I am shocked to consult my diary and see most of October almost gone! Thank goodness for daylight saving making the evenings seem longer, so we can get more done???
As usual RCSJ has a lot going on quietly in the background, keeping many of us busy. Earlier this month we had our October Board meeting. Here is a summary of matters your Board discussed:
30th Anniversary Celebration committee advised planning is well underway for this event (Saturday 7th December). BUT at this stage RVSPs and submission of photographs is very slow.
Selwyn College student Genesis Kasper (with our help) has raised enough funds to participate in the 10 Day Development voyage on The Spirit of Adventure in December. She was granted $750 from RCSJ Brian Gibbs Trust and will attend a meeting soon.
New teardrop and pull-up banners are to be ordered asap.
Support of the End Polio Event #tagpoliooff on the trains was fully endorsed, with Murray H and Gary K championing the cause. This event is Friday 1st November.
Discussion on fund raising for all club projects took place. It was agreed that we should do another Quiz night in April 2020.
Membership committee are working on a list of activities.
Three candidates have been selected for the Science & Technology Forum.
President Elect Hugh discussed theme and ideas for his Rotary year.
Our Constitution is in need of updating. Colin Robinson has agreed to work on this.
Consensus reached on December Food Bank Collection – details will be advised as soon as we have the date confirmed.
Club Services has made a “call out” for speaker ideas for next Rotary year, and is particularly interested in targeting potential speakers who would be of interest to our Interact and Youth audience.
Provision of $400 was provided for another Glen Innes garden project.
Megan Gallagher has stepped up into the role of Youth Director (with Murray H as deputy).
Board agreed to fund $7,235 toward the Mango Tree project (Tonga). For details refer to Community International Committee.
It was agreed we would end this year and start next Rotary year with a social event. Details to be advised soon.
I’m really looking forward to our next meet where we are to be regaled with the recent exploits of three of our members. Please come along to support them and enjoy a great breakfast, (which much to the delight of many members, has recently included a selection of cereal).
President "Rapturous Robyn", welcomed 30 members and 2 guests to the breakfast meeting last Thursday. Key club notices highlighted at the meeting are all mentioned in the Presidents message above or in the Bulletin below - Please read on to make sure that you are up to date with club activities and opportunities for you to remain involved.
Our two guest speakers, Chloe Marshall and Coryn Laloli, were from Fire & Emergency New Zealand, (formally NZ Fire Service). Our guests advised that the name change was in part as a result of the Fire Service now being sent to more and more "emergency and medical situations" versus fires, which are declining.
Their very interesting presentation focused on Home Fire Safety, something that we all need to be reminded of every so often.
Did you know that a house fire can move at lightening speed and can become fatal within 5 minutes! A normal fire is not like the movies - its hot, dark, fast and toxic.
There are five Golden Rules that we should all follow;
Ensure your smoke alarms are working
Make your home fire safe
Be prepared
Get-out, stay-out
Call 111
Also worth noting, Fire & Emergency New Zealand offer a FREE call out to help you understand basic fire safety and to assist to formulate a safety plan for your home and family. Interested? - Call your local Fire Station today, (not 111), to setup an appointment.
After a presentation such as this, you can understand there being many questions and this talk was no exception - one question that stole the show was David asking, apparently on behalf of Murray, did Chloe and Coryn have any calendars!
THURSDAY OCTOBER 24th, BREAKFAST MEETING - GUEST SPEAKERS WILL BE CLUB MEMBERS; ALAN MAYNE, LYNETTE BOYD AND DAVID HARTSTONE:
It's always a highlight when we hear from our own club members and this week will be a feast in that regard. First up will be a Snap Chat from Alan Mayne. David and Lynette will share details and stories from their recent travel experiences. David has just returned from a visit to Spain & Morocco and Lynette has returned from China. All exotic locations that hold interest and intrigue - soon to be exposed by Lynette & David!!
THURSDAY OCTOBER 31st, DINNER MEETING - GUEST SPEAKER, CHRIS FARRELLY CEO AUCKLAND CITY MISSION:
Hear the insights on how we try and support those in need. The passion and drive of those who work closely with those in need. Note: This is an Evening Meeting / Dinner.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7th, BREAKFAST MEETING;
In-house Committee and Project Forums. The last for the year - be sure to attend to have your say and offer your services!
DECEMBER 7th - St. JOHN'S ROTARY CLUB 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
To be held at Remuera Golf Club - Save the date and mark in your Calendar now! Note: Dec 5th Meeting will be cancelled.
CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR BREAK:
Last Meeting for 2019 - Thursday December 12th
First Meeting for 2020 - Thursday February 13th
EASTERN BAYS HOSPICE, DOVE HOSPICE SHOPS GARAGE SALE - 3rd SATURDAY OF 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.
JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS ARTICLE IN LAST WEEKS BULLETIN:
Our esteemed and hard working "Club Services Director Allan Smith", has asked all members to take a moment to refresh their memories in regards to responsibilities associated with "Meeting Duties"
Duties are assigned (up to three weeks in advance), by our Club Services Director.
The schedule of duties will be published in each week's Bulletin, and each week following the publishing of the Bulletin, the Bulletin Editor will send an email reminder to all members who are scheduled to complete a duty at the next meeting.
If you have been assigned to undertake a duty, but are unable to do so, please note that it is your responsibility to find an alternative member to stand in on your behalf.
Once you have arranged the swap, please advise President Robyn and Allan S. of who will be undertaking your assigned duty.
Note: Do not ask the individual rostered as "Standby", to complete your duty on your behalf - "Standby" is a duty in its own right.
If you know in advance that you are going to be absent on a future meeting date, please advise Allan via email in advance so that he knows not to roster you for a duty that week.
Please do not advise the Club Services Director or the Bulletin Editor that you are unable to complete the duty with the expectation that they will find a replacement for you.
Any questions related to duty assignment or what a duty involves - please contact Allan. Many thanks to all for your cooperation in regards to above.
Our Club is joining all others in the District to help raise funds for the "End Polio Now" campaign. The fundraiser will require club members to support a collection campaign on Friday November 1st, and our nominated railway station is "Meadowbank Station".
Are you available to support the collection? Contact Murray Hutchinson now. He is waiting to hear from you!
Once again the Rotary Club of St. Johns supported the Pink Ribbon Day annual collection. The picture shows three of our volunteers, President Robyn, Murray H and Robyn's daughter Alex, on duty outside the Ellerslie Post Office.
A big thank you from the Breast Cancer Foundation.
The club's Environmental Challenge is a nice easy one to remember this month, but one with significant benefit to the environment;
Stop using plastic bags, freely available in the Supermarket, for fruit and vegetables. Alternatively take home purchases loose, or use the recyclable gauze bags, as pictured below. These bags can be purchased at minimal cost at all major supermarkets.
Also avoid purchasing pre-packaged fruit and vegetables in plastic and cling wrap - again use the reuseable gauze bags for these items. Good luck with this challenge!
As you will have heard at the last couple of meetings, Sam Lucas is collecting old mobile phones to take back to Madagascar to assist with the Onja project. If you have any looking for a safe and very meaningful good home, please bring these along to the next meeting - this will be Sams last meeting before heading back to Madagascar and he would love to take your old phone with him.
A few weeks ago the club was treated to a presentation from Parafeds Auckland and interested club members are now been invited to attend the Parafeds Auckland Annual Awards Dinner. See invitation and RSVP specifics in the flyer below and additional information on Parafeds and the Awards Dinner can be viewed at; http://www.parafedauckland.co.nz/awards-dinner.
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