It is a brand new year for Rotary

What are our expectations? What can we do for the Club?

As the President of Adelaide West for 2015/16, I want to lead from the rear. The Club belongs to the members. I have put in place what I believe to be an exceptional Board with members of the old regime, new and younger members and a couple of members bringing ideas from other Clubs. I suggest it is an interesting combination of the old and the new.

Each Director has a committee allocated to assist him/her in the projects they choose. With that sort of autonomy, I want to allow the teams to produce the right result for the Club – projects which raise money to support those less fortunate than ourselves.

I am happy to stand alongside each member and be available if required. What a pleasure for a member to stand back and say “look what we have achieved”. The Club belongs to the members. This is not “my year as President”, it is our Club and it is our year.

The expectation of each member is very different. The standard Rotary term such as “Service above Self” etc, means different things to different people. I hope each member puts in to our Club exactly what one is able to do, what one can afford to do and what one believes he/she can do. Some members will attain a little more than others but it is what one can do within his/her capabilities that will give success.

Rotary Service can be so satisfying and give a special meaning to human success. We can use our own talent as a gift to the world through Rotary.

The other major ingredient is fellowship. I hope that our Club will see an increase in fellowship, not just at the weekly luncheon, but at other times when we can enjoy each other's company and that of our partners and families. We are all in Rotary together so why shouldn't we enjoy it.

Our projects continue with our major concern to replace the tired old broken truck of Major Denis White from the Salvos and also a keen Rotarian, who makes regular trips to settlements in the APY lands. He takes a mobile store to the aboriginal people with furniture, clothing, household goods etc. They love it and buy up big in their only opportunity to go shopping. What a magnificent service to the indigenous people up there. We are keen to help as this project will allow the pastoral work and service of Denis to continue for many more years and bring some happiness to those in need.

There are a number of other projects which we will continue this year and a few new ones as well. The best way to find out what we are up to is to be our guest at the Club and join in our fellowship, and if you find a desire to help others, we would love you to join as a member and feel part of an International membership around the world.

David Sabine

2015-16 President - Rotary Club of Adelaide West