District 9640 Governor Jeff Egan was our guest speaker on November 5, 2021. A Specialist in Business Law, Jeff retired from legal practice in August 2018. Jeff is a Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation and a Member of the Paul Harris Society.
After serving as President, Secretary, and Foundation Chair at Mt Warning Rotary, and the positions of Youth Protection Officer for 3 years and Assistant Governor for Cluster 4 for 3 years, Jeff was elected District Governor at the District 9640 Changeover and Awards Luncheon on Saturday 26 June 2021. We thank Jeff for his service to Rotary.
In his Zoom presentation, Jeff recognized the work going on behind the scenes at the Broadwater Southport Rotary Club by members that helps make our club achieve its outcomes.
He emphasized that Retention of members is critical to stop the flow of members out the backdoor, something Rotary as an organisation is encouraging clubs to consider moving forward.
Jeff also reinforced the need to have meaningful service projects that members "want to do and want". He suggested a survey of members would be useful to explore with members projects they want to become involved in.
Utilsing members' skills was important to keep engagement up, such as, rotating the Chair for meetings. Jeff reported on the many opportunities that are available through Rotary for enhancing skills, including, the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), a multi-district, grassroots leadership development program of member districts organized into regional divisions in various parts of the world. District video seminars are also available on the My Rotary Learning Centre.
Jeff suggested that our club should stay connected with members as we keep in mind that people join Rotary to do service projects and to encourage people along to our breakfast meetings and activities. One way to stay connected is through Rotary’s online Learning Center. Rotary’s online Learning Center has resources that can help members stay connected to the organization and to one another.
To mark the occasion of the recent End Polio Now District organized tram ride on Friday October 22 2021, Jeff asked if our Club would consider becoming a Clem Renouf End Polio Now Club? All that is required is for each member of BSR Club to commit to a personal contribution of $10 per annum to the End Polio Now Campaign. On average a child can be fully protected against Polio for $3.
Jeff highlighted the District 9640 first Rotary Expo to be held from 25 to 27 March 2022 at Tenterfield, NSW, and encouraged all to attend. Complete details of bookings, accommodation and speakers can be found at the DISTRICT 9640 EXPO website.
Finally, Jeff spoke to us about the amazing SolarBuddy.In 2011, inventor and social impact entrepreneur Simon Doble, created a renewable energy-powered light that became a solution in refugee camps across the world. But through finding one solution, he soon realised the enormity of energy poverty, and set about raising global awareness and designing solar light solutions for the most at risk communities. And in May 2016, SolarBuddy was launched, which go into the backpacks of children in in rural and remote Australia and 3rd world countries.
Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) Co-Founder and Executive Director, Kim Kelly said “We are excited to be working with SolarBuddy to light up children’s worlds and brighten their futures. With SolarBuddies, one more barrier to learning and participation is removed.”
SolarBuddy cost $32.50 each with a minimum order quantity of 25 lights. Some facts on SolarBuddy: https://www.hea.edu.au/solarbuddy
What can you tell me about the SolarBuddy light design?
The SolarBuddy light has been designed with purpose and is delivered to your school in kit form. Printed and online assembly instructions are available and screwdrivers are included in your delivery.
Specifically designed for use by children living in energy poverty, our solar lights are easy to operate, carry and charge.
• Constructed from 40% recycled high UV resistant plastic (highest possible recycled % without distortion)
• Encased in a tough rubber bumper to protect against accidental damage.
• Waterproof - IP65 rated
• The solar LED light is made with a 0.6W solar panel
• 60 Lumen Light Output
• NIMH (rechargeable) batteries
• Overcharge Protection
• Over-Discharge Protection
• Simple battery replacement
• No packaging except yellow shipping containers
Once fully charged, SolarBuddy solar lights provide 8 hours of light on full and 16 hours of light on half beam. To conserve the batteries stores of energy, the lights will only work when they’re not being charged. If you want to view the light during daylight hours you can cover the solar panel with your hand and switch it on.
Our lights have been endorsed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), are used by NGOs from around the world including Australian Aid and is a core item in the UNHCR relief kit.
How many times can the batteries be recharged?
Our batteries are the only major depleting part of the light, recharging 500 times, which based on our market knowledge means a lifespan of 2.5 years.
We have committed to changing the batteries 3 times, every 2.5 years, resulting in the light lasting a child 10 years taking them right through their school years. Our in-country NGO partners conduct battery replacement events, the children learn to change their own battery and we recycle the old batteries via responsible e-waste programs.
To support ALNF’s literacy and numeracy learning we are working together to distribute SolarBuddy lights to Indigenous children in rural and remote Australia. ALNF Co-Founder and Executive Director, Kim Kelly said “We are excited to be working with SolarBuddy to light up children’s worlds and brighten their futures. With SolarBuddies, one more barrier to learning and participation is removed.” We kick started the partnership by donating 550 SolarBuddy lights to ALNF’s literacy packs, which are going to children living in Alice Springs. This is all part of our Illuminating Communities program, which you can find out more about here: https://indigenous-education-program.solarbuddy.org/