District Changeover signifies the first ‘meeting’ of the new Rotary year.  It is a celebratory event that performs a number of important functions as mentioned below.
 
Pictured are (from left):  DG 2020-2021 Craig Horrocks and Nickola, DG 2019-2020 Gary Langford and Jan, DG 2018-2019 Ingrid Waugh and John.
 
The District 9920 Changeover for 2019 was held at the Remuera Golf Club with a capacity gathering of almost 200 joining in the festivities.  The mix ‘n mingle gave ample opportunity for all to catch up with friends and meet others from many clubs in our Auckland area.  As such this is one of the few formal chances for Rotarians to meet and chat to others from clubs that they might not normally visit (although you can) and the circulation of plentiful and delicious canapes was much appreciated by all.
 
The Changeover was presented by DG 2018-2019 Ingrid Waugh and then DG 2019-2020 Gary Langford.
 
Acknowledge the significant and memorable achievements of Rotary in the District over the past Rotary year.
 
The achievements within District 9920 over the 2018-2019 Rotary are many and significant so the following are just a snapshot of some of these.  There was a rolling PowerPoint on the screen that gave visually a wider understanding of these achievements.
 
Ingrid touched on her long Rotary experience to say that the experiences of the last year as District Governor were a “blast” and that from all that she has seen through her club and project visits and the reports and news sent to her that all Rotarians in all clubs can look back at their achievements of the last year with satisfaction and pride.  On the projects side, great use is being made of The Rotary Foundation Grants processes with twenty-two Global Grants by District 9920 clubs plus another twelve initiated by other districts in our area (Pacific). There were also fifteen District Designated Fund grants for club projects.
 
Rotary Foundation activities are of course supporting global projects thanks to donations received and Rotarians and clubs of the District supported the Annual Giving Fund to the tune of $163,000 and PolioPlus by $65,665.
 
Many Rotarians look beyond the club and are active in wider Rotary events such as Hamburg convention where 40 attended from the district.  Special events such as the Women in Rotary walks held in Auckland (with District 9910), Moorea, Papeete and Tonga attracted strong support from Rotarians and family and proved to be great PR initiatives.
 
District member numbers have dropped a little but the willingness of clubs to carefully look at how they operate to identify appropriate change is resulting in stronger clubs and more successful projects.  In the Pacific a new Rotary Community Corps and Rotary Club were Chartered in Tarawa, Kiribati which has strengthened Rotary’s reach in the Pacific.
 
A notable success this past year has been the strengthening of the relationship with Rotaract.  Their involvement in District activities continues to grow, especially the engagement of Rotaractors in Rotary Leadership Institute, RYPEN and RYLA alongside Rotarians.
 
Express gratitude to those completing their term of service to the District.
 
Ingrid acknowledged the immense contribution of all those in leadership roles within the district and clubs for their support of her as Governor and of their clubs and the teams they lead.  She recognised those present at the changeover by asking them to stand – assistant governors, district committee chairs and members, and club presidents.  The interaction between all these elements of Rotary is what makes Rotary so successful.
 
Recognise those who have provided excellent leadership and service to Rotary in the District over the past Rotary year.  This may also include acknowledgement of those in the wider community who have made a particular contribution to Rotary service in the past year.
 
District Awards recognise achievement and excellence by clubs and individuals across a range of criteria that together ensure a vibrant District.  While some of these were presented at District Conference by DG 2018-2019 Ingrid, she also presented a number at District Changeover.  Due to size, the full list of awards and recipients is at the end of this article.  Well done to all.
 
Additionally, DG 2018-2019 Ingrid presented Paul Harris Fellow recognition to several Rotarians whose contribution to the district over the year was exceptional.  They were:
 
  • John Waugh – Ingrid’s husband John took the DG journey alongside Ingrid, participating in many of the organisational aspects of the DGs role.  He commented that at the beginning of Ingrid’s DG journey he was rather a cynic of the whole “DG train process” but having witnessed and participated in the last three years he is now a great fan of Rotary and what it accomplishes.  He joined Waiheke Rotary Club in May.
 
  • Peter Woodcock – Peter has been the mainstay of Interact promotion and growth in District 9920 over the last ten years resulting in a large number of clubs sponsoring and supporting vibrant Interact clubs.  Three new Interact clubs have been chartered in the last year alone in American Samoa, Tuakau College and Auckland Girls Grammar School.
 
  • Ron Goodey and Lesley Goodey – Ron has been involved with the Harold Thomas Rotary Trust for over 30 years well supported by Lesley.  This Trust of course is a great source of inspiration and funding for clubs.
 
  • Peter Barron – District Secretary 2018-2019.
 
  • Nick Hamilton and Cynthia Hamilton for the District Newsletter 2018-2019.
 
  • John Fothergill – District Conference Chair and District Information and Communications Chair.
 
  • Assistant Governors finishing their term – Pam Clarke, Glynis Carter and Dave Hawke.
 
 
The following Special Awards were presented to District Chairs:
 
  • Peter Ross received a District 9920 Service Award for outstanding service in promoting and delivering youth programmes within our district and demonstrating Service above Self
 
  • Alan Eyes received a District 9920 Service Award for outstanding service in delivering financial and administration services for our district and demonstrating Service above Self
 
  • Jeanette Drysdale and Willard Martin received The Rotary Foundation District Service Award for outstanding service in promoting The Rotary Foundation and its goal of world understanding and peace.
 
  • Also receiving Rotary Foundation Certificates were Alan McKay, Richard Thorpe and Bryan Theunisen
Transferring authority and responsibility from the current District leaders to those filling those roles in the year ahead. 
 
Pictured is Gary receiving the Chain of Office from Ingrid.
 
For the transference between the District Governor of the current year and the incoming holder this is tangibly represented by the passing of the DG Chain, or insignia of office.  The importance of the role of the DG’s club in supporting the DG is signified by the passing of the “Home of the District Governor” banner from one club to the other.
 
Thank you, Ingrid for your amazing year as District Governor in 2018-2019 and welcome to District Governor Gary!  Gary acknowledged the District had enjoyed a great year under the guidance, inspiration and leadership of Ingrid and thanked her and John for this.
 
Share the goals and programmes of service for Rotary in the District for the upcoming Rotary year.
 
DG Gary provided a brief overview of his bio that no doubt will be given to clubs at the club visit and can be read in the July RDU magazine.  He also acknowledged the strong support of his wife Jan in his Rotary journey so far and ahead.
 
  • DG Gary then thanked Tania Thomas President of the Rotary Club of Otahuhu for the Mihi (Welcome) which set the tone for the evening.
  • He then introduced his family. Gary and Jan have a son Chris and his partner Polina, a grandson Liev and they live in Whangamata. Their daughter Nikki and partner Daimon live in Queenstown.
  • Gary then thanked PDG Don Curry and Sheri for their persuasion to convince him and Jan to take on the role and PDG Ron Seeto and Sharon for their support.
  • Thanks, were also conveyed to the new District Leadership team and Assistant Governors for volunteering their time to support the DG and District in the year ahead.
  • The Rotary Club of Auckland East was thanked for its support and District Secretary Mark Biggs for his help with organising training events and the travel for the Pacific Island Presidents and AG’s who attended SPPETS in March.
  •  DG Gary thanked the District Training & Leadership Development Chair Beryl Robinson and District Trainer Joyti Singh for a very successful year of training.
  • The Rotaractors attending were welcomed and the District Rotaract Chair Mehak Janjua and District Rotaract Representative Becky Giblin were acknowledged.
  • DG Gary then outlined Tangata Moana (People of the Oceans) which is a discussion being held with representatives of both District 9910 and District 9920 ,to investigate forming a new District to replace District 9910 and 9920.The scope of the combined districts was outlined and the discussions were at an early stage.
 
Gary then went on to outline his district goals for the year ahead which under the theme:
 
“Create lasting change”
 
Together we will:
 
  • Build strong and healthy clubs
  • Grow Rotaract and Interact
  • Have fun doing meaningful projects
  • Tell our success stories
  • Support TRF and End Polio
  • Support our Pacific Island clubs
Pictured is some of the District Committee leadership team.
 
Gary then introduced his team for the 2019-2020 including DGE Craig Horrocks.  This team is listed on the District 9920 website, see Team.  All clubs are encouraged to work with them to maximise the resources they can contribute to the success if clubs and projects.
 
 
 
 
 
 
District Awards
 
CUP
Description
Recipient
AUCKLAND HARBOURSIDE CUP
Awarded for the best Rotaract club of the year
Rotaract Club of Auckland
BERT DREAVER ROTARY TROPHY
Awarded for the most significant achievement by a Rotarian or Rotary club with regard to the furtherance of Rotaract within the Rotary year
Ainie Kwok
BILL & LORNA BOYD TROPHY
Awarded to the club with the best per capita Rotary Foundation giving for the current year
Auckland South
COLTY CUP
Awarded to the club with the best attendance at the district conference based on a formula which recognises club sizes and their distance from the conference venue
Papatoetoe Central
GRATTAN O'CONNELL TROPHY
Awarded to the club with the best per capita Polio Plus giving for the current year
Papatoetoe Central
CHANGEMAKER TROPHY
Awarded to the club that makes the most effort to reactivate, have a makeover or to freshen up
Auckland Downtown
JACK SMALLFIELD BULLETIN AWARD
Presented by Jack Smallfield and awarded for the best club bulletins, produced annually
St Johns
PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD - San Jose Trophy
Awarded for a district club project impact on non-Rotarians, relative to the size and resources of the club
Auckland South
PUBLICITY IN ACTION AWARD
Awarded for the best public relations initiative that a Rotary club in the district undertakes within the Rotary year
Pakuranga
RANGITOTO TROPHY
Awarded to the Rotary club in the district that is involved in the most significant environmental project undertaken within the Rotary year
Ellerslie Sunrise
THE DR CATHERINE HAMELIN AWARD
Presented to a Rotarian in District 9920 who has shown outstanding Rotary service to the community
Ainie Kowk
TWINNING TROPHY
Awarded to Rotary clubs in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to encourage them to work together for the greater good of their communities, with priority given to sister clubs working together
E club Francophone