan Trumbles’ tireless and persistent cajoling for the on-to-conference cruise, the District Conference promotions, and the wine raffle?
• And the luncheon and reception committees and The Hotel Windsor staff for the smooth running of our weekly luncheon meetings.
• The advertisers in the Directory
• Our photographer John Tozer, supported by James Pullar and Bruce Davidson.

Then there’s Sue.  Sue, you made the commitment this year to do whatever it took to support me, and have delivered on that in spades.  Thank you for this support which has been invaluable, as was the general encouragement you, Andrew and Sarah provided.

If any of my fellow members or guests are wondering what I might be doing next year, you only need to see “Sue’s to-do List”!!

Finally, to our Office Manager, Jo Mavros. Jo, your adaptability, contribution, and overall assistance is becoming legendary.  Thank you for all you have done to support me and the Club during the year.  I would like you to come forward to accept this token of our appreciation [Presentation of flowers to Jo].

In conclusion, my thanks go to all our members; you have made this an enjoyable and rewarding year.  Thank you for your contributions, good humour, support and encouragement.