It is now great that we are seeing many new members joining our clubs, not only in Auckland, but also in Pacifica. A very warm welcome to you all and to the world of Rotary, doing good in our communities.
In my visits to clubs when membership is discussed, it seems that a large number shy away from their own opportunities to bring new members into their own club. It is always important to reflect on why you joined Rotary and what have been the rewards that you have gained. Many of our clubs are well known within the community, but often we hesitate to promote ourselves to the outside world.
Over the last 100 years Rotary has been many things to both its members and the community. Our founder, Paul Harris, always stated that if Rotary is to succeed for the next 100 years we need to be flexible and nimble, alongside being relevant to our times and our communities.
New Clubs will be developed over the next few years, and we are now seeing different reasons for clubs to be there. It could be the style of club, meeting style, or merely the fact that a club has to be flexible and relevant. Some of our existing clubs may stay as they are and that is okay.
Woman inside our clubs do make a difference and I would be bold to suggest that those clubs with strong women present are thriving and working hard in their community.
Networking and fellowship is always important. In current times a desire to return to life with friendships, and a sense of belonging, creates a socialisation that has been missing over the last 3 years due to COVID. Now is the opportunity to allow others to belong.
New Club development Chair Ashwini Sadhu is always available for advice, or you can talk with your Area Governor supporting your club about your club's succession plans.
Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of discussion around the evolution of Rotary. Clubs have now gone through the discussion process and have come to a decision. Three clubs voted not to support Regionalisation, but all the other clubs in the District have supported this pilot programme. An implementation team will be established, and if you wish to be involved using your own skill sets, please contact me and I will direct you to the right person to have a discussion.
The next 3 years will be hard work managing change, and how we do things. Don’t lose sight of the fact that our clubs remain the same and continue to serve your communities.
Do you have a question for the DG? Something that you have always wanted to know, but you didn't know where to get the answer? Well DG Allan would love to hear from you and answer the question. If he doesn't know the answer, he knows where to get it for you!
Question from PDG Iain Wakefield
Q. I was intrigued by DG Alan’s statement about his voting obligation at the end of the clubs’ responses to Regionalisation.
DG Alan mentions that he is guided by a vote of three quarters of the clubs. I understood that the vote fraction was two thirds.
Can you help my confusion please?
Iain Wakefield
A. We suggest that the clubs canvas their members and with a 75% membership vote of support then the President could feel happy to vote yes accordingly.
If the District have all clubs participating and reach a 66% threshold, then the DG is obliged to follow the clubs direction voting either YES or NO . If a club abstains from voting, then that club is deemed to have voted NO. If the threshold is not met then the vote is NO for the District.
We encourage Rotarians to submit questions under their name, but if you would prefer to remain anonymous please advise so. Send questions to the Newsletter Editor, Peter Walsh at pawalsh07@outlook.com
District 9920 Annual Conference - Karaka, March 2023
SAVE THE DATE: 31 March - 1st April 2023
Friday: Foundation Dinner and charity auction
Saturday: Conference
Saturday: Past District Governor Cocktail Hour
Saturday: Awards Dinner
More details regarding programme, guest speakers, registration, costs etc. will be shared over the coming weeks, but in the meantime please be sure that you have these dates in your diary.
WATCH THIS SPACE for more information as speakers and the conference programme are confirmed.
Not only do we have the District Conference to be held at Karaka in March 2023 to look forward to, but the 2023 Rotary International Convention will be held in Melbourne in May 2023 and Registrations are now open.
With the success of the 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, our "first in-person" convention since 2019, we’re more excited than ever about meeting again at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia, 27-31 May.
Join others from District 9920 in this beautiful city to connect with other people of action. We’ll hear from great speakers, enjoy fantastic entertainment, take part in inspirational breakout sessions, and so much more.
Did you know that if you register today you’ll receive the reduced rate? Don’t wait — pay in full by 15 December, when this rate expires.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to share your passion for Rotary with fellow members in Melbourne. We can’t wait to see you there!
The Rotary Club Of Half Moon Bay Making A Difference
On Saturday 20 August ten emerging leaders from the recent Rotary RYLA Course, and twelve members of the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay, joined forces to plant out native shrubs on the well-known Mangemangeroa Reserve on Somerville Road, on the Eastern edge of Auckland. A diverse group with a wide age range, united by passion, energy and a heart for making the world a better place.
The whenua on which the reserve is sited has been inhabited since the 14th century and has supported and nurtured many generations of Nga Tai, Ngati Paoa and Pakeha over the centuries. The restoration of the valley over the past 22 years has re-instated the land into a peaceful and restorative resource for the entire community.
22 years ago, three members of the Rotary Club of Howick, Jim Duckworth, Jack McKenzie and Austen Gates, had a vision for the land and were instrumental in the formation of the Friends Of Mangemangeroa. Together with Forest & Bird and the local Council they and other volunteers initiated the planting program that continues today, including propagating seedlings from seeds at home, which they had collected on the reserve. Up to 3000 to 4000 seedlings were propagated each year.
This team planted approximately 1000 seedlings of pioneer species, mainly Flax and Manuka, to strengthen the “shrubland” phase of regeneration succession. This will shelter and protect the next phase of growth. Everyone involved had a blast, an enjoyable day of fellowship and contribution to the development of a regional treasure. Members of the Rotary community of all ages and walks of life, having fun together, making a difference.
Kia Ora, my name is Briar Leith and I recently graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Public Relations.
I am posting on behalf of Rotary District 9920 to give you all an insight into RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. I was introduced to RYLA at the start of the year when I was asked to speak at the St Johns Rotary weekly members meeting, about my life experiences and what led to me starting my small business - ‘Brucha NZ’.
Shortly after I spoke I was told by Rotary about RYLA and I was extremely grateful to have been selected and sponsored. For me, RYLA was life changing because it has taught me leadership skills and tools to overcome the impossible. I feel poised to give my all in my career, life and service to the community. If you would like to hear more about my time at RYLA or know of anyone who would benefit from this course like I have, please take a look at the video.
The Rotary Club Of Newmarket Shows It's Green Fingers!
The Auckland Garden DesignFest is a project that will provide much needed funds to the selected charities so they can have the greatest positive influence for their communities. The Rotary Club of Newmarket is privileged to be associated with the Auckland Garden DesignFest.
The Garden Design Society is in the process of selecting 18 gardens which they believe will reflect the excellence of garden design in New Zealand. The funds raised will benefit the five masthead charities and provide them with the resources to meet the needs of their stakeholders. Lifeline – When times are tough, they provide support. They are only a phone call away. Kids Can - Providing school children with the necessities to improve their wellbeing. Garden to Table – Teaching children how to prepare and cook wholesome meals OKE – Builders of gardens in Primary Schools. This is Rotary – networking and collaborating, having fun, achieving audacious goals and making a difference.
Earlier last month District Governor Allan had the great pleasure of announcing that Jane Stephens has been appointed as the District Rotaract Representative, and is moving into the Operational Board, working alongside our District Area Governors under the leadership of DGN Vidya.
Jane is currently the President of the Rotaract club of Suva and is well supported by her team.
Rotaract and Rotary working together to bring an end to Polio #OneStepCloser
Since 1979, Rotary has worked continuously to eradicate wild polio as a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Even though polio is now endemic in only two countries, it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free.
Mike Mauser and Helen Hankins of the Rotary Club of Global Action, along with Jum Ludwick from the Rotary e-club of District 5190, have used their love of walking very long distances to raise funds to End Polio by walking the 526 kilometre Via de Francesco, as part of the #OneStepCloser. While hiking from Florence to Rome via Assisi they will be meeting Rotarians, promoting PolioPlus and are aiming to raise $75,000.
When the trio did a similar project in 2016, they raised $45,000 for the Rotary Foundation while walking the Comino de Santiago in Spain.
To support this project and spread the word, Rotary and Rotaract clubs can hold their own fundraisers, based around walking. Probably shorter ones.
On October 11th, the Rotaract Club of Auckland City and Rotary Club of Auckland are hosting their own walk. Meeting in Te Komititanga Square outside Britomart Train Station they will hang around raising awareness of this Global Rotary project. They will then depart at 6pm and walk approximately 3km to Ponsonby International Food Court, before having a meal.
Dressed in red End Polio Now shirts, they will share the message of Rotary’s mission to end Polio and raise funds to support the Rotary Club of Global Action’s project to bring the end of polio #OneStepCloser.
This project is a great example of how clubs can work together to achieve Rotary’s purpose and fulfil it's mission to end polio. It is a result of the work of members of both the Rotaract Club of Auckland City and Rotary Club of Auckland to build reciprocal and equal links with one another. The word has also been spread by the work of the Area Governor, Joyti Singh, to build a monthly meeting of the clubs which are members of the local Area.
It's important to continue the work of vaccinating against polio for two reasons. Firstly because even one child being paralyzed or otherwise harmed by polio is unacceptable when we have the ability to prevent it, secondly because even at this late stage, if all eradication efforts stopped today, then within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.
The Facebook event for further info is here; https://www.facebook.com/events/755059715797196. If you would like to contribute to #OneStepCloser, you can find out more at:
Rotaract Auckland is taking part in an international awareness campaign and fundraiser which supports the Zone’s centenary project, Give Every Child A Future.
The project has been set up in a way that makes it accessible to all club types, from the largest city clubs, to the smallest rural clubs, as well as satellite, e-clubs and passport clubs. Rotaract Auckland would like to see the Clubs across New Zealand coming together for a single day of movement in support of this cause. We see this day as an awesome opportunity to engage the community and showcase the amazing impact that Rotary has in a fun and positive way.
The Oceania team has united clubs around the world and we would like to bring this back to where the idea began. In doing so we can showcase the Rotary and Rotaract collaboration across New Zealand.
It is now great that we are seeing many new members joining our clubs, not only in Auckland, but also in Pacifica. A very warm welcome to you all and to the world of Rotary, doing good in our communities.
Woman inside our clubs do make a difference and I would be bold to suggest that those clubs with strong women present are thriving and working hard in their community.
