GSE Team from District 5370 Arrives in Wellington

The GSE Team from Canada flew into Wellington this morning.  Pictured from left are NZ GSE Chair Andy Watson, DG Graeme, Team members Shannon, Nathalie, Laura, Team Leader Mary, DG Wife Christine, and NZ GSE Team Member Marilyn.

We wish them all a great stay in New Zealand.

Alf Porilo Visits Porirua Sundown.

1 April - The following News Item has been submitted by Porirua Sundown Rotary.

Alf Porilo

Alf Porilo gave up his valuable time to address Porirua Sundown with a talk that identified the current problems with our Rotary Clubs’ diminishing memberships. He believes that moving away from the past and looking towards our next generations is costing us (Rotary) our members.

Alf was born at a very early age in New York, of Italian American lineage, and moved to Manchester, UK where he received his education in locally approved schools. Having cemented a career in building, proficiently as a hod-carrier for Lego, he then transferred his skills to addressing falling memberships in private gentlemen clubs and turned their downward spiral around. He now believes that he can also do the same for Rotary.

Alf realises that the downturn has only taken place since the relaxation of the formalities’ of Rotary. Some clubs have moved away from displaying the Charter and even a picture of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  The Rotary Grace has been removed from the weekly meeting and some of our clubs no longer recite the four-way test.

He believes that if we want to want to stop the leaking membership then we must all sing God Save the Queen with gusto and recite the four-way test to bring back our numbers.

Alf’s vision of reducing the roles available to women as a way to increase membership was difficult to comprehend but he argued the facts speak for themselves, do the math he said.

Pictured – Alf Porilo with President Gordon at Porirua Sundown.

DG Weekly Update - From Wanganui to the Wairarapa

As we relax over the Easter break writing this is a chance to reflect back on the week where Chris and I had the opportunity to visits clubs in Wanganui and the Wairarapa.  In Wanganui we presented a Community PHF award at Wanganui Daybreak  to Tony Cowan and at Wanganui Club to Dr Jonathan Hartfield.  These Community PHFs and were made to very worthy recipiants working in the entertainment and health sectors in Wanganui.

On Wednesday we visited the Wairarapa and presented a Community PHF to David Kershaw, a longstanding member of the community who has put a tremendous amount into the local community.  This was  joint Rotary/Lions meeting held at the beautiful Parehua Country Estate and it was great to see a large turn out from both these  organizations. Both organizations work well together in their community especially organising the Martinborough Fair.  We gave a presentation on our travels in Antarctica to this joint audience.

We are looking forward to welcoming the District 5370 GSE team from Canada when they arrive in Wellington on Monday then attending their welcome function on Tuesday night.

All the best for the coming week.

DG Graeme

RYLA 2013

Thoughts on RYLA by Krysta Geerling, 2013 RYLA Participant

Save Blong You

Russian Friendship Exchange

THE NEW ZEALAND AND PACIFIC EDITION IS HERE!

THE NEW ZEALAND AND PACIFIC EDITION IS HERE! 

From April 2013 there will be a monthly New Zealand and Pacific edition of the Rotary Down Under magazine for all subscribers in NZand the Pacific Islands.  This includes both the posted copy and the digital version.  The most noticeable change will be a NZ or Pacific Islands cover and feature story.  However, this is dependent on magazine quality articles and pictures being submitted, so it is important that clubs and district committees pause for a moment to ensure they are submitting to RDU via berylrobinson@rotarydownunder.co.nz articles and photos for every significant project and event.  It is good practice to write an article with a photo for Rotary publicity in any case. The well written article should be up to 300 words about who, what, why, when, where and how.  Specifications for pictures are high resolution photos of at least 300 pixels per inch and in jpeg format - set your camera to its finest quality setting or take photos on your smart phone.  Pictures should be eye-catching (look at past issues of RDU magazine for examples) and you may need to pose shots.  Photos must be separately attached files (not embedded into the article or email message).  Submit your article and photos to as many media as you have access to for maximum exposure for your club and district.