Bulletin 28/05/20
Posted by Bev Maul-Rogers
Virtual meeting via Zoom, Thursday 28 May, 5.00pm
President Robyn welcomed guest speaker - Tania Witheford and also Gretchen Bosaker, Alan van Niekerk and David Partis who were to be inducted into the club that evening.
Guest Speaker – Tania Witheford – Community Education in Leadership Foundation (CELF)
Tania introduced herself and spoke about her role with CELF that aimed to grow community and business leaders for a stronger Waikato. In terms of leadership, COVID-19 was interesting and New Zealand grabbed the spotlight with a strong leadership style. Leadership poses interesting questions as the country, including the region, moves to the next stage. Communication and a common purpose were key. CELF fills a leadership gap for the Waikato – it brings different sectors of the community together. Learnings are from visitations to organisations, backed up by professional participants with high profile leaders from various categories being involved. A copy of Tania’s presentation will be circulated to club members as a separate document once this is received.
Three new members inducted
President Robyn said she had pleasure in inducting Gretchen Bosaker, Alan van Niekerk and David Partis who had applied to join the club around about the same time. She added that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the process of induction has taken longer and needs to be carried out in 2 parts – firstly, to induct them formally and introduce them to the club via the Zoom meeting and secondly, presenting them with their Rotary badges, certificates and other documentation when we meet physically for the first time. This will then give us an opportunity to hear a bit more about them.
- Gretchen comes from the USA and is residing in NZ with her husband Rick and children. Both Gretchen and her husband are GPs at Cambridge Medical Centre
- Alan has been in Cambridge for approximately 12 years, has a desire to give back to this community through service with Rotary. He works for Electrix.
- David joined Rotary Henderson in 2008, joined Rotary Taumaranui in 2012 and was made President in 2012. He rejoined Rotary Henderson in 2015 and remained until 2018. He resigned to move to Australia. Now living in Cambridge he was keen to join Rotary Cambridge
Congratulations Gretchen, Alan and David - we look forward to working with you in the club.
Letter from our exchange student Sarah
My Exchange
It feels insane to me that more than four months have passed. It has all been a blur. The first month was full on, my French felt so inadequate and the new school was so much bigger than I could’ve imagined. Nothing at all like the small New Zealand high schools I was accustomed to. I visited Dunkirk and tried to fit myself into my family. The second month saw no visible improvement to my French, but my host family took me with them on a holiday and I visited so many old and gorgeous places. They introduced me to their family, and I saw La Rochelle, Paris, and Lourdes. I have been so lucky with my host family; they have been welcoming and funny and so passionate about their country. I loved every minute with them. Month three brought a deep fatigue around school, and no small amount of fear around the Corona Virus. But the subsequent confinement did amazing things to my French, and I picked up a few new skills with all the sudden free time. Month four saw me changing families in the middle of the confinement. It was difficult to leave the family I had grown to love, but it was the best thing I could have done. The new family spoke very little English so my French was forced into every single part of my day, and once confinement ended and the spring broke through, I could run amok in my city mostly unencumbered by the language barrier. Plans over plans over plans are being made, and I cannot wait for whatever the rest of my exchange has before me.
My host sister Victoria and her cousin
NOTICES
2020-2021 Planning Survey
President-Elect Bev said she was delighted with the numbers that had responded to the 2020-2021 Planning Survey. A total of 48 club members had completed the survey. The results would be circulated to members shortly.
2020-2021 Committee Membership
Club members were being asked to indicate their committee preference by emailing President-Elect Bev. If you haven’t taken the opportunity to do this yet there’s still time.
Changeover – Saturday, 27 June
More details to come on the changeover in the evening on 27 June – probably at the Don Rowlands Centre. Mark this date in your diaries.
Next Week’s meeting
There are still a number of restrictions in place for physical meetings and President Robyn is discussing with others the possible arrangements and the implications for our club. We will therefore meet via Zoom again next week – Thursday, 4 June at 5.00pm with guest speaker Vinnie Simmonds. Bill Robinson will send an invite and link.
Firewood deliveries
Ken Leatham thanked those who had helped deliver firewood – there had been an amazing turnout of club members. The 7 loads the club had donated were gratefully received by the recipients. There is obviously a need out there.
Taste Waikato
The opportunity to purchase Taste Waikato ($35) online at
www.rotarycambridge.nz./tastewaikato and be in the draw to win a
gourmet food hamper worth over $100 closes 30 May. Books will be posted during the current lockdown.
Donations of food items for Taste Waikato food hamper prize
Rotarians are being asked to donate unperishable food items as a contribution to the food hamper prize. Please contact Jan Bilton to let her know you have an item or items to donate.
Salvation Army Food Bank collection – contributions of unperishable food
President Robyn has been reading that the Salvation Army is running very short on supplies for their Food Banks and suggests that members may like to contribute an item of unperishable food to the collection boxes when they go to the supermarket. Collection boxes are stationed at Countdown and Fresh Choice. People can also go online on
https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/help-us/donationsThis is one way we can make a difference to families in need at this particular time and help our community.
Food for thought
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Rotary International Convention
The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention: 20-26 June 2020
Some time ago, Rotary International announced with regret that the Rotary International Convention, scheduled for 6-10 June 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, was cancelled due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. This decision is necessary to protect the health of everyone involved. Read further here about the Virtual Convention to be held 20 -26 June 2020. The programme is included and you can register for one or more session. Learn more.
COVID-19 - TRIVIA QUIZ ANSWERS to 7 April quiz
Found them!
- What colour is the star on the Chilean flag? White
- What is the longest River in England, at 354 km? Severn
- With a magnitude of 8.2, New Zealand’s largest earthquake occurred in 1855 in what region? Wairarapa
- What is the only continent located in all four hemispheres? Africa
- With around 147 million people, which country is the ninth largest by population in the world? Russia
- With a capital called Basseterre, what is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, in both area and population? Saint Kitts and Nevis
- San Marino is a microstate which is entirely landlocked by what single country? Italy
- Which of the following is considered a port town as opposed to a city? Timaru
- What is the capital city of Venezuela? Caracas
- The Gibson Desert is found in which Australian state or territory? Western Australia
