Welcome Manoelle to 9940!!

Today Manoelle arrived - tired of course but happy to be welcomes to a fine Wellington.

Many thanks to IYE Committee member Lisa, husband Malcolm, counsellor Phillippa and Mike Doig for being there to meet Manoelle - and of course Edna and Peter and Pamela.

Jasmine has also arrived - the photo will arrive soon.

Resources for Clubs - so valuable

Click here to find resources for your Club leaders/officers.  Rotary International offers many resources to help club officers understand their roles and responsibilities and help their club achieve its goals. It even has a monthly reminder of activities and deadlines that apply to all Rotary clubs.  As one Rotarian has commented: "As past secretary and now President, the Rotary website has equippped me with alot of knowledge about Rotary. I would encourage members to use the use this site most of the time and to help those who have no access to the site by downloading for them most correspondences. Please keep up the work."

Wanganui to host world talent!

We are to be treated to world class talent coming to Wanganui

As you can see from the web site Ben Baker is scheduled to perform in Wanganui on the 9th August. - funding going towards the Rotary Foundation.

Ben is actually an Honorary Rotarian, and at the young age of 7 he joined the Yehudi Menuhin School in London!!  He is a world class talent and is travelling the length of New Zealand with two other string players (The Boyarsky Trio).  Jenny and I will certainly be attending this concert at the War Memorial Hall Concert Chamber, Watt Street, Wanganui 7pm.  Tickets $30 - in association with Wanganui Chamber Music Society (Phone: 06 345 7994 / 027 453 0502)
Established in 2008, Trio Boyarsky comprises exceptional young Kiwi violinist Ben Baker, recent graduate from the Yehudi Menuhin School, London, scholarship winner to the Royal College of Music and of many pres-tigious prizes and awards; hugely talented Konstantin Boyarsky, a Principal violist of the Royal Opera House, viola-soloist,chamber musician, composer and arranger; and versatile, brilliant Amelia Jakobsson-Boyarsky, winner of many international competitions and prizes in Sweden, Denmark and Canada.
Trio Boyarsky plays regularly in the UK and recently toured in Sweden and Denmark.

A top project for any community

Following our breakfast meeting with Masteron Club President Dermot took us to view the Men's Shed project at Henley Lake in the outskirts of Masterton.  Here we saw how community groups and Rotary had worked together to bring about a wonderful centre for men to come and use woodworking tools, to meet and share friendships and even have the odd cooking lesson.  
[Pictured: A view of one of the work benches; John Bush, President Dermot, DG Howard, Tennick Dennison, Mervyn Brown]

Sharing time with the partners

Rotary friendships are so often including the enjoyment of meeting partners.  Last night we met Dermot and Megan for a lovely meal a Solway and a chat - finding much in common.  The only thing that Dermot insists on is that I will not have much luck contacting him through email - a phone call is better!!
[Pictured: Me, Dermot, Jenny and Megan]

Masterton - a Club with a goal!

It was another first for Jenny and me this morning.  Our first breakfast meeting at the Masterton Club (Copthorne Solway) - meeting at 7 for a 7:15am start.

I often speak of the need to review Club traditions to iprove the Clubs vitality.  I found out that the Club had recently moved it's location and the members certainly agree they can see the advantages already.  A wonderful setting and it certainly supports their focus to increase membership and look at new community projects.  President Dermit outlined plans to work with schools and to support the local Hospice.  Go Masteron - and so we move on having meet all the Wairarapa Clubs with a real sense of unity in the Cluster - well done AG Marilyn.

Hutt City and the River - big plans

Our first lunchtime meeting was this week - on Wednesday at Hutt City.  We are so proud of all the Rotarians we are meeting in our visits - dedicated to service above self.  Ably assisted by AG Ian Grigor we enjoyed a friendship of a very busy Club - their programmes are certainly building communities - especially their big plans to complete seats on the Hutt River walk way.  This is the Club where we also thanked past president Allan Brown for his vision and focus in getting the Home Hosting programme underway for the World Cup.  He advises the revised web site is about to be launched.  President Carol has a very dedicated team ready to build bigger, better and bolder programmes. [Pictured:  President Carol enjoying her new role]

Grateful smiles all round!

Jaye Howey (Eastern Hutt) sent me a copy of the press article in this week's Hutt News - a great exposure to this wonderful programme.  For more details go to the District Directory or contact Joy Durrant - District Literacy Coordinator. Well done to all concerned and aren't those faces a joy to see.  [Click on the image to read the article]

Actions Count in Masterton South

Masterton and Rotary - what a great partnership.  Tonight Jenny and I visited Masterton South Club.  We were immediately put into cars and went to various places where Rotary has made a mark in the town.  Playgrounds, mini putt, Millennium Park, swimming lanes in the local aquatic centre, a chapel at the local hospital, a round-a-bout display of banners with the Rotary Wheel fluttering in the breeze, plus, plus - and perhaps also mention Jenny came back after purchasing a gorgeous mohair 'throw'.  A great meeting with the usual buzz, activity and even a brief session on the 6 areas of focus for Global Foundation Grants!!!  A Club that endorses that we certainly are involved in what we do best - 'building communities'.  It is obvious that Masterton South members, under the leadership of President Debbie, are making their Actions Count!  And to top it off, they welcomed a new member into the Club - local School Principal Rob Cameron [Pictured: the sergeant threw out not only some curly questions, but also some chocolate bars to those who answered correctly; Presidnet Debbie sorting out a necessary paper work before the meeting]

Mexico (bridging continents) New Zealand

"Great show put on by Pencarrow Rotary last night to “Bienvenida” Edna Osuna-Martinez from Mexico. Edna, the first International Youth Exchange student to arrive for 2010/2011, was stunned by the welcome – but not completely into silence and doesn’t seem to have any difficulty understanding and speaking Kiwi.Many thanks to Pencarrow – dressed to theme and the added warmth of the welcome made up for the climate change from Mexico."

Peter Harvey reports - Convenor: International Youth Exchange- District 9940

The power of One

I know the idea is not original but it certainly is true.  There are seven Clubs in the Wairarapa but the work of Marilyn Hunt (the Assistant Governor for the area) has brought them together as one very effective Cluster.  As well as joining each others Changover, the Presidents are working together to get a bus load down to Wellington for the meeting of RI President Ray on the 23rd, as well as other joint community and international projects.   [Pictured at Woodville Changeover from left: Nicky Orsborn (Carterton), Debbie van Zyl (Masterton South). AG Marilyn, Glanville Johansen (Woodville), Jenny and me, Chris Southgate (Dannevirke), Dermot Payton (Masterton)]

One step closer to world peace!

We visited Carterton Club this evening, and awarded a Paul Harris Fellow to a very unsuspecting Paul Garret, who PDG Alastair Orsborn described as a 'quite achiever'.  Clubs up and down our District have so many members like Paul who work in the background, contributing significantly to projects and to the life of the Club.  It was a cold night in Carterton, but it was more than compensated by the warmth of the friendship and welcome.  President Nicky led a lively meeting with her daughter Sarah (past GSE member to Brazil) in attendance.  Again AG Marilyn was in support and it was good to see past AG Barbara Durbin again.  Prior to the meeting we met with the Board and the ideas and projects are exciting - lots of big plans and 'scary goals' which will see Carterton Club grow in energy and in the contribution it makes to the commmunity - well done Carterton.

In memory of Ken Boyden

It is always with sadness when we say goodbye to a long standing Rotarian.  In this case we say goodby to Ken Boyden, a member of Wellington North Rotary Club who passed away late last week.  Ken was a veteran of world war two and spoke at recent Rotary Conferences and was never short of retelling memories of those days in our history.  A veteran of the Normandy invasion who landed with the Royal Engineers on June 7, 1944 - the day after D-Day.  He was quoted as saying "We were either building bridges or blowing them up".  To view more about this incredible man go here.

The funeral service for Ken will be held on Tuesday 20 July at 2pm at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Molseworth Street, Wellington.

IYE Coordinator Peter Harvey reported:

"Sadly the last student of the class of 2009/10 left on Saturday. An emotional farewell is held for Pia returning to France.

Our thanks to the Upper Hutt and Heretaunga clubs for hosting her.  Many thanks Upper Hutt for organizing a big farewell for her – she will be missed."

Polio Plus effort - watch this space!!

This summer 2010/2011 Xaver (pictured with PDG David at Conference in May) and his friend Ollie will cycle the length of New Zealand to raise money for Rotary International's campaign PolioPlus to END POLIO NOW! To read more on Xaver and on Xaver and Ollie's cycling plans please go to their blog Cycling NZ for PolioPlus

Chain Protocols

Following a request for advice from one District Cluster on when the DG and Club Presidents should wear their Chain, District Liaison Officer Christopher Robertson consulted widely and provided some useful advice. [Pictured - PDG David and Michelle with IPP John Anderson and Elizabeth of Stokes Valley & myself looking on as President Glanville Johansen of Woodville conducts a meeting of his Club]

• The DG wears the chain at Conference, Changeover, Club Visit/Changeover (and when invited for making special presentations), and at specific Rotary public event where DG is host or joint host. 
• A Club President is to wear the chain at Club meeting, but only at Conference or Assembly on the specific request of the DG. A Club President should NOT wear the chain when visiting another Club. 
• For 23 August (RI President’s visit) the protocol would be DG - chain, Presidents of Rotary Clubs of Port Nicholson and Wellington wear their chains as joint hosts, and the Mayor may wish to wear the Mayoral chain.

Absorbing, stimulating AND fun!

 

An interactive, hands-on series of courses designed to provide Rotary knoweldge and to develop leadership skills.  The are 3 one-day sections to the training. Each Club can nominate at least two prospective club members to attend.  Dates and venues to be announced shortly.

Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)

This weekend I joined a group of 18 other Rotarians from our District, 9920, 9930 and 9970 to complete training to be RLI facilitators.  Rob Crabtreee and Beryl Robinson led a fun filled weekend in central Wellington - and we even were able to fit in a meal and the chance to watch the rugby test.  DG Nicolas Spillmann (9920) and Margaret Reeve (9970) joined the others as RLI was introduced into District 9940.  What does this mean for Clubs?  PDG Graham Douglas will be advising of the date on October for the first sessions.  Clubs will be invited to send potential leaders from their Club to attend training which will involved 3 separate sessions before graduating.  This training is designed as an enjoyable way to learn more about Rotary and at the same time provde an excellent way to prepare future leaders in our Clubs and District.  More to come.... [Pictured; attendees - training which was both informative and heaps of fun - DG Margaret signing up 9970 so now it is a nationwide prgramme!!]

Woodville with fresh vision

Yesterday Jenny and I visited Woodville.  This Rotary Club is the smallest Club in the Dsitrict but as I said several times, they really 'punch above their weight'.  President Glan looked after us well and we had a small opportunity to view some of the many second hand and antique shops in the town.  Before meeting with the Club/Board, we had the opportunity to unveil a new facility for the town - a pay set of Binoculars - allowing the public to view the Meridian wind turbines on the horizon.  With theme banners and a crowd, we 'boldly' celebrated yet another achievement for Woodville Rotary.  The meeting was productive and the meal enjoyable.  Plans for a public image campaign, getting 'Trees for Survival' going in the local school and an art event are some of the programmes being planned.  Pres Glan is organising a bus to collect Wairarapa Rotarians to visit Wellington to see RI President Ray on 23 August.  Their focus is to determine how best to build their membership to ensure that their contribution to Woodville continues.  And on top of that, what other Club can boast that they have their own radio programme!!  Well done Woodville. [Pictured - President Glan and myself celebrate the lauch of their binoculars; DJ Glan conducts yet another interview on Radio Woodville]

South Wairarapa - Club Visit Report

Following a very informative meeting with the Board, I joined the other Club members at their regular meeting at the South Wairarapa Working Men's Club on Main Street.  The warm welcome and the chatter of members greeted us as we joined the group.  Once able to look around I realised we were not among strangers - when ever is a Rotarian ever feeling like that anyway when they visit another Club!!  Graeme Evans from my own Club was present (he had recently transferred to this Club after shifting home), Griff Page from my days at Social Welfare, Perry Cameron, way back we actually performed together at Wgtn Repertory plus other very familiar faces I am sure I met when joining the Martinborough Fair over the years.  Steve Davies [pictured] was presented a 25 years attendance certificate (to his surprise) and then, again with AG Marilyn's support, I delivered the message that 'Actions Build Clubs'.  A great night - then hopped back into the car and travelled through very thick fog to Palmerston ready for our next Club - Woodville.  We are really enjoying our time in the Wairarapa.