What a pleasant occasion changeover was on Wednesday. We were honoured by having (briefly) District Governor Mitchell Brown with us, and also our local Assistant Governor John Mohi and his wife Elaine. They departed for the Wellington North changeover which was also on Wednesday night.
The highlight for me was the very gracious speech by outgoing President Mark Cassidy who recalled the many highlights and achievements on the past year. These included the obvious ones of the outstanding result from the auction, and the very successful goal setters’ awards breakfast with the Prime Minister, Bill English, in attendance to present the awards.
Mark also rightly drew attention to the many fine speakers that we had had during the year, particularly our own members (who there will forget Julian’s Life of Failure), but also the report backs from the young people we sent to RYLA, the Science Fair, to Outward Bound and on Youth Exchange.
Each of them told of how these encounters were life changing experiences. It is easy to forget how transforming these experiences can be. We are in the business of making the world a better place, one person, one event, one occasion at a time. And we have made it possible through our work to make change and development possible for the young people we have supported.
To pick up another theme Mark spoke about, we are entitled to feel proud of what we have done.
I feel that Mark’s year has set a new and higher standard for achievement within the club, but as I noted on Wednesday there is a strong and very experienced new board taking on the challenges of increasing membership, lifting our game at club meetings and in all our activities, and putting more focus on service to the community. We are up for it.
Review of past the past year – my highlights and a few areas where we still have some challenges ahead.
My vision outlined at last year’s changeover was for “A strong, sustainable, vibrant club in where all members fell valued and are having fun together giving back to the community in whatever way they can.”
I know it is ongoing and will take more than just one year. I will leave you to be the judge of whether we are on track or not.
So, what were my highlights and I suppose my low lights, or areas where we still need t do some work? In short how did my year go?
Firstly, I would like to say that all the credit must go to the club and our amazing members. Our achievements are the result of the incredible work put in by so many people.
Our Community Service remains strong and with some new initiatives coming on stream.
Kahurangi School reading and chess programmes run by volunteers from the club have continued
We have volunteers on our waterfront with the Summer Markets and continued support of local performing artists as well as the piano
ROMAC continues to be supported and we welcomed staff from the CCDHB to one of our meetings as well as the inspirational surgeon Dr Brendon Bowkett
We donated to World Vision Runathon Wellington College
We have supported the Wellington Free Ambulance fit out and the Mallaghan Institute for the amazing research work they do
We have supported Outward Bound through fundraising
Volunteering with Wellington Free Ambulance and Stroke Awareness
Philippines Water Project – supported by Rotary Foundation. Members have helped secure funds with the Rotary Clubs of Meppen (Germany) and Makati South (Manila) to provide clean and safe drinking water to poor communities in Sasmaun and Angeles City areas of Papamga Province of the Philippines
We are currently developing our relationship with Zealandia to undertake volunteer work. Thank you to Paula and Julian for being trained as Zealandia volunteers
The Rotary Foundation citation for top club per capita for contributions.
Our Youth initiatives – these are life changing experiences for young people.
Goal Setters – recognising 3 students with Goal Setter Awards –Emily Dwight, Jeremy Highland and Julie Vidal. Thank you Marc Rands and his team, the selection team and judges. A special thank you to John for helping to arrange for the Prime Minister to attend and present the awards.
Three students supported to attend RYLA – namely Jamie Brunton, Liam Dick and Adam Colman who came to talk to us about their experiences.
Supported a student to attend Outward Bound
Rotaract – developing a relationship and connection through Joanne and work with Interact
Interact – establishment of the Interact Club of Port Nicholson. I would like to acknowledge the incredible work put in by Gillian ably supported by Joanne from Rotaract, and Hayley and David from our club.
Supported an exchange student New Zeeland/Australia – May Hodgkinson, and look forward to hearing from her and meeting Samantha, our incoming Australian exchange student.
Peer support at Wellington colleges
Science and technology fair student – Merlin Waipoura from Wellington College. What an impressive young man. Who couldn’t fail to be impressed by him when he came to speak to us.
Innovative Young Minds supporting a young girl student to attend the inaugural event in the Hutt
Event Management – Fundraising
Charity dinner/auction raised $53,000 on the night. Thanks Teresa and her team – Ros, Paula, Dallas and Rick not to mention David Shackleton and the generosity of our members and supporters. An outstanding success.
Goal Setters was reinvigorated this year with the return of Prime Ministers Breakfast – great success with 3 people acknowledged with Goal Setters Awards and we even made a small surplus on the day with 170 attending.
We have a casino night coming up in August to support the Fiji truck
Our Club
Growing membership – remains a challenge. We welcome new members but more are retiring or transferring. Our goal was to increase numbers but regrettably we started with 60 and finished with 51, a fall of 15%. Our split remains 61% mail and 39% female. We are not alone in facing this challenge and there is more work to be done.
We welcomed Hayley, Victoria, Julie and Anne this year, a group of fantastic and talented people.
I am encouraged by the newer and younger members stepping up into leadership roles. That is a very healthy sign for the future of this club.
We made three honorary members – Andy Curran, Roger Halliwell and Bob Moffat – all long time servants of the club.
PHF’s were award both internally and externally
Sapphire pins for Mark Pickering and Gillian Robertson
Professor Graeme Le Gros
District PHF for Bev Wells
We have had an excellent internal and external speaker programme and my thanks go to Darryl for organising this, despite changes in venues and other challenges he faced.
I really enjoyed hearing from Julian – “A Life of Failure” for its sheer entertainment. I feel that I have a much greater insight into the events that shaped Julian into the man he is today.
Victoria, Julie and John shared their life stories
We all scaled the heights of Mt Kilimanjaro with our intrepid Linda.
Club activities remain strong – Perambulators, Friday Frolics, Christmas Dinner, Round the Vines and ad hoc fundraising events.
A healthy number from the club attending at the last two conferences in New Plymouth and Nelson.
Our Communications
Website ClubRunner up and running
Bulletin is well received and read by members and others and there is a commitment to get these out earlier.
Public Relations/Profile – still work to do. I think we could do more about letting the communities know what we are doing.
Social Media – still work to be done on this.
Thank You’s
I would like to thank my directors – Linda, Gaylene, Duncan, Marc Rands, Brent, Christa, Teresa, and Howard as well as Mark Pickering for all the work you have put in this year. It is sad that Juliette, Teresa and Christa are no longer members but they are still Rotarians, having transferred to other clubs. I know that they are a loss to the club but they will be a great asset to their new clubs and I wish them well. On reflection, this doesn’t look good, losing a third of my directors during the year. Luckily it wasn’t one of my KPI’s.
The sergeants – what can I say. I now feel complete, with a mind full of information that I will never use, ranging from Shakespeare to Biggles and everything in between. Well done for making it so much fun as you relieve us of our cash each week.
To all the members for your continuing help and support.
Finally, and by no means least, I would like to thanks Nonie, my wife for her amazing support. You have always been there for me in so many ways. I know that I could not have done this without you. I am truly blessed to have you walk beside me and provide me with the strength and encouragement to pursue things that I believe are important in my life. Thank you so much.
I would like to give John and his incoming Directors my best wishes and support for a successful year.
Many thanks I have really enjoyed by Presidential Year and look forward to serving the Club in whatever capacity I can.
WELLINGTON ON A PLATE LUNCH – SUNDAY 20TH AUGUST – 12 NOON – BOULCOTT STREET BISTRO
A special lunch for Rotary Club of Port Nicholson members, family and friends. Lunch - two courses and one beverage (using the more extensive dinner menu). $55 per person (includes $10 donation to Rotary Foundation).
Main Course
Cook Strait crayfish in a tomato, cream and Cognac sauce with Prana Greens and sautéed broccolini with almonds
OR
Angus beef fillet with chicken liver parfait, sautéed spinach, Parkvale mushrooms portobello crumb and Arobake crouton with a red wine sauce.
VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE
Desert
Whittaker’s white chocolate and kiwifruit parfait, berry jelly vanilla custard in a meringue bun.
Beverages
Six Barrel Soda Celery tonic or Escarpment Chardonnay 2014 or Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2015.
Most of us do as with recent changes to our coins we seem to accumulate old coins which can no longer be used but we can't quite bring ourselves to throw out. These coins still have value and can be cashed in at the Reserve Bank in exchange for the current issue.
Through our Pigs, waterfront piano and auction collections Port Nich has accumulated an amount of old coins and we are going to cash these in.
Do you have some old coins lying around and happy to add to our collection ? If so bring them in and either deposit in the Pigs or give to Chris or Rick.
Go have a look. Who knows what you may find at the bottom of your cupboard, sock draw or where ever you toss your coins !.
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.
I have received a number of requests to change the rosters due to other commitments which is par for the course for us all. Please check week to week as it can be a bit of a moving feast to keep up with, especially while I have my trainer wheels on. Change over, with new people coming into new roles has added an additional dimension.
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