Every month I want to start with a relevant quote/proverb from one of our many communities. Please feel free to send me one.
This month's is from Samoa – Thank you for this month's quote to Auckland Councillor Fa’anana Efeso Collins, who attended my Papatoetoe Central visit.
We are now almost one third through our Rotary year, and it is proving to be an inspiring journey. I have completed 25 club visits – almost half our clubs, though still have a number to visit in the Pacific Islands.
So what is inspiring me?
Enthusiasm for service - I see this in our members seeking to do service in their communities and make a difference in the lives of others who need our assistance. Take Homes for Hope in Suva for example – several Rotary clubs in both Fiji and New Zealand are supporting this amazing place that helps young women and their babies rebuild their lives and become self supporting citizens free from abuse.
Energy - for what Rotary can do – our new Satellite Club of the Rotary E-Club Francophone, the Rotary Club of Shanghai Elysee, has just been formally established, with 11 French speaking members. They already have projects underway.
Enthusiasm and ideas - I attended the recent Rotary Leadership Institute where we had Rotarians and Rotaractors together sharing wonderful ideas for attracting and engaging new Rotarians and doing projects. The ideas generated will be taken up by our Membership Committee and shared with other clubs.
Being part of our global community – the Australia and New Zealand Rotary Conference was held in Hobart in mid September – an opportunity for the PDGs, Governors, Governors Elect and Nominee from all of NZ and Australia to get together, share ideas and be inspired. We are all facing similar challenges and we are also all doing some great projects. I was invited to speak to the Rotary Club of Launceston Central (one of their members is an ex work colleague of my husband John). They are a vibrant and active club with a range of ages from 30s to 70s.
I am also seeing an appetite for change – a desire to try new things, like changing the types and frequency of club meetings, engaging with the community in different ways, working together like the Rotary clubs in Auckland’s eastern suburbs kicking off an initiative to make that part of Auckland Predator Free, working with other organisations too.
What keeps me awake at night?
The fact that our numbers are not growing, that it is difficult attracting and retaining younger members, that in some clubs it is the same people who do most of the work. We need greater visibility of what we do in our communities, both by doing hands on projects and getting our message out.
What can we do?
There are some key things I would like to ask all clubs to consider:
Growing leaders through Rotary – have you thought about starting an Interact club in your local college, or a Rotaract club on your community? There are many resources to help you do so. And one of the keys to success is frequent engagement with the sponsoring Rotary club – a great way for members to become members and share their own experiences.
Consulting your local community on how you could get more involved in meeting needs they know they have. Do hands on projects, or if giving money to fund projects, ensure Rotary’s name is out there.
Hold a Rotary Days event within your cluster or community area.
Consider starting a satellite club where younger people can choose how they want to operate while still connecting with your club.
Tell your stories – to anyone and everyone.
I really want to hear of all the great projects clubs are doing and the impact you are having on other people’s lives, as well of course on our own – doing good makes us feel good!
The fight against Polio isn't over yet – there are still cases occurring and we cannot let up. Rotary is still leading the way toward a Polio free world.
My role as your Polio Co-ordinator is to communicate the WHAT and HOW of the District 9920 3- point “End Polio Now” action plan for individual Rotarians and Rotary clubs.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Consider how to carry out one of the key actions from our District 3 point action plan:
1) Continue your annual activities - either Club for Polio activity eg Rotary Waiuku street sausage sizzle; and/or supporting individual Polio champions eg Gary Donaghue our Runner for Polio and, Richard Thorpe Rider for Polio
Hold a World’s Greatest Meal (WGM) event or enlist individual club members to host/participate.
Celebrate a Purple Day (PD) in your allocated schools - Note school term 3 ends 28 September, term 4 starts on 15 October 2018 .
2) Plan your World Polio Day Event - World Polio Day is 24 October 2018.
3) Host a special move night in November with our End Polio Movie - "Bohemian Rhapsody- the story of Freddie Mercury and Queen". Your Assistant Governor will have all the details.
Additionally there are 2 more times during the year when you can focus support for Polio Plus - Rotary Foundation month in November and Rotary International’s anniversary on 23 February 2019.
HOW CAN YOU DO THESE?
See some resources attached that may be useful in promoting these events.
Exposure for Rotary and our impact, and for your club
Engagement of club members and community
Fund-raising to end Polio - REMEMBER - The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributes on a 2 for 1 basis on funds raised
Please keep me in the loop with actions taken…and remember plenty of pictures and stories of Rotary in Action for Polio+ - please send them to me, post on your club website and Facebook page, and send them to your District newsletter editor.
It seems from my club visits that the issue most clubs want an answer to is “How do we address declining membership?” or another way of putting it could be “How do we ensure our club remains strong and viable for thefuture?”
There is no one magic answer of course – but there are many new ways of attracting and engaging members being tried across New Zealand and Australia.
The National Membership Seminar has been designed to explore numerous different options for building a strong and sustainable Rotary future.
I invite every club to have at least 1-2 people attend. Come along and hear Tony Heyward from District 9940 and Mark Huddleston from 9520 – have a look at this https://vimeo.com/user33274799
Mother & Baby Packs are about to go on their way via Jenners Freight to Ha'apai via the Rotary Club of Nuku'alofa in Tonga.
This is the 3rd year that Franklin have done these, and they are an offshoot of the VTT Midwife Leaders Training programme. The Rotary Hi Tea fundraiser earlier this year raised $500 to get them shipped to Tonga via Ian Jenners Freight. In Tonga the Rotary Club of Nuku'alofa organise the 8 hour shipping up to the isolated island of Ha'apai, where the Midwives and hospital there distribute to very needy families.
Organiser Claire Eyes packing, along with 3 members of the Rotary Club of Franklin ready for shipping to Tonga.
Many clubs will have enjoyed having a youngster from somewhere exotic as an exchange student and been able to give a local youngster the advantage of spending a year overseas learning a language and growing up.
Calling all D9920 Road Cyclists
I would like to gauge the interest of D9920 Rotarian road cyclists as to who would be interested in putting together a New Zealand (starting with D9920) Cycling to Serve Fellowship.
Depending on interest we could go as far as setting up something official and register it with Rotary International or just have a group of like-minded cycling Rotarians who get together from time to time and hit the road.
Please contact Richard Thorpe from the Rotary Club of Botany East Tamaki if you are interested.
The August edition asked clubs to boast about their number of Facebook ‘friends’. Tracy Faber of Papakura were first off the mark claiming 264.
Bulletins received from ...
Thank you to the good people of Downtown, Ellerslie, Lautoka, Mangere, Mt Eden, Otahuhu, Papakura, Parnell, and St Johns, all of whom have added my name to their bulletin circulation list. If your club’s name is not here I don’t know what you’re doing!
Rotary Club of Otahuhu
PURPLE Shirt Day – END Polio
Friday 19th October 2018 (the day before Labour Day weekend) is the day when we are holding our Purple Shirt Day. It is the time when we ask each of the pupils from each our four local Primary Schools to donate towards Polio Plus. When the funds raised by the children reach Polio Plus they will have been multiplied six times.
We are looking for at least one Rotarian, preferably more, to represent the Club at each school. Wearing a purple shirt or blouse is encouraged. Materials will be made available closer to the time.
If you can help please contact Brian FitzPatrick,
Ph: 576 1069 or vicarsfp@knockbane.co.nz
Rotary club of Papakura
Jon Faber , President of Papakura Rotary in his club’s bulletin, “I managed to get out on Tuesday night for a possum shoot (doing my bit for conservation) and we had a very productive 3 hours. With just two of us we managed over 40, Only 30 million more to go.” Good on yer, mate!
Howick Rotary in Auckland took the initiative in changing from the use of single use plastic bags and replacing these with an environmentally friendly alternative. This is a decision that is pragmatic, thought out and of actual additional benefit to their community. This is typical of a club that prefers to lead rather than follow.
On Wednesday the 11th of July Simon Jones woke me up with a early morning call to deliver some much anticipated news: our grant application had been approved! After months and months of preparation it's difficult to describe just how good it was to hear this. A huge thank you to all of you who have been involved. Especially to Simon who led the grant application, and never let his foot of the pedal to bring this project to life. I would also like to give special thanks to Willard Martin, District Foundation Chair, and to Kevin Kevany and Gary Key who form the international committee for the project.
The Rotary Club of St Johns contributed $7,900 USD, Rotary Club of Newmarket $1000 and District Foundation Chairs Willard Martin (D9920), Simon Manning (D9940), Trish Boyle (D9980) and John Rickard (D9970) each confirmed a contributions of $5000 each. The amount received from Rotary International is $40335 USD. Along with existing funds, this gives about $100,000 USD to cover 15 months of operations and bring 30 students to English fluency. The following 12 months students will study coding (computer programming) and later begin working, earning a life-changing income, and pay forward their opportunity for the next wave of talented students.
This grant is a huge deal and is the key enabler of our project. I wish to thank everyone involved again.
Team
I would like to introduce you to our beautiful, focused team based in Mahanoro (a small beach town on the East Coast of Madagascar).
From left: me, Rina, Mitantsoa and Marcelline catching a tractor ride to check out a potential camp site.
World Polio Day is 24 October 2019 – what is your club doing?
The fight against Polio isn't over yet – there are still cases occurring and we cannot let up. Rotary is still leading the way toward a Polio free world.
As of the middle of September there are 18 cases of wild polio virus (WPV) – 14 in Afghanistan and 4 in Pakistan. World wide, we have had 43 cases of vaccine derived polio, compared with 98 in 2017.
October 24 is World Polio Day – what is your club doing to promote and commemorate this important project that Rotary has been supporting for the last 30 years? Promotions do not have to be major events. Simple promotions that connect Rotary clubs and the END POLIO NOW campaign is the challenge. Clubs have done such things as club meetings with special guest speakers and guests, ‘save a meal’ with the weekly meal charge going to Polio, community barbecues, gold coin trail and wearing purple at local primary schools and simple information displays in shopping centres.
Anything you do is really appreciated.
And don’t forget the special film screening in November of “Bohemian Rhapsody” – various clubs are holding different events so check with your own club.
A range of ‘bangers’ ready to set off: The infamous Citroen (Sven Hanne in car, Walter Rands-Trevor (Protecta Insurance) to left, Carey Marsh (Protecta) in middle, Brian Hedge (HMB) to right
What started off as a slightly bizarre idea between a few members of the Half Moon Bay Rotary Club has turned into our main fund raiser.
Buy an old car and drive it through to Bluff from Auckland. Why? Well it is better than working! So that’s what the few did. They had a ball and saw parts of the country they had not seen for a long time.
They realised there was the makings of a fund raiser in the idea. The name was registered; a web site set up and the rest is history. 2018 was our third official year of running Bangers to Bluff.
Key limits :
Cars must cost no more than $ 2,000.
The cars had to be registered and warranted.
Money is raised through the car registrations; sponsorship and the selling of the cars by auction in Invercargill.
Key charities were MS NZ (Multiple Sclerosis) and Hopeworks NZ (A brain injury education trust)
“Bangers” has become a way to
raise money for deserving charities;
to travel through parts of New Zealand you would not see every day;
to meet so many good people around NZ;
to have a hell of a lot of fun while doing it.
In 2019 our route will take us via East Cape (we can’t wait); Gisborne; Dannevirke; Blenheim; Hanmer Springs; Tekapo; Wanaka; Te Anau; Manapouri and Invercargill.
Come and join us. Half Moon Bay Rotary. Contact Peter Bailey <peterb@foodtechsolutions.co.nz>
My name is Michelle Godsiff and I’ve had a life-long career with horses including owning a horse riding school in Whitford for over 13 years.
I offered my horse riding teaching services to Stand Children’s Health camp as part of RDA (Riding for the Disabled.)
My two horses Toi and Cracker are superb for using in lessons which were in the basics ... steering, stopping and balancing. Each child also had a time on the lunging rein to learn the skill of rising to the trot which 50% got at this time to their and my delight.
The teachers brought two young boys on a different day with their teacher aides. One boy was on the Autistic spectrum and the other, who I will call Kevin, had violence issues. I was warned to keep my fancy Tonkinese cat Cirrus out of the way! My plan then was to get the boys to help me groom Toi as he is the bigger of the two horses and to see for themselves that bad behaviour around something so big would be challenging.
The boys did a great job grooming. With both ponies saddled and ready and the boys mounted up I popped them both onto a lead rein and we went up to the round arena.
I put Toitoi on the lunge and you should have seen Kevin go. Up down up down and a round and round we went. He didn’t want to stop, he was so proud of himself.
After we untacked the horses and brushed them Cirrus, my Tonkinese cat, came into the stables and walked straight up to Kevin. The teacher aide went to intervene but Kevin scooped her up and put his face into his tummy fur. What a special moment. What a day. It truly brought a tear to my eye and I know that for Kevin it was a very special experience.
I was so proud to receive a certificate a few weeks ago from the Howick Local board for
Join Rotary President Barry Rassin at the 110th Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, Germany, 1-5 June 2019. The historic port city of Hamburg offers something for everyone. Germans call it “The Gateway to the World” — and the 2019 convention will be your gateway to the world of Rotary. At the convention, you’ll connect with people of action from across the globe while learning the latest news and strategies for keeping clubs strong. As a past convention attendee, you know that every convention is an opportunity to learn. Not only will you be inspired by the energy and enthusiasm that surrounds you, you’ll also make new, unforgettable memories that can last a lifetime. Join your Rotary friends in Hamburg at the 2019 Rotary Convention where together, we’ll Capture the Moment. Share the excitement by downloading the promotional kit or by sharing the official promotional video to your social networks.
Education First Trust in 2014 identified there was a huge problem with literacy particularly English language and numeracy in low decile and many rural schools in Fiji. It was recognised that Rotary Usborne Illustrated English Dictionary was an ideal tool to assist with English learning.
Following approach to Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside it was decided to embark on a joint project to have the dictionaries available to students in low decile/ rural schools.
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Enthusiasm for service - I see this in our members seeking to do service in their communities and make a difference in the lives of others who need our assistance. Take Homes for Hope in Suva for example – several Rotary clubs in both Fiji and New Zealand are supporting this amazing place that helps young women and their babies rebuild their lives and become self supporting citizens free from abuse.
Energy - for what Rotary can do – our new Satellite Club of the Rotary E-Club Francophone, the Rotary Club of Shanghai Elysee, has just been formally established, with 11 French speaking members. They already have projects underway..png)
It seems from my club visits that the issue most clubs want an answer to is “How do we address declining membership?” or another way of putting it could be “How do we ensure our club remains strong and viable for the future?”
Mother & Baby Packs are about to go on their way via Jenners Freight to Ha'apai via the Rotary Club of Nuku'alofa in Tonga. 
Calling all D9920 Road Cyclists
Howick Rotary in Auckland took the initiative in changing from the use of single use plastic bags and replacing these with an environmentally friendly alternative. This is a decision that is pragmatic, thought out and of actual additional benefit to their community. This is typical of a club that prefers to lead rather than follow.
Clubs being involved assisting to reduce a real problem in their community. Young people are dying on our roads. These clubs did something about it.
The Great Auckland Duck Race
Team
World Polio Day is 24 October 2019 – what is your club doing?
My name is Michelle Godsiff and I’ve had a life-long career with horses including owning a horse riding school in Whitford for over 13 years.
Project Background