Presidential Citation - Wanganui North a dead sitter!

President Roger in full flight!

An opportunity to meet friends

Brian Smith - a true Rotarian

 As we travel from Club to Club we never fail to be impressed with the innovative ways they are building their communities and bridging continents.  Wanganui North is no exception!  A Club with a proud history, showing energy, involvement of members and ideas a-plenty.  It was nice to provide Brian Smith with his Paul Harris medallion, the present the immediate Past President Garth Barlow with a bound copy of his year's Club Bulletins and to also taste their delicious chocolate dessert!!  Here is a Club using Trade Me to conduct their former garage sales, a club that holds an Asian/Pacifica food festival raising over $10,000 for a Sim Baby project, a club that collaborates with other Clubs in the community, a Club looking at new projects and refining the current, a Club that is becoming bolder in promoting the image of a group that cares and gives to the community.  It made me once again so proud to lead such a wonderful District of dedicated men and women. 

Christchurch Earthquake - a report from RNZWCS

Rotarians planning the
day's activities

See the latest report from Christchurch with comments from DG Margaret Reeve of 9970.

Read here...

Christchurch Earthquake - a Club Challenge

President Pierre Erasmus writes:

President Pierre at recent Club visit

"Wainuiomata Rotary club has managed to raise $ 500.00 or $22.72 per member at last night's club meeting for the earthquake in Christchurch.
We would like to challenge all clubs in the District 9940 to see if they can do the same.
Can you please put the challenge out there."

What can we do as a District for our neighbours?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stuart Batty writes:

Fellows,
I have been receiving calls from clubs wishing to donate by cheque.
Please advise your clubs that cheques should be made payable to:

RNZWCS Limited – Christchurch Earthquake
PO Box 20309
Christchurch 8543
New Zealand

Donations from individuals are tax deductible

Another option is through internet banking:

• Payments to RNZWCS Ltd (Rotary New Zealand) – Christchurch Earthquake
• Direct credit to Westpac Bank Corporation – Wellington, New Zealand:
• Account Name: RNZWCS Limited
• Account Number: 03 1702 0192208 02
• Swift Code: WPACNZ2W (for overseas deposits)

The aftershocks are continuing with greater frequency and intensity this morning.

PDG Stuart J Batty JP

Christchurch Earthquake - personal account

From the Rotary Club of Palmerston North Bulletin this week:

More aftershocks reported this
morning [www.stuff.co.nz]

John Freebairn: a personal account of the Christchurch earthquake as they were staying on the 7th floor of a hotel. John stated that he had never been more scared and was glad they were booked in to a modern hotel. John’s initial impressions, particularly from the walk he took and photos he has were that it was the older
brick building that suffered the most, sewer systems were ‘stuffed’, but that emergency services had implemented plans well and that most residents were relatively calm, and showing some good will to fellow victims. He also noted that many overseas visitors had elected to quickly depart for home.

This graphic shows key impact areas in Christchurch

OPPORTUNITY TO MEET GABI HOLLOWS

On Friday 17 September, Gabi Hollows, wife of the late Professor Hollows, will be visiting the Wellington region on behalf of the Fred Hollows Foundation NZ. Gabi is not able to visit New Zealand as often as the Foundation would like, so this would be wonderful opportunity for her to meet with the Wellington members of the Rotary Clubs of District 9940.

New Rotarians may not be aware of the special relationship which exists between The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ and the New Zealand Rotary movement. The Rotarians Down Under Partnership embraces the shared commitment to develop eye care services to bring the miracle of sight to thousands of blind people across the Pacific. Rotary International recognized the immense contribution made by Fred Hollows by naming him a Paul Harris Fellow and posthumously awarding the Rotary Award for World Understanding.

The Rotary Club of Courtney Place has offered to host Gabi at their lunch meeting on Friday 17 September and would like to extend a warm invitation to other Rotarians to attend. Numbers are very limited so bookings are essential. The cost of the lunch is $20.

Please reply no later than Tuesday September 14 to Terry O’Connor on terence.oconnor@mcdouallstuart.co.nz  Bookings are essential. 

Wanganui South - projects followed by projects!!

AG Judith well involved

Here is a Club that impressed me so much with it's programme of projects.  They are so occupied with doing good in the community. 

• September - collecting for Arthritis Appeal/displaying the Shelter Box and ERK in an empty shop space
• October - Food Bank drive with Wanganui Collegiate collaboration
• November - crowd control at eh annual Christmas parade
• December - Christmas parcels - dinners for needy people
• January - Bushy Park festival
• February - manning a tent-bar as part of the Master's Games
• March - Motor Show (alternative years)



President Tony

• April - ANZAC/Poppy collection

 

A project update

And then there is their Pride of Workmanship programme, the projects they share with the other Clubs in their Cluster, a planting project, preparing for their 50th (chartered in 1963), sending young people to RYPEN and the Science forum along with ordering Dictionaries for the local school.

And another project update

Here is a Club with vibrancy and involvement - this should be sufficient to attract the new members they are seeking. 

Plus 5 Honarary Memberships were awarded tonight when Jenny and I visited the Club..

A Club becoming bigger, better and bolder by the month! 

Join the party - World Cup fever begins!

View this article recently published by RDU (Rotary Down Under) that promotes NZ Rotarians opening their homes for fellow Rotarians - do join us for a great time in 2011!

Register now!!!

Wellington Mayoral Candidates Debate

COME AND HEAR WHAT THE WELLINGTON MAYORAL CANDIDATES HAVE TO SAY AT AN EVENING ORGANISED BY
THE ROTARY CLUB OF HARBOUR CITY WELLINGTON

CANDIDATES ARE:

AL MANSELL

BERNARD O’SHAUGHNESSY

BRYAN PEPPERELL

KERRY PRENDERGAST

CELIA WADE-BROWN

JACK YAN

WHERE: DUXTON 3, DUXTON HOTEL

WAKEFIELD STREET

WHEN: WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER

TIME: 7.45PM FOR 8.00PM START

YOU MAY LIKE TO CONSIDER

ATTENDING THE ROTARY MEETING

PRIOR AT 6PM AND JOINING THE CLUB

FOR DINNER ($29.00)

RSVP BY FRIDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER TO:

Katrina Banks email: banks@xtra.co.nz

(Mob) 027 4796084

OR

Edwina Cormack email: cormackz@paradise.net.nz

(Mob) 0211804212

Time out in Wanganui

Michael & Susanna Norris, DG Howard,
Tony & Beverly Walker

A far more attractive group!

Wanganui South making its mark
in 1971.

A well formed display

A light lunch next to a warm fire with President Tony, incoming President Michael and their wives, a good long chat and a chance to just enjoy good, old-fashioned friendship.



Then off to the local art gallery and museum - where we happened to see the attached sign and display. Wanganui and Rotary go hand in hand. The four Clubs in the city have certainly made their actions count in more ways than one.

News report - Mayor Bob Parker of Christchurch

Christchurch Earthquake - Shelter Box Update

This has just been broadcast to District Governors in New Zealand:

This note comes to let you know that ShelterBox is 'on the case' re the situation in Christchurch. Arnold Kelly, one of our ShelterBox Response Team members (SRT), happened to be in Christchurch last Friday night staying in the centre of town. Arnold spent all saturday, and again yesterday, in the city and environs, in contact with people from the Mayor through to Civil Defence, Welfare and others, offering our assistance if it is required.
As of last night there was no request for tents, but that may change if people decide that they would prefer to be on the own section near their ruined property rather than staying in one of the 'official shelters'--ie Addington Raceway-- a very understandable feeling.
Arnold will be back in Christchurch on Friday to check things out further. He is our most experienced 'earthquake man' having spent 2 months assisting in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake.
Incidentally, ShelterBox HQ in the UK was in touch within 20 minutes of the first main quake on saturday morning offering assistance if required.
If there are any major developments from a ShelterBox point of view, we will keep you informed.

Kind regards
Graham Beach
Trustee/co-ordinator
ShelterBox New Zealand Charitable Trust
info@shelterbox.org.nz

RNZWCS - September 2010 Newsletter

Here is the latest RNZWCS News Update - full of interesting articles, photos and updates.

Make sure you spread this out to your Club members and also remember to request someone from Martin Garcia's team come and address your Club.

There is an interesting article on the discussion held at the recent World Community Service (WCS) meeting on 'disaster aid' - it states:

"A key matter discussed was RI’s views on Rotary’s role in disaster relief versus its longer term goals. President
Ray confirmed what has been the accepted view over many years and, to use his words, “Rotary is not a first responder” when it comes to natural disasters.........."

Also note:

Christchurch Earthquake funds - details of address to send cheques and the bank account details are to be found here ...

All Clubs (here and overseas) are encouraged to send money to RNZWCS to assist a community shocked by the recent spate of earthquakes.

On the road with RYDA in 9940!

It is great to see three of our clubs in the Horowhenua / Kapiti area, (Foxton, Levin and Otaki) working together to bring Rotary's RYDA program to our District for the first time this year. It originally started in Australia and was launched in NZ March 2007.
On the 20th/21st of October in Levin, 440 College students will attend a Youth Driver Awareness program for 15-16 year olds. (year 11 students).


It is a program to help educate young people about road safety as they approach the period in their life when they start driving a car and ride as passenger in a car driven by one of their peers.
It is a one day event held away from school. They involve the local safety experts, driving instructors, the Police, recovering survivors of road crashes, drug and alcohol educators and Budgeting advice. We have the CEO of RYDA Tony Culliney coming from Auckland and he is speaking at the combined Rotary Clubs meeting on the Wednesday evening 20th October in Levin.   Any interested Rotarian's are more than welcome to attend. You can contact Deb Gimblett at deb.gimblett@gmail.com or 06 363 7080 day time or 06 3637182 evenings
Students attend six sessions during the day with their year group. Teachers attend each session with their students and a Rotarian goes with each group.
There is follow up with competitions and chances to win prizes from supporting companies such as Domino's Pizza and Vodafone.
This program is a great way for Rotary clubs to build on their relationships with the Youth in their communities as well as their wider community.
We are lucky to hear the local owners of the Levin and Otaki Subway sponsoring the food for the presenters and the Rotarian helpers on both days. 
Visit the RYDA web site here...

PR Resources to your Club's 'door'

All Clubs should have recently received the 2010-2011 Public Relations Kit.

It has four parts:

1) Using the kit,
2) Doing PR,
3) Resources for PR, and
4) RI Resources. Contents

This is a great resource that every Club should put to good use.  Add comments to this Blog posting on how you intend to use it.

Wanganui - an old Club with a new vision

President Sharon and I spot Jenny
with camera at the ready

What another great visit.  Following a very quick meeting with the Board we had a very full lunch-time meeting with the Rotary Club of Wanganui.  A Club chartered in 1924, Wanganui has a fine history.  President Sharon reported on the fact that a recent Club Visioning exercise has left the Club with some exciting future prospects.  A revitalisation of the Club's programme has the Club looking at new ways to serve the community.  Here is a Club with the highest number of Centurion members (18) and with a very generous spirit.  When I was having lunch a member came up, having heard about the Personal Emergency Pack, and order 16 straight off!  It was great to have not only PDG Duncan McKee and PDG Stuart Frame in the meeting, but also DGE Bob and Margaret - in fact this is Bob's Club and I am sure they will be as supportive in his year as my Club is being with me and Jenny. It was so good to get a photo with PDG Stuart who told me he has just recoved from a knee operation and is ready to get back out on the golf course!!

PDG Stuart Frame holding
the Taupiripiri

President Sharon Duff

AG Judith meet up with us for the second time today and her support is appreciated.  Following the meeting three of the four mayoral candidates for Wanganui spoke.  I am sure they heard the message loud and clear that Rotary is actively and passionately involved in building Wanganui's community.  
The rain continued to fall outside as we rushed to the car.  We now have completed 30 out of the 60 Club visits - and loving every minute of it.  

Up early for Wanganui Daybreak!!

DG Howard with President Lindsey

Robert Gaskin thanking the DG

It was an early start after meeting the Board last night.  The rain did not dampen the spirits as we met in the Oggies Cafe at 7am.  Served a wonderful breakfast and an opportunity to meet the members and to discuss the challenges Clubs all face - the need to embrace change - but to do so in a consultative, controlled way.  As RIP Ray says, we must continue to question our practices and to change the way we do things in order to make our Clubs bigger, better and bolder.  Thanks Wanganui Daybreak - and also for the interest shown in the Rotary Personal Emergency Pack - details of which have already been sent to all President Lindsey's members.

Members meeting before breakfast

AG Judith Timpany

Timely and for all Clubs to consider for their 'own'

Events in Christchurch have reminded us all of the need to be prepared.

This Personal Emergency Kit is an ideal gift for friend and families.

Refer to my earlier Blog for details.

Christchurch Earthquake - An update

An update:
I sent the following note to RIP Ray Klinginsmith yesterday so he can pass to the relevant quarters in the Rotary world.

"Dear Ray

As you my have heard, Christchurch suffered a significant earthquake on Saturday 4 September that has caused last scale damage. Fortunately there has been no loss of life. Rotarians from overseas have been contacting me via Facebook to ask how they can assist.

Can I ask you to please communicate to Rotarians internationally that they are able to contribute to the relief of the community by depositing funds as follows..
Payments details:

• Payments to RNZWCS Ltd (Rotary New Zealand) – Christchurch Earthquake
• Direct credit to Westpac Bank Corporation – Wellington, New Zealand: 

Account Name: RNZWCS Limited
Account Number: 03 1702 0192208 02
Swift Code: WPACNZ2W (for overseas deposits)

Many thanks – another opportunity for Rotarians to Build Communities.
Regards
Howard

Stuart Batty (RNZWCS) responded to a question as to where the money would go, stating:
It is too early to say exactly what the money will be used for.
Rest assured that it will go to those most in need as we would expect if we were sending funds overseas to Rotary clubs/districts.
We will work with DG Margaret and other agencies.
At the moment most Rotarians in the city are suffering some sort of trauma themselves as a result of going through the ordeal or loosing property to some degree. Some will have had major losses.
In true Rotary spirit, we will be good stewards of your dollars.
Individual Rotarians wishing to make a donation should be advised that they are tax deductible as RNZWCS has donee status.

Rotary Global History Fellowship

For all you historians - this is for you.

And also for those interested in Paul Harris and his sayings and activities.

You can subscribe to this monthly Bulletin

Note - there is a RGHF Institute in Auckland in 2011

Timely resource for a nation in shock!

In light of the recent adversities surrounding the Christchurch earthquakes, it is timely that the Rotary Club of Eastern Hutt is now able to supply a first response kit in the form of a “Rotary Personal Emergency Pack” (RPEP) to the wider Community.
This initiative has been endorsed by our District 9940 Governor Howard Tong as well as the Hutt Valley Emergency Management Office.
The RPEP kits are seen as not only providing a personal safety aspect in all forms of natural disasters but also as a means to have Rotary’s name at the forefront of Disaster Relief.
The kits are light enough to be worn with ease and roomy enough to add other personal emergency items including a pair of sturdy walking shoes.
These can be left in the car, house, office or even taken when enjoying the many forms of outdoor interests.
Please take time to read the attached brochure and call any of the listed contacts.

Make your Actions Count by providing a Rotary Personal Emergency Pack.

Find out details by clicking below:
An Emergency Pack developed for today’s situations

Christchurch Earthquake

We are all stunned by the earthquake that struck Christchurch this morning.  I have been in touch with DG Margaret in District 9970 and she and Brian are fine.  I have asked if there is antything we can do to assist the communities.  We feel a little powerless to do anything here in Wellington.  If we find anything where we can support, I will post the information on the Blog.

Scenes from the Earthquake

Let's get ACTIVE with our planning!

Good news - more time to enter the 2011 District Conference competition. 

There is still time to create your ‘Gang of Chicago’ and to enter the Conference competition. Your Club could win a free registration for a couple to the 2011 District Conference and 20 points towards the Porirua Cup awarded at the Conference for the best display of the Conference theme. The closing date is now 30 September. Here is the form to use when submitting your entry. I hope your Club will participate. 

Use this form to complete and send to actions.count@ihug.co.nz

To learn more about the wonderful line up of speakers already organised for the District Conference, go here - http://www.rotary9940.org.nz/cms/district-conference.

September - let's focus on New Generations

September is New Generations Month, the perfect time to think about how you can strengthen your club’s participation in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. A strong program promotes world understanding and involves the next generation of Rotary in advancing peace.

Read the Youth Exchange E-Newsletter here...

What is a Blog?

Thanks for visiting the DG Blog.  What are the ways you can use this in your Club?

 You can....

• Read it
• Use it for your Club's Bulletins - copy and paste it into your Bulletin
• Report on it - print and read at your weekly meeting
• Comment on it - by making a comment at the bottom of the Blog posting
• Follow it by registering as a follower
• Add to it - by sending articles and pictures to me
• Link it - in your Bulletin have an active DG Blog link so members can make easy reference to the Blog

The purpose of the DG Blog is to provide....

• Daily updates of events noted by DG - visits
• Thoughts and musings of the DG
• Contributions from Bulletins of interest
• Highlighting Club activity/projects/achievements
• Posting info that is needed in a more timely manner - eg Pakistan updates
• Human interest stories
• RI Newsletters received that can be added value to Clubs/Presidents

Join the many who are using this resource for your own Club

Regards

DG Howard

2,076 kg's of joy heading our way!

Joy Durrant - Literacy Coordinator for District 9940 writes another update:

"We have had a great response to the first call for orders from around the District for Usborne Dictionaries, in support of enhancing literacy. Just over one third of Clubs from the District have ordered Dictionaries for their local schools. We expect the first delivery into the District from early October.

In short:

• 21 Clubs have placed orders for Dictionaries in this first September round
• A total of 2076 Dictionaries have been ordered – that means up to 2076 school pupils will benefit from the program and receive their own personal Dictionary
• This equates to 346 cartons of Dictionaries into our District

As well, a number of Clubs have ordered Dictionaries on a ‘first-time’ basis in order to assess their suitability for wider use in their own communities. This is great, because I am sure they will love them and order more for the future!! In addition, one Rotary Club has ordered more than 300 Dictionaries, with the support of local businesses, to assist many schools and pupils in their community.

What a great effort!! Well done to all.

We look forward to sharing local success stories amongst all of us. Thank you.

JOY"

Toys for Tonga - you can contribute.

The Rotary Club of Wellington South seeks your help
in filling a container with toys, children's books and
stationary to ship up to Tonga.  This will be our second Toys 4 Tonga project. The first with assistance from the Rotary Club of Tawa went really well, although we found when it came time to pack up the container that we could have fitted more into it!

So this is a preliminary request to you to ask club members if they have any new, or quality used toys they'd like to turn over to a good cause to start thinking about donating them. Children and grandchildren are also a good source of toys!
Our collection campaign will kick off in October, and run through to the end of January, giving ample time for unwanted Christmas presents to be added to the mix!

There will be several collection points in the South Wellington area to drop off toys, as well as an office in Wellington City just off the end of the motorway: These three are up and running already: 

• Execam Television & Video Production Katipo House, Level 2, 195 Victoria St Wellington
• Count on Us Accounting Level 1, 13 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie
• Asian Foods 253 Riddiford St. Newtown

Or of course if you have a lot of material you'd like us to collect, just contact me directly and I'll organise one of our members to come pick it up.

TIME TO START COLLECTING COLLECTING and if your Club can help contact President Francis Fanning - he would be delighted .

South Pacific PETS

IMPORTANT NEWS for all Clubs.

Do you have your incoming President identified?

Are you aware that the President Elect training this coming year is going to be in Auckland?

Did you know that this will be a multi-District event involving all 6 District in New Zealand?

Read hear to find out more.

Flyer page 1

Flyer Page 2

Further information

5 and 6 March 2011
Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre
Auckland

September is New Generations Month

Celebrate New Generations Month by connecting through social media

Rotary has a lot to celebrate during New Generations Month in September. New Generations Service became the fifth Avenue of Service — joining Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service as a foundation of Rotary club activity — after a decision by the 2010 Council on Legislation, which met in April.

Most teens and 20-somethings are active online, so it is often easier to connect with them through social networking sites than through traditional means. Harnessing the power of Facebook status updates and 140-character tweets is gaining popularity in the Rotary family.

>> Read more

The Foundation - our own Charity

How is our giving to Foundation?

Contributions to the Annual Programs Fund (APF) keep Rotary Foundation programs humming in high gear to help people with desperate needs.

Your APF support through the “Every Rotarian, Every Year” initiative is vital to Doing Good in the World.  Read more.... 

Lets Educate our members

The new list of Weekly Rotary Foundation Thoughts is now available. This collection of brief, thematic commentaries is an effective tool to help Rotarians learn how the Foundation is Doing Good in the World and to broaden participation in the EREY effort.
Club presidents are encouraged to open each meeting with a Foundation thought, ideally rotating the reading among club members.

Remember to approach PDG Tony Fryer or members of his team to speak to your Club about the Foundation and the Future Vision Pilot.

Heretaunga - up beat!

It was a surprised Jenny and Howard who walked into the reception for the DG at Heretaunga's meeting this evening.  Eight well dressed gentlemen, resplendent in red bola and tie and singing a welcome that went something like this:

To the tune of 'Singing in the rain'

It's the Dee G again

The Dee G again

The DG is visiting

We're happy again

We'd walk through the rain

Singing a happy refrain

To see the DG visit again

To the tune 'Heaven'

Heaven, we're in heaven

And it's not because Bruce Harts about to speak

No, we seem to find the happiness we seek

With DG Howard visiting this week.

PDG Graham at home with his Club

A great meeting, a challenge to members to question those matters in their Club that 'are broke' and to remind them there are things in Rotary that are not for sale!
It was good to meet old friends and three PDG's - namely Stuart Macaskill, Bryan Ross and Graham Douglass.  Thanks to President Bruce and his happy team at Heretaunga - about to celebrate their 40th anniversary on 15th.

Wellington South - a proud history

Jim van Praag receiving his
Honorary Membership Certificate

Today's lunchtime visit was to Wellington South - a meeting held in the Wellington Rugby Football Club rooms where we were surrounded by all sorts of memorabilia of our National game.  I met with the Board, where I learnt about the Big Dig, the Pride of Workmanship Awards, the meals on wheels, the Healthy Heroes programmes with the South Wellington Intermediate School and the fantastic work they are doing with Trees for Survival.  And then there was their 'Toys for Tonga' appeal - which is proving a great success and being run for the second year.  Then onto the meeting.  A Club with a membership of 33 and the number at the meeting was reported as 37! with partners, visitors and a transferring member Alan from Waiheke Island all part of the crowd.  I had the privilege to present to Jim Van Praag an Honorary Membership after 44 years of service to the Club.  I challenged the club to look at their traditions and to ensure their club was revitalised with the view to attract more members from the community.  The Club is actively looking at the 5 for 1 programme.  This is a Club being well lead by President Francis who has only been in Rotary for four years.  Another very enjoyable visit.