From the President..
A special start last week congratulating
Jane Wells on 40 years in her role at the Wellington Club, and Winston on his 20 years. The caring and obliging way they look after us is hugely appreciated.
How inspiring were the speakers!! Thanks to Rob and Steve for coordinating the six young speakers, Chariella, Eva and Abby who attended Innovative Young Minds; Kimberli and Amelia the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum; and Harry Smith – RYLA. All spoke succinctly and with clarity, distilling the salient points and benefits to them – and ultimately the country as they help forge the future. It’s in great hands! Spencer’s MCing of them was very ‘neatly’ and appropriately done.
Certainly sitting beside people if introducing them and finding out personal snippets rather than Googling them and ‘stealing’ heaps of their talk, is ideal!
It was a shame that DG Marilyn Stevens was again unable to come, because of a sudden family
situation.
In the interests of time, it was also decided to leave the Conference report back until this week.
A strong overarching theme was inclusivity, especially in relation to membership. Rather than
‘preaching’ this message, exceptional speakers manifested it. (Tony will elaborate.) In the latest
document from the RI Communications team, was this advice in relation to: “Be inclusive” – “It’s
easier for people to imagine themselves getting involved with Rotary when you refer to “members
and participants” rather than to “Rotarians.” Whether encouraging others to come to Goal Setters
or tree-planting, to attend a Book Club evening, lunch, or a Breakfast meeting, they are likely to
feel less intimidated if joining with participants.
This does not denigrate being proud to be Rotarians, and, as Peter is expressing, encouragement to all who can, to become Centurion Members so that many more can benefit, from the added value RI makes, to funding and achieving the fantastic programmes it does internationally. This includes Polio Plus – there has been only one confirmed case internationally this year.
Remember to do the Survey – thank you Hayley and Paula for devising and circulating this. Have
your say on the charities you would like to our Club to support. And see if you can persuade
someone to come with you to Goal Setters and hear Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier, and the
four Award recipients relating the adversities they have overcome to realise their exceptional
achievements….and before that as well, to hear Bev Lawton ONZM, founder/director of Te Tātai
Hauora o Hine (the National Centre for Women & Health Research Aotearoa).
See you there!
Dawn
President
