We sometimes talk about the Rotary family and how that is often underestimated as an important value and reason for joining Rotary.
Recently we have seen members supported due to illness or an unexpected death and the members wrap their arms around and ensure that where possible support is freely given and the member knows that they only need to speak up and help is on its way.
Rotary is New Zealand wide and last week I was in Nelson. It was a great opportunity to have lunch with Alex McKenzie. We do not know each other well but the fact that there was a bond through Rotary meant that we were able to meet and what a great lunch it was. It is this friendship that allows us to explore worldwide, meet strangers who may become friends for life.
There are many reasons for joining Rotary and often we have preconceived ideas as to whether a friend or acquaintance would want to join. Do not pre judge and allow that person to at least explore and inquire and make their choice. Too often we take away that choice. I challenge you all this year to at least speak to 3 others within your world about Rotary and let them see the community values that we offer.
Remember; no Thursday Club Meeting this week - Club Visit to Harbourside Rotary Club on the 12th. Thanks to all who RSVP'd. Although RSVPs have closed, if you would like to be included please advise asap and we will see if they can add late extra's! walshp@xtra.co.nz.
Another very pleasant and entertaining evening meeting attended by 30 members and 19 guests, chaired by PP David Hartstone in Presidents Allan’s absence. Thanks David.
From the floor, Donald B. expressed a very sincere vote of thanks to all the members who had volunteered to participate in the MS Street Appeal this past weekend. The impromptu Sergeants session led by Toni, raised a very credible $126 which will be passed to MS.
Our Guest Speaker for the meeting was Desley Simpson, Auckland City Council representing the Orakei Ward. As Chair of the Orakei Local Board, her portfolios include overall Board Strategy, finance, rates and governance. Desley is a colourful, outgoing Aucklander with four generations of Auckland local government service in her DNA. Her great great uncle, Sir Henry Brett, being 5th Mayor of Auckland and her great grandfather donating the Pipe Organ in the Auckland Town Hall in 1911.
Her grandfather Sir James Donald was an active member of the Harbour Board which created the Auckland Harbour Bridge opened in 1959.
Desley has been a Justice of the Peace since 1997 and her primary focus as a Councillor is to address issues associated with infrastructure, which previous councils have underinvested in. Obvious examples are stormwater / sewage issues which result in sewage overflowing into the Harbour every time to rains. Auckland still has beaches which are unacceptable for swimming.
The heavy rain on April 11 this year was the worst this century which lead to power and water supply outages attributed to both above and below ground. 60% of power outages are caused by tree roots which can destroy the infrastructure when they are blown over and subsequently up-root the cables and other infrastructure.
The end result is that investment in infrastructure must be increased which could see a steady increase in rates. Certainly, the Uniform Annual General Rates Charge UARC -- could be increased to $414 per household. To balance these issues, savings must be initiated within the Council Infrastructure itself which will be an ongoing exercise. The Finance Committee are looking for a saving of $22 million in the first year and $39 million in the second year.
Desley addressed many other issues and fronted an active Q & A session. A great address that was very informative for all Auckland City residents, not just those in the Orakei Ward.
Raised on a King Country dairy farm and educated at a small primary school in the boonies…later went to boarding school at Hamilton Boys High School and Selwyn College for form 6 and 7.
My father invented a milk meter that measured productivity in individual dairy cows and became a revolutionary product for the dairy industry world-wide. This necessitated a move to Auckland where he set up Tru Test in a small factory in Marua Rd.
Gained a BA in political science and history at Auckland University and a Diploma in Export Marketing at ATI and embarked on a career in international marketing. Later gained an MBA from Auckland University.
My career started with Fletcher Steel in their export division and then as a territory manager and later marketing manager for Tru Test in the USA, Canada, South America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Our family exited Tru Test in 1990 and for the next fourteen years I worked as an international development consultant for NZ technology companies mostly in North and South America; won the 1992 Exporter of the Year award for my efforts.
Too much travel and not enough time with family (married in Feb. 1986 – divorced Oct. 2010) led me to purchase Creative Awards in 2004 and I have this company to present.
I have two grown children, Sam and Olivia who both are pursuing successful careers. I have sponsored a young girl in a Mexican orphanage for the past three years. I enjoy playing golf (badly), tramping the great outdoors and travel. I joined St Johns Rotary in 2005 after an invitation from Beryl for a free cooked breakfast. I enjoy working with a fabulous group of people and especially organising and running the annual fund raising golf tournament.
In the last 10 years, St Johns Rotary has grown its number of members by 79.49%, from a starting figure of 39 members as at February 2018. (There will of course be some fluctuation to the present situation). This makes us the 4th largest club in our Rotary District 9920. Well done and thanks for the proactive membership development guidance of Beryl over 5 years, followed by Allan last Rotary year, and now Robyn.
Within NZL Pacific Rotary, only 5 other clubs grew greater percentage than this, and they are: Port Vila; Henderson; Apia; New Plymouth North; and Oamaru. There are currently 264 Rotary clubs throughout NZ Pacific, with an average club membership of 31 Rotarians.
Unfortunately, total membership in NZL Pacific Rotary has dropped by 20% over this 10-year period, with 75% of clubs declining in numbers, and 30% of all clubs have less than 20 members. For this reason, there is a Rotary Modernisation Exploration Project underway that is looking at the structure of Rotary in NZL Pacific, such as how many Rotary districts are best for the future, and what needs to be done to arrest the decline in total member numbers.
While the decline in the number of NZL Pacific Rotarians is of serious concern, this is regarded as an opportunity, rather than a “woe is me” situation by the Rotary Modernisation Exploration Project. Full information about the membership situation and the modernisation options to address this was circulated to all Rotary clubs earlier this year.
In the meantime, our Rotary club needs to keep on growing our membership via new quality people being introduced, and make sure that our existing members are happy and fulfilled in their Rotary membership experience, so membership is up to all of us!
YOUTH EXCHANGE: Rotary Youth Exchange is one of Rotary's most popular programs to promote international understanding and develop lifelong friendships. It began in 1927 with the Rotary Club of Nice, France. In 1939 an extensive Youth Exchange was created between California and Latin America. Since then the program has expanded around the world. In recent years more than 7,000 young people have participated annually in Rotary-sponsored exchange programs. The values of Youth Exchange are experienced not only by the high school-age students involved but also by the host families, sponsoring clubs, receiving high schools and the entire community Youth Exchange participants usually provide their fellow students in their host schools with excellent opportunities to learn about customs, languages, traditions and family life in another country. Youth Exchange offers young people interesting opportunities and rich experiences to see another part of the world. Students usually spend a full academic year abroad, although some clubs and districts sponsor short term exchanges of several weeks or months. Approximately 36 percent of Rotary Youth Exchange students are hosted or sent by the clubs in the United States and Canada. European countries account for about 40 percent, and 12 percent come from Australia and New Zealand. Asian clubs sponsor 5 percent, and 7 percent come from Latin American countries. Over 70 percent of all Rotary districts participate in Youth Exchange activities. Youth Exchange is a highly recommended program for all Rotary clubs as a practical activity for the enhancement of international understanding and goodwill.
Ever since David was a child, he always had a fear of someone under his bed at night. So he used to go to sleep with a cricket bat under his pillow, so he went to a psychiatrist when he was older. “I've got problems,” he said. “Every time I go to bed I think there's somebody under it. I'm scared. I think I'm going crazy.” “Just put yourself in my hands for one year" said the shrink. "Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid of those fears.” “How much do you charge?” “Eighty dollars per visit,” replied the doctor. “I'll sleep on it,” said David. Six months later the doctor met him on the street. “Why didn't you come to see me about those fears you were having?” he asked. “Well, eighty bucks a visit, three times a week for a year, is $12,480.00. A bartender cured me for $10.00. I was so happy to have saved all that money, that I went and put a deposit down on a brand new car. “Is that so?” said the shrink. And, with a bit of an attitude, he asked “And how, may I ask, did a bartender cure you?”
“He told me to cut the legs off the bed. Ain't nobody under there now.”
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.
Our Guest Speaker for the meeting was Desley Simpson, Auckland City Council representing the Orakei Ward. As Chair of the Orakei Local Board, her portfolios include overall Board Strategy, finance, rates and governance. Desley is a colourful, outgoing Aucklander with four generations of Auckland local government service in her DNA. Her great great uncle, Sir Henry Brett, being 5th Mayor of Auckland and her great grandfather donating the Pipe Organ in the Auckland Town Hall in 1911.
Desley addressed many other issues and fronted an active Q & A session. A great address that was very informative for all Auckland City residents, not just those in the Orakei Ward.
