Larry was our chairperson for today's club meeting at Cilantro. Paul joined the meeting via zoom. Guests included Gary Ramage, and Kylie Greer and Brenda Cooke from Artists for Kid Culture. NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
President Grant had the very enjoyable task of inducting our newest club member, Michael Josem, who has transferred in from the R.C. of Douglas on the Isle of Man. Michael has been working in the UK for the past few years and returned to Australia recently. He has already turned up to help out the market - wonderful. Welcome aboard Michael - we look forward to your participation in club projects and your membership. Michael's classification is Marketing and Communications.
GUEST SPEAKER - Kylie Greer - Artists for Kids Culture.
Kylie provided a very engaging talk on art and past times that provide meaning and enrichment to our lives. She commenced with an interesting task for everyone to reflect on past times they enjoyed doing during their childhood, and then imagine how they may have been impacted if these past times were not available. This enjoyment contrasts starkly for many young children who for family social and economic reasons are unable to participate at the same level as those more fortunate, and Kylie seeks to address this inequality. Kylie runs an art gallery, and her mission has always been to be inclusive and bring art to the people, and people to art. Identifying many children who were missing out, she sought ways to bring art into their lives for general and improved well-being. Progress was slow and commenced with an 'arts bus' visiting social housing estates for children to participate in art/music and creative programs which has proven to be very successful. Programs have expanded since with mobile art studios now visiting regional sites and schools, dedicated spaces being provided within social housing complexes and conducting art exhibitions - all designed to enrich the lives of children through engagement and self-expression in the arts. Kylie touched on their mission, funding, and the future. Upcoming events include Art Fests designed for families and children, and creating exhibition space for young people to exhibit their works. More information is available from their website: https://www.akc.org.au/ Thank you Kylie for your well received and much appreciated presentation, and highlighting the importance of art in our lives.
ROSTERS
The rosters were announced.
CLUB VOTE - $5,000 donation to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation - buddy bag program.
Margaret Lucas outlined the purpose of the buddy bag program, and moved a motion that the club donates $5,000 to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation for their their buddy bag program.
Moved: Margaret Lucas Seconded: Peter O'Brien. Motion carried.
NEXT CLUB MEETING - Wednesday 4 March
The next meeting will be a club forum, with the intention of providing 'Rotary Information' designed particularly for new club members. Topics will cover an outline of the structure of Rotary, our Bentleigh Market operations, and the committee structure of our club.
Club members will also be asked to accept the updated RI Club Constitution and Rules that was distributed earlier in February.
