Thanks to Jenny

Just a quick note to say how wonderful and valuable partners are as we volunteer our time to "things Rotary"!  In my case Jenny has been my strength.  Late nights, early mornings, sorting emails, visiting Clubs, writing reports, meeting members - and with Jenny always supporting and being ever-so-patient!!  I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful partner who has supported me so well.  She reminds me every so often of the session she attended at International Assembly with our partners - it was entitled "How to keep your honey humble".  She certainly has done that.

Can Generation Y Change the world?

Our recent conference devoted time to try to appreciate the differences and to understand how to connect to the Gen X and Gen Y age groups.

I was touched by this poem ‘Lost Generation’ by Jonathan Reed.  It speaks of the negative, cynical viewpoint of a Gen Y individual, yet on reaching the end – and you have to follow the instructions – a message of positivity and a statement of intent shines through. 

Lost Generation, by Jonathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation

and I refuse to believe

I can change the world

I realise this may be a shock but

“happiness comes from within”

is a lie, and

“money will make you happy”

So in 30 years I will tell my children

they are not the most important thing in my life.

My employer will know that

I have my priorities straight because

work

is more important than

family

I tell you this

Once upon a time

families stayed together

but this will not be true in my era

this is a quick fix society

Experts tell me

30 years from now I will be celebrating my 11th anniversary of my divorce

I do not concede that

I will live in a country of my own making

In the future

environmental destruction will be the norm

No longer can it be said that

my peers and I care about this earth

It will be evident that

my generation is apathetic and lethargic

It is foolish to presume that

there is hope

and

all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

NOW READ THIS POEM LINE BY LINE, FROM THE BOTTOM UP…

(Thanks President John - Pencarrow - for passing this on)

Are our Clubs "relevant" in our Society?

I hope you are part of the LinkedIn social networking site.  They have tremendous online discussion forums.

Here is an excerpt from one:

The start of the discussion asks:

Rotary's future: Are we withering on the vine, or looking to re-bloom?

About a month ago I read a message stream about how Rotary is a shrinking organization for a variety of good reasons. One of the things my club has struggled with is to find ways to be relevant and attractive to younger candidates. We are a 100 year old organization in the heart of downtown Dallas, and often find ourselves silted-in to "the way we have always done things." I have to believe it is possible to be traditional AND relevant. The challenge is to get those in charge to embrace change. If anyone has any specific suggestions on how to make that happen I would be most appreciative.

Part of one response has been:

At a recent Rotaract meeting in Wellington

An aging club (We all are aging) with great core elements needed some up front system. That is done. The outreach to the younger business population in the community is an ongoing effort now. We have a civic mentoring program, but it is not tied to membership, which is a loss of opportunity. Our PR is outstanding for club exposure, but could improve for message for membership goals. Our social programming (Fellowship) is very good and comfortable for the older membership, but needs thought and strategy for younger members to be targeted well. Interact and International Youth Exchange efforts are solid, but I do not think the effort necessarily translates fully effectively in to putting the firm seed of membership in young participant's minds.
A very interesting article and discussion on this can be found on the Rotary International web site at:
http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/110120_IA_ischkin.aspx

I guess that a key question we all need to ask is "What is traditional"? What does that mean? Is it to be a very effective engine of service in the community and fellowship of business and community leaders? Or is traditional to be a weekly coffee club where old friends enjoy time together and change is viewed as a threat to Rotary's traditions?
Schools increasingly have requirements for community service. Younger workers EXPECT companies to be part of their communities more and more, and to offer volunteer opportunities to their work force. That is clear. This cultural shift is a great opportunity for Rotary to remain vibrant. But, I do not think Rotary can do that without evolving to stay relevant with the next generation of leader. If we do not market to that audience, that audience will find other things to do.

Last day for Presidential Citations

Thanks to all those Clubs who have submitted theirs.  We will be awarding these at District Changeover on 19 June - boy, doesn't time fly!! 

Assembly is going to be valuable!

Sunday - 17 April - Palmerston North

Programme here

Start pulling together your team to attend
District Assembly NOW!

This year at District Assembly we have 2 special sessions on Fund Raising and Charitable Trusts:  

Fund Raising 101 – Fishing for Funds

Every year we hear Clubs say that they struggle to find the funds that they need to support their communities. There are Clubs and many other organizations which seem to raise money relatively easily – what is their secret? What do they do that others don’t?

Fundraising 101 – fishing for funds will explore strategies and approaches that could help your Club refresh its fundraising efforts and who knows – perhaps there is an idea amongst all of us that could spawn a major fundraising?

Come and share – I guarantee you will take away a new idea!

This year at District Assembly we also have a special session on Charitable Trusts/Tax obligations

Most Clubs have formed a charitable trust. That was the easy part – now there are requirements that need to be followed if Rotary is to avoid the embarrassment of having your Club’s Charitable Trust being struck off by the Charities Commission because it missed filing its annual return, used the Trust for purposes outside its constitution, had trustees did not fulfill their obligations or the Club has been found to have used the Trust for Club activities?

That is the Trust what about the Club? I am sure that you will be aware that Clubs are now tax payers and are required to file a tax return each year?

It is CRITICAL THAT CLUBS ENSURE THAT ITS OFFICERS and TRUSTEES are fully informed and prepared with the information that they require before taking on their 2011/12 roles.

Come hear from people who can help you with advice, guidance and support!

The Taupo Big Lake Band was a great hit!

A perfect setting

Such wonderful MC's

I love the saxophone!!

And everyone danced the night away!

The 'Touchables' are winners - Rangitikei

'The Touchables' were a lively gang - full of laughter and
some members looking remarkably masculine
but with feminine names!
And Bill Byford took the 'friendliest Club' shield home to Taihape!

Club contributions for Taveuni Ambulance

I am sure every Club can afford to contribute something towards this very worthwhile project.

See links for further details:

A simple question - a great project!

Excitement builds over "Taveuni Ambulance" project

And here she is .....

At District Conference DG Peter Signal (9930) presented our District with $5,625 towards this great project.

To contribute please deposit funds here:

The Rotary Club of Petone Trust Bank Account for depositing funds for the ambulance for Taveuni is:

020500-0959189-004
Please state your Club when making the deposit.  

The power of our combined Actions will save lives!

Clubs gather at Taupo

Members from various Taranaki Clubs gather on the lawn prior
to the opening powhiri on Friday

Shelter Box update - Japan

Mike Cahill MBE | Director, ShelterBox New Zealand Charitable Trust writes:

I have just been informed that one of our Kiwi SRT's, Lyndon Tambyln (a Rotarian from Bulls) is to be deployed to Japan.
He leaves tommorrow, Tuesday 29th March, to join up with other international SRT's in an aid convoy leaving Tokyo on Wednesday to make the long trip north.
When he can, he will keep me updated on his work and I will of course pass this on to you.
Our best wishes to him and his family for his safe and speedy return.
Regards
Mike

Lyndon's background:
He was one of our original 4 kiwi’s selected and trained in Helston UK in 2009
Has been on 7 ShelterBox Deployments to the Phillipines (2), Indonesia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Fiji, and has recently helped in Christchurch.
He represents SBI (Shelterbox international) and SBNZ on the NDRF (NGO Disaster Relief Forum) a organization of NZ based NGOs.
He is a Paul Harris Rotarian, Past President of the Rotary Club of Bulls and now enjoys being a member of the Rotary Club of Marton 9940.
He is married to Birgit (a Rotary exchange student from Denmark..several years ago !) and they have one daughter.

Mike Cahill MBE | Director, ShelterBox New Zealand Charitable Trust
* PO Box 15512 | Dinsdale | Hamilton 3243 | New Zealand
( +64 7 858 4445| 7 07 858 4445 | : mail@m-cahill.com
Website: www.shelterbox.org.nz
Donations: www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/shelterbox
... Shelterbox is an international disaster relief charity providing emergency shelter and life-saving supplies to families around the world affected by disaster.

More news here....

A step towards world peace.

Today we join together at the District Conference and centre stage on a number of occasions will be our Scholars - both those who are about to leave New Zealand and also those who have come to our country to study.

District 9940 has a proud history in recent tears with 5 Peace Scholars being accepted to train over seas.

The latest update from RI reads:

Rotary Peace Fellow Alumni with Desmond Tutu at the
last Rotary Peace Symposium

All over the world, Rotarians are the key to finding the next generation of peace leaders. From Egypt to England to Ethiopia, this month Rotarians are busy looking for applicants for the Rotary Peace Fellowship and the future peacekeepers of the world.

However, there are still some corners of the world that do not have a Rotary presence. These areas are often the ones most in need of peace leaders. 

Read more...

Response to Japan's needs

The Rotaract Club of Tokyo is
encouraging Rotaractors around
the world to post messages
of support on Twitter for
survivors of the Japanese earthquake
and tsunami.
Photo courtesy of Rotaract Club of Tokyo

Rotarians respond to Japan earthquake, tsunami
Rotarians and alumni find creative ways to raise money for relief efforts.

Actions Count at Taupo!

 Well the Conference has ended and the numerous delegates are now on their way home.  The schedule was fairly busy and hence the lack of postings this weekend!  But the report on Conference will start coming through from member and there was certainly a keen reception to9 our wonderful speakers.  The theme was Actions Count!  From the opening night when Michael McQueen spoke of the generational issues of connecting and communication effectively with Gen X and Gen Y to the final speaker Jo Randerson who really summed up the need to change and accept the pain and the challenge of improving our Clubs.  Sir Ray was entertaining and challenging as he caused us to open our eyes and observe what is happening in our various Clubs and encouraging us all to focus on better practice and to be inventive in our approach.  Neville Jordan flew in to speak to delegates giving a message of how Rotary was instrumental changing the direction his life took when on a Group Study Exchange. in the United States.  Paul Soong reminded us of how little we really understand the power of social media but that it is inevitable that we adopt this changing was we connect.  Input from our Foundation Scholars reminded us of the value we receive from the contributions we make to our charity.  It was so good to have Ian and Juliet Riseley return as our RI President Representative.  He reminded us of the changes initiated by RI to ensure we continue as an effective world wide service organisation.  DG Rep DG Margaret spoke of the valued support being given to her District during the difficult days following the Pike River and Christchurch earthquake.

It was great to have the International Youth Exchange students remind us of the importance of this programme which increases the understanding between cultures.  

The Speakesy theme was well demonstrated last night as everyone assumed their various characters and everyone enjoyed the 1920's theme and danced the night away to the Taupo Big Lake Big Band.  The Blind Pig Bar on Friday night now seems a long time ago!!  But what a most fitting way to mix and mingle with friends and new friends.

Thanks to all those who attended - we will see you all and more at District Conference next year at Wanganui!!

We are here!!

Yes - a lovely drive up the island and we are now here at Wairakei.  A meal with a large group of 15 past District Governors and partners and joined by DGE Juliet Riseley.  Ian is still travelling here from the States.

I wish all safe travel as you converge on Wairakei.  The family of Rotary is very evident as we share friendly banter and laughs!!

Feeling chuffed about being a Rotarian.!

Just letting you know that 'RAYS' (Rotary Apia Academic Youth Scholarship) project is now underway and the four recipients (picture in attached media article) who come from a disadvantaged background are soon to attend their first day at the National University of Samoa where they will begin to realise their dreams.

All four have very high academic potential and the impact of each achieving higher will be passed on to many in their families and villages. Thanks to Rotary - they will now be able to escape a future that had very little hope.

Click on the photo for more details

Sustainability:

A condition of the scholarship is each student must receive continually high grades and also reapply for their scholarship each year - so think we now tick the box for sustainability. If they don't achieve the grades - then the scholarship will there for some other young person to apply for. NUS run the scholarships with strong representation from RC Apia.

These four young people have big dreams and have attached a word file with a bit more history on them all for your info.

Clubs at this stage are committed to continued support and are looking now at submitting this as a Future Vision Project and Pencarrow will be applying before end of July.

We are very appreciative of the support we received from the two other local clubs and advice from district officers.

It's times like this that you feel really chuffed about being a Rotarian.

Help continues to flow in for Christchurch

PDG Stuart Batty (RNZWCS) writes:

Thank you to you and your teams for the very large response to the data base.

The take up to date has not been overwhelming, but I consider we will have requests coming in for a long period ahead.

Most people we have assisted don’t want to leave the South Island and we have directed a number to points south of and including Waimate/Oamaru.

We have two families going to Canberra who have been offered all expenses paid holidays.

There seems to be a number of scenarios coming out of all of this:

People are staying where they are (regardless of the damage surrounding them) and don’t want to leave Chch even for a short period.

People have left Chch permanently or intend leaving permanently – that is a concern for some employers. Some estimates are that Christchurch’s population could decline by as much as 10%.

People want to get out short term, but are hesitant about going right now (too many issues to be attended to and concern about their children’s schooling) – most don’t want to leave South Island.

People are facing 2 or 3 years or more for homes to be fixed – can’t find suitable alternatives in Chch and will move to other centres in the meantime.

Thanks to  all who have offered and please let them know they are on the data base. Their availability will be reconfirmed before any specific arrangements are considered.

I am endeavouring to interview each family before making arrangements.

Kevin Stratton has been collecting and send down the offers from our District 9940 - thanks everyone for your generosity.