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The President's Pen

Dear Members
Heck, what a very challenging time for us all right now. As our Rotary International President Mark Maloney has said:
 
"The COVID-19 coronavirus is affecting every aspect of our lives in real time, and this puts Rotarians in an unfamiliar place. As People of Action, we are most comfortable when we are fully engaged in the world – moving freely, meeting openly, and offering helping hands. These are very difficult times for people who, like us, are at our best when we are learning, growing, and serving—together."
 
As Rotarians, exactly how we offer safe help and assistance within our community, while following isolation rules, is a challenge. To this end, I have taken on the suggestion to utilise ZOOM as an online way for us all to continue to meet.  Some of our members use Zoom already, but for those that don’t know, it is a web-based video conferencing tool (like Skype) and can be used via your computer or on your mobile (with or without video).
                                                        .
Via email, I will invite our members to ‘try’ joining me for our first Zoom meeting on Thursday morning at 8:00am for 30 minutes. Please check your emails on Thursday morning for the invite which will contain an online meeting link to click onto. If you are unsure about this technology, try googling “How to use Zoom” for a quick tutorial. If you don’t have Zoom, it will be much easier for us to connect if you download it now by going to: www.zoom.com 
 
I really look forward to trialing a meeting online so we can continue to share information and ideas, and support each other. Of course, we will also keep connected with this wonderful Bulletin and emails.
 
Take care everyone.
Robyn
President – Rotary Club of St Johns
022 0200 171
Stories
Regular Club Meetings Suspended
All members were sent an e-mail from President Robyn on March 19th regarding the suspension of meetings until further notice. A recap on this and other updates is below:
 
Meeting Suspension
 
Meetings have been suspended until Thursday 16 April.
We planned to review this at next Board meeting on Tuesday 14 April - and will of course be guided by Isolation rules.
 
Members will be invited to meet via Zoom at 8:00am on Thursdays for a 30 minute open forum; and committees and other groups are also invited to arrange meetings this way.
 
Membership Engagement
Directors have been asked to stay connected with their committee members via email, phone, Skype or Zoom. Just in case Clubrunner isn't available, Directors have been supplied with a list of all members email addresses and mobile numbers.
 
As we can, our membership would like to “reach out” to offer assistance within our Community e.g. assisting Glen Innes Food Bank. Member Jan Hogg offered to check with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) about this for us, as CAB offices are now operating only by phone and email.
  • Jan has reported back that the Food Bank is currently fully stocked
  • They are grateful for our offer of any assistance
  • Over the next few weeks should the Food Bank need assistance from volunteers (and are allowed to utilise volunteers, e.g. to deliver food parcels), they will be in touch
If you can think of any other way our club members can assist within the community – let us all know please.  😊
 
Pete W (Bulletin Editor) has emailed to the membership to ask them to share stories, anecdotes, etc as a fun way to “Stay in Touch”. Thank you Pete for this initiative. I also challenge our membership to have fun with Pete's request!
 
I took part in a Telephone Conference on Saturday morning with DG, AG and about 8 other club presidents. Many other clubs plan to meet via Zoom (on line) as this can be downloaded free and the service remains free for up to 100 meetings (which are no longer than 40 minutes).
 
DG Gary advised that the D9920 Homepage now has a link to info on Covid-19. Here is a link to our District homepage: https://rotarydistrict9920.org/
March 19th - Meeting in Review
Stand-in Sergeant John C. introduced President "Rampant Robyn" to the 23 members present.  
 
As per the story above it was a landmark meeting and it is very sad that it has come to this, but we are all in uncharted waters and no doubt every single member would expect us all to do whatever is appropriate to minimise, and hopefully eliminate, every potential risk. 
 
Claire Lucas, Sam's sister, has recently returned from Madagascar where she spent 2 and 1/2  months assisting Sam and his team move to the next ONJA phase.  It was amazing to see the 20 students progressing so well.  They are an exceptionally hard working and studious group of students who are now all fluent in the English Language.  They are now undergoing Accent Training and have started Coding training.  Claire is hopeful of returning in October and we look forward to further ONJA updates. 
 
 
Apart from being stand-in Sergeant, in Miles absence, John C was the Snap Chatter on the day.  John has been a member of the club for 24 years and is the proud recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow & Sapphire Pin.  He is now retired and looking forward to spending more time with family and especially his 8 grand children. His passion is sports, primarily Athletics and Cycling.  Thanks for the up-date John and keep those two wheels upright!!
 
Although time was tight John managed a shortened Sergeants session and collected $83.  John also advised that to date this Rotary Year, the Sunshine Fund has collected $2,937 and $2,326 has been distributed. 
 
The following organisations across our community have received grants from the Sunshine Fund this year:
 
  • Cancer awareness
  • CAB Glen Innes
  • Auckland City Mission
  • Beyond Water
  • Rotary NZ World Community Services - Measles outbreak.
 
 
Golf Tournament Wrap-up
As reported in the last Bulletin, a great day was had by all at last Monday's St. Johns Rotary Annual Golf Tournament.  The final chapter relating to this years Tournament is to celebrate the success.  Not only was it a financial success, but many players, sponsors, volunteers and others have commented on it being a great day on all accounts.
 
Financially we raised $4,000 more than last year.  The total raised was $48,506 and after expenses, Kids Can received a donation of $22,316 and St. Johns Rotary banked $14,877 which will go a long way in funding our vast array of Youth and Community projects and events.
 
Once again congratulations and thanks to David Hartstone and thanks to Freightways, all other sponsors, players, volunteers, and the Remuera Golf Club.
 
Please click on "Read More" for more photos from the day.
Read more...
"NEW" Staying in Touch - Members Contributions to the Bulletin
This week we have had a story and pictures submitted by Hon Member Mary Ann Davison;
 
This past weekend, Mary Ann and Hon Member Andy McCarrison who now live in Marlbourgh, hosted Miles & Margaret Cain and Hon Member Alex McKenzie and Wendy McKenzie, (who now live in Nelson), at the March Meeting of the St. Johns Rotary Southern Branch.  Mary Ann reports that the usual high standard of food, wine, laughter and camaraderie was enjoyed by all!  Lets hope the Red Wine helps with hair growth!!
 
Miles also advised that the request by Government for over 70 year old's to avoid domestic travel, was not announced until they were all already together in Blenhiem.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
......and another story;
 
St. Johns Club Member Graham F. is working overtime to say the least, and he like the Government are preaching - please do not panic shop!. 
 
To do so is going to break Grahams back, (if it hasn't already), and leave the shelves looking like this!!!
 
"IMPORTANT" District Governor Nomination
District 9920 call for nomination for District Governor (DG) 2022-2023
 
Dear Rotary Club of St Johns Member
 
At the recent SPPETs Conference, nominations were called for DG 2022/23.  Now an Assistant Governor, IPP Allan Smith indicated at the conference that he would not apply.
 
Since this time, Allan was approached by Jennie Herring on behalf on the selection panel to submit an application.  He has advised after discussion with others (including Sue) that he would make application.
 
This was discussed at our meeting last week (Thursday, 19 March).  
 
The Board has responded favourably to this as did members in attendance at last week's meeting.
 
In accordance with protocol, we are ensuring all members have the opportunity to vote on supporting Allan’s DG application.
 
Response is anonymously recorded. 
If Majority “support”, the nomination is deemed “good to go” and is formally submitted to the District Committee who approached Allan.
 
Please click here (linking direct to Club Secretary Alex Gatt) to advise Support or Not Support
Any additional content will remain confidential.
 
Deadline to submit response is Sunday 29 March as the application needs to be submitted by the 4 April.
 
 
Yours in Rotary
 
Robyn Ingram
President 
Rotary Club of St Johns Inc
 
 
Associate Professor - Helen Petousis-Harris
As all members have been advised, next Thursdays meeting, along with others, have been cancelled until further notice.  Accordingly we will not get the opportunity to hear from Associate Professor Helen Petousis-Harris.  We have however been sent the following Link featuring Helen on the AM Show, which members may find interesting.
 
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/coronavirus-race-to-approve-vaccine-moving-faster-than-any-previous-vaccination-doctor.html
 
Credit: The AM Show.
 
CANCELLED  
THURSDAY MARCH 26th - BREAKFAST MEETING: 
GUEST SPEAKER - ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR HELEN PETOUSIS-HARRIS.  With the COVID-19 Virus impacting on our lives at the moment, in so many ways, this is a talk not to be missed!  Read on for details from Helen's CV.
Helen is a vaccinologist, and associate professor in the area of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and the Director of the Vaccine Datalink and Research Group.  Since 1998 she has been involved in immunisation-related research in New Zealand including clinical, social science, epidemiological and health systems.  Her main research areas are vaccine safety and vaccine effectiveness and currently she is co-leading the Global Vaccine Data Network, a multinational consortium dedicated to collaboration in vaccine safety studies.  She is a media spokesperson on vaccines and vaccination, a science communicator, and she also teaches undergrad and post grad courses.
Her research interests include vaccine effectiveness and vaccine safety.  She is the chair of the World Health Organization Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), and an elected member of the International Brighton CollaborationScience Board.
Current Research interests include
  • Vaccines and Vaccination
  • Safety of Vaccines
  • Effectiveness of Vaccines
  • Science Communication
CANCELLED
Club Activities & Other Important Dates to Diary
Club activity and meetings are currently restricted or suspended due to the COVID-19 Virus, and there are no additional Club Notices at this time, other than those detailed separately in this Bulletin.  The Bulletin will continue to be published each Monday evening and will contain any updates as required.
March Environmental Challenge - One Week to Go!!
Just one week to go - have you achieved this challenge?  LIQUID SOAP vs BAR SOAP; 
 
3
The Rotary Four Way Test
Read more...
Time for a Smile!
As I left the hardware store the other day, I was fumbling for my car keys and could not find them and they weren't in any of my pockets. 
 
Suddenly I realised  that I must have left them in the car.  Frantically I headed for the parking lot.  My wife has scolded me many times before for leaving my keys in the car ignition.  She's afraid that the car could be stolen. 
 
As I looked around the parking lot, I realised that she was right, the parking lot was empty!  I immediately called the Police and gave them my location and confessed that I had left my keys in the car and it had been stolen.  Then I made the most difficult call of all - to my wife:  "I left my keys in the car and it's been stolen."
 
There was a moment of silence.  I thought that the call had been disconnected, but then I heard her voice - "Are you kidding me?" she barked, "I dropped you off!"  
 
Now it was my turn to be silent.  Embarrassed, I said, "Well can you please come and get me."
 
She retorted - "I will, as soon as I can convince this Policeman who has just stopped me, that I didn't steal your damm car.
 
Welcome to the golden years!!!
 
 
Have a wonderful week with many *smiles*. image

Club Contacts

PresidentRobyn Ingram 022 0200 171 
Secretary, Treasurer, Apologies:  Alex Gatt 021 571 722
President ElectHugh Scott-Russell
Sergeant:  Miles Cain 027 446 9225
Club Services Director:  Allan Smith 021 959 397 
Bulletin EditorPete Walsh 021 747 858
Membership DirectorsDonald Bowie & Rosemary Such 
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:
Donald Bowie donald.bowie.dbc@gmail.com
Next Meeting:
St Johns Rotary Club Meetings have been suspended until further notice.
The Club Bulletin will continue to be published on a Monday evening each week and will update the meeting schedule as required.
Speakers
Mar 26, 2020
Coronavirus within our Community
Mar 26, 2020
Snap Chat
Apr 02, 2020
Rotaract to Rotary plus World Vision
Apr 02, 2020
Presentation of the Totara Award
Apr 02, 2020
Snap Chat - My Outward Bound experience
Apr 09, 2020
Anzac Day Promotion
Apr 16, 2020
Committee Meetings & Project Planning
View entire list
Upcoming Events
ANZAC Breakfast Celebration
Apr 25, 2020
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
 
Annual Debate with RC of Auckland East
May 04, 2020
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
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
 
Small Acts - Big Impact!