Local Community
Locally clubs seeks to identify community needs and then to work with the community to bring lasting improvements. 
 
While most clubs develop a wide range of projects many participate in / support the following:
 
Trees for Survival  
 
Started by Rotary Club of Pakuranga but now a Rotary supported organisations with close Rotary links, Trees for Survival is an environmental education programme which involves young people growing and planting native trees to restore natural habitats by helping landowners revegetate erosion prone land, improve stream flow and water quality and increase biodiversity. The Trees for Survival programme creates community partnerships by engaging schools, their community, local businesses and Councils all working together to restore our natural heritage.
For further details see: http://www.tfsnz.org.nz/
 
Usbourne Pictorial Dictionaries
 
To improve literacy and understanding in Primary School children, by providing them individually, with their own comprehensive illustrated dictionary. The original project was aimed at providing year 4 students in low decile schools in our district with their own dictionary. As students with low literacy skills are found in all schools, many clubs link with schools with higher deciles and students above Year 4.  The dictionary is seen as a gift to each child that will be taken into the home and become a reference for all family members. 
 
The Dictionary project was instigated in the 2008-9 Rotary year following an initiative of Past RI President Bill Boyd who had seen the benefits of a similar project in the USA during his year of Presidency. Bill’s club (Pakuranga) in D9920 adopted the project and organises it on a nationwide basis. To date dictionaries with a retail value of nearly $3 million have been distributed throughout New Zealand.
 
Stroke Foundation:  Big New Zealand Blood Pressure Check
 
The Big New Zealand Blood Pressure Check takes place every October.  This involves volunteers from Rotary, St John and Wellington Free who offer blood pressure checks at local Pak ‘n Save and New World supermarkets.  The campaign is organised by the Rotary Zone Communications Committee (ROZCOM)
 
Cure Kids
 
Started by Rotary in 1971 but now a Rotary supported organisations with close Rotary links, Cure Kids aims for a healthy childhood for everyone, focusing on raising funds to enable high-impact medical research to find the cures for children in need.  The funds go to supporting specialist researchers in solutions to serious medical issues affecting children.  Many Rotary clubs donate to Cure Kids and Rotarians take part in their fundraising events including clubs supporting the annual Red Nose Day. The Rotary involvement in Red Nose Day is organised by the Rotary Zone Communications Committee (ROZCOM)
For further details see:  www.curekids.org.nz
 
Vocational
 
This a wide ranging topic but Vocational Service is one of the five avenues of service. It is the essence of Rotary and what sets Rotarian's apart from other service organisations and many clubs have projects relevant to the the following or a part of other associated projects such as literacy or other youth projects. It is set out in the Second Object of Rotary...
 
High ethical Standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
 
So it is Rotarian's  efforts and behaviours within their vocations and business to
  • foster and guide adherence to honesty, accountability, fairness, integrity and respect  with all employers, employees, associates, competitors and the public;
  • take the opportunity individually and collectively to contribute their vocational talents to the problems and needs of society.
 
Vocational Training Teams is another large area - see International Community.
 
Probus
 
This is Rotary's only programme for seniors. Probus clubs can only be formed by a Rotary club but thereafter are self-governing and autonomous from Rotary although most founding clubs retain some association. Probus is all about Friendship, Fellowship and Fun in retirement.  Probus provides those over 55yo with the opportunity to join together in clubs and to progress healthy minds and active bodies through social interaction and activities with retirees in their community opening the door to new experiences and friendships and enabling people to stay active by participating in a wide range of activities and explore their community, their country or the world.
 
Note:  Former Probus clubs now part of the 'Friendship New Zealand' group are not affilliated with Rotary