Down to the detail....

My wonderful Jenny - a tad camera shy!

We had our regular weekly planning meeting on Tuesday - Conference fever is starting to reach a warmer temperature as we look forward to our time at Wairakei.

Sign of a successful meeting -
no more RJ's liquorice!

Make sure all those who are planning on coming get their registrations completed - go to the Conference Tab on this Blog or to the District web site

Chair Bob - with Brenda and Paula in support

See you there!!

Mt Victoria Fair - selling the sizzle! (#5 )

On Saturday there were a number of the Club who went and helped out at the Mt Victoria Fair.  It turned out to be a pleasant day despite the threatening weather forecast and there were good crowds.  Euan and Phillipa were on early traffic control.  Early on Des, Joan and myself managed to trim and chop up six bags of onions in anticipation of the steak and sausage sizzles at which the three of us plus Mino and Tara assisted throughout the day.  Unfortunately Fee missed her slot on the sizzle as she had to accompany her Minister to Christchurch.
The money raised through the sizzle sales as well as a bucket collection is to be used to help the people of Lyttelton.

Another Rotarian farewelled

Ron Lamont
[14th December 1931 – 22nd February 2011]

 

Ron enjoyed making a difference in the world. Ron’s loves included increasing the opportunities of children, creating, enhancing, and recognising beauty in people, nature and architecture.
A volunteer in almost every project of Rotary, Ron set an incredible example of the humble, hard working, "let’s make a difference" Rotarian.

Rotary Readers -just one fantastic project very dear to Ron’s heart. It enhanced literacy and improved the lives of 1000’s of students with 8000 reading sessions each year. Ron was its coordinator, organiser, heart and soul. Through his enthusiasm it developed to include over 12 schools, linking Rotary clubs and volunteers from all over the area.

We will miss you Ron.
19 years and 3 months Rotary Service
President 2001 / 2002, Paul Harris Fellow 2002 / 2003

Conference countdown has started

Only 23 days to go!

View the attendees - are you on the list?

Who else in your Club can you encourage to attend?

View the registrations here....

The planning is in final stages - the speakers are top shelf!

The theme for Saturday night is Speakeasy - Chicago in the 1920's

Do promote in your Club and bring your 'gang' to Wairakei

25-27 March

Masterton South - running and brushing

 Another active day (or two) for Rotary Club of Masterton South who not only participated in the Relay for Life, but had the time to slap some more stain on their wonderful children's playground facility in the heart of Masterton.

We have such an active membership in our District - it is great to see!

Ideas are popping up to aid Christchurch

Beryl Robinson, Editorial and Promotions Manager(Rotary Down Under New Zealand and Pacific Islands Editorial Office) has put the following list togther showing what the Districts are doing in response to the needs of the Christchurch community.

Your Club can contribute with your innovative way to allow your local community to contribute in a meaningful way.

Read it here....

Beryl writes:

The attached update examples of how other Rotary Districts and Clubs are Building Communities and Bridging Continents by proactively supporting Christchurch Earthquake families & fundraising for the Rotary NZ Canterbury Earthquake Appeal have been added to our Christchurch Earthquake pages on www.rotarysouthpacific.org.  Thanks for your timely updates so far & please keep them coming. 

Generosity overwhelming

Last Friday we experienced the generosity of commuters heading off to work, prepared to give and to not count the cost. A bold move by Rotarians which was welcomed by the general public.

This amount (detailed in the link below) will be used to establish a District 9940 Christchurch Earthquake Fund which will enable the District to target specific projects to assist our friends in Christchurch.  [More details to come]
See story about outcome of Friday street appeal at Railway Station and Midland Park

Money for the RNZWCS Appeal
See story about RCW members donations

The Rotary ANZAC Family - working together

“Rotary is the best in the world at linking people of goodwill around the globe and then gaining their cooperation and support to make the world a much better place to live and work.”
Ray Klinginsmith, RI President

Read more in the Rotary on the Move (Rotary Coordinator) newsletter published out of Australia but for both Zone 8 (Australia) and 7b (New Zealand and the Pacific Islands)

TV Campaign making a difference

In the last week I have received into the District feedback from our 0800 4 ROTARY phone number and also from the national Rotary web site requests for membership details - an example below.  These campaigns are making a difference and being noticed.

Town: Palmerston North

        Country: New Zealand

        I want to know more about Rotary: yes

        I want to join a club: yes

        I have a previous association with Rotary: no

        I want to make a donation: no

        Enquiry/Feedback: Hey i saw the ad on tv and i remembered all the great work that Rotary did when i was in college and am keen to have an involvement 

 

A nation in silence to remember

The death toll from the Christchurch quake has risen to 154, as the nation prepares to observe two minutes' silence to mark the passing of a week since the tragedy. 

At 12:51 today the country stops for a 2 minute silence to remember those who have perished and the families and loved ones in mourning.  n fact it is a country in mourning.  

We are thankful for the support from around the world that is evident both with those helping in Christchurch, and with the donations and sympathies being received each day.

This is a note I received this morning - typical of many over the last week:

Dear Rtn Howard,
We were shocked to learn about devastating earthquake on 22nd Feb in Christchurch with more than 100 people have been killed (latest figure 145 !) & at least 200 are still missing.
We pray to God for the safety of all the Rotarians & their families of your district.
May God Bless them with courage to face this catastrophe.
Our Sympathies are with those who have been affected in the devastating earthquake.
Looking forward to hear from you about welfare for all & with warm personal regards to you & and Jennifer from myself and Indumati, we remain,

Your Friends,

(JAGMOHAN KATAKI)
PDG D: 3040 (94-95)
23-B, Kunj Society
Alkapuri,
Baroda – 390 007 (Guj) India.

On one of our local websites I read:
At 12.51pm today I will stand in solidarity with family, friends and strangers to remember the members of our global community who lost their lives here a week ago today.

As we face the direction of the cathedral, the silence from our city's heart will be deafening but in my heart I will hear the bells ring out hundreds of times.

Rotarians in ACTION on Otaki beach

A report from Wilf Geerling:

What a great day yesterday, having fun on a Rotary Project abd doing our bit on District Project Day.  We spent time cleaning up Otaki Beach and we even had a crew clean up the local skate board park.

Well done members.