Rotary Club of Port Nicholson Bulletin
Wednesday 10 July, 2019
President David Shackleton
 
 
Our new Rotary Year got off to an excellent start with a turnout of some 30 members and guests. It was great to see Ken Rayner from our Interact Club and Iona Sammons from Rotaract attend the meeting.
 
The Club has many activities on the go at present. This week we heard from Anne and Howard about our 30th Anniversary, Brent informed us of the next Rotary Gardeners visit on the 21st of July, Linda brought us up to date on the Polio Plus fund raiser on 24th October, Rick informed us of the Casino night on 28th of September, Steve updated us on the Rotary sponsored area in Zealandia and Bill introduced this year’s sergeants and finally there is tree planting in Tawa this Sunday.
Past President Bev had the honour of presenting Jane Paterson with her Paul Harris Medal Sapphire pin. Past President Jane’s work with Rotary Youth Programme, the Peer Support Programme and, of course, the success of the Goal Setters makes her a very worthy recipient of this honour.
 
Following up from our Changeover we also had the opportunity to recognise Christopher Robertson with his Senior Honorary Member pin and Past President Bev Wells with her Past President Pin.
Next week I will present my Vision and plan for the Club however this will not be finalised until we complete a Member Satisfaction Survey planned for August. We believe it is necessary to get your valuable feedback and input on how we can make our Club better. After we have received this information, we can then finalise our plans.
Unfortunately, the timing of the meeting got away from me and we did not have enough time to let Brent complete his presentation on the arcane world of “Blockchains”. We are going to remedy this by having Brent finalise his presentation and answer your questions next week.
I am very honoured and excited to be the President for the forthcoming year and look forward to working with you in making our Club stronger.
 
David
 
 

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Speaker Report

The Great Brent Gerrard Block-Chain Bitcoin Artificial Intelligence Show

 

In this week’s presentation, member Brent Gerrard ditched all thoughts of power-point, opting instead for interactive drama using real live actors from his captive audience to explain the concepts of Block Chain and Bitcoin. Virtual became reality as monopoly dollars were exchanged between himself, Banker Bill, President David and Bit-player Lindsey showing the Block Chain process in action. Directed by Brent passwords were whispered into the ears of the receiver between each transaction under strict instruction they were to remain confidential. 
 
If I understand correctly, a Block Chain is a shared password-protected database comprising chains of relationships in which transactions are made only by those within the relationship. At each transaction a new and separate password between those in the relationship is established. The series of relationships (chains) forms a block. The underlying premise is based on the centuries old banking and ledger systems founded on truth and trust.
 
And guess what, our friend the internet records each of the transactions.
 
The key to the system of transactions is that they do away with the need for an intermediary ie. a bank. You know how your everyday, government-based currency is reserved in banks? And that you need an ATM or a connection to a bank to get more of it or to transfer it to other people? Well, in the digital world there is cryptocurrency (digital money/bitcoin) effectively doing away with need for banks and other intermediaries altogether. Exchanges using Block Chain are peer-to-peer.
 
Although it may seem that Block Chains exist only as theory in the cyber-world, they can in fact be applied to real-life situations, for example in shipping and for land transfers where a system of agreements (Smart Contracts) can be coded based on the Block Chain.
 
Here is where you’ll need to consult with Brent should you wish to learn more. It was at this point he produced an unlabelled ‘can of worms’! Brent, please forgive me if I’ve mis-reported – I was tempted to stop after the first paragraph.
 
Brent’s lively presentation was genuinely appreciated for the audience interaction it afforded and his sage warnings to would-be dealers. 
 
Club Reporter
Ros Fogel

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Don't forget to reply to your invitation
 

30th Anniversary Celebrations – Post Mayoral Reception Dinner

The Hudson, Cnr Victoria St and Chews Lane.

 

The Club has booked the mezzanine floor at The Hudson for club members and friends to enjoy a celebratory dinner following the Mayoral reception on 1 August 2019.

1 August is the first night of Wellington on A Plate, a time when restaurants throughout the City produce exciting and interesting dishes outside of their normal menu fare.  What better way to combine two celebratory events, in one night, by joining your fellow members and friends to continue this special evening over dinner at one of Wellington’s exciting eating establishments.

The Hudson is reknowned for its craft beers on tap, its speciality gin bar, its cocktails and of course the food served in its restaurant.

There is a set menu of 2 courses for $40 or $55 for 3.  If you wish to add in the festival dish (2 sides of venison) the price will go up by approximately $5.  The final menu and pricing will be confirmed shortly.

Individual bills will be produced by the Hudson so you will only need to pay for what you consume.

There are a limited number of seats available so reservations are essential and will be allocated on a first come basis – please register your intention early.

The invitation is on Club Runner for you to register.  Your guests are also welcome.

Any questions please contact Peter Whittington 0n syrahnz@gmail.com or phone on 021 778300

 

Speakers
Jul 24, 2019 7:00 AM
Regenerate Magazine
Aug 07, 2019 7:00 AM
Astronomy and Matariki
Aug 14, 2019 7:00 AM
Porirua Virtuoso Strings - The Story
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Port Nic Gardeners - Wairarapa Extravaganza!
Jul 21, 2019
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
 
Rotary Weekly Meeting Wednesday 24July 2019
The Wellington Club
Jul 24, 2019
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
 
30th Anniversary Port Nicholson Rotary Club
Aug 01, 2019
 
30th Anniversary Dinner - Post Mayoral Reception
Aug 01, 2019
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
 
WOAP Lunch at Logan Browns
Logan Brown Restaurant
Aug 10, 2019
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
 
Port Nicholson Rotary AGM
The Wellington Club
Sep 11, 2019
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
 
View entire list

Club Subs invoices

These for the 2019-20 year will be emailed to members  for payment early July.

The Rotary International database needs to be updated by 30 June, so please let Nicholas know if you have any change to your membership or contact details that needs to be noted before RI invoices the club.

Email: duncan.nicholas@gmail.com

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New System for Paying for Weekly Meeting Attendance
All members will have received a request from our Treasurer, Nick, to make an advance payment to the Club bank account to cover attendance at the next month's breakfast meetings.  This is the beginning of the new system for paying for weekly meetings.  It is designed to simplify and streamline the process at the registration desk by doing away with the need to handle cash for member's breakfasts.  The process has been discussed over the last few months and has met with general agreement as a better way forward.
Your attendance will still be recorded as the basis for deducting the weekly charge against your account.  Guests and non-members will still need to pay in cash.  Obviously you will need to bring some cash for paying Sergeant's fines and Buy the Box.
The process will work as follows:
  1. Club requests a deposit from each member to cover future meeting attendance of $108 per member, equivalent to $27 per week for 4 weeks, on top of their subs
  2. Each month recorded attendance is invoiced against the advance payment and a statement sent to the member showing the amount needed to either top up or be carried forward as a credit.  Ideally members will set up an automatic payment for a monthly payment.
  3. Registration desk will still accurately record attendance of members at meetings
  4. Members must continue giving apologies for meetings they cannot attend.
  5. Should a member register but not attend a meeting, and we are charged for their non-attendance, we will charge them for that meeting.
  6. All members have only 1 club account, so subs also go against any credit or show as owing at the beginning of each year.  However, Trust functions and fundraising will be separate.
  7. Should a member not be able to attend on a regular basis then separate arrangements can be made for that member to pay less as an advance payment, or suspend the automatic payment during absences.
  8. Guests can easily be accommodated with cash payments at the desk as happens now.
  9. Credit balances beyond monthly needs will be refunded on request
Any questions to Nick or Peter.
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Wellington on a Plate
- Lunch -
 
Saturday 10th August 2019 12.30 p.m.
 
Logan Brown Restaurant
 
Dine with this exciting dish:
Kereru Black Ruby-braised Coastal Lamb Shoulder Rack,
Peas, black garlic mash with a Zany Zeus feta and herb salsa.
 
$45.00 per person
 
Drinks to own account.
Other menu choices available.
 
Please RSVP to         joy@prosperity.co.nz.
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Funnies!!

 

A thief broke into our house last night looking for money.
So I got out of bed to look with him.

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2 fish in a tank.

1 says you man the guns and I'll drive.

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