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President's Message

Last week we had a fast paced exciting and vibrant meeting with Prof. Tracey McIntosh giving us an insight into the factors that contribute to the disproportionate number of Maori and Pacific Islanders in our prisons.

In particular the alarming statistics highlight the problem of mental illness in those communities. As a woman of Māori descent Tracey has a commitment to addressing issues that concern Māori.

We have a busy couple of months coming up with great speakers so remember to get involved and support the greatest Rotary Club in the Biosphere.  

David Hartstone (Past-President)
Stories
Rethinking the NZ Prison System
Professor Tracey McIntosh
Posted by Robyn Ingram
Last Monday we were privileged to have Professor Tracey McIntosh talk to us about the Criminal Justice system. Her areas of research include incarceration and decarceration and she reminded us that New Zealand has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world and we also have one of the highest levels of racial disproportionality in the world.
 
She serves on numerous boards including the Department of Corrections Advisory Board; the Youth Crime Board and currently works largely with women in prison (at Wiri) and delivers a creative writing project there.
 
Her presentation was though provoking. NZ currently spends $1 billion a year on custodial lock-up. If the mega prison goes ahead, we will spend $2.5 billion.  Tracey challenged us to think about the what it would mean to invest this money into another sector such as Health or Education.  Would we expect good outcomes? Currently we invest hugely into the corrections system but expect very little from this investment. She challenged us to rethink the concept of Justice reinvestment and the impact of incarceration, which goes well beyond the person and into the community. 
 
Shameful NZ statistics include:
  • Maori represent over 50% of people in prison
  • Of women in prison, 65% are Maori
  • 92% of these women are aged between 16-25 years
  • 75% of all women in prison have been diagnosed with mental health problems
  • There is an 82% recidivism rate
Read more...
Rotary District Conference 9920
Fiji - April 6-8
Posted by Robyn Ingram
The possibility of combining a little bit of tropical paradise with a whole lot of Rotary lured me along to this year’s District Conference in Fiji.
 
It was a little sad not having any other St John’s members to enjoy the conference with but this ensured I happily networked with a bunch of other Rotarian’s in our district and Tony was very happy to join me for any cocktails and entertainment!
 
Hosted by DG Malini, I can report this conference was a lovely mix of beautiful-Bula combined with interesting Rotary presentations. In a relaxed Fijian format, we had an informative line-up of presenters who were kept very efficiently to the timetable by the humorous and masterful conference MC, Ajay Bhai Amrit.
 
Ajay (a Fiji television personality) spoke about his leading role in Fiji’s 'Man Up' campaign which aims to encourage the involvement of men in the fight against gender-based violence. Who knew the South Pacific is one of the most dangerous places in the world for women and girls? And in Fiji, seven in ten women will be subjected to physical or sexual violent in their lifetime. Totally dismal to absorb these statistics, but truly encouraging to see Ajay in action and ‘Manning Up’ to share with us why this relatively new campaign is now running throughout Fiji.
Read more...
Rotary Youth Exchange - Awesome Opportunity
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) programme is that it is open to NZ students (and family of Rotarian's) to apply and have a 12 month exchange in another country, with great supporting host families.
 
Club Members may well be aware of potential applicants.  Be the person that changes their life...and let them know about the RYE programme.
 
The RYE programme is regarded as one of the best student exchange programmes available.  It is extremely well regarded due to the pre-departure training and briefings that are provided to students and for the student support network that is based around the Rotary organisation. The exchange will broaden their view of the world and develops global understanding and awareness while at the same time developing the student themselves to increase their independence and confidence. The RYE programme therefore plays an important role in developing future potential leaders!
Please give some thought to finding that student who is waiting for this opportunity.
For detailed information please refer to the RYE website www.youthexchnage.org.nz
 
Win an e-bike with the MS Auckland Raffle
Win an e-bike with the MS Auckland raffle!
Tickets are on sale until the 2nd of May and only 2,000 tickets will be sold.
Great odds!
Thanks to the kind support from friends at Electric Bikes NZ Ltd and Smartmotion, MS Auckland has an e-bike valued at $2,799 to raffle off!
 
Tickets are just $5 and come in books of 5 – so you can buy a book for $25 and have 5 chances of winning this fantastic bike! Sales close on the 2nd May and the prize will be drawn on 9th of May.
 
  • Tickets can be purchased from Donald Bowie (phone:  0274 752 473) or from the MS office at 5 The Strand, Takapuna.
  • Contact Kirsty at events@msakl.org.nz or on 09 845 5921 for more information on the raffle.
  • All proceeds from the raffle will be going directly to the support services offered by MS Auckland for people living with MS.
ANZAC Breakfast - Please RSVP
Upcoming Projects and Lead Coordinators
13 April
10 Pin Bowling (Ainie)
Club Social Event
25 April
ANZAC Breakfast (Michele M)
7 May
The Great Rotary Debate (Nic, Hugh, Chris)
St Johns v Auckland East
6-13 May
Have a Go Sailing (Gary K)
12 schools involved
30 June -
7 July
RYLA (Tom S)
Interviewing now
 

Club Contacts

President:  Peter Buchanan 027 434 1832 
Secretary, Treasurer:  Alex Gatt 
Apologies:  Alex Gatt 021 571 722 or gatt@xtra.co.nz
President Elect:  Allan Smith
Sergeant Major:  John Cornaga
Club Services Director: Brian Fergus bfergus@xtra.co.nz
Bulletin Editors:  Annie Tyson & Robyn Ingram
Membership Director:  Allan Smith  ASmith@accessable.co.nz
Club Email:  stjohnsrotary@gmail.com
Our Meetings
 
We meet Thursday for breakfast at 7 am for 7.15 am start,
except for the first Thursday of the month,
when we meet in the evening at 6 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 to contact:
Next meeting: 
Thursday 19 April 2018
Morning: 7:00am for 7:30am
 
Meeting Responsibilities
Set Up
Smith, Allan
 
Attendance
Harris, Lesley
 
Greeter
Peach, Blair
 
Standby
McGarry, Penny
 
Speaker Host
Fergus, Brian
 
Thanks Close
Goddard, Nick
 
Speakers
Apr 19, 2018
Chris Sattler
Auckland Seaplanes
Apr 25, 2018
Anzac Day breakfast
May 07, 2018
Debate with Auckland East
May 31, 2018
Prof Ed Gane
Advances in Hepatitis C Cure
Jun 15, 2018
Andrew Poole
Rotoroa Island
View entire list
Upcoming Events
ANZAC Breakfast
Apr 25, 2018
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
 
Learning new Rotary skills
St Cuthberts College
May 06, 2018
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
 
Debate Rotary St Johns v Auckland East
May 07, 2018 5:30 PM
 
Changeover Dinner
Jun 07, 2018
 
BE  AN  ACTIVE  PARTICIPANT  IN  OUR  VIBRANT  CLUB
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
 
The best 'little' Rotary Club in the Biosphere!