Over the last few weeks there has been some discussion in regard to the frequency of our meetings. "How often should we meet" and the format and style. An important consideration when considering this is how we keep members engaged in the club, its activities, and the relationships built over time. I know that with missing a meeting and then to write this article I had to again come up to speed. There are many reasons for change but they need to be for the right reasons.
In April we have 2 very important events that we should all support. There was considerable pressure to not have our meeting on the 11th in order to encourage members to attend the Oxygenator trivial pursuit night, Friday 12th. This is certainly an important fundraiser that we should get behind and we look forward to those tables being sold.
The other is our Anzac Day breakfast. This is a family function and all ages can attend. Would it not be great to see grandparents, children, grandchildren around 1 table recognising such an important day in New Zealand’s history. I did not attend a war but after recently seeing Peter Jackson's movie it was a horrific time that should not be repeated.
Once again these are not members only events and I encourage you all to attend them both.
Club Meeting cancelled to encourage Quiz Night Attendance
Please note that we have cancelled our normal club meeting on Thursday 11 April. We have done this specifically to encourage our membership to spend their breakfast-meeting money on the Quiz night ticket instead. It would be great to get another table of St John’s members in attendance and show our co-hosts (Remuera Club) how it’s done! Please contact Robyn if you would like a ticket (or two or three), or for that matter a table or two!!
Our speaker at last weeks breakfast meeting was Associate Professor Stephen Howie and we learned what a wonderful person he is. He spoke with passion and commitment about the reason for the Oxygen concentrator project and the need for these to be rolled our across Fiji. He makes such emotional and logical sense which encourages us to support this project.
We are asking you to invite your friends and family to the quiz night on April 12th to raise funds for the project. All the plans for the evening are coming together, so let's get as many people there as possible to help Cure Kids succeed.
Attached are two flyers for the night - one a general flyer applicable to all-comers and the second is more focused on Rotarians as we rally clubs into competing for an annual quiz night trophy!
If you haven't bought any tickets yet please contact PE Robyn, or Donald B.
Also present at the meeting and representing the Remuera Rotary Club was James Young who was also promoting the Quiz night. Click "Read More" for pictures.
NEXT MEETING - DINNER MEETING - THURSDAY APRIL 4th:
Pip Block, owner and Director of "A1 Student", earned her Bachelor of Arts and Post Graduate Certificate in Education degrees in the UK and began teaching in 1994. Prior to joining the Saint Kentigern school community in 2011 she worked for the Life Education Trust in Auckland for 5 years. In 2014 Peter Cassie, Principal of Saint Kentigern Boys’ School, introduced the Arrowsmith Programme and Pip was chosen to train in Toronto, Canada, as a full-time Arrowsmith teacher. Her passion to help people learn drew her to this programme and she has helped many students achieve some exceptional life-changing results. After 25 years in teaching, she has established A1 Student in order to expand her current teaching capacity to reach more students.
“Having been a teacher of Arrowsmith for the past five years, it is clear to me that this program can help people ‘unblock’ pathways in the brain so they can dare to dream again.” PIP BLOCK As this is a dinner meeting please RSVP to Brian F, asap to secure your seat.
ANZAC DAY BREAKFAST - APRIL 25th
This is a very special day and one that we recognise by holding a very special breakfast meeting at St. Johns Rotary. Diary this now and RSVP to Michelle at; carecookmichelle@gmail.com ! Click "Read More" for full details.
ANNUAL DEBATE - THURSDAY MAY 2nd (Remuera Golf Club):
The annual debate between St Johns Rotary and Auckland East Rotary is scheduled to be held at RGC. This is an evening meeting and our team has been selected - Be sure to support our team of Angus, (Team Leader), Lynnette and Murray who will be debating the Moot " Should Auckland City Sell Eden Park", and our position in the Negative.
FISH & CHIP NIGHT - FUN NIGHT FOR ST JOHNS ROTARY MEMBERS AND GUESTS:
Friday May 17th. Diary now - this will be held at Remuera Golf Club, $20 per person, (Fish & Chips, Salad, Cash Bar), Bingo and an evening of fun and fellowship. RSVP to Michelle Foreman, mertie.foreman@gmail.com
CHANGE-OVER DINNER - "FRIDAY JUNE 28th.
More detail to follow, but in the meantime please enter this date in your Diary now. This is the dinner where President Allan will pass the baton to PE Robyn. This event causes a few other date changes so please also take note of these noted here;
Change-over Dinner - Friday June 28th
Scheduled Breakfast Meeting June 27th cancelled
Scheduled Dinner Meeting on July 4th changes to a Breakfast Meeting. (i.e. no dinner meeting in July)
EASTERN BAYS HOSPICE, DOVE HOSPICE SHOPS GARAGE SALE:
1st and 3rd Saturdays every month at 8 am.
Corner Elizabeth Knox Place and Thomas Peacock Place, (off Morrin Road). Go along and assist with the sale or just go along and shop - some great bargain's. More details from Murray H.
Our very own Mr. Community, Community Director Miles Cain had a big Community Rotary day last Friday, planting out the garden outside the Glen Innes Citizen Advice Bureau, with Nandina shrubs that he had purchased the day before at the Kings Plant Barn sale. Miles led a small group of St Johns volunteers last December to prepare the very overgrown garden for the big "Plant-Out", day. He also donated a hose with fittings so there will be no excuse for the CAB staff not to water, although they have been let off the hook today!
While at the CAB Miles also caught up with Manager Patsy who was able to show Miles how much of the Christmas Food Bank Collection was still remaining. About 1/3rd of the collection was still available to be donated following the massive collection by St Johns Rotary last December in-conjunction with New World Lunn Ave.
Pictured below is a "before" and "after" planting, Miles proudly inspecting the great job, and the last picture is of Patsy with the remains of the 2018 Christmas collection.
"Hello, this week I had full school days and I studied for my school in Argentina, the weekend was really amazing, I went to rafting with the president of the Rotary Club of Pakuranga and two of the inbounds, it was very fun and I enjoyed this beautiful weekend".
District 9920 RYPEN, "Rotary Youth Programme o Enrichment" weekend Camp was held last weekend at the Kokako Lodge in the Hunua Ranges.
The primary District Coordinator was our very own Ainie Kwok and what a great job she did. The RYPEN objectives were met through activities organised throughout the weekend and the actions of the team leaders were examplary. She was very ably supported by Club members Mark H, Tricia Gerrard, and Kevin K, and they were supported by the superb talents of young Auckland Rotaractors, Glendowie College Interactors and past RYPEN and RYLA graduates.
Proposed dates for RYPEN 2020 are 27 to 29 March 2020, at Kokako Lodge
RYLA (Rotary Young-Person Leadership Awards) is a week-long leadership development programme for 20-28 year-old participants, running 29th June to 6th July 2019, hosted and sponsored by Rotary Clubs in District 9920. RYLA is a live-in programme designed to help young people develop their team work and communication skills and fulfill their potential as leaders, both as individuals and in leading teams.
St Johns Rotary are seeking applications now these close on April 30th. Please consider who you know that may benefit.
Rotary 9920 are seeking to increase the number of company sponsored attendees and therefore if anyone is able to provide introductions to companies then please let Tom Street know on tstreet@outlook.co.nz.
If you would like copies of a small booklet with more details please contact Tom, or for full details of the RYLA Story, view the website; www.ryla.co.nz.
Ben Ng-wai Shing, former St. Johns Rotary member and now Nelson Rotarian is doing his bit for Nelson fire and Christchurch Mosque victims, with Charity Auctions now available on Trademe. Ben, a practicing MD, is also a very talented Artist (jewelry), and he has designed and made several pieces of jewelry now for sale on Trademe. The pieces for sale are pictured below and the Trademe link is; https://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=7077937
David Stone, Honorary St. Johns Rotary member, has invited any St Johns Rotarian who maybe interested to enjoy a morning out doing good, followed by a free lunch before a swim and/or a walk in a truly spectacular wildlife sanctuary. To round out the day you could also consider a pizza or light meal at Matakana or Warkworth, or great Fish and Chips and burgers from Seaspray at Snells Beach.
Everyone is welcome to join for the April work day, (no pets though please).
Date: 7 April
Time: 9.00am
Meet: At the wool shed
Wear: old clothes, gumboots/sturdy shoes, gardening/work gloves NB: Please make sure that the soles of your boots are clean.
Bring: raincoat or sunhat depending on weather
Barbeque: A free barbeque will be provided at the end of the planting session. This is a great way to meet other volunteers and also to speak to the rangers, council staff and TOSSI committee members, many of whom will be there. Your feedback and ideas are always welcome.
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.
.jpg)
Actions of Choice Inspires 
Pip Block, owner and Director of "A1 Student", earned her Bachelor of Arts and Post Graduate Certificate in Education degrees in the UK and began teaching in 1994. Prior to joining the Saint Kentigern school community in 2011 she worked for the Life Education Trust in Auckland for 5 years. In 2014 Peter Cassie, Principal of Saint Kentigern Boys’ School, introduced the Arrowsmith Programme and Pip was chosen to train in Toronto, Canada, as a full-time Arrowsmith teacher. Her passion to help people learn drew her to this programme and she has helped many students achieve some exceptional life-changing results. After 25 years in teaching, she has established A1 Student in order to expand her current teaching capacity to reach more students.
Friday May 17th. Diary now - this will be held at Remuera Golf Club, $20 per person, (Fish & Chips, Salad, Cash Bar), Bingo and an evening of fun and fellowship. RSVP to Michelle Foreman, mertie.foreman@gmail.com
District 9920 RYPEN, "Rotary Youth Programme o Enrichment" weekend Camp was held last weekend at the Kokako Lodge in the Hunua Ranges.
