Profiling District Conference Speaker - Simon Denny

A Quiet Week Leading into Christmas

This week has been a quiet week leading into Christmas.  For the second time in 2 weeks I was able to get along to the Rotary Club of Plimmerton for a regular club meeting.  It was the chance to update the club on plans for the conference which are coming along well with the programme set and guest speakers now all in place.  Registrations are beginning to come in which is great to see.

Wednesday we were invited back to the Rotary Club of Foxton as guest speaker to talk about experiences in Antarctica.  There was a good turnout of members and guests.   It is good to see this small club pushing boundaries to look at ways to attract new members.

For the next few weeks we are looking forward to returning to a number of clubs to share the christmas functions.  All the best for the coming week.

Wellington 3 Cluster Meeting

Now that Chris and I have completed our Official Club visits we are looking forward to meeting Clubs and Club President more informally.  On Sunday we had the opportunity to have dinner with AG Vince and the Wellinton 3 Cluster Presidents and Partners.  This was a great opportunity for us to hear what the four clubs are doing and how they are working together.

We are looking forward to attending more Cluster meeting to see how clubs are getting on across District.

Carterton Fair

On Saturday the Carterton Fair and Parade was held in Carterton.  The Rotary Carterton was very evident sponsoring several floats and President Jenny being taken through the town in a vintage car.

Well done Carterton Rotary!

Polio Update

As of November 7th a total of 181 cases have been reported year to date versus a figure of 505 at the same stage last year. Total cases for 2011 were 650. Good progress is being made in Pakistan and Afghanistan, while India remains polio free with the last case reported in January 2011. On the other hand, Nigeria is a concern and is attracting increased levels of attention from Governments and involved NGOs to bring this situation under control. The numbers aren’t large but they need to be managed.  

Nigeria had 101 reported cases at November 7th against 42 cases at the same stage last year. Rotary’s determination to rid the world of this dreadful disease is as strong as ever and the need for funding continues. The Gates Challenge may be over but we need to continue our support for the polio eradication initiative and complete the job once and for all. The current contribution comparison is below and it can be seen that maybe the eye has been taken of the ball now that the challenge is over. 

Now is a good time to remember just how close we are!

Ride to End Polio raises more than US$375,000 for polio eradication

Ninety Rotarian cyclists from clubs throughout the United States took part in the El Tour de Tucson on 17 November in Arizona, raising more than US$375,000 for polio eradication.

RI General Secretary John Hewko and his wife, Marga, were among the Rotarians, friends of Rotary, and family members who hit the pavement along with 9,000 riders from around the world in the charity bike ride, sponsored by the University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, completing distances of 42, 60, 85 or 111 miles. The Hewkos also exceeded their goal of $111,000 in pledges, raising more than $200,000 for the ride.

Rotarians have been taking part in the ride since 2009, when the End Polio Now campaign was designated an official beneficiary of the race, allowing Rotary to enroll cyclists to gather pledges for the campaign. In that first year, 27 cyclists raised $35,000. The number has grown steadily since.

This year’s festivities included a pre-ride dinner the night before. Rotarians also staffed a water station along the route, and a booth at the finish line where finishing cyclists could gather and learn more about Rotary and polio eradication.

Since 1985, Rotary and its global polio eradication partners have spearheaded the effort to rid the world of the crippling disease. Cases have dropped to an all-time low -- there were fewer than 200 worldwide in 2012 as of 31 October – and only Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria remain polio-endemic.

But a $700 million funding shortfall for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative threatens to impede progress. Already the funding gap has curtailed scheduled immunization activities in polio-affected countries. If eradication fails and polio rebounds, up to 200,000 children per year could be paralyzed.

Rotary is ramping up its advocacy work in the 200 countries and regions where Rotary clubs exist to encourage every national government to commit to help meet the shortfall. Visitors towww.endpolionow.org can lend their voice to the advocacy efforts by signing a petition for world leaders. Supporters can also upload their photos to be part of the World’s Biggest Commercial, a new initiative to promote polio eradication launched on World Polio Day.

Learn how you can still contribute to the ride.

Wellington South Recognised for Contributions to the Rotary Foundation

On Wednesday Chris and I had the pleasure of attending Wellington South Rotary Christmas function, held at the Pines overlooking Cook Strait on a stunning Wellington night.  This was a fitting occasion for us to present a banner recognising their Club as having given the greatest per capita amount to the Rotary Foundation in 2011/12.

DG Graeme and Chris with Vocational Scholar Casey

It was an enjoyable night and our thanks to the club for their continued support to the Foundation.

Completion of Official Club Visits

This week Christine and I completed our official Club visits when we visited our own home Club of Plimmerton.  Here the Club had put on a Scottish night complete with Haggis, Whiskey and Bagpipes.  It was a fun filled night with many wearing Scottish Kilts and other regalia.  It was an opportunity to present a Community PHF, a certificate for completion of the RLI courses, and to recognise the contribution that the Club has made to the Rotary Foundation.  Our thanks to President Bob and all of the members and partners of the club for their continuing support and for making this such a fitting end to our official Club visits.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all Clubs for the support you have shown to Chris and I as we have travelled throughout our District and you have made us feel so welcome.  We are looking forward to returning to Clubs over the next few months as we continue our DG journey.

Christchurch visit of ShelterBox President and Royal Patron recognises disaster response work

Today’s Christchurch visit by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall provides recognition of the New Zealand ShelterBox team’s post-earthquake efforts and their disaster response contribution around the world.

ShelterBox provides emergency accommodation and other survival essentials to disaster victims and was one of several volunteer organisations invited to meet the Duchess of Cornwall and HRH the Prince of Wales during a walkabout in central Christchurch today.

The Duchess of Cornwall was first introduced to the work of ShelterBox during a visit with the Prince of Wales to Pakistan in 2006, where they saw the charity’s work in the aftermath of the Kashmiri earthquake. Her Royal Highness was so impressed by ShelterBox’s innovative relief concept that she agreed to become President of the charity to show her support for their work.

As President of ShelterBox, Her Royal Highness has a strong interest in the work of the charity, and visited the ShelterBox headquarters in Helston, Cornwall in 2010 to personally thank volunteers who had provided relief for people affected by the earthquake in Haiti, during which ShelterBox deployed some 28,000 boxes providing ‘shelter, warmth and dignity’ to more than 300,000 people.

“ShelterBox’s strength and ability to respond quickly are a testament to the fantastic support and goodwill of its volunteers all around the world,” says Her Royal Highness. “I am very proud to be the President of this wonderful charity, and I have every faith that ShelterBox will continue to move from strength to strength over the next decade.”

Since its creation in 2000 when it sent a consignment of 143 boxes to earthquake victims in the Indian state of Gujarat, ShelterBox has established affiliates in 20 countries around the world, including New Zealand. More than a million people have now received ‘shelter, warmth and dignity’ from ShelterBox.

“We’re delighted and honoured to host our President and Royal Patron in Christchurch today,” says Michael Cahill, ShelterBox New Zealand’s Communications Director. “This visit is a fantastic acknowledgement for ShelterBox and recognises the many millions of people who have been affected not only by the Christchurch earthquake, but also the people around the world who we have been able to help following natural or manmade disasters over the last decade.”

ShelterBox is currently deploying its kits to assist in disaster relief in Syria, Iraq and Nigeria. “Nigeria recently experienced the worst flooding in 50 years with thousands of people having been displaced from their homes,” says Cahill. “While some families have been able to return to their homes as water levels dropped others’ homes have been completely washed away. The boxes that are provided to families will mean that they can relocate their ShelterBox tents near to the rivers and resume fishing, which is their source of income, as soon as possible.”

Profile of Conference Speaker - Murray Thom

Some Photos from Masterton Rotary Teddy Bear's Picnic

WESPAC Manawatu Business Awards

On Friday Christine and I were privileged to be invited to attend the WESTPAC Manawatu Business Awards as guests of Awapuni Rotary.  This was a black tie event celebrating the  achievements of businesses in the Manawatu area.

Awapuni Rotary sponsors the 'Integrity and Ethics in Business Award', one of the most prestigious awards of the night.  This award acknowledges and celebrates an organization that has clearly demonstrated the formal integration of high standards of integrity and ethics into all facets of its business culture.  Congratulations to The Herb Farm and Cafe who took out this award.

It is a great opportunity to promote Rotary and it's work in the community to the business leaders in the Manawatu area.  It was also great to celebrate positivity in the business and community of the Manawatu.

Our thanks to the Awapuni Rotary for including us in this very prestigious event.

President Neil, DG Graeme, and AG Ash

Emergency Response Kit (ERK) Promotion Day at Karori Mall

The Rotary Club of Karori along with Dave Wilson (ERK Chair) held an Emergency Response Kit promotion day at Karori Mall.  This was a great opportunity to showcase Rotary and the ERK programme and the use to which the ERKs are put.


Some of the day highlights of the day were:

(1) Collected over $700 in donations

(2) Promoting an example of what Rotary does in the Pacific Island area

(3) Having  two prospective members to follow-up on

(4) Having  at least two people who stated they would contribute to ERKs direct. (One said they would give a substantial donation)

This was a great effort and outcome and our thanks to Michael Fagg for orgainising and his team from Karori Rotary and Dave Wilson.

 

NZ Political Cartoon Annual

EMERGENCY PACKS

Another Great Week Heading to the Finale

It was a pleasure on Monday to return to the Rotary Club of Wellington to present at Community PHF to the Deputy Mayor of Wellington, Ian McKinnon for his services to the community.  It was also great to see another new member of the club, Andrew Jackson, being inducted.

Tuesday was off to the Rotary Club of Tawa for our Official Visit where we presented Rotary Leadership Institute Certificates to two members, Irene and Robert, who have now completed the 3 modules of the course.  Here the club was challenged to each make a Peace Crane.  A video and several experts including Christine aided us.  I must confess that my Crane making abilities leave a little to be desired but with a little help most of us there were able to complete the task.   This club is very involved in the community and very community focused.  They are actively exploring ways of how they can attract new members into their club.

On Wednesday we visited the Rotary Club of Porirua Sundown.  This was a busy night presenting a Community PHF to Michael Oxnam from the Porirua CIB for his services to the community.  We were also able to present a Centurion Club award to the club recognizing their achievement in contributing more than $100 per member to the foundation.  We had a presentation on RYLA and were introduced to the clubs RYLA candidate, Jason for this year. It was great to see Sheryl Collins also being inducted into the club. Porirua Sundown is an extremely active and vibrant growing club and we had a full on fun filled night.  We left the meeting with a big bag of Peace Cranes that they had made the previous week.

This week has seen us completing all of our Club Official Visits with the exception of our final visit to our home Club of Plimmerton.  We would like to thank everyone for making our club visits very special events and thank you all for your wonderful hospitality.

Rotary Project Day - 23/24 Feb 2013

THIRD PROJECT DAY COMMUNICATION

We are getting a great response from clubs who are deciding on their activities and projects for District Project Day 2013.

Thanks to everyone who has sent in their ideas, and please keep them coming!

Let’s get all the ideas in by Christmas, so that we can really start 2013 off in great style with a bigger, bolder and better district project day

Here’s what some clubs are planning to do so far

• Dune Planting
• Clean & Tidy up Zealandia
• Walk way Clean up

Actions that you can continue with:

• Identify your club's idea and its liaison person. If you can’t come up with an idea, call a local school, church, or community group and ask what your club could do to help, or have a look around in the community and identify somewhere that could do with a bit of a tidy up.
• Then contact me, Warwick Johnston, District Co-ordinator, with your idea and let me know whether you will be out in the community on Saturday 23th Feb or Sunday 24th February.

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 

Thanks again
Warwick

Warwick Johnston
Rotary Club of Petone
Mobile: 021 253 8873



Click here to view a hundred ways to celebrate Rotary Project Day 

www.rotary.org.nz/documents/inf.../100waysToCelebrateRoptary.pdf

Profile of District Conference Speaker, Kathryn Ryan

A Quieter Week

This week Chris and I had a quieter week closer home with visits to the Rotary clubs of Paraparaumu and Levin.  Both clubs are very active in the local communities.  One of the things that was great to see and discuss with both Boards of both clubs was there willingness to look for future opportunities for their clubs.  In particular, both clubs are exploring opportunities so start breakfast clubs.  I wish them well in exploring these opportunities.

All the best for the week ahead.

Shelterbox Vice Regal Patronage

We are delighted and honoured to share with you that His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM, QSO, Governor General of New Zealand, has graciously accepted an invitation to become Vice-Regal Patron of ShelterBox New Zealand.

In accepting the appointment His Excellency said, ‘I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for the ongoing success of ShelterBox New Zealand, and to acknowledge the valuable work the organisation is doing to assist vulnerable communities around the world’.

His Excellency’s Patronage sends a message to the NZ public that ShelterBox is a professional organisation committed to delivering emergency humanitarian aid to those families in need on every continent. From the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami to the 2011 Japanese earthquake, ShelterBox has deployed to some of the largest disasters the modern world has ever known.

ShelterBox New Zealand is a not-for-profit entirely managed by volunteers predominantly from within the Rotary community. In twelve short years the charity has grown from a small Rotary-funded project based in the UK, to become a ‘Rotary Project Partner’, which is supporting tens of thousands of people each year all around the world.

His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right
Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM, QSM

District 9920-9940 Conference Update

It is now 5 months to Conferences and time to organise your travel, accommodation and registration if you want to be sure and cash in on travel discounts and early bird conference registration fee. There is limited accommodation at the two preferred Hotels the Millinneum and Sudima so be in early with your bookings.

A number of Clubs are planning group travel hiring mini vans to minimise cost and add to their  social enjoyment of the weekend.

We know of others who are planning to take motor homes and caravans and understand there is very good facilities in Rotorua for such vehicles.

The Conference Committee will organise bus pick up and drop off for the Saturday night party.

Our registrations are starting to accumulate, with 50 odd confirmed and we are impressed by this early commitment.

One of the speakers is:

 Sam Johnson:             British Council Global Changemaker,

Global Entrepreneurship Week Champion,

2012 Young New Zealander of the Year

Sam Johnson was the guy who, following the Christchurch earthquakes, created and led the team that mobilised over 11,000 spontaneous volunteers through social media to support Christchurch, evolving into the internationally acclaimed Student Volunteer Army.

Find out who else is speaking at: www.rotaryconf2013.co.nz/speakers

A Really Busy But Amazing Week With 6 Club Visits

This week we visited the Rotary Club of Hutt City on Wednesday to announce the District Governor Nominee 2015/16, Simon Manning.  This was a special occasion for Simon and his club – see earlier BLOG.

Earlier in the week on Monday we were in Palmerston North where we visited the Rotary Clubs of Palmerston North where 2 new members were inducted and a community PHF was presented, and in the evening the Rotary Club of Milson.  Both clubs are very active in their local communities.

Tuesday saw us in Feilding at the Rotary Club of Makino.  Here we joined in for an interesting fundraiser where everyone brought a wrapped ‘bottle’ which were later auctioned.  A fun event where a local charity benefited by over $600. 

Following our visit to Hutt City on Wednesday, we travelled north to the Rotary Club of Waikanae.  Although a small club they make a great contribution to the local community supporting a number of local projects.  It was great to spend the evening with a fellow Antarctic traveller who also has his own mountain – I look forward to sharing some  tales in the future.

Thursday we headed to Otaki for lunch and a visit the Wananga (Maori Iwi University) and Nga Purapura (gymnasium and well being centre)  This evolved from one man’s vision and dream and is now a huge asset to the area.  A fun filled evening followed.

Friday was a quiet night at home and a chance to reflect on a great week.  Thank you to all the clubs involved.

Port Nicholson Piano Invite

Port Nicholson has helped arranged for a piano to be located on the Wellington waterfront to be used by the public for busking. It is great and will gain great profile for Rotary as will be logoed appropriately. The piano will be located outside the Tuatua cafe on the Frank Kitts promenade.  This has been done this in conjunction with Wellington Waterfront and the Tuatua cafe will look after it and wheel out etc. The piano has in fact been there and used for the past few weeks.

The Rotary Club of Port Nicholson are having an official launch on Saturday 10th at midday. They expect a good number of the public will join in and invite all rotarians to join them in this fun event.  If wet the ceremony will be in the underground car park.