Tena koutou katoa

 

Its Sunday, 6 Dec and a fabulous day in Wellington, a belated good start to the summer after a rather disappointing spring! As penance for not preparing my report earlier in the week I am confined to my quarters to hastily write this report so I can enjoy the rest of the afternoon!!

Our breakfast meetings are opportunities to ‘communicate’ with each other. The word evolved from the Latin word ‘communicare’ which means to share or make common. We communicate to socialise, convey a message, receive messages from others and sharing of ideas. It is also a tool with which we exercise influence on others, bring out changes in our and others’ attitudes, motivate those around us and establish and maintain relationships with them. The complexity, if I could call it that, of communication however is that a message conveyed by a person can be interpreted differently by individual members of an audience listening and receiving the same message. That can cause outcomes that were not intended or expected. Effective communication therefore requires an understanding and appreciation of the impact of the words used in the message and being sensitive to how it may be interpreted by the recipient(s). A skill we learn over time and from lessons learned.

 

Rotary’s 4 Way Test is a tool we as Rotarians use in our communication not only in affairs relating to Rotary but in every aspect of our lives and as a guide we can use in deciding how best to respond in a given situation. It is one of Rotary’s central principles and based on four simple questions.

- Is it the Truth?

- Is it fair to all concerned?

- Will it build good will and better friendship?

- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

For our newer members, I thought it would be informative to understand its origins and why this simple test forms the very core of each of us as Rotarians and why we adopt these principles in everything we do, the messages we convey and in the services and projects we undertake. It was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J Taylor (a member of Rotary Chicago who later became president of RI) following his appointment to revive a company called Club Aluminium Products on the brink of bankruptcy in the midst of the Depression. It was a test he introduced as a succinct code of business ethics so that everyone in the company could apply in their relationships with co-workers, all business dealings and relationship with customers, competitors and the public. It became the basis of all decisions within the company, which over time, resulted in increased sales, revenue and financial strengthening of the company. It is credited with pulling the company out of bankruptcy and revolutionised its operating and personnel policies. Rotary adopted the Test in 1943 and became its cornerstone of all action. Apply these principles to everyday life, in your place of work, home and everything else you do and discover the positive transformational effects of it! If only Trump did as well!

 

A reminder that there will be no breakfast meeting on 9 December because of the Christmas dinner that night at Bellamy's by Logan Brown. Unfortunately not every could be accommodated but we have a good crowd attending what will be an enjoyable evening with good food, wine and above all company.

 

Gillian advised me over the weekend that Christopher is in hospital for a medical treatment. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

 

Our last meeting for the year will be on 16 December and I hope as many of you will attend.

 

 

Kia Kaha

Stay Safe