After this week’s club meeting, I was reflecting to Mark Cassidy that it would be nice to have an ordinary meeting where everything went normally like it used to. But I shouldn’t fret about it.
The changes in our routine have hardly troubled us at all. Always a club full of resourceful and capable members, Darryl took us through some of the games available at the Monte Carlo evening on Saturday 12 August – a inter-club fundraiser to buy a truck for a Fijian village. Surprisingly most members didn’t seem very familiar with the intricacies of playing roulette.
Then two members, Mike Selvaduri and Andre Lategan – spoke of two very different journeys they had undertaken recently. Mike’s was in a small group in a van around Central America, and then in the Caribbean (with a couple of stops in the USA to recuperate).
Andre’s was a journey from being clear sighted to nearly blind and back again. All due to a burst blood vessel. Fortunately, he is now able to work and get around although driving is still off the list of allowed activities.
It was also good to hear from May and Sam, the two Rotary Australia – New Zealand exchange students. They will be back to tell us more of their experiences in each other’s countries on 24 August. Looking forward to that.
Finally, if you want to nominate any charities or causes to receive money from the club, please advise me by Monday 7 August. Shortly after that members will be asked to choose which ones we wish to support this Rotary year.
The current list is Malaghan Institute, Wellington Free Ambulance, the House of Grace, Kahurangi School in Strathmore, the Rotary Foundation, Outward Bound, smokeless stoves for our village in Nepal, the Wellington Children’s Hospital, and Mary Potter Hospice
Sixteen hardy walkers and 2 dogs set out for today's perambulation up Mt Kau Kau looking forward to some great views at the top. Unfortunately the elements conspired against the planned walk which was shortened to minimise exposure to the wind and rain in the hills which arrived earlier than forecast.
Nonetheless it was a good walk followed by good coffee and cheese scones at Automat in Khandallah. The next walk is scheduled for Sunday 3rd September.
THIS SATURDAY 12th August - 6.30 for 7.00pm start Wellington Bridge Club, 17 Tinakori Rd, Thorndon
The total funds raised will go to Rotary’s ongoing community housing project in Fiji to replace the essential site truck.
Undercover parking available down left hand side of the building. Bus services via Thorndon Quay-stop at north end of Thorndon Quay at Hutt Road/Tinakori Road intersection- 50mts walk to Bridge Club
The event will operate using chips (supplied on arrival) extra available for a donation – including under and Over (7s) - a quick and easy dice game, Roulette – featuring an experienced croupier from Jupiters Casino, Blackjack (21 / Pontoon) plus Horse races.
Cash Bar available, supper, raffles including two chances to win two 5-day Fijian family holiday packages, a Wairarapa weekend including car and accommodation, a summer package of large Chilly Bin, canvas umbrella, outside chairs, gardening tools and numerous food and beverage vouchers. EFTPOS available on the night.
So dress for the occasion, wear your diamonds (real or fake) furs, tux etc. or just come as you are.
Rotaract is looking for 3-5 friendly dogs to bring to Cumberland Hall (on Willis St) as a part of our Random Acts of Kindness project. The dates are TBA based on everyone's availability and will be on the week of the 21st to 25th of August. Please get in touch with me (jo_annchin96@yahoo.com) for any questions, and especially if your dogs loves pats and cuddles, thanks.
One of the decisions the board made at its meeting on Monday was to poll members on which charities they wished to support in 2017/18. A three step process was agreed.
A list will be circulated and members will be invited to add to it.
Members will get to vote on their preferred charities, and
The board will confirm the decision.
The causes currently on the list are:
Malaghan Institute
Wellington Free Ambulance
House of Grace – a home for unmarried mothers
Kahurangi School in Strathmore where some members help out the teachers and where we have also donated funds to buy things like a whiteboard.
Rotary Foundation – our own charity which funds a range of club projects, particularly for young people
Outward Bound – seeking $3m to rebuild their facilities
Nepal – smokeless stoves and other projects
Wellington Children’s Hospital – very much in the news at the moment
Mary Potter Hospice
Members are invited to put forward other causes and I will give members an opportunity to pitch their case at a club meeting. Please send your suggestions to me by Monday 7 August.
Once we have a final list, we will conduct an online poll to determine which ones will be supported. This applies in particular to the auction funds, because that is our most significant fundraiser, and normally the profits are divided among two or three causes, including our own Rotary Foundation.
Every year, each Rotary International Director convenes a meeting of senior leaders in their Zone. This event, known as an Institute, provides an opportunity for past, present and incoming Rotary officers to share information, ideas and resources, build new connections and reacquaint with old friends, and exchange ideas about Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.
A more recently added event, the Future Leaders Seminar, open to any Rotarian wanting to learn more about Rotary from a leadership perspective, also takes place in conjunction with Institute.
The combined New Zealand event in 2017 will be known as the Rotary Symposium and this year it’s doors will open to all Rotarians.”
There is a Leader’s Symposium as well.
Open to all to attend.
RI General Secretary John Hewko will be attending.
RI Director Noel Trevaskis as well.
Along with RI President Nominee (soon to be Elect) Sam Owori (who attended Deb Gimblett’s Conference in Foxton)
At our recent session John Bishop, our incoming President, encouraged us as member of Port Nicholson to be proud of our association with Rotary. We have a strong Club but can always improve by attracting new members and with that they comes new ideas and new commitment. ‘Rotary on the Move’ is circulated widely amongst Australian and New Zealand Rotarians. It is a monthly circular that has excellent articles.
One article states:
Clubs who are well organised attract members
Clubs who communicate well attract members
Clubs who develop strategic partnerships attract members
Clubs who understand that their 'clients' are their community attract members
Clubs who know their demographics attract members
Clubs who listen to their members and respond to their interests attract members
Clubs who have a great Public Relations /Marketing team attract members
Clubs who have effective programs attract members.
New ideas increase our desire to do more for our community through the time we give to serving others.
Please click HERE to view - download the ‘Rotary On The Move’ Newsletter for June 2017.
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Wellington Bridge Club, 17 Tinakori Rd, Thorndon
