Graffiti Removal Day

Week 13 - Back to Taranaki

This week we returned to Taranaki to complete our club visits in this area. Our first visit was to the Rotary Club of Hawera.  As a bit of a keen ship model builder we had the opportunity to visit Del Flannery and see some of his great models, a master model boat builder.  Hawera Club has some great initiatives to attract people to work on club projects and become involved with club activities.  These include Associate Members and Student Members from the local college.  These talented students entertained us with some great singing and saxophone playing.   It is great to see this club thinking outside the box and to see the great work they are doing in the community.

Tuesday we headed to Inglewood where we spent the afternoon visiting a local timber company specializing in making door cores and scaffold planking,   a local milking shed, and an amazing small private zoo.  Our thanks to the members for showing us around the local area.  Attending the meeting in the Clubs new premises followed this.    This used to be the Old Folks Centre and Rotary has just taken it over – it will be a great resource for the club.   It was a great night with much fun and laughter. They also have a great fundraising/fellowship project – growing the best producing potato !!!

Wednesday we headed to the Rotary Club of Waitara north of New Plymouth.  Again this is a small club but they have been thinking outside the box and running a variety of meetings during each month.  They are a club that works very closely together, combining their Rotary activities and social activities.

On Thursday we had 2 visits starting with Pukekura Breakfast.  A small club with some great community projects including their Youth Artist Night.  This club is also the home of our VTT Team Leader Jan Lockett-Kay and we were fortunate to speak with her later in the day on her return to New Zealand from the VTT visit to Canada – more on this in a later BLOG.  In the evening we visited the Rotary Club of Stratford, a small club of 9 but putting a huge amount of effort into the community, particularly on youth projects.  We had a fun night presenting awards to 4 long standing members and a community PHF to Ernie Burrows who has been supporting the local Stock Car Track for many years.

It was then back home to Wellington after a great week.

Pahiatua Peace Festival

On Sunday 23rd September Christine and I attended the annual Pahiatua Peace Festival sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pahiatua.   We arrived early in Pahiatua to a bright sunny morning and meet in the town square where the event was held.   We were joined by members of the community and a Japanese youth group where speeches were held by the mayor Rollie Ellis, President Richard of the Rotary Club of Pahiatua, myself, and a Japanese Student Representative.  Singing the national anthem followed this.  We all then adjourned to a local church for morning tea.  The ceremony was a timely reminder of the need for peace in the world and within our local communities.  It also reminded us of our Rotary Theme this year of Peace Through Service.

Our thanks to President Richard for inviting us to the event and the opportunity to address the gathering.

Rollie, Richard, Graeme and International Students

DISTRICT PROJECT DAY - SECOND COMMUNICATION - 23-24 FEBRUARY 2013

DISTRICT PROJECT DAY - SECOND COMMUNICATION

All District Clubs are encouraged to show their community leadership for local projects - either day of 23-24 February 2013.

THE PROJECT DAY: CONCEPT & APPLICATION

We originally conceived the idea of a Rotary District Community Project day where each club had an opportunity to connect with its community at a level that was both informal but news worthy - all at the same time. This was to assist in raising the profile of Rotary throughout the district in one co-ordinated DAY OF ACTIVITY

We know that the pressure on clubs and Rotarians throughout the year is huge, therefore:

THERE ARE THREE RULES:
- Keep it Simple
- Have Fun
- Involve local Community

ACTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE DECIDED UPON BY NOW:

* Some Community Project ideas have been discussed among your club members

* You may even have decided upon one idea

* Person now identified as the Club's liaison with the Project Day Co-ordinator, Warwick Johnston. Remember to keep it simple and have fun. The aim is to raise awareness about Rotary in your Community.
If you need any kind of help just email Warwick at: warwick.johnston@clear.net.nz

And he is keen to hear what you've decided upon as well!

Warwick Johnston
Co-ordinator
Rotary Project Day.

Petone Dune Weeding

International Youth Exchange Orientation Weekend 22/23 September

Listening Intently

On Saturday Christine and I had the pleasure of meeting and addressing our Districts 2012/13 inward and outward International Youth Exchange candidates at the annual orientation weekend at Tatum Park.  This year we have 6 inbound students, (see below), and 10 outward students.  The IYE programme is a great programme that gives students an opportunity to be hosted by Rotary for a year in a foreign country.  We are lucky to have a very high calibre of inward and outward students and it was a privilege for us to be able to speak to them and wish them well for their year ahead.

DG, Christine, John O'Connell with Inward and Outward IYE Students

My thanks to John O'Connell and his team for running and supporting this important and worthwhile Rotary Programme.

Rotary Global Peace Forums

In 2012-13, Rotary International will hold three Rotary Global Peace Forums. Each forum will be a two- or three-day program to engage and inspire Rotarians and community leaders to champion President Sakuji Tanaka’s RI theme, Peace Through Service. 

The location, theme, and date for each forum are listed here for your reference, along with websites where you can find further details.

Berlin, Germany -- Peace Without Borders

• From 30 November to 2 December 2012 
• www.rotary-global-peace-forum-berlin.de/en/  

Honolulu, Hawaii, USA -- The Green Path to Peace

• From 25 to 27 January 2013 
• www.peaceforumhawaii.com/

Hiroshima, Japan -- Peace Begins with You

• From 17 to 18 May 2013
  
• www.info-hiroshima.co.jp/peace/

For more information Download the Rotary Global Peace Forums brochure.

Closer to Home and a Change of Scene this Week

Catching up with past work colleagues,
Wellington

We visited New Zealand’s founding Rotary Club, Wellington.  This club will celebrate its 100 year anniversary in 2021 and is the home of our DGN, Anthony Scott.  This is our District's largest club with 160 members.  They have a successful programme of introducing new members as Associate Members and run a buddy system for these new members.  This is a very vibrant club that is run in a very professional manner with most of the members being business people in the Wellington area.   They follow some long standing traditions, for example 80 year ago when Paul Harris visited they started a fine for those in the club traveling or returning from overseas as part of the Sergeants session – this tradition still carries on today.  We had an enjoyable meeting and look forward to returning to the club in the future.

DG and President Dawn,
Wainuiomata

Recognizing 25 years of service by
two Wainuiomata Rotarians

Tuesday saw Chris and I returning to the area we first lived after we were married, Wainuiomata.  The Rotary Club of Wainuiomata meets in the local fire station.  The club is very active and focuses on working on local community projects.   During the evening we helped celebrate the 25^th Rotary anniversary for two members with a beautifully decorated chocolate cake.  It was a fun night and fortunately there were no fire call outs during the meeting!

Megha being awarded her
RLI Certificate

Next morning it was an early start to attend the breakfast club of Port Nicholson.  With a strong membership of 70, this club is very active  in raising funds through a number of projects and distributing funds to a number of worthy causes.  They got into the spirit of my Antarctica interests with a fun sergeants session that challenged our knowledge of some old Antarctic explorers.  The club was awarded a Centurion Club certificate in recognition of their support to the Rotary Foundation.  Megha Raghu,  the youngest member of the club, has also completed the Rotary Leadership course and was awarded a RLI Certificate and pin, well done!  I would particularly like to thank the club for agreeing to take on and run RYLA from 2014.

The week finished by visiting our only club to meet on a Friday – the Rotary Club of Courtenay Place.  This club is very active with their local school, Mt Cook.  They run a very community focused project, the Big Dig.  I was particularly interested to hear of a new project they are starting in association with the Wellington City Council, cleaning up graffiti across Wellington.  We hope this might be a pilot for a District wide project.   At the lunchtime meeting we were entertained by two young talented singers from the Whitireia School of Preforming Arts.  

And so ended another busy week.

WELLINGTON - What do we Want?

Rotary fosters peace through education and humanitarian service

A decade after starting its Peace Centers program, Rotary continues to train future world and community leaders in conflict prevention and resolution

EVANSTON, Ill., USA (September 13, 2012)  As the world observes the United Nations’ annual International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, more than 680 alumni of Rotary’s Peace Centers  program are applying ‘lessons-learned’ in conflict prevention and resolution in key decision-making positions in governments and organizations around the world. 

Rotary clubs have long embraced the call for peace at the grassroots level by addressing the underlying causes of conflict and violence, such as hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy.    Ten years ago, the international humanitarian organization of volunteer service clubs decided to take a direct approach to world understanding by providing future leaders with the tools they need to “wage peace” on the global stage.

"Rotary believes, as I believe, that it is possible to have a world without war,” said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. “By educating future peace-builders and working to ease the conditions that breed violence and conflict, Rotary is demonstrating to the rest of the world that peace is attainable."

Since 2002, Rotary clubs, each year sponsor up to 60 scholars who embark on one to two years of study to earn master’s-level degrees in peace and conflict resolution at Rotary Centers for International Studies at leading universities in England, Japan, Australia, Sweden, and the United States.

• Uppsala University, Sweden
• University of Bradford, UK
• University of Queensland, Australia
• International Christian University, Japan
• Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA

Established in 2004, the Rotary Peace Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand offers a three-month professional development certificate in peace and conflict studies each year for up to 50 mid-level professionals from related fields, such as public health, education, international law, economic development, journalism, and social justice.

Applications for the 2014-15 class of Rotary’s Peace Center program will be available in January 2013, and are due by 1 July 2013.

The organization’s emphasis on world peace and understanding is even more prominent during the term of current Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka, of Japan. Under the theme of Peace through Service, Tanaka will convene peace forums in Berlin (30 Nov. – 2 Dec. 2012), Honolulu (25-27 Jan. 2013) and Hiroshima (17-18 May 2013) during his one-year term to inspire Rotary club members and community leaders in each region to work for peace in their daily lives..

“As a member of the first generation to grow up in Japan after World War II, I understand the importance of peace and its connection to our well-being,” Tanaka said. “Peace is not something that can only be achieved through agreements, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find and that we can achieve, every day and in many simple ways."

“When I talk about peace, I tell people that you must do more than simply ‘care’ about peace -- you have to take action to achieve it,” said Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams, who won her prize in 1997 for helping ban antipersonnel landmines. “That’s what I admire about Rotary members: they lead by example, both at the community level and through their support of the Rotary Peace Centers.”

Rotary Peace Center alumna Izabela da Costa Pereira, now a director and project analyst for the United Nations Development Program, says the need for trained peace-makers has never been greater.  “With the plethora of conflicts in so many regions, more specialists are needed, particularly coming from conflict zones,” she said.  “One of Rotary’s greatest contributions is the promotion of peace through specialized education.”

Other Rotary Peace Center alumni of note:

Brigitta von Messling, Germany, earned her master’s degree at the Rotary Peace Center at the University of Bradford in 2006. She is the senior advisor for training and organizational development for the Center for International Peace Operations in Berlin, Germany.

Robert Opira, Uganda, earned his master’s degree at Rotary Peace Center at University of Queensland in 2007. Robert is a peace and conflict consultant providing technical support to humanitarian agencies helping internally displaced persons in Northern Uganda. He is also the director of the Great Lakes Center for Conflict Resolution in Uganda.

Rajaa Natour, Israel, earned her master’s degree at Rotary Peace Center at University of Bradford in 2011. Today she is a program manager of the Gemini Project in Jafaa, Israel. The project promotes constructive dialogue between groups of Jewish and Palestinian students across ten campuses and cities.

Jason Hutson, Japan, earned his master’s degree at Rotary Peace Center at International Christian University in 2009. He is the founder and CEO for What Sport Creative, a Tokyo-based organization that uses sports as a catalyst for youth development and cultural exchange.

Cameron Chisholm, USA, earned his master’s degree at the Rotary Peace Center at University of Bradford in 2008. He is the president of the International Peace & Security Institute and teaches peace studies courses at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Rotary is a global humanitarian organization with more than 1.2 million members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary members are men and women who are business, professional and community leaders with a shared commitment to make the world a better place through humanitarian service. To access broadcast quality video footage and still photos go to: Media Center.

GLOBAL WALK FOR WATER THIS SUNDAY

Visiting Our Northern Clubs

We headed North leaving a blustery Wellington behind to visit the Rotary Club of Marton.  Here we looked at a number of projects around town with President Mark looking at Targa Rally sites where the club marshals (great for a petrolhead like me), their street numbering project, and park and street beautification projects.  During the meeting we presented a Centurion certificate to a club member.  We stayed the night at Holly Farm.  It was great to see the young lambs which made if feel like spring, however the cold temperatures soon reminded us that winter still has a bite in its tale.  Our thanks to our wonderful hosts, Maureen and David.

Next day we headed north over Mt Curl in atrocious weather to Taihape.  There President Brendan showed us some club projects including the train turntable,  development of Mt Stewart, and then he took us on a tour to Mokai Gravity Canyon and around some of the stunning surrounding farmlands.  There was a great turnout with a number of guests at the club meeting where we presented a Club PHF and Sapphire Pin and a well deserved Community PHF.  We left the meeting to find snow lightly falling!  The Taihape Club are keen to embrace change and have been looking at different meeting formats to bring about that change which we discussed at length at the Board meeting.

 Wednesday dawned rather cold and overcast.  As we headed towards Waiouru the snow became thicker and thicker.  Finally we ended up in Ohakune where we met President Jim and Margaret for lunch.  Snow showers continued through the afternoon as we were shown around the District ending up in Raetihi to meet the Board and for the evening meeting, held in a lovely old homestead.  We awarded two further PHFs and inducted a new club member.  The club is very active in youth programmes and they were pleased to hear that the GSE/VTT programme has be reinstigated as they had been very active in this programme in the past.  Our thanks to Tiri and Diane for hosting us in their lovely home.

On Thursday we headed to Feilding via the Wanganui River – a great drive.  We arrived in Feilding and got the opportunity with President Ngaire to view a number of projects including support to the new Old Coach House Museum hosting a great collection of old horse carts and buggies and agricultural equipment.  We had a fun filled meeting where we 'Pushed the Boundaries' and I had a mountain to climb!  

This was the culmination of a great week.

Rotary Leadership Institute Course, Lower Hutt

On Saturday 8^th District 9940 ran another successful Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) course at GNS Science in Lower Hutt.  This was module 3 of the RLI programme and was run by Jane McCann assisted by a number of PDG facilitators. 



Thirteen Rotarians attended the course with 8 completing the three modules and being awarded their RLI completion certificates. 

Three generations of Rotarians!

The topics covered included Strategies for Influencing Clubs, Rotary Opportunities, International Service, Leadership in Rotary, and Public Relations.  There was much banter and debate during the day and all agreed it was an excellent programme and a very enjoyable day.  I was pleased to be able to sit in on the day and like all attendants found there was much that I learnt.

All participants and trainers

District will now take a rest from running RLI courses for a number of months while we assess its position within the overall District training programme.

Trainers and participants that had completed all 3 modules

My thanks to Jane, her helpers, and the participants all of who made for another successful event.

DG Graeme

Huang is choice for 2014-15 RI president

 
Rotary News -- 7 August 2012 
 

• Print
•  E-mail page
• More Sharing ServicesShare

---

 

 

 

Gary C.K. Huang is the choice for 2014-15 RI president.

Rotary International on Facebook

Gary C.K. Huang, a member of the Rotary Club of Taipei, Taiwan, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in 2014-15. Huang will become the president-nominee on 1 October if there are no challenging candidates.

Huang says his vision for Rotary is to increase membership to more than 1.3 million.

“To increase our membership, we must go beyond borders to wherever we see growth potential, such as the countries of China, Mongolia, and Vietnam. I will put an emphasis on increasing female and younger members,” Huang says. “I will also encourage former Rotarians to once again be part of our Rotary family.”

Huang has served as the chair of Taiwan Sogo Shinkong Security Co., Ltd., Shin Kong Life Real Estate Service Co., and P.S. Insurance Agency, Inc. and director of Federal Corporation and managing director of Taipei Life-Line Association.

He is a past president of Malayan Overseas Insurance Co. and charter secretary general of the Council for Industrial and Commercial Development in Taiwan.

A Rotarian since 1976, Huang has served as RI vice president, director, Rotary Foundation trustee, district governor, International Assembly training leader, regional session leader, task force member and coordinator, and committee member and chair.

Convener of the 2000 Hong Kong, 2011 Kuala Lumpur, 2002 Manila, and 2003 Singapore Rotary Institutes, he also served as chair of the 2002 Taipei Presidential Conference. He is chair of the Council of Past District Governors in Taiwan.

Huang created 19 new clubs in 1986-87 as governor of District 345, which included Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Huang has been awarded the National Civic Service Award by the Federation of Non-Profit Associations and the Outstanding Community Service Award by the Ministry of the Interior, R.O.C. He is a recipient of the RI Service Above Self Award and the Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service.

Huang and his wife, Corinna Yao, have three children.

The 2012 nominating committee members are John F. Germ, USA (chair); Keith Barnard-Jones, England; Mohamed Benmejdoub, Morocco; Peter Bundgaard, Denmark; Michael Colasurdo Sr., USA; Mário de Oliveira Antonino, Brazil; Sushil Gupta, India; Jackson San-Lien Hsieh, Taiwan; John Lawrence, Australia; Carlo Monticelli, Italy; Paul A. Netzel, USA; Kazuhiko Ozawa, Japan; Ekkehart Pandel, Germany; Noraseth Pathmanand, Thailand; Barry Rassin, Bahamas; Robert Scott, Canada; and Thomas M. Thorfinnson, USA.

Polio Message from RI President Tanaka

Meet the 2013 Conference Committee

Our Multi-District 9940/20 Conference Committees have been working hard.  Plans are well on track with speakers organised.  For further information on the conference visit the Conference web site at 

www.rotaryconf2013.co.nz/

Here is the 9940 conference committee hard at work.

Week 10. From Lowry Bay to Palmerston North

DG with President Derrek Locke

Monday started out close to home at the Rotary Club of Pencarrow, meeting in the Lowry Bay Yacht Club.  We had the opportunity to induct a new member, Andrew Stannard from Petone.  Pencarrow have developed and adopted their own strategic plan with the theme ‘Making a Difference’.  This was a relaxed meeting in a fun atmosphere.

DG with President Neil at the MENZ  Shed

Tuesday we headed to Palmerston North and a visit to the Rotary Club of Awapuni.  We had the opportunity to view several of their projects including their support of the local MENZ Shed and Waitoitoi Park where the club is working with the community to revitialise the area.  The meeting was held in President Neil's home where we were treated to a Thai dinner.  Following dinner we had an informal meeting where I shared my plans for the year.

View of the audience from the DG perspective

The week rounded out by giving a talk to a Hutt Valley Men’s PROBUS clubs on Wednesday on ’50 Years of Mapping in Antarctica’.