President’s message …. Nigel has reviewed DG Grant Spackman’s presentation below – a very informative and enjoyable address and we learnt much about the planning and progress of his District Governor year.
The latest Rotary Down Under magazine has lots of interesting articles and as our Club has a “Did you Know?” slot each week, I was interested to see a “Did you Know” in the magazine – recounted here …
- When RI President Holger Knaack took office on July 1, 2020, he was the first Rotarian from Germany to achieve this position.
- The first RI president was Paul Harris from the US in 1910-11.
- Of the 200 international countries in which Rotary International is active, only 27 have provided RI world presidents. The US has provided 60, Australia and Canada five each, England four, Brazil, India, Japan and Mexico three each, Bermuda, Italy, New Zealand two each, and Argentina, France, Finland, Germany, Korea, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and The Netherlands one each.
New Zealand can feel very proud to have had two – do you know who they were and the year they served?
Unfortunately our Vocational visit has been cancelled so see below for details of the club meeting arrangements for this coming week – 29 October. Thank you Jan and LesleyAnn for all your work to ensure we have an interesting and enjoyable evening.
Meeting Notes: 22 October 2020
The Club hosted District Governor Grant Spackman (wife Wendy an apology due to work commitments), with additional guests Assistant Governor David Hulme, past DG Leonie Tisch from the Matamata club and potential member Sean Brady. Partners Liz Grant, Linda Tarbutt and Michael Ryan were also in attendance.
DG Grant spoke to his power point presentation “Rotary Opens Opportunities”, a copy of which is appended to this newsletter. He attended Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, California which was a week long programme of intensive training for 540 incoming Governors from 184 countries.
The new Vision Statement for Rotary: “Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves” was announced a month before the world changed dramatically – borders closed and we went into lockdown, and the theme for the year became somewhat ironic: “Rotary Connects the World”. An Action Plan was adopted to minimise the impact of Covid-19.
DG Grant outlined some Rotary projects:
- The FACES project in Brazil uses 3D printing technology in a cancer hospital to produce facial prosthetics for patients
- “Rhyming the Alphabet”
- Kiwi Can in Schools, aiming to strengthen life skills in students in years 1 – 8.
- Give Every Child a Future that has been previously presented to Club members .
He explained Project Open Doors, the new strategy adopted by the District Foundation committee that is based on a single District-wide grant, and that focuses (apparently after much deliberation) on one aspect of our local world that has been significantly impacted by Covid-19, namely the needs of our senior population. All Clubs will be able to participate in Project Open Doors with projects that are applicable to the needs of their own communities.
In conclusion, DG Grant spoke to the events planned to celebrate the centenary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the need to recruit new members, and gave a wrap for the District Conference planned for 21/23 May 2021 in Hastings
David Partis thanked DG Grant for his attendance, and the informative presentation.
The Bookarama duty roster sheets still have vacancies – this is a major fund raiser for the Club, and all members are encouraged to participate. Ray Milner warned that members must remove any contents of the Club container in which they have an interest by 8 November.
The Spring Challenge had resulted in income for the Club of around $1,400 – well done David Partis and all concerned.
Bev Heron warned Members that their November invoice would also contain charges for the movie night, the Glasslines visit and the DG’s visit – be warned.
Next week’s meeting (29 October) – please note no visit to Glasslines – go straight to Te Awa for 5.30pm.
Address: Te Awa Village, 1866 Cambridge Road.
Time: arrive 5.30 for 6pm
Programme: Welcome from President Bev Maul Rogers
Welcome from Mandy Hudson Pratley, general manager Te Awa Lifecare Village
Speaker: Martin Bennett
Dinner: served 7 pm approx. in Te Awa’s outstanding restaurant
Cost: $35/head (Asian inspired meal) Drinks – pay at bar
In 2017 Martin Bennett and his daughter Stephanie founded the Parkinsons Tinman Club to fundraise and build awareness for this relentless and unforgiving disease. They’ve received great support from family and friends. This year father and daughter are trying to widen the awareness and appeal to fellow Rotarians for support.
For the last three years, Martin has competed in the Tinman Triathlon and this year he will front up for the 4th time. For someone who lives with Parkinsons, this has taken training, true grit, determination and a commitment to year-round training.
The film premier “I am Woman” was successful, and Richard Johnstone is organising a matinee performance next Thursday afternoon – members are asked to support.
Raffles were won by Shirley Haycock and Don Harris.
Ian Grant has let us know a great deal about his Scottish roots, including alleged tattoos (too much information) and a topic close to the heart of DG Grant – Apples.
