Another crazy Rotary week for your President but I'm loving it and who wouldn’t enjoy promoting our awesome RCSJ? On Thursday afternoon I attended an Interact meet at Glendowie College. It was super to see a group of five young leaders conducting the meet together. I came away feeling really invigorated by their energy. Thursday evening was extra special - Gonza prepared and cooked a massive meal of gnocchi pasta for the family (7 of us that night). You can tell this young man has Italian heritage and I can see him extending his career to that of Flying Doctor and Chef. 😊
From Friday 12 noon until Sunday 3pm, I was busy 24/7 helping to run the RYE Marae Weekend. This is a cultural experience the RYE district committee organises for the Districts Inbound and Outbound RYE students and takes place at Te Tahawai Marae, Edgewater College. We sleep over, cook, clean, run workshops, learn about Maori culture, learn some basic Reo and Waiata. On Sunday the students are assisted to do a stunning welcome onto the Marae and follow-up with a Cultural Performance. “Our Gonza” learned the Haka and it was so impressive I’m going to try to show the club a video of it at our next meet.
This week I’m looking forward to our District Governor, Gary and his wife Jan, joining us. I’ve met Gary a number of times and this gentleman always has a smile, so I know his presentation will be inspiring. We also have an Induction for this meeting – so please try and join us to celebrate with the new member. For a bit of fun and camaraderie, I challenge you all to wear your club t-shirts to this special meeting. See you soon.
A total of 29 members and guests helped celebrated "Radiant Robyn's" first month in office and all present signaled that they were happy with the way the year was progressing. President Robyn took a few minutes to talk about some of the activity that she has been involved with over the last few weeks - and WOW, has she been busy, both with St Johns Rotary activity as well as Rotary business in general, much of which has revolved around RYE International Rotary Youth Exchange students, arriving and departing.
Much of her activity has also been dealing with the large volume of Rotary e-mail traffic and if you have sent her a message recently and are waiting for a reply - fear not a reply will be forthcoming soon. Robyn also briefly mentioned concerns that some members have recently been expressing of RCSJ being a club of 50%er's. We have 62 members and 50% (30), responded to the recent survey, approximately 50% of members read the Bulletin, and very rarely do we see even 50% attend meetings. There are of course a myriad of good reasons that these stats exist, but President Robyn is adamant that she and her Board will be reviewing recent comments and feedback received, and they will endeavour to determine what actions can be taken to increase the percent of active members and their involvement.
One of our guests at this meeting was PP and Hon member Andy McCarrison. Andy briefly addressed the meeting, bringing best wishes from the "Southern Branch of St. Johns Rotary". Current members of this branch include; Andy; PP and Hon member Mary-Ann Davison; PP and Hon member Alex McKenzie and Wendy; Hon Member David Stone and Jill and Hon Member Mike Henry and Maureen. This select group manage to get together regularly and when they do they fondly recall their St. Johns days. Andy and Mary Ann have recently built a beautiful house on a lifestyle block in Marlborough. Andy invited those finding themselves in the area to visit, although he did mention that the last thing Mary Ann said to him before he headed to Auckland this week was, "Just don't invite them all!!" Pictured above with Andy and Mary Ann, is the new Clubhouse!
Our guest speaker at the meeting was Tom Smith. Tom is the CEO of Parafed Auckland and he and his team gave us a detailed insight into the challenges facilitating Sport and Recreation opportunities for those with physical disabilities.
Parafed Auckland is New Zealand’s oldest and largest disability sport organisation. They lead a network of 15 sports clubs and activity providers catering for 300+ members and are the lead organisation for all physical disability sport in Auckland, providing pathways and opportunities for beginners, all the way through to Paralympic Champions! Prafed's Vision is "To enhance the lives of all disabled Aucklanders" and their Mission Statement is "To deliver and connect Aucklanders living with disability to quality opportunities in Sport and Recreation.
Tom also introduced to the meeting, Katie Owen. Katie not only works for Parafed, she was also a St. Johns sponsored 2019 RYLA Awardee. Katie was able to take the opportunity to thank St. Johns for their support, as well as share with us the highlights from the week and just how much the experience has already impacted favorably on her life, both personally and professionally.
BREAKFAST MEETING AUGUST 15th - Gary Langford, District Governor, accompanied by his wife Jan:
Click on "Read More", for a brief Bio and we look forward to hearing more about Gary and his goals for the next year when he visits our club.
WAIATARUA RESERVE TREE PLANTING - AUGUST 17th 1 pm:
See story below and please contact Cheri if you are interested and available to support this Club activity
CLUB VISIT TO TIRITIRI MATANGI - SUNDAY AUGUST 18th:
See separate story below for more details.
BREAKFAST MEETING AUGUST 22nd - ALEX GATT ST JOHNS ROTARY SECRETARY / TREASURER & MEMBER STEELE GIBSON:
Alex has been a member for a long time, but do we really know him? A proud father and long time serving board member. Here is an opportunity to find out what makes Alex tick, with his dry sense of humour and strong loyalty to the St Johns Rotary Club.
Steele recently attended an Outward Bound course and he will be sharing his experiences with us.
BREAKFAST MEETING AUGUST 29th - BUILDING A BUSINESS IN GLEN INNES. MARK BONE OWNER AND MD OF SWIMTASTIC:
Mark is a successful swimmer and athlete and he started a swim school within our local community. Just recently Mark, after a huge effort, has opened a new swim learning centre in Merton Road. This is a great opportunity to hear Mark discuss his life's journey and the importance of members and their friends and family of all ages, learning to swim and survive in water.
ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (RLI), SEMINARS: Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September 8.30am to 4.30pm at nearby Selwyn College.
See separate story below for more information.
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.
As promoted in last weeks Bulletin, your club has begun a series of enviromental challenges. The August challenge is to, "not to use plastic straws, or plastic coffee lids. Instead tip the bottle, can or cup rather than suck. For coffee request no lid, or even better, take your own cup."
Hopefully you are all recording good successes and remember "Small Acts - Big Impact"
I have been a member of the St Johns Rotary Club for 2½ years. In my position as Fees Manager at Sacred Heart College, I became aware of the needs of some students and families who lived in the St Johns local community.
I joined the club to team up with other liked minded people, to help make a difference. During my time at the Club I have enjoyed being involved in many Local Community projects and the RYPEN Youth Camp. I look forward to my new role over the coming year as Local Community Director, working with members on current and new projects.
I keep myself fit by walking most mornings and enjoy tramping in the summer months. I love travel and with a daughter living in London, and a son and grandson in Brisbane, I am never short of places to visit.
One of our club’s "low key" active members is Michele Mann. Michele has had a long-term association with Glen Taylor School, going back to the early 2000's when she and PP and Hon. St John's Rotarian, Alec McKenzie, read to students after Thursday meetings. These days Michele shares a chunk of her annual pension supporting various activities at the school.
An artist by training – and choice – she was thrilled to sponsor the school’s participation in “Toi Toi”, an art and essay magazine, going to schools nationally. (You may recall that the publisher of Toi Toi spoke to the club about a year back.)
Michele attended a recent Friday assembly (something any Rotarian "feeling low" should do for a fillip), to be thanked and to present three students with an award for the prestige of being published in the current edition.
The Environment Committee is working on some tree planting projects and this opportunity has arisen:
A nice local project on the Club’s doorstep. Waiatarua Reserve on Saturday 17th August at 1 pm. Although relatively short notice, hopefully some members will be available to join in the planting, and the fun!!
Interested?? Please contact Cheri for more details.
Our Fellowship Officer, Michelle Forman, has several ideas regarding events and visits for Club members, friends and family. SAVE THE DATE - SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH. St Johns Rotary trip to Tiritiri Matangi.
Tiritiri Matangi Island is a stunning wildlife sanctuary for New Zealand's native birds, and an important conservation project. From the moment you step on to the Island to the time you reluctantly depart, you'll be serenaded by birdsong.
Cost is $78 per person, leaving from downtown at 9 am, or for those who are not so great on the water, you can leave from Gulf Harbour, same cost. Bookings are essential - Book through Fullers and once you have booked can you please advise Michelle at mertie.forman@gmail.com.
If you have never visited - a visit to Tiritiri is a must do.
The Edmund Hillary Village is holding a Quiz afternoon at 2 pm on August 28th and via Michelle Forman, (our Fellowship Officer), our club has received an invitation to enter a team. The thought is that 8 members of our club, who have the pleasure of being retired, might like to make up a table of 8. If anyone is interested please contact Michelle at, mertie.forman@gmail.com. There is only an option of one table for St. Johns members, so first in first served 🤗
This week I’ve had a great time! Last Tuesday lovely people from our club, our radiant President and I went to the Glendowie Collage gala concert.
Wednesday we had some delicious nachos that Chris made for us. Thursday Robyn and I went to the Interact meeting and I tried to cook some ñoquis for dinner for all the Ingrams which was a beautiful dinner.
Finally I had a magnificent weekend in the Marae with the people who is in RYE (inbounds, outbound, rebounds, committee) and the Maori teachers. It was an awesome experience learning Maori Culture, songs and the very popular Haka.
The New Zealand - Australia Rotary Conference will be held in Christchurch between September 20th - and 21st. There is a very busy agenda and an excellent array of Guest Speakers. One of the keynote speakers is no other than our very own member Sam Lucas. The following introduction to Sam appeared in the last edition of the Conference newsletter.
"Sam Lucas and the Onja Project Madagascar, not a country we hear very much about, yet for Sam Lucas the small island nation off the coast of Africa has become his life’s work. Sam is the founder of Onja, a social Enterprise that works with Madagascar’s most capable youth who can’t afford a complete education. They run a highly intensive, two-year English and Computer programming training program preparing students for work as software developers at their outsourcing center.
Four years ago, when Sam arrived in Madagascar, a remote village community took him in and taught him the traditional Malagasy way of life. He learned to speak fluent Malagasy and is particularly proud to have learned to farm rice by hand.
Sam received a Bachelor of Engineering with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland and Sam will be sharing Onja's story, and telling how New Zealand's Rotary clubs and districts have played a crucial role in bringing the project to life."
This is your invitation to a wonderful Rotary Learning & Information opportunity to join us at our Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) seminar weekend on Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September 8.30am to 4.30pm at nearby Selwyn College. From our St Johns Rotary, Beryl & Colin are always two of the numerous RLI Facilitators who take assorted modules during the weekend, plus others from our club will hopefully also be there, so you’ll already know some Rotarians who attending, plus you’ll make new friends from other Rotary & Rotaract clubs throughout Auckland.
New Rotarians are always welcome, as are longer term members. It’s great that our Rotary Club of St Johns sponsors (i.e. pays for) any Rotarian who is keen to attend RLI to discover new opportunities in the world of Rotary.
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.
One of our guests at this meeting was PP and Hon member Andy McCarrison. Andy briefly addressed the meeting, bringing best wishes from the "Southern Branch of St. Johns Rotary". Current members of this branch include; Andy; PP and Hon member Mary-Ann Davison; PP and Hon member Alex McKenzie and Wendy; Hon Member David Stone and Jill and Hon Member Mike Henry and Maureen. This select group manage to get together regularly and when they do they fondly recall their St. Johns days. Andy and Mary Ann have recently built a beautiful house on a lifestyle block in Marlborough. Andy invited those finding themselves in the area to visit, although he did mention that the last thing Mary Ann said to him before he headed to Auckland this week was, "Just don't invite them all!!" Pictured above with Andy and Mary Ann, is the new Clubhouse!
Our guest speaker at the meeting was Tom Smith. Tom is the CEO of Parafed Auckland and he and his team gave us a detailed insight into the challenges facilitating Sport and Recreation opportunities for those with physical disabilities. 
Tom also introduced to the meeting, Katie Owen. Katie not only works for Parafed, she was also a St. Johns sponsored 2019 RYLA Awardee. Katie was able to take the opportunity to thank St. Johns for their support, as well as share with us the highlights from the week and just how much the experience has already impacted favorably on her life, both personally and professionally. 
BREAKFAST MEETING AUGUST 15th - Gary Langford, District Governor, accompanied by his wife Jan:
Alex has been a member for a long time, but do we really know him? A proud father and long time serving board member. Here is an opportunity to find out what makes Alex tick, with his dry sense of humour and strong loyalty to the St Johns Rotary Club.
I have been a member of the St Johns Rotary Club for 2½ years. In my position as Fees Manager at Sacred Heart College, I became aware of the needs of some students and families who lived in the St Johns local community.
One of our club’s "low key" active members is Michele Mann. Michele has had a long-term association with Glen Taylor School, going back to the early 2000's when she and PP and Hon. St John's Rotarian, Alec McKenzie, read to students after Thursday meetings. These days Michele shares a chunk of her annual pension supporting various activities at the school. 
The Environment Committee is working on some tree planting projects and this opportunity has arisen:
Save the date!
Finally I had a magnificent weekend in the Marae with the people who is in RYE (inbounds, outbound, rebounds, committee) and the Maori teachers. It was an awesome experience learning Maori Culture, songs and the very popular Haka.
"Sam Lucas and the Onja Project Madagascar, not a country we hear very much about, yet for Sam Lucas the small island nation off the coast of Africa has become his life’s work. Sam is the founder of Onja, a social Enterprise that works with Madagascar’s most capable youth who can’t afford a complete education. They run a highly intensive, two-year English and Computer programming training program preparing students for work as software developers at their outsourcing center.
