Welcome to the first Zone 8 Public Image newsletter for 2018-19. It is a huge honour and a privilege for me to have been appointed as Rotary Public Image Coordinator for our Zone for 2018-2021 and while the task seems daunting at times, I'm very much looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. Being a Public Image Coordinator is a responsibility I do not take lightly and I will do everything possible over the next three years to ensure that the trust shown in me by Rotary International is deserved. We, my team of Assistant Coordinators and I, are excited about the opportunity to work with all of you over the coming months in our efforts to raise Rotary's profile.

• Meet the Public Image Coordinator Team
• Hobart Public Image Seminar
• Sharing our PI Stories
• Floriade Charity Partner
• Brand News
• Are we making the most of our Opportunities?

Read the full newsletter.

We weren't sure if it would go ahead due to excessive rain and the cold, however the weather got better around 5:30pm and off we went. Fifteen (15) or more of us consisting of Rotarians (Southbank and North Melbourne), Rotaractors from Melbourne City,  family and friends who came to enjoy the festivities at Queen Victoria Market on the Wednesday night on 8th August 2018.

It was an enjoyable day not just for the company and being part of the night market, but to also promote Rotary to wider public in this setting. Several patrons to the night market came up to us to ask about Rotary, the projects at hand and many other topics, as we donned our Club T-Shirts. Therefore, we decided to piggy back this event as over 20,000 people were at the Winter Night Market but most importantly it echo's what Rotary International President Barry Rassin said "Rotary Days events to offer the chance to have an impact in your community, build long-term partnerships, increase interest in membership, and improve Rotary's image". Acknowledgement goes to Raj Vithi Veeran and his parents for making the t-shirts for our club and coordinating the delivery from Malaysia to Australia.

You would think that promotion online via website and social media channels would not get much taction or attention to draw committed people for club meetings/events/project. We were proven wrong as we met Levent Tökün who found our event on Facebook. He is a Rotaractor from Istanbul-Maslak Rotaract Club in Turkey and studies in Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany doing his World Heritage Studies Master's Program. He came to Melbourne, Australia on a six (6) months study exchange program with Deakin University in Cultural Heritage Master's Program. His Rotary journey begin when he was twelve (12) when he joined Interact and then Rotaract when he turned eighteen (18). Levent was a member of Rotary International Rotaract-Interact Committee two (2) years ago and to add, his mother and aunt have been Rotarians for two (2) years with the Rotary E-Club of D2440, Turkey.

Levent says that "Rotary is the best school for me" and thanks Southbank Rotary for our welcoming event with so much energy and thank President Mary Zindilis and President Elect George Zindilis from North Melbourne Rotary for their warm conversation.

No matter how big or small our club meetings/events/projects are, it means to be meaningful, purposeful, and impactful within and outside Rotary. It is now a month and a half since commencing the 2018-19 and it's been amazing to see how the necessary changes in the club is sparking more action of ideas coming to reality and having interest from our communities wanting to know and be part of Rotary (either in volunteering and/or being a subscribed member). Many more of this to follow-on throughout the year!

This month is about Membership & Community Development and we have done a number of things (yes, again!) which includes:

• #RotaryDay at Winter Night Market on 8th August 2018
• Rotaract District 9800 Changeover on 11th August 2018
• Rotary Leadership Institute (Part 1) on 12th August 2018

Remember that person or group of people you met either from a common gathering, workplace, events or through mutual connections who'd like to give back to local and international communities? Are they Rotary Alumni's who are currently or have participated in our programs in the past (Peace Scholarships, Youth Exchange, Group Vocational Exchange, Rotaract, Interact, EarlyAct, RYLA, MUNA, NYSF & other) ? - why not you tag them along for Rotary club meetings/event/projects to showcase what Rotary does and to show that we are PEOPLE OF ACTION!

Remember to keep the following dates free and to RSVP on our website:

• 14th August 2018: Club Meeting - Ray White Southbank
• 25th August 2018: Harry Potter Trivia Night - Hosted by the Rotaract Club of Melbourne City
• 28th August 2018: Melbourne Homeless World Cup - 10 years on!

We celebrated Rotaract's District 9800 Changeover (Melbourne City and Gateway Rotaract Clubs) on 11th August 2018 in Moonee Ponds. In attendance we had District Governor Bronwyn Stephens, a number of district Youth chairs, Rotarians (from District 9800 & 9810), Rotaractors (from 9800 & 9810), family and friends.

District Rotaract Representative Helena Toscas, President Martin Wilson from Rotaract Club of Melbourne City (co-sponsored by Southbank & North Melbourne Rotary Clubs) and President Michael Horridge from Rotaract Club of Gateway (co-sponsored by Tullamarine & Keilor Rotary Clubs) shared their aspirations, ambitions and vision to work closely with Rotary Clubs and to engage their age group in doing good in the world whenever or wherever time permits.

This is our future Rotarians, the Rotaractors, Interactors and Earlyactors plus all students who participates in the Youth Services program like RYLA, MUNA, NYSF and others. We as Rotarians MUST BE part of their journey and we need to continuously invest and develop the youth as they are the FUTURE.

The Rotaract Club of Melbourne City will also be holding a Harry Potter Trivia Night on 25th August, 2018 and would welcome you to come and join them.  BOOK HERE NOW!

Dear fellow Rotarians around the world,

As we are marching into the new 2018-2019 Rotary year, the Rotary Club of Alexandria Cosmopolitan - District 2451 Egypt is wishing you a joyful new Rotary year.

The world as we knew it is rapidly changing, and Egypt has been suffering from bad media and is being looked at recently as a dangerous place to visit. However, the reality of things is: Egypt remains a very safe country to visit.

Cross Egypt Challenge is an international cross-country motorcycle and scooter adventure tour conducted throughout the majestic and fascinating Egypt. Participation is not only open to Rotarians but also open to any interested rider, their accompanying spouses and friends from around the globe who wish to visit and explore this marvellous country in a unique way.

A normal practice we conduct during Cross Egypt Challenge is an annual "Sahara Rotary Meeting" where visiting riding Rotarians along with Rotaracts from our organizing team conduct an official Rotary meeting in the Egyptian Desert please view attached image -, a practice that we happily repeat at each new season.

I invite you, your club and the members of your club to support our initiative by:

1. Register for the rally, and ride or join a fellow rider in our chase vans this October in Egypt to enjoy a once in a life-time experience (a motorcycle and scooter rental option is available for international participants). Direct link to the registration application which can be completed in 5 minutes is: www.crossegyptchallenge.com/registration.html
2. Share the news about Cross Egypt Challenge with your fellow members and even friends in your circles, and invite them to ride and explore Egypt this October
3. Spread the news out to your local community and local press to promote this Rotary initiative, and the image of Rotary worldwide.

For more information or to register, please visit our website: www.CrossEgyptChallenge.com and LIKE our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CrossEgyptChallenge

We look forward to hearing back from you, welcoming you as a rider in Cross Egypt Challenge 2018 and host you in our annual Sahara Rotary meeting.

For any more information about the challenge, please do not hesitate to contact the club.

Tree Planting Day - in conjunction with National Tree Day

It was National Tree Day where Rotarians joined together from clubs (Southbank, Croydon, North Melbourne, Essendon North), scouts and other community groups to plant trees. Thanks to a huge turn out of volunteers, we planted over 4,000 trees in under an hour!

We'd like to acknowledge and thank everyone from the four (4) clubs:

Rotary Club of Southbank (11)

• Amritpal Singh
• Saira Griffin
• Stuart McArthur
• Raj Vithi Veeran
• Ashwinna Asair
• Lilian Ndarukwa
• Zareen Zeenath
• Faisdeen Marikkar
• Neha Bachani
• Kim Sng
• Carl Attwood

Rotary Club of Croydon (8)

• Jean Stuart
• Joy Varughese
• John Anderson
• Kevin Francis
• Ross Taylor
• Eric Thomas
• Bev Thomas
• Dawn Anderson

Rotary Club of North Melbourne (3)

• Mary Zindilis
• George Zindilis
• Manjula Pragasam

Rotary Club of Essendon North (1)

• Nathan Phan

Run Melbourne - Fundraiser for Steps Outreach Service

We raised a massive total of $8,691.54 through donation & fundraising for Steps Outreach Service in conjunction with Run Melbourne 2018. Members of the club (Philip Archer, Sally Page and Liam Jones) were the people of action in making this happen! Since 1985, Steps Outreach Service help young people with long-term relational and practical support, including advocacy, referral and material aid and Rotary Club of Southbank has been supporting Steps for over 15 years.

By Brownyn Stevens, District Governor, District 9800

Travelling up and down the Calder highway and east to west across the Westgate and being made so welcome in our Clubs is a joy and privilege. May I start by saying "thank you" to the Rotarians and Club boards that have welcomed Mark and I at your meetings.

It is my intention to share in these reflections great ideas. In this year of "Being the Inspiration" it is my hope that our communities will have the opportunity to share in Rotary service, that we won't be hidden and contained as the best kept secret, but will, as the words of Past District Governor Neville's daughter Kat John's glorious song words chime, "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine".

Bright idea No 1.

Rotary Radio on Friday evening is a great way to share our Rotary stories. It is also the perfect medium to ask for assistance to get ideas from a wider audience. Broadcast live on Friday eve­nings at 6pm it isn't perhaps a convenient time to listen in, but on podcast at the District 9800 website, or downloadable via iTunes at any time it is interesting, engaging and helps us get to know our Rotarians, their projects and needs better.

Yesterday I listened to Rotarians Against Malaria guru - Rotary North Balwyn member Bill Oakley. Not only did I get to know the man better but heard what is happening at the RAM space. I now appreciate what the need is in the malaria space particularly in our near neighbours.

Resoundingly the word from 2018-2019 Presidents and borne out by their support of each other at Club Changeover events is collaboration. This is something that Rotary International President Barry Rassin would be delighted with. It will foster sustainable and impactful projects.

In the words of Rotary Glenferrie President Charles Tran while being interviewed by Ian Salek on Rotary Radio "Rotarians are dream makers - they make dreams come true." Charles is 34 year old and only joined Rotary 4 years ago. He described his Club when he first visited as friendly and welcoming. He was delightedly shocked at the enormous number of projects they were doing. Charles focus in his Presidential year is collaboration ....

So listening to the podcasts is fascinating, diverse and very worthwhile.

Rotary Melton Valley shared with Mark and I that the local Mayor is welcoming homeless and disenfranchised youth in their space. They are feeding them and giving them a sense of purpose. Rotary can go forward with the community in designing a facility to really manage this community need. The Club are needing skills, resources, Clubs and agencies that have done this before to assist. If they shared this on Rotary Radio what could be possible?

Rotary Radio - https://rotarydistrict9800. org. au/sitepage/rotary-radio-94-1fm/podcasts-2018---2019

Contact David Proud, Ian Salek or Jonathan Sheppard and make yourself available for an interview on Rotary Radio if you have an idea or need that you would like to share.

Bright Idea No. 2

Our District 9800 Discussion Facebook page is being embraced by some Clubs as a medium for sharing their good news stories, events and projects. With over 750 Rotarians subscribed it's a great communication tool. The ground rules are that only Rotarians are invited please to this page - it is for our communication.

What a month it was for the club for July'18; we had our:

• Changeover (7th July 2018)
• Yoga / Mindfulness Day @ Boyd Community Hub (14th July 2018)
• First club meeting to hear Molina Swarup Asthana to talk about 'Opportunity in the face of adversity' (17th July 2018)
• First face-to-face board meeting (24th July 2018)
• Run Melbourne Fundraiser for Steps Outreach Service & Tree Planting Day with Rotary Clubs of Croydon, Southbank, North Melbourne, Essendon North (both on 29th July 2018)
• Batman Cluster Meeting (31st July 2018)

A total of 7 events/projects/meetings for the month - wow! I'm sure in the months to follow it would not be this excessive but here at Rotary Club of Southbank, anything can happen as we are #peopleofaction.

To recap from the Batman Cluster Meeting held on 31st July 2018 at the Belgian Beer Cafe. We had a total of 23 people (combination of Rotarians & guest) that came, and the Batman Cluster Presidents wore their Batman T-Shirt plus Assistant Governor wore his Superman T-Shirt - need to have fun and enjoy when we conduct meetings ;). They presented their highlights for the first 30/31 days as President for their club and informed what's in store for the rest of 2018-19 and key findings/actions taken to date.

We like to acknowledge the visiting Rotarians & Guest that came:

Remember to keep the following dates free and to RSVP on our website:

CORRECTION:

We apologise as we had incorrectly mentioned the amount raised for the Run Melbourne Fundraiser for Steps Outreach Service in the last newsletter (30th July 2018). The amount raised was $8,691.54

A project led by the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne and developed through Swinburne University.

What is Be Collective?

Be Collective is a digital gateway to maximise promotion and volunteers for your Club projects. It has practical tools to help you manage groups of people as well as run events and projects it also is easy to find opportunities to volunteer. It is an integrated, networked hub for exchanging people's time, skills, knowledge, resources and financial support to channel it to where it matters most.

How do you join Be Collective?

Joining is easy. Head over to becollective.com and click the join button. The process is self-explanatory from there. To get the most out of the platform it's best to fill in each of the fields with as much detail as possible and upload a picture of yourself. You will need to create a profile as an individual before you can create your group page don't worry you can assign ownership and admin rights to other people in your team at a later date. If you still have questions you can view the Be Collective guide.

How secure is the data of our organisation and our volunteers?

Be Collective has been built with data privacy and security at the forefront of the priorities. They use SSL secure data in transit, which means that the data is encrypted at every stage. Additionally, the data is hosted by Amazon Web Services, one of the most trusted and secure data facilities in existence.

Users are also able to determine whether their profile is able to be viewed by others.

How do I invite people to join my group?

Be Collecive have built a tool into the platform that allows you to upload a CSV file with a series of email addresses. Each person will receive an email notifying them that they've been invited to join your group on Be Collective. The invite tool is located on the group management screen. You can access this by clicking 'Groups' on the right hand side and a CSV file can be created
in excel by nominating 'CSV' as the file type when you're saving the document. The extension will then change to '.csv'.

How do I create a profile, group or event?

There is a handy suite of guides to help you out with these tasks!

Can I control the privacy of an event or volunteering opportunity I create?

Yes, whenever you create either of these there is a toggle that will allow you to create the opportunity as private. This means only people that are members of your group will be able to see this event and the opportunities attached to it.

What kind of volunteering opportunities can I create?

Event volunteering: You can create volunteer opportunities that sit under a broader event. An event can house multiple opportunities and shifts that fulfil a variety of roles that will ensure the success of that event.

One off volunteering: A one-off volunteering opportunity can be created under your group if you need someone to come in and help out on a specific day or time. This type of volunteering isn't a regular commitment from either you or the volunteer.

Task based volunteering: Task based volunteering allows you to create a volunteer role under your group or event that may not need to be performed during a specific time period.

Part time/recurring volunteering: If you require a volunteer (or a group of volunteers) to do a job for you regularly (for example; each Wednesday afternoon) you can create a part time opportunity. These opportunities are best for volunteers committing regularly over an extended period of time.

Expression of Interest: An expression of interest can be used when you're wanting to obtain a group of interested people before defining the exact type and frequency of a volunteer opportunity. This could be useful for Rotary Clubs in the early stages of getting a project up and running.

What's the cost?

The basic platform is free. There is also a premium version which provides a layer of management information that organisations using the platform intensively would likely use. It costs $5/member/yr.

Wouldn't it be fantastic to maximise the numbers of volunteers for your Club projects, both Rotarians and community.

Also to have a platform to allow your members with a passion for particular projects, you don't have in your Club, to fulfil that need by assisting another Club with their projects.

Clubs often miss out on attracting and keeping members when their expectations on volunteering cannot be met. Use Be Collective to meet those needs.

Want to know more? contact: Marjorie Gerlinger, marbern@bigpond.net.au, 0419 302 109