Meeting Update

On Thursday we had our first 'proper' meeting in some while after having our Sudanese information evenings the meeting before and banner painting the meeting before that.

Em, Suzanna and Lucy gave a report on District Conference. They all enjoyed themselves and had fun meeting Rotaractors from Toowoomba (not yet chartered) and hanging out with South Brisbane Rotaractors as well. They definitely encourage everyone to go next year (13-15 March 09 at Twin Waters (I think)).

Anti-graffiti had a small turnout which was unfortunate as the guy who started the group was down from the Sunshine Coast and it would have been nice for him to have a bigger turnout. So thank you Jenna, Adam and Emily for helping out. Afterwards they met up with some members from the Rotaract Club of Strathpine.

We talked about changing the date for next month's Anti-Graffiti as it will fall on the long weekend as it currently stands. We also talked about giving RSVPs at least one week prior to anti-graffiti.

Emily also reported on the interest meeting for a Rotaract club in Logan. There's a small band of very keen and enthusiastic girls so hopefully they can gain enough momentum to start a club.

Amanda also reported on the Sudanese information evening and there was some discussion about upcoming events. The general consensus was that the next event in the campaign - showing a documentary about the Darfur genocide - will be held in the new Rotaract year (starting 1 July) so that our club has enough time to plan and publicise the event.

During Member Behind the Badge spot Laura spoke about one of her passions, Close the Gap, an Oxfam campaign to close the health outcomes and life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It's disheartening to think that non-Indigenous Australians live 17 years longer on average than Indigenous people but hopefully campagins like Close the Gap will encourage us as a country to change this.

It looks like we are slowly heading in that direction. Just tonight "Kevin Rudd has announced he will report to parliament on the Government's efforts to improve the living conditions of Aboriginal people. The Opposition Leader has welcomed a Federal Government plan to annually discuss the progress being made on improving the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians. During a speech in London, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced he will report to parliament on the first sitting day of every year on the Government's efforts to improve the living conditions, health and education of Aboriginal people." [Source: ABC News]

The second half of the meeting was taken up with discussing nominations and voting for the new board. After nominations we were able to decide a new board via consensus however it won't be officially announced until next meeting. This was anyone who wasn't present at the meeting still has the opportunity to nominate themselves and those who were nominated but not present have the chance to turn down the nomination (or 'appointment').