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President's Message
This week, our guest speaker Roger Green has 33 years’ experience working with addicts and alcoholics. Roger is CEO Director of the New Zealand Retreat (NZRA) Auckland that operates a facility in Otahuhu similar in concept to the Retreat at Wayzata, Minn., USA. Both are modelled on the Twelve Steps principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Roger is also active in establishing Drug and Alcohol workplace programmes for NZ industry and sports academies, and will provide an overview of his work to counter the massive negative effects of the disease of addiction in NZ.
 
Last Thursday we welcomed back further members following the Christmas break at our first breakfast meeting of the year - and were treated to a motivating illustrated presentation by Mark Hillman of his multi-day crossing of the alpine Ball Pass near Mt Cook. 
 
Please remember to purchase your tickets for the Taveuni Trivia Night on Thurs. 1 March from Penny McGarry, and publicise to others.
Stories
Guest Speaker - Mark Hillman
Members were entertained last Thursday morning by our very own Mark Hillman who enthusiastically told us about his most recent “extreme” tramping trip where he and an elite group of friends (which didn’t include Simon) “knocked off” the Ball Pass Crossing. 
 
Mark explained, since 2005 he and a group of mates have been getting together every February with the idea of doing a unique tramp and really getting out there to enjoy NZ’s unique mountain environment. The group mark each year’s tramp with a t-shirt; beanie; their own logo; and to add to the complete the experience, they finish each tramp at a Restaurant.  Back in 2005 they started with the Tongariro Crossing and the mates have been doing something like this each year ever since.

 
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Taveuni Trivia FUNDRAISER Night
 
***  Auction and/or Spot Prize items for this event gratefully received!
RYLA Nominations Please
(Rotary Youth Leadership Award)
Our Club is looking for nominations for this remarkable programme. As a club, we have all thoroughly enjoyed hearing back from our RYLA graduates and unfailingly hear how this programme enriches the participants in profound ways.
 
RYLA is an experiential live-in programme designed to help young people develop their team work and communication skills and fulfill their potential as leaders. (Age range: 20–28 years). If a nomination is successful, our Club pays the fee.  Applicants must be of reasonable fitness.
 
2018 Dates:  Saturday 30 June – Saturday 7 July
 
If you know of anyone in this age group who could be a potential nominee/candidate (Rotary family members are welcome to apply), please direct them to complete the online Registration form (adding St John’s as the sponsoring club) via this link: http://www.ryla.co.nz/pdf-registration-form/ 
 
If you would like to know more about the programme and nomination process, please contact Tom Street for additional information.  Email:  poms@ihug.co.nz
Committee Meeting Dates to Diary
Every club member has been assigned to a Committee. Please check ClubRunner if you can't recall which committee you have been assigned to!
 
Combined Committee meetings take place every second month. They are not mandatory, but your attendance is helpful!  Meetings are held at Remuera Golf Club (in the cafe/bar area) and nibbles are provided. Please email your Committee Director if you are unable to attend the meeting.
 
Youth Services - Iain Smith idsdesign@xtra.co.nz
Environment & Science - Nick Goddard goddard.nj@gmail.com
International & Community - Penny McGarry pennymcg@xtra.co.nz
 
Dates for next committee meetings are: Tuesday evenings, 10 April and 5 June (6:00 pm)
 
Women In Rotary High Tea
This year’s Women in Rotary High Tea will be on 10 March 2018 at the Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre in Lloyd Elsmore Park.  The theme will be Hats & Handbags and please invite family and friends as well.  Donations of used handbags in good condition and women’s health and beauty items are also welcome and will be used as fundraisers throughout the event, with profits being donated to women in need and other Rotary projects.  If you are interested in attending, then please contact Jacqui in the office.
 
Date & Time: 2pm, Saturday 10 March 2018
Venue: Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, Lloyd Elsmore Park, 451 Pakuranga Road, Pakuranga
Cost: $45pp
Online Auction Supporting Dementia Auckland
Parnell Rotary are proud to support Dementia Auckland’s first ever online charity auction – and you could collect some amazing items.
 
We are delighted that we can help provide vital services to support people with dementia, and their carers, to live well and extend their independence.
 
Now, with this new auction, we hope that Dementia Auckland (and the people in their care) will benefit even more.
 
From a signed Jona Lomu rugby jersey (a truly one of a kind collectors’ item!) through to gorgeous collectable homewares and family passes for some of Auckland’s favourite attractions, dining vouchers and coffee machines, there’s truly something for everyone.
 
Now, we’re asking all Rotarians – why not put your dollar where it can do some good?
 
Visit the Dementia Auckland Trade Me auction today trade.me/dementiaauckland to put your bids in. Get in quick – you don’t want to miss out on these amazing items.
 
Happy bidding!
Upcoming Projects and Lead Coordinators
Feb/Mar
Motuapu Island house painting (Miles +)
TBC
Tahuna Torea Beach clean-up (Nick) 9am start
1 Mar
Taveuni Island Fiji – Quiz Night fundraiser
Auction items gratefully accepted (Donald, Ainie)
3 Mar
Co-Hosting RI President Ian Riseley to Motutapu Island
(with Newmarket Club)
19 Mar
Sub60 Golf Tournament (David)
23-25 Mar
RYPEN (Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment) (Ainie)
 
ClubRunner Tips
Clubrunner is the website platform we all use for Rotary in New Zealand and the pacific including our districts and clubs.  The following will help you as a member to access these. Note that the login you have is the same at  Rotary Oceania, district and club levels.
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Club Contacts

President:  Peter Buchanan 027 434 1832 
Secretary, Treasurer:  Alex Gatt 
Apologies:  Alex Gatt 021 571 722 or gatt@xtra.co.nz
President Elect:  Allan Smith
Sergeant Major:  John Cornaga
Club Services Director: Brian Fergus bfergus@xtra.co.nz
Bulletin Editors:  Annie Tyson & Robyn Ingram
Membership Director:  Allan Smith  ASmith@accessable.co.nz
Club Email stjohnsrotary@gmail.com
Our Meetings
 
We meet Thursday for breakfast at 7 am for 7.15 am start,
except for the first Thursday of the month,
when we meet in the evening at 6 pm for dinner.
 
Remuera Golf Club
120 Abbotts Way, Remuera, Auckland, 1072
New Zealand 
 
All Rotarian's are welcome including family members.
 
Others wanting to visit are most welcome to contact:
Next meeting: 
Thursday 15 February 2018
Morning 7:00am
 
Meeting Responsibilities
Setup
Robinson, Colin
 
Attendance
Russell, Hugh Scott
 
Greeter
Robinson, Beryl
 
Standby
Robinson, Neil
 
Speaker Host
Fergus, Brian
 
Thanks/Close
Peach, Blair
 
Upcoming Events
Taveuni Island - Trivia Evening
Mar 01, 2018
 
Golf Tournament
Mar 19, 2018
 
BE  AN  ACTIVE  PARTICIPANT  IN  OUR  VIBRANT  CLUB
Did you join Rotary to do good things in the community?
You can help or join in all projects (whatever the committee), just contact the committee director and/or project team leader.  In most cases, you can include family and friends. 
Enjoy your Rotary:  Be an active Rotarian
 
The best 'little' Rotary Club in the Biosphere!