Hi team and welcome back to reality after a summer break that included for many family, sun, snow, fishing, grand children and exploring. After reviewing Facebook it is always a delight to see what people do to relax. Sun or Snow it did not matter there was always a smile on faces.
For those who worked through the summer break thank you for keeping the world going and allowing others the relax. You will have your time to play when you choose.
The programme for the next 6 months is busy and after Nov / Dec we certainly made a difference within our local communities.
2019 looks like this:
Golf Tournament March 2019 – Supporting KidsCan
Freshwater Project – Interact Team alongside NIWA
Visit to Little Barrier Island
Have a Go Sailing – 20 schools
Discovery Training for year 8 students
RYDA Training for student drivers
ANZAC Breakfast – April
Club Trivia Nite – 2nd Raising funds for Oxygenator project / Club activities – May
Taveuni Project Team Trip – May
RYPEN planning for attendees
RYLA planning for attendees
Alongside attending the District conference in May
Interact Club looking at establishing a pop-up library in Glen Innes
On top of this we need to think of a suitable project that we can deliver for the Dove Hospice. We are open minded what this might look like. We have been a long time supporter of the Hospice and they play an important part into our community. Like a large number of Charity organisations they always require cash to manage the revenue to support what they are achieving. This has to be a priority for us in 2019 and one that Robyn may be taking into her year of Presidency. Any ideas is welcome?? 😊
and then our 1st meeting the 14th May. (Don’t forget that it is an evening meeting)
We all have goals and ambitions for ourselves and the club. My one has always been that Rotary St Johns is seen as a club both locally and nationally to make a difference.
FIRST MEETING FOR THE YEAR - Thursday February 14th - DINNER MEETING:
A great start to the new year planned with TWO Guest Speakers.
First we will hear from Shaun Peacock who will be speaking about the Rotaract Rakiraki Library project. The Rotaract Club of Auckland City, together with the Rotaract Clubs of Suva and Nadi New Horizons, have committed themselves to building a new library for St Francis School in Rakiraki Fiji, which was destroyed by Cyclone Winston. Ozgun will join Shaun for the presentation.
Our other speaker on the 14th will be our one and only PE, Robyn Ingram. Robyn will talk to us about her recent White Christmas and Skiing holiday in Central Europe. Robyn and Tony also caught up with our past exchange student Henning and his family in Germany. If the pictures that have appeared on Facebook are any indication , I wouldn't be at all surprised if Robyn doesn't entice us all to book a trip next year!
To ensure we get our catering right - please RSVP now to Brian, bfergus@xtra.co.nz
CLUB VISIT TO LITTLE BARRIER ISLAND:
Monday 18th February 2019.
This day is now confirmed, (Rain Day March 4th), and those who have been lucky enough to secure a seat, are very much looking forward to the day. A big thank you to Peter B. for all his effort pulling together the arrangements - no easy matter.
ST JOHNS ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT :
Monday 18th March - Remuera Golf Club.
This is our major fundraiser of the year. David Hartstone is very keen to hear from all who can assist in securing sponsors, prizes, teams and club members available to assist in the organisation leading up to the day, and of course on the day itself. Click "Read More" for copy of Golf Brochure.
DISTRICT 9920 - 2018 / 2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Napier May 10 - 12, 2019.
See story below for registration details.
ST. ANDREWS HOSPICE (DOVE HOUSE), 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.
Although many of us have had limited Rotary activity since our very active year end last year, some have been fully immersed over the holidays. Our IPP Peter B has been one of those who has continued to raise our flag high. One event Peter has been very involved in was the Rotary National Science & Technology Forum, which was held at AUT in January. This was a fortnight of amazing experiences for 170 of NZ's top Year 13 science & technology students, brought together via Rotary clubs from throughout NZ.
The fortnight offered the students visits to many university departments, examples of industry, and other agencies - to assist them to decide on their future studies and careers in science and tech, and to have heaps of fun along the way. During the Forum the students lived together in a university hostel.
Apart from providing Peter B, The Rotary Club of St Johns also sponsored a student from each of our partner schools, Glendowie College and Sacred Heart. The photo below is of Alvaro Nola-Dodd, who RCSJ sponsored from Glendowie College last year. At that 2018 Forum, Alvaro received one of the 2 top student awards that enabled him to participate in the London Science Forum.
Alvaro also volunteered to be an Advisor at the 2019 Forum, and he will also be an Advisor in London for their Forum later this year.
Alvaro has already spoken once at our Club, and has offered to do so again to talk of his experiences in London, and how he finds this year's Forum experience in his 'giving back' capacity. He is a great role model for other students at the Forum. We look forward to hearing from him soon.
Limited places available with a firm cap on the number of attendees and partners due to venue constraints. If you are planning on coming, get in quick!!"
Including the Conference, other activities to join in on are:
District Governor’s Golf Tournament
Art Deco Walking Tour
An Art Deco vintage car driving tour
Hawkes Bay Farmers Market in Hastings on Sunday morning
Bike winery tour
Wine tastings at the Conference venue
You can find more information about the conference here.
You can register for the conference by clicking here.
If you are interested in attending, please also advise Michelle Forman - Email: mertie.forman@gmail.com
Another of our activities in a very busy 2018 has been acknowledged, and the results of the "Big Blood Pressure" testing day are encouraging - great to see the efforts producing positive results. Click "Read More" for details.
The update below from Sam in Madagascar was received late December - As you will see as you read the update - great progress is being made - keep the updates coming Sam!!!!
Global Grant
In my previous update I mentioned the approval of a very important Global Grant - the key enabler for this project. Individual donors, Rotary Districts and The Rotary Foundation all pitched in to make it happen. I mentioned that Districts 9920, 9940, 9980 and 9970 each contributed $5000 USD to the project. It is important to mention that District 9910 also wished to commit $5000 USD but unfortunately the message got through to me late, and we were unable to add the contribution to the grant application by that stage. Nonetheless we are very appreciative to District Foundation Chair Peter Garnett and committee for their willingness to support.
We remain humbled by the overwhelming response from New Zealand's Districts.
The founder and principal of St Jude's School in Tanzania, Gemma Sisia, will be in New Zealand to speak at the 9930 District Conference in Hamilton on March 16th. If anyone is interested in hearing her speak, please see the link below for details.
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.