Hawera - in the right mood!

The challenge has been presented to all Clubs to get their 'gang' formed and named as part of the build up to next year's conference in Wairakei.  Hawera is well advanced if their latest Bulletin is anything to go by.

Go Hawera!!

Hawera - growing!

This was received today from RDU in response to President Doug's article for the next edition of the magazine:
Thanks Doug for your delightful attached article & photo of the whole school of 13 children from Mokoia School planting an endangered species on your Rotary Club of Hawera Walkway project, & it is the host plant for the rare Taranaki moth which has the same wing colours of Taranaki Rugby. 

On top of that I received their Bulletin this evening and they are really on to it - more to come.....

What better endorsement for the Dictionaries

This note was  received recently from a grateful school principal:

Dear President Noel

We are delighted to be invited to be recipients of the Waitara Rotary Dictionary Project.
This project fully supports our Literacy learning goals. It also fits in well with our school mission statement that states :
"That our school community will work together to achieve their potential in harmony with each other".
I know our students will respect, value and appreciate receiving a dictionary. Thank you so much.
What a wonderful initiative for the children of Waitara.
In 2011 we anticipate having 16 Year 6 students and 26 Year 5 students.
If there is anything we can do to help with your project please ask.

Yours sincerely

Sharren Read
Principal
Waitara Central School 

Current orders stand at 1,686!!

Let's get 9940 on the map!!!

This is a great initiative by ROSNF (Rotarians on Social Network Fellowship)

Let's, as Bill Boyd has been known to say, "lead the way!"

Put your Club meeting on the international stage.

If you can't do it, let me know and I will get it done for your Club.

At the moment I have added my own Club.

Your Actions Count!

Let's get Bridging Continents - literally!!!

AG's - work with your Cluster Clubs.  Which one can be the first?

Go here to learn more

It is very straight forward.

Here is the map

Go here to learn more about ROSNF

Let's become informed about The Rotary Foundation

I invite you all to open the latest issue of Our Foundation Newsletter and simply clicking on the 'new' 2010 issue.
There is the latest information on the future vision. Now that we are into the pilot phase we all need to be aware of how this new system progresses in order to share best practice and enable all our districts and clubs to be ready to go on July 1st 2013.

International Projects - take your pick!

ProjectLINK is a searchable database that lists Rotary club and district community service projects in need of funding, volunteers, donated goods, and/or partners for a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant, and completed projects that can be used as examples of best practices. For additional project details, contact programs@rotary.org or the local Rotarian or club listed. 

Click on the Internatinal Update link on the side menu bar >>>>>>

Happy children - great project

10 Clubs have put in their order - a total of 828 Dictionaries!!

And this order closes 31 August - still time to contact Joy for your supply.

See the District Directory - page 122 for more details.  Update now = 1686 ordered!!

Joy writes:

"Historically it has been challenging and expensive to get the Dictionaries seamlessly from Auckland (the central warehouse) to Wellington, partly as a result of their sheer weight at 1kg per dictionary. After consultation with them, NZ Couriers have generously offered to transport our bulk order from Auckland to Wellington FREE OF CHARGE, and then to provide sharp pricing for on-delivery out of Wellington. This is a fabulous offer and I will also be letting District Presidents know of this."

Joy Durrant - District Literacy Coordinator



LAST ORDERS FOR 2010 NOW PLEASE!!  Beat the GST price rise and get in with your orders before month end!!!  Only $8 each including GST

Actions Count!

Harbour City - 2 new members

David Howden is presented a fitting momento

Gail Plamus receives her pin

President Vaughan had everything in order for a very well functioning evening.  As well as running a very efficient meeting, there was recognition given to the Club and to David Howden (along with John O'Connell and Gillian Jones) who worked tirelessly to raise funds for a Rotary Ambulance for the Greater Wellington Region.  Two new members were inducted - Gail Plamus and Bindu Jacobs.  President Vaughan emphasised to members the need to make their Actions Count! in his year.  

President Vaughan

Bindu Jacobs receives her pin

Put this date in your Club Calendar

COMMUNITY PROJECT DAY

26-27 FEBRUARY 2011.

Now that you have your feet comfortably under the table - so to speak - can I remind you to put a big circle in your club calendar on the 26th or 27th February next year as the day you activate a Community Project.

•   The idea is to be noticed, involved in your Community and to encourage member participation.
•   Keep it Simple and have fun!

So please now begin to give thought to choosing a project. It could be one you're doing already, it could be as small as a walkway clean up or as large as a local hall restoration.
It could take a couple of hours, or a whole day. Please feel free to bounce any ideas you might have off me, but really anything goes so long as it is on the 26th or 27th February.
Sixty Clubs working on community projects on the same weekend will surely raise our profile in our District as well as help to build our communities.
I will be in touch on a regular basis over the next few months to help with your planning for the event, but in the meantime if you need assistance just email me at: warwick.johnston@clear.net.nz

Thanks for your support 
Warwick

Happy 50th Inglewood

Inglewood Rotary President Brian Jackson holding the RI certificate honoring Inglewood Rotary's 50 years of service, pictured with IPDG David Watt left and DGE Bob Smith at a celebration function on 3 August 2010.

Council on Legislation - a summary

I have had several requests for this information and so I am attaching the official COL conclusion report by the RI Secretary General Ed Futa .  Going through the material gives an insight into the meaning and content of Rotary, besides the thinking and working of those on the ground.

This is the final comprehensive report from the RI headquarters.  All the changes in form of enactments came into effect on the 1st July 2010. The Manual of Procedure for 2010 (applicable then for 3 yeas till the next COL in 2013) will be distributed to Clubs once printed.

Yes it's true!

IPP Rick hands the chain of office
over to President Auke

Jenny and I went to another Changeover this evening - and a great one too.

Wellington Central incoming President Auke was travelling come 1 July and has only just returned.  It was a very understanding IPP Rick who carried on until this evening.

A night of celebration, great food at the James Cook and to top it all a talk from Peter Boshier (Principal Judge of the Family Court) - it was a very thought provoking address.  And then the induction of a new member (Stephen Musaphia) and the awarding of a Paul Harris Fellow to Shirley Martin - widow of the late Allan Martin, a well known retailer and passionate Rotarian.

President Auke with Treasurer Simeon
and Lance

It was also good to see 100% attendance certificates given out to members, along with a Certificate of Appreciation to Lance Webster who has helped set up their room at the James Cook Hotel for many years.  Simeon Copsey also received thanks for his role as Treasurer - along with Frank Blackwell as Secretary.

A late Changeover - but a goodie!!  Wellington Central are on a roll.

Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN)

• Have you passed names to Bill Byford (Taihape) yet?
• Are you asking schools to nominate worthy candidates aged 14-17 years?
• Are you asking friends, teachers, commmunity workers, social workers for names of young children you know would benefit from this experience?
• This expereince changes the lives of those who attend - increased confidence and self worth - and your Club has been key in making this difference!
• This programme Builds Communities in a wonderful way with our 'new generations'.

Applications for this wonderful programme close 3 September.

New Project for your Club?

Why not support another Club and go along to see if there are ideas you can use in your Club.
Wainuiomata Rotary is holding our annual fashion parade again on the 14 September at the Wainuiomata RSA.

So, why not get a group together from your Club to support Wainuiomata?

A great social outing, contributing to the success of a Rotary event as well as input into your own programme development.

So let's break the mould and be innovative.

Good work Wainuiomata!!

All our International students have arrived!

I invite all of our International Youth Exchange Students to write a comment to this Blog advising their name, their host Club, where they are from and their first impressions of living in New Zealand.  It is good that all have arrived - I am also aware of one other arriving from Chile around January as well.  I look forward to meeting you all and having you contribute to our Actions Count Conference in March 2011.

DG Howard

Tanaka is choice for 2012-13 RI President

Sakuji Tanaka, a member of the Rotary Club of Yashio, Saitama, Japan, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in 2012-13. Tanaka will become the president-nominee on 1 October if there are no challenging candidates.
Tanaka said he would like to see Rotary "continue its vital work as the force to improve our communities." More...

Club "friendship" with imagination

The Rotary Club of Hutt Valley is holding a fellowship evening and a film in Dixon Street Wellington on Thursday 2 Sept.

Would you please advertise this event to your members via your club bulletin?

I have attached an information sheet with details of the function.
Strictly limited number of seats so bookings are essential.

A movie and a passion to help others!

President John writes:

Dear Friend,

Attached is a little flier about a movie night we are holding to help orphans in Mt Hagen PNG. The son of one of our members, Alan Pumphrey; also from Eastbourne; came across the orphanage some weeks back when his plane was being serviced and said the kids were in a real state and had so little it would make you cry.

Since then we have flown in books and others much needed clothing to them and we we just received a photo of the kids in their new threads and waving the books above their heads (see attached).

We now want to ship a few container loads to them and other kids in the same predicament. We are doing this with your help and help from other Rotary Clubs in the Hutt.

You can help by buying a ticket to the movie 'Predicament' which promises to be a great laugh.

The kids at Aunt Rosa's orphanage don't have much. They are short on clothing, bedding, beds, wheelchairs, medical supplies and simple things like toothbrushes etc. The books are going to be the key to helping them out of their predicament. To do this we are also collecting 'early learning reading books'. Maybe you could also bring one or two unneeded books along. 

 

Movie: 'Predicament'

Time: 6.00pm for 6.30pm

Date: Wednesday 25 August

Place: The Light House Cinema, 52 Beach St, Petone

The movie stars 'Flight of the Concords' star Jermaine Clement. Tickets are $25. Nibbles will be available and there will be drinks available from bar as well as a wine taster of 2009 Sauvignon Blanc from Martinborough House. Proceeds from wine orders will go to the Orphans and also to Rotary Foundation for work fighting Polio and the likes.

An auction will be held for a Allan G. Collins large watercolour of Pencarrow heads.

Donations can also be made to our Trust account for Rotary Club of Pencarrow: 38-9002-0912813-01

Kind regards

John Stevenson, JP (contact John for tickets - see Directory for details)

President Rotary Club of Pencarrow

RYLA - a top leadership programme!

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award programme consists of a five day experience for young people, between the ages of 18 and 24 inclusive, who have demonstrated potential as leaders in their communities or the workplace. The objective is to develop the candidates’ leadership and personal skills.
Rotary clubs have the opportunity to canvas their communities for young people with leadership potential. Participants may be in employment (from trades and professions), undertaking study, competitive sport, receipt of community awards or similar.

The RYLA award programme aims to recognise, encourage and educate future leaders by offering them an intensive leadership training experience. RYLA demonstrates Rotary’s commitment to developing future leaders, by encouraging them to be the best they can be.
RYLA 2011 will be run from 26-30 January 2011, and is to be hosted by the Rotary Club of Plimmerton.

Key Date:
Closing date for applications to clubs:
17 September 2010
Closing date for club nominations to RYLA Committee:
16 October 2010

For more details

Local Body Elections - Clubs become informed

RC of Tawa's Editor’s thoughts for the week :

Last week we learnt about some of the important issues that occupy the minds of our Mayor and other local government Councillors at both a strategic, regional and local level. We vest our delegation to manage such matters on our behalf, to our elected representatives, every three years at the local government elections. But it is surprising isn’t it, that only around 30% of eligible New Zealanders’ actually bother to vote in these elections.

Don’t forget your postal vote for your community representatives : 17 Sept – 9 Oct.

Pakistan - Shelter Box response

A video update - click here

As reported in the RC of Otaki Bulletin:

Each ShelterBox disaster relief tent can house an extend family of up to ten people. The tents undergo rigorous testing in wind and rain tunnels and can withstand extremes of high and low temperatures.

ShelterBox’s partners in Pakistan, the NRSP (National Rural Support Programme), delivered the aid to families who have been rescued from Pakistan’s worst floods in living memory.

The tents were pre-positioned in Pakistan by ShelterBox Field Operations Advisor, Mark Pearson, a month ago on NRSP’s advice.

‘We knew a particularly bad monsoon season was going to hit,’ said Mark. ‘We were operating in response to Cyclone Phet and the flooding in the Hunza Valley and it made sense to keep boxes on standby in readiness for any potential flooding.

‘I worked closely with NRSP and trained them on the best way to distribute our kit. They’ve been fantastic in getting aid to families most in need immediately after the floods hit.’

Incredible support ShelterBox Head of Operations, John Leach, added: ‘We’ve been working in Pakistan since early June and monitoring the situation in the Hunza Valley since the landslide happened there in January.

‘We’ve worked with NRSP since the Kashmir earthquake in 2005 and it’s because of this partnership that we’ve been able to deliver aid to survivors of the floods so quickly. A distribution of this scale and magnitude wouldn’t have been possible without their efforts and the efforts of our supporters around the world.

‘It’s vital we’re always ready for the next disaster and our supporters have been magnificent this year. As we’ve seen with the floods in Pakistan, we don’t know when the next disaster will hit. To stay ready, we need your help, however great or small that may be.’

Since 2005, ShelterBox has worked in Pakistan in response to earthquakes, conflict, flooding, cyclones and landslides.

For more Shelter Box information go here

New ideas = new energy = new members

It is always heartening to see Clubs with new ideas and posting these on my Blog will hopeful inspire other Clubs as they look forward to innovative approaches to fund raising.

This one from the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley has a nice twist in that the winning team get to select the charity their $1,000 prize is awarded to - well done for thinking outside of the box!

ERKs - and Service Above Self - thanks Dave

PDG Stuart Batty (RNZWCS) emailed me today stating:

"Dave (Wilson) is doing an exemplary piece of Rotary Service promoting ERK’s in 9940. To date $10,200 has been received this Rotary year from 9940 clubs.

I have arranged to fly him down to Chch on 15th September to assist the team here pack 100 boxes."

Well done Dave as you continue to support the Clubs in our District with this wonderful programme.

New RI Weekly Update posted

Click the link on the right hand side.

Also NEWS FLASH - Polio $200 Million Challenge has now reached $141.2 Million

Our Public Image - are we bold enough?

Put your Club on the map - literally!

Rotary Club and Rotaract Club World Google Map
You are invited to checkout this new and rapidly growing Google map of Rotary Clubs and Rotaract Clubs around the world. You can help by adding your own club if you have a Google ID. This pilot project is being supported by ROSNF Fellowship members, and you are welcome to volunteer if you are interested. 

The map link is below:

Rotary Club and Rotaract Club World Google Map - Google Maps

Power of ONE and BOLDER!

The Clubs in the northern part of Wairarapa have pulled together and made a huge impact in the local media

The ideas was to combine resources, obtained sponsorship from Rotarian business members as well as local businesses and promote Rotary in their local paper.

Take a look!  Well done Dannevirke, Pahiatua and Woodville!

Not only was there the two page spread, but there was front page coverage in the "Bush Telegraph".

Let's follow their lead and become BOLDER in our community.

New Members - a proven approach

August is Membership month

5 for 1

In the Presidential citation it refers to the 'Five for One' programme.

For an explanation of a proven method to increase member numbers in your Club please refer to this summary.

Remember - many in your community would join your Club if they knew what you did and was ASKED.

Cowboy logic says - "If you keep doing the same thing you'll end up in the same place!!"

Well done Dannevirke

Reported in their recent Bulletin!

"President Chris acknowledged the support of the Pahiatua Club and Robin Whiteman for joining forces with Dannevirke to promote Rotary as an organisation worth being a member of in the recent advertising in Bush Telegraph. Also for bringing with him a number of Pahiatua Rotarians and their visitors.

As August is membership month Dannevirke invited Rodney Wong, a former DG, to speak on membership and Rotary in general.

Why Me :
Rodney joined Rotary in 1994 and he went on to explain to those present various ideas regarding Rotary and reasons that he feels it is important to belong to a Rotary Club.
Being a member of Rotary can be quite emotional at times regarding some of the work members carry out to help their community. Two examples of work done recently in his area were when the German Tourist was murdered in Hawera, Rodney was the DG at the time and Rotarians rallied around to raise money and bring her parents out to NZ, help prepare the press conference, work with Police, arrange accommodation etc, all in a voluntary capacity.
A second example was last year when the special Olympics were held in Palmerston, they needed 500 volunteers for the event and through Rotary gained 900 volunteers. 2000 athletes and supporters came into the Manawatu and Rotary was very much a part of the event.
Rodney said when you become involved in events such as these you find surprises within yourself really.

Why You:
He mentioned some of the programmes that Rotary is involved in e.g. RYLA, Business week, Rotary Foundation. Cure Kids and Plunket were originally started by Rotary some years ago.
Emergency Response Boxes developed to help people in need get through the 1st Week after a disaster. Shelter Box where a large tent can accommodate up to 10 people for up to 6 months and all the equipment that goes with it. Polio Plus 99% wiped out just a few countries that need further work.
There is a huge amount of Anti Social behaviour around the world and we have an obligation to try and change that, and with many of the programmes Rotary is involved in to assist this aim there needs to be people to help.

Why Now:
The membership of Rotary is declining for many reasons over New Zealand which we all need to address. Every club chooses what it does - how much goes into NZ and how much goes to Rotary International and Rotary Foundation"

Handy resources

Another way, this Membership Month, to promote membership, is by promoting details of what Rotary is.  Go here or here

Trio Boyarsky

Melissa Moon accepts her
Senior Honorary Membership

Konstantin Boyarsky, DG Howard, Ben Baker
and Amelia Jakobsson-Boyarsky

The RC of Port Nicholson hosted the Trio Boyarsky as they travelled through Wellington for the South Island.  The Club was treated to a world premier of an original piece of Tango flavour - absolutely stunning and was received with a standing ovation.  Following the performance I had the honour of not only presenting Ben Baker with a Senior Honorary Membership to the Club, but also to Melissa Moon who is about to run up the tallest buildings in a circuit that goes round the world.  She is not only Building Continents, but running across them.  Both Ben and Melissa are wonderful Ambassadors for Rotary, demonstrating excellence of performance (in music and sport) where dedication and focus pays huge dividends.  And for those in Wellington, the Trio Boyarsky performs in the Old St Pauls on Friday 20 August at 5:30pm ($35 adults/$35 seniors) - tickets through Ticketek 04 842538). Go here for more details.

Thanks for your support

I am pleased to report that this Blog is being viewed by people from around the world.

Can  ask all who read this to:

• Complete the Membership Survey on the Right Hand Side
• Consider being a DG Blog follower - again by clicking on the appropriate Right Hand Side section
• Send me articles/photos for me to post

Thanks for your interest and spread the link so oithers can pick up on the activity in District 9940.

Regards, Howard

Funky Rotary - a new description and why not!

Advertisements such as this are appearing in a local Wellington paper each month - advertising how Rotary is active in the community.  It is a paid ad, funded by local Rotary Clubs over a twelve month period.  Thanks to PR District Chair John Bishop and his team - other ads are found here

Australia-New Zealand Matched Student Exchange diary entry

Sarah with her Australian 'twin' Maddie

A great programme - check the Directory page 98 for more details on this great programme.

Application forms for this are due 31 August.  Contact Christine for more details

Click for a larger view

Emergency Response in the Pacific

Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) celebrates its 25th Anniversary in October 2010.
Disasters – whatever the cause – often results in huge numbers of people in need of basic items of house wares, clothing, tools, toiletries, medical, sanitary and miscellaneous items. The initial challenge is to get humanitarian aid to those displaced immediately.
Emergency Response Kits provide immediate relief to victims of natural and other disasters. The length of time a community takes to recover varies enormously, but would be further impaired but for the distribution of this practical support by Rotary at the time of most need.
The beneficiaries of Emergency Response Kits are the people of Oceania/South Pacific including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Cook Island etc, affected by cyclones and other natural disasters.
New Zealand Rotary Clubs and Rotarians for the past 30 years have been providing Emergency Response Kits in a timely manner.
Changing weather pattern forecasts support the need for this project to be maintained and enlarged.
To mark our 25 years of activity, Rotary New Zealand is making this project a number one priority to ensure we have sufficient stocks for our Pacific Neighbours when the need arises.
For additional details, download a brochure from www.erk.rotarysouthpacific.org
Details for making payments are on the back of the brochure and for individuals is tax deductible.
Rotary New Zealand acknowledges the financial support from the New Zealand Government (NZAP).

Actions Count at Foxton

Jenny shows the remains of ties
somewhat shortened

 

 

 

 

 

Neville and President Charlie

AG Deb receives her Centurion Certificate and pin

Foxton has much planned for the coming year.  Here is a Club that has a real focus on their programme and attracting members to join their Club.  They have a fine track record and their project activity is most impressive.  AG Deb and President Charlie looked after Jenny and me very well.  My talk was somewhat cut (but not cut short) by a graphic demonstration of how Actions Count!!  - especially if you apply a pair of scissors to a select tie (or two).  Certainly a night to remember.

Bigger, Bolder and Better at Makino

DG Howard sharing a meal with Ilan (IYE student),
President Ian and Monica

The Makino visit was a great event.  Meeting up before the meeting with AG Stuart and then President Ian in local coffee shops - then on to the meeting.  It was a lively affair with mysteriously wrapped bottles provided by members being auctioned off and the proceeds going to the DG's charity of choice.  This was $500 - and going to The Rotary Foundation.  Well done Makino.  They have plans for more work with the young people in the community, with a real focus in exploring ways to better utilise the media in promoting the good work they do in the community.  Here is another Club in our District being BOLDER, with BIGGER plans and using BETTER practices to achieve results.  Go Makino!!  Good also to share my meal (just look at the size of the meal!!) sitting next to recently arrived IYE student from France Ilan.  A great evening - and then a quick ride home to Wellington.

2 updates from Rotary International

For your Community Director

For your Vocational Director

Remember October is Vocational Service month

Shelter Box News

Currently there are 1900 ShelterBoxes in Pakistan, which were pre-positioned there about a month ago.  More....   

Kiwi SRT Lyndon Tamblyn, from Bulls, is in Brazil delivering boxes after the floods there.

More .... 

A nice story from Haiti where Kiwi SRT, Arnold Kelly, who has been there twice in recently months helping deliver our boxes, met Lisa Carnie, a volunteer physiotherapist from Timaru. More ....