After 50 years we had a fair idea how an art show should work and having been at the helm for past decade I now have an inkling of what also makes it successful. Our last Show was in 2019 due to covid and by then we had developed a brand equal to the top 10% of art shows in the country, enjoying a higher than average yield. Then for 3 years nothing. We tried to re-start in 2022 but was unable to complete all the imperatives in order to commit. Without having all our ducks in a row (ie.The major imperatives) you do not commit or run a high risk of failing.
This year it was a case of make it work or lose the brand we had worked so hard to maintain. With support from the Bayside Council and the offer of the Brighton Town Hall we had covered No 1 imperative a suitable venue (not many choices in Bayside). Since 2013/14 we able to use SYC and this year it was not available. We tried Billila House and ended up with the Town Hall (not preferred choice but it turned out to be an impressive event). It took many months to finally get all the ducks in a row and apart from a few setbacks and challenges we finally committed to proceed. The outcome was a proud relief with a resounding WoW by everyone who attended. There were many cross functional elements that need to mesh in order to have a successful Art Show and therefore there are so many members that I would like to mention if time had permitted, but many sincere thanks to everyone who volunteered their time and you know who you are, incl. Max Martin our graphics man whom I probably drove to distraction.
I would like to especially acknowledge some people who took on key roles and one of these is the Admin role which includes co-ordinating with our on-line management system, training of team members, sales, receiving and returning art etc. My sincere thanks to Anne Holland who took on and totally owned this function. Anne was there every day and without her commitment and ability controlling this area we would not have had such a smooth operation. I would like to show our appreciation to Anne who went above and beyond.
A further key function is the selection and curation of the displayed art. If we do not get this right the whole exercise can be a wasted effort. We had
set a high bar with tough criteria and I was fortunate to come across two art lovers who are not only lovely people but like Anne were experienced and committed. I found them fine tuning the display at
Camberwell Art Show and they immediately responded to my offer to join myself and Max on the curation team where we spent many hours finalizing the selection. The final display of our selected art was due to their ownership, energy and total commitment. They likewise spent every day and I know many nights seeking perfection.
Daniela Baker and Jenny Pihan please accept our sincere thanks for your tireless effort. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you both.
The Outcome:
The Bayside Art Show had a 43% return which is a good result given that we had to start from scratch. We cannot measure success by the normaI business model ROI, because there is no labour cost, however I believe Rotary Events should more likely be measured on ROE (Return On Effort) which remains questionable and I am currently exploring other options.
To our club going forward, we have again positioned The Bayside Art Show as one of the most preferred Rotary Art Shows in the country. My question going forward is “what do we plan to do about it“? This discussion will need to be held by no later than February 2024."
Norm Thomas
Chairman
The Bayside Art Show 2023
"Good afternoon and a formal welcome to Rotary Christmas 2023.
I know its customary at these functions for the President to tell you what a wonderful half year we have had, however I have a view that a good President’s report is a short one, and I will conform to this view. It will also be shortened by the non attendance of Paul Harris recipients. They will wait until 2024.
The first six months was a deliberate focus on membership engagement with well organised meetings, good speakers, increased fellowship activities, and having some fun along the way. So, what is the scorecard on meetings? Well, I will leave it to you all to judge. I know David Grodski privately scores each meeting and we got at least one 9 out of 10. Praise indeed.
A secondary goal was to improve corporate governance especially around finance and events, both fundraising and social. Good progress has been made here.
A President is only as good as the Board – they are the ones that actually do the work. The Board was chosen carefully, and I was delighted when all the members I asked accepted the challenge – they are all hardworking and have delivered everything asked of them and more. So, a huge thanks to the Directors: Wendy, Jo, Colleen, Nicole, Bill Stuart, Anthony, Rob, Narina and Geoffrey. Each one has put in a huge effort, full of energy and ideas, makes my role significantly easier, thank you.
Other thanks go to our event Organisers Norm Thomas, Anne Holland, and team for the wonderful Bayside Art Show.
Final thanks to Geoff Cunningham on Fellowship. Geoff is a born organiser. Think of the magnificent 50th Celebration he ran which was successful in all aspects.
Geoff has bemoaned the fact that the Fellowship finances he inherited were like Mother Hubbard’s cupboard – completely bare, meaning no subsidies have been available for any Fellowship event. Fortunately, this doesn’t stop Geoff, and again he has put in a great effort to make today happen. Thank you Geoff.
Overall, I am reasonably comfortable with the first six months, but very conscious we still have challenges as a Club as we move into 2024.
What is planned?
- The Great Bayside Swim in January, followed by the Brighton Classic Car Show in March. Both wonderful events,
- Colleen d'Offay has her PNG Project up and running - watch this space.
- Jo Kwok is working on a Science and Engineering Challenge for 350 students in addition to her bulging list of her activities.
- An initiative with our First Nations people is in concept stage.
- A meeting at the RAW Garden in South Road
- Decision on a Meeting Venue is also high on the list of priorities.
- And some more Community and Fellowship events.
As for Community initiatives, we are cashed up in our Community account, but funds are hard earned, so we need to ensure we invest wisely in our Community initiatives. I am going to task the Board and our two future Presidents to think long term and possibly identify a major project that the Club can be really proud of. All ideas will be welcome.
But the biggest challenge remains on Membership and that is where we need ongoing Board focus, as without an influx of new members, we will die. Society and volunteering have changed over the years, but our Rotary model hasn’t moved as fast. One of our challenges is to make Rotary relevant to a wider sector of the Community and that ensure that we appeal to different audiences. This may mean we have to challenge our existing Rotary model for new members.
As we continue on this journey, let us remember our true success lies not just in what we achieve but in the enduring impact we make on the lives of our members and the community we serve. Together, let us press forward with purpose and passion, for the best is yet to come.
That’s it, Stephanie and I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year and we both look forward to seeing you all in 2024.
Thank you.
President Arthur Hubbard
