Rotary Melbourne New Members Evening Meeting
Date: May 8, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Venue: Rotary Office

The evening began with an atmosphere of palpable excitement as current and prospective members gathered for the Rotary Melbourne New Members Evening. With wine and nibbles expertly organised by Jo Mavros, the stage was set for an engaging and informative evening.

Photographer Extraordinaire: Yidan Xi took on the role of the official photographer, skillfully capturing every moment of the evening, as you can see. Not only did she excel behind the lens, but she also imparted valuable lessons on the importance of quietude in meetings to her daughter, Gladys.

Master of Ceremonies: Sana Malik took charge as the MC, gracefully guiding the proceedings. With a gentle yet authoritative demeanour, she called the meeting to order at 6:20 PM, seamlessly transitioning the group from casual chatter to focused engagement. She initiated the meeting by inviting everyone to share anecdotes about their first experiences with voluntary work during their self-introductions.

Featured Speakers:

• President Chris Sotiropoulos: With a deep understanding of the club's history, ethos, and current practices, President Chris captivated the audience with tales from his days as an altar boy, underscoring the importance of service and community.
• Amit Gill: Spoke on membership orientation, shedding light on the process of onboarding and joining committees, welcoming new members into the fold with warmth and enthusiasm.
• George Giamadakis: George took the floor to discuss meetings, speakers, and the collaborative efforts that made the evening events possible. He commended the contributions of Yidan, Sana, and Sap De, emphasizing the teamwork that underpins Rotary Melbourne's success.
• Sap De: While intending to speak about service opportunities, Sap found himself acknowledging George's sentiments about the club's welcoming atmosphere. He highlighted the diverse ways members can engage and contribute, underscoring Rotary Melbourne's inclusive ethos.
• Stephen Rando: Stephen's impassioned speech on the future of Rotary Melbourne resonated deeply with the audience. He shared personal anecdotes of meeting admired figures through the club and expressed pride in the organisation's ongoing commitment to societal challenges.

Q&A Finale: The meeting concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where new members and seasoned veterans alike shared insights and perspectives. One standout moment came from a new member who shared her experiences working with ESG initiatives, sparking a thought-provoking discussion on corporate responsibility and social impact.

The Rotary Melbourne New Members Evening Meeting was not just an opportunity for networking and information-sharing; it was a testament to the vibrant spirit and collective dedication of the Rotary community. As the evening drew to a close, members departed with renewed enthusiasm and a deeper sense of connection to their fellow Rotarians.

Following the obvious success, we hope to have a couple of New Member nights a year, so please forward to Bernie McIntosh or Amit Gill the names of any contacts that may be interested in hearing more about the club with a view to membership.

Many thanks to Rotarian Amit Gill for providing this synopsis of the evening conversation.

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