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The President's Pen

Hi All,
 
Hopefully everyone was able to get out and enjoy the really great weather on Sunday – it does not get much better than that!
 
We had a great meeting on Thursday with real people, proper food and Brian Fergus regaling us with his pre-COVID travel adventures. The projectionist was slightly dodgy but in true RCoSJ fashion we managed to make it work.
 
We are still seeing events being cancelled and postponed as we ride the COVID Level Wave so please keep an eye on your emails for changes to our projects – I will do my best to keep everyone up to date at the meetings.
 
Take care and see you on Thursday to learn all the goods and bad around sugar.
 
Hugh
 
President: Rotary Club of St Johns
Phone: 021 0813 7313
 
 
Stories
Meeting in Review - September 17th  2020
A face to face meeting last week - wow wasn't that something special! 
 
Zoom has assisted the club maintaining dialogue each week, but only to a degree and over the last few weeks the numbers participating were decreasing week by week so returning to the RGC last Thursday was very timely.  A big thank you to Grant and his team at the Club for the efforts that they have gone to, to keep us safe and allowing us to gather as a group larger than 10.  Let's hope that we can stay in Level 2, or lower, and to maintain a degree of normality from here on in.
 
President Hugh welcomed all, outlined the agenda for the meeting and called for notices;
 
Peter B. confirmed that the weekend visit to Rotoroa Island was still scheduled to operate for the 10 members registered and should there be any changes he will be in touch directly.
 
Robyn thanked all who have been assisting with the Salvation Army Foodbank, Leslie thanked members who had been assisting with ERK packing and for supporting the MS Street Appeal, (now cancelled).
 
Our guest speaker Mr. Brian Fergus was then asked to share the highlights of his cruise experience on the Queen Mary 2 late last year, pre COVID.  Most members were waiting with great anticipation to hear all about the cruise experience, the food, other cruise guests, cruise activities and all the wonderful ports visited......well weren't those members disappointed!! Mr. Fergus had other ideas, as did the audio visual system!
 
Instead of the above, we were treated to a history lesson on Canada and in particular the Eastern Provinces.  Many of the historical facts shared with the meeting appeared to be a surprise to many members.  At times Brian tried to convince us that he had lost the plot, but despite this and despite the video presentation prepared to support his talk taking on a life of its own, it ended up being one of the great talks that we have had at the club.
 
Prior to wrapping up his talk by sharing with us how nice the Canadians are, his surprise that they knew what a Flat White is and that Canada is fascinating and a great country, he still wouldn't want to live there - too cold!!!
 
Thanks Brian - a great presentation - we look forward to the next one.
 
The Clubs resident photographer has finally started taking his job seriously and here are a few shots of members enjoying the meeting....   
Club Activities & Other Important Dates to Diary
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24th - Breakfast Meeting, Venue Remuera Golf Club / Time 7.00am for 7.15am.
The quality and diverse nature of our guest speakers continues, with this week's speaker being, Dr. Bodo Lang and his talk is titled "Don't Sugar Coat It".   
Sugar used to be our sweet heart. Not anymore. Sugar has been implicated in a variety of diseases with grim consequences for individual health, productivity, and health costs. This talk aims to inform, educate and even entertain the audience about sugar, its perils and how easy it is to reduce sugar consumption.

Dr. Lang has worked as a Lecturer in the marketing department at the University of Auckland Business School; as an Academic Director and Senior Lecturer at the Manukau Institute of Technology; and he is currently a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of Department (Marketing) at the University of Auckland Business School.  He is a passionate teacher and has received two teaching awards and has sustained excellence for nearly two decades of teaching.

 

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1st - Dinner and Fellowship Evening at the Club!
This fellowship event will replace our weekly meeting and is open to Members, Partners, Family & Friends.  Come and have a go on the driving range at our home-base, Remuera Golf Club, followed by a delicious fish and chips meal at Winstones, or possibly better known at the 19th.
 
This is a fun event, and as observed last year, is suitable for all abilities, (or complete lack of ability).  Those not wishing to swing a club are invited to observe the fun, or take the opportunity to have a catch-up chat in the bar.

Further details will be advised via future Bulletin.  An RSVPs will be required, so please diary now.  Its been a while since we had a good social event so more the merrier.

 

THURSDAY OCTOBER 8th - Breakfast Meeting Venue - Remuera Golf Club - 7.00 am for 7.15 am.
 
Our Guest Speakers at this meeting will be Mavis Dunn & Barry Shaw from Orakei Toast Masters.
 

Toastmasters and Rotary recently announced a partnership to help members grow professionally and make a difference in their community.  We have invited Mavis, (Area Director) and Barry, (Division Director) from Orakei Toastmasters to speak to us about their organisation and club activities.

Orakei Toastmasters offers a culturally-diverse, friendly and supportive environment to learn real communication and leadership skills. Their club currently has over 35 members from 15 different countries.

 
 
 

 

Committees - 2020 / 2021
By now all members will have received the email copied below.  However just in case you missed it, here's another copy and if you do not know what Committee  you are currently on please contact Hugh.
 
"Hi All,
 
As discussed at this morning meeting I have attached the current committee list for everyone to review.
 
Some actions:
- Let me know if you are not on the list
- Let me know if you would like to change committees
 
The intention of the committees are to generate ideas for projects and support the Champions with their execution.
 
Many thanks
Hugh"
 
 
Packing the ERK's
Over the last few months, District have been packing ERK's in readiness for these to be shipped to the Pacific Islands prior to this years Cyclone season.  St. Johns Rotary have provided support at several packing Working Bees to help meet the deadline.  The latest packing session was last Thursday and a team of three RCof SJ members represented the club. 
 
Thanks to David, Andy and Pete W., along with all other club volunteers who have supported the project this year.
 
If you would like to assist packing ERK's, keep an eye out for notification of future dates.
 
Time for a Smile!
The Winker;
 
A man with a winking problem is applying for a position as a sales representative for a large firm.
The interviewer looks over his papers and says,
            “This is phenomenal. You've graduated from the best schools, your references are wonderful, and your experience is unparalleled. Normally, we'd hire you without a second thought. However, a sales representative has a highly visible position, and we're afraid that your constant winking will scare off potential customers. I'm sorry.... but we can't hire you."
            "But wait," the man says. "If I take two aspirin, I'll stop winking!"
            "Really? Great! Show me!"
So the applicant reaches into his jacket pocket and begins pulling out all sorts of condoms: red condoms, blue condoms, ribbed condoms, flavoured condoms.  Finally, at the bottom, he finds a packet of aspirin.
He tears it open, swallows the pills, and stops winking.
            "Well," said the interviewer, "that's all well and good; but this is a respectable company and we will not have our employees womanising all over the country!"
            "Womanizing? What do you mean? I'm a happily married man!"
            "Well then, how do you explain all these condoms?"
            "Oh, that," he sighed. "Have you ever walked into a pharmacy, winking, and asked for aspirin?"
 
Have a wonderful week with many *smiles*.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Next Meeting:
 
Breakfast Meeting 
7.00 am for 7.15 am. 
 
Thursday September 24th
 
Venue - Remuera Golf Club
Bulletin Contents: 
  • The President's Pen
  • Meeting in Review - September 17th
  • Activities & Important Dates
  • Committees
  • ERK Packing
  • Time for a Smile
Speakers
Sep 24, 2020 7:00 AM
Don't Sugar Coat It!
Oct 01, 2020 6:00 PM
Fellowship Event (in lieu of usual meeting)
Oct 08, 2020 7:00 AM
Orakei Toastmasters
Oct 15, 2020 7:00 AM
Investment Markets in Uncertain Times
Oct 22, 2020 7:00 AM
Centre Manager - Salvation Army Manukau
Oct 29, 2020 7:00 AM
Mens Shed
Nov 05, 2020 6:00 PM
Updates on The America's Cup and ONJA Madagascar
Nov 12, 2020 7:00 AM
Operations Manager for St John Clinical Communications Centre
Nov 19, 2020 7:00 AM
CEO Te Roopu Taurima
View entire list
Meeting Responsibilities
Thursday 24 September
 
Set-Up
Richardson-Jones, Aubrey
 
Attendance
Harris, Lesley
 
Greeter
Jones, Simon
 
Speaker Host
Buchanan, Peter
 
Thanks & Close
Gatt, Alex
 
Set-Down
Fergus, Brian
 
Stand-By
Stephens, Helen
 
Thursday 1 October FELLOWSHIP
 
Attendance
Mann, Michele
 
Thanks & Close
Forman, Michelle
 
Thursday 8 October
 
Set-Up
Mcphee, Angus
 
Attendance
Jolliffe, Cheri
 
Greeter
Robinson, Colin
 
Speaker Host
Hartstone, David
 
Thanks & Close
Robinson, Beryl
 
Set-Down
Cain, Miles
 
Stand-By
Lucas, Claire
 
Thursday 15 October
 
Set-Up
Fabian, Graham
 
Attendance
Smith, Allan
 
Greeter
Tedcastle, Isabella
 
Speaker Host
Lewisham, John
 
Thanks & Close
Rutherford, Christie
 
Set-Down
Boyd, Lynette
 
Stand-By
Robinson, Neil
 

Club Contacts

President: 
Hugh Scott-Russell 021 0813 7313 
Secretary, Treasurer & Apologies: 
Alex Gatt 021 571 722
Presidents Elect: 
Penny McGarry 021 702 310   &
Lesley Harris 027 4935 498
Sergeant: 
Michelle Forman 021 0277 9456
Club Services: 
Robyn Ingram  022 0200 171 
Bulletin Editor: 
Pete Walsh 021 747 858
Membership: 
John Lewisham 021 375080
Website:  www.rotarystjohns.club
Our Meetings
 
We meet Thursday for breakfast at
7:00 am for 7:15 am start,
except for the first Thursday of the month, when we meet in the evening at 6:00 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 - please email:
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