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The President's Pen

Kia Ora,
 
Sadly my last Presidents message. 
 
Thank you to Patsy and Alyson from GI CAB for filling us in on their current activities and for the fantastic work they are doing in the community.  
 
 
Please join us for our Change-over party this Friday to welcome Penny and Lesley into their new roles.
 
Take care. 
Hugh
President: Rotary Club of St Johns
Phone: 021 0813 7313
Stories
Meeting in Review - Thursday June 10th 2021
Last Thursday was President Hugh's last day in office, and come next week, he will be remembered as IPP Hugh!  It's been a fun ride Hugh and we all know that deep down you really enjoyed it!
Great to see you receiving running instructions from current IPP Robyn for your last meeting!   At this meeting, attended by 26 members and three guests, Hugh had a cast of many speakers to slot in and introduce. 
 
Firstly there were Club Notices from Directors with the key messages revolving around Change-over.  Please be sure to check timings in the story below.
 
Next up was Claire who gave us all an update on ONJA.  Great news that two students have now graduated and in the market seeking work.  Its not easy for Sam and his team to secure work, with most companies who are needing software writers and developers looking to see examples of previous work.  The three new staff members who Sam has recently taken on as teachers and mentors will help see the number of graduates increase, as well as more work opportunities in the near future.
In his role as DG Nominee, Allan is exposed to stories from around the District and most recently, the deteriorating conditions in Fiji as a result of Covid19 and the rate at which this is spreading across the country is heartbreaking, and Allan just wanted to take the opportunity to ensure that no matter how good it looks in New Zealand, just on our doorstep is Fiji who are facing huge challenges.  Our thoughts go out to our Rotary friends and their families in Fiji.
 
 
Peter B then took the mic to update us all that, to his delight, and he hopes for most Rotarians, the "Environment" has now become the 6th area of focus by Rotary International. 
 
Peter, as Director Environment, reminded us to expect that a monthly Environmental project of some sort will be coming our way soon.
Prior to having an update from the GI CAB, Aubrey took the opportunity in his last Sergeants session for the year, to present a "Report Card" on every member.  Needless to say these were all glowing reports and each and everyone of us should be very proud of the work we do, doing good in our community.
 
...and to our last speakers of the year, we were given an update from Patsy Sims from the GI CAB and Alyson DeMarco from the Tamaki Budgeting Office. 
 
Both organisations work side by side in the CAB in GI and unfortunately their update was not a happy story.  They are both very, very appreciative of the partnership with our club and the support we give them throughout the year, but these are tough times and many members of the community are struggling due to the likes of some terrible housing issues, unemployment, crime, drug use etc etc and the list goes on.  Our President Elects' indicated that plans are progressing towards running a mid-winter food bank collection which is one of the most important activities of the year for the CAB and Tamaki Budgeting Services.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Club Meetings and Other Important Dates
THURSDAY JUNE 17th - Meeting cancelled in-lieu of Change-over on Friday June 18th.
 
FRIDAY JUNE 18th - CHANGE-OVER - See story below
 
THURSDAY JUNE 24th - Breakfast Meeting - Guest Speakers:  Andrew Bowie, Julie Cullen & Alex Muntz.  "Sensible Screen Use"
The evidence is clear that excessive screen use in young children is harmful to development causing issues down the line like myopia, obesity, social anxiety and even resulting in regressing learning outcomes. Scarily NZ is leading the way with device adoption in schools which is likely only fuelling the issue.  IT guru Andrew, Paediatric Physio Julie Cullen and Dry Eye Specialist Alex Muntz (Auckland University) have started an organisation called Sensible Screen Use to get the message out there and drive a little more awareness around this alarming topic.
 
 
THURSDAY JULY 1st - Guest Speaker - James Farmer:
James is the Chief Executive of Community Finance and also of of Christian Savings - New Zealand’s fourth largest non-bank deposit taker.
Community Finance believes that with a united approach alongside the government, the building industry and the community housing sector, we can create safer, healthier and more resilient communities.

Community Finance has partnered with a range of Community Housing Providers including The Salvation Army, CORT, and Te Matapihi and Community Housing Aotearoa, to activate new community lead housing supply where it is most needed.

James has been invited to give us an overview of the work Community Finance are doing.

Change-Over!  Friday June 18th
FRIDAY JUNE 18th CHANGE-OVER.  Let's make it a great turn-out for this all important event. 
Full details are in the poster below and your RSVP NOW to IPP Robyn at, robyn.ingram@outlook.com,
would be most appreciated.
 
Please note one small change to time below - As the Bowling Club is not lit, if you are interested in having a game of bowls before the formalities begin at 6,15 pm, please arrive at 4.45 pm if you can.
 
 
RYLA - Tom Needs Your Help!!!

TOM STILL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!!!

RYLA camp this year is 3rd to 10th July and St John's Rotary is managing 10 candidates.  

One or two additional volunteers are sought to drive candidates to and from the camp on the 3rd and 10th of July respectively.  It's an early start on the 3rd as they need to be there by 7.30am. 

Please let Tom Street know asap, (021685651) if you can help.  

Many thanks.

Blankets For Charity
Three of our St John’s Rotary club members knitted their way through lockdowns and cold winter nights last year. Their efforts were rewarded with two very comfy and warm blankets being donated to Glenn Innes CAB who have since given them to a family in need.
 
A special shout out to Prabha and Penny L. for supporting Cheri with this project!
 
Time For A Smile

Murphy’s Law 

 

1.   Law of Mechanical Repair -  After your hands become coated with grease,  your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.  
2.   Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible place in the universe.
3.   Law of Probability - The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
4.   Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal; someone always answers.
5.   Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now.
Rotary Four Way Test
 
Next Meeting:
CHANGE-OVER
 
Friday June 18th  
From 4.45 pm.
 
Venue - Glendowie Bowling Club - See story below with full details.
 
Contents:
  • The President's Pen
  • Meeting in Review - 10th June 2021 
  • Club Meetings & Other Important Dates
  • Change-over
  • RYLA - Your Help is Needed
  • Blankets For Charity
  • Time for a Smile
Speakers
Jun 17, 2021 7:00 AM
Changeover Celebration - see Friday 18 June
Jun 18, 2021 6:00 PM
Fun Bowling at 5:15pm; Formalities at 6:15pm
Jun 24, 2021
Sensible Screen Use
Jul 01, 2021 6:00 PM
Community Finance - Chief Executive
Jul 08, 2021
Update on Glendowie College
Aug 05, 2021 6:00 PM
RYLA 2021
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Other clubs - open to all
Jun 05, 2021 – Dec 31, 2021
 
Club Changeover
Jun 18, 2021 5:15 PM
 
View entire list
Meeting Responsibilities
Thursday 17 June DEFERRED
 
Meeting Deferred
 
Friday 18 June - CHANGEOVER
 
Changeover Team
 

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 phone or email:
John Lewisham. Ph: 021 375 080, email; jdlewisham@gmail.com
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