Stories

A red-letter day

Watch out for a sea of red at the Britomart Station on Friday, October 23rd. It is the second year in succession that Rotary in Auckland is organising a `Ride a train to enable others to walk’ event.

Just when the world is fighting a deadly battle against Coronavirus, the Rotary initiative of eradicating wild poliovirus from Africa recently made international headlines.

Immunizing more than 2.4 billion children in 122 countries since the last 30 years is an unimaginable feat, though sadly, the wild poliovirus still paralyses children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere.

It’s the reason why Rotary in New Zealand has been going hard, to wipe out the virus from the face of this earth.

Significant Global Grant Sanitation Project for Tawara Rotary

The Rotary Club of Tawara have announced that their first major aid project, the Kiribati Sanitation Project, has been successful in its Rotary Global Grant (US$100,000+) with partnering clubs of Rotary Club of Richfield and the Rotary Club of Otahuhu.

Thanks to this project the following three Betio communities will be recipients of a high standard sanitation build, each comprising of 5 toilets and 2 shower facilities:

Ueen te Uri Community.
Ueen te Tangira Community.
Uaan Kunkun Community.

The success of this application is due to the joint efforts of a wide range of individuals and organisations whose commitment to combating open defecation by helping families in communities with a dignified solution. Over 110 households and over 500 individuals will directly benefit from this sanitation project to provide happier and healthier solutions for the people of the three communities.

Transform your club social media with this learning

Nadi Medical Bus provides free healthcare to outlying communities

Thuis is an excellent example of a partnership project that funded a medical bus providing an ability to provide free healthcare to communities that otherwise would miss out.

Support Rotaract as they run the Auckland Marathon for GECAF

Rotaract Club (Auckland City) will be running part of the Auckland Marathon on Sunday 1 November to support and raise awareness of our Rotary project of choice, Rotary Give Every Child A Future (GECAF).

GECAF has partnered with UNICEF and aims to vaccinate and protect 100,000 children from rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, and cervical cancer, across nine Pacific Island Countries.

A Give-a-Little page has been created to accept your support – note that every $50 you donate vaccinates one child. Also, please help us by sharing the great news of this project among your friends and contacts as the Pacific community is an integral part of our New Zealand community and a project like GECAF is something that enables everyone to help in a very worthwhile way. Go HERE to donate. Click on the header to open the story and use the social media bar to share this good-news story among your friends.

CLUB STORIES ARE THE BASIS OF WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK CONTENT

For every written story:

Add a social media bar
Consider adding to the website Home page
and using as a post on Facebook

A good story has:

A draw card title
A relevant picture (tells 1000 words)
First paragraph summarises the story
Rest explains in more detail

Ride the trains and ferries of Auckland to support polio eradication

23 October 2020:

Join the team of Rotarians riding Auckland's transport promoting polio - anyone can make a donation to the polio team (in red polio shirts) to support polio eradication as you travel about Auckland.

Download All Transit Event Flyer

You too can enjoy your own piece of art while supporting the eradication of polio

We are on a countdown to history and with your help we can end polio for good.

This is a very special and unique art auction that you can support whether as a Rotary club and / or as an individual:

17-24 October:

A selection of wonderful art to grace your home or office - anyone can bid and support polio eradication.

Download Auction Flyer

Dictionaries expand literacy in schools

Here are two stories where Dictionaries have been gifted to children in schools in Fiji and Auckland.

MAJOR POLIO EVENT 2020 - Please participate

We are on a countdown to history and with your help we can end polio for good. Let's all Tag Polio Off.

In October 2020 there are two special events both of which you can support whether as a Rotary club and / or as an individual (click on images for webpages):

17-24 October:

A selection of wonderful art to grace your home or office - anyone can bid and support polio eradication.

Download Auction Flyer

23 October 2020:

Join the team of Rotarians riding Auckland's transport promoting polio - anyone can make a donation to the polio team (in red polio shirts) to support polio eradication as you travel about Auckland.

Download All Transit Event Flyer

Packing food parcels for those facing hard times

Since the beginning of June four Rotary Clubs have been assisting the Salvation Army in Manukau with Packing Food Parcels.The clubs involved are Newmarket, Papakura, St Johns and Remuera with input from other club members from time to time. Since June we have packed over 3000 food parcels, can boxes and Hygiene packs and this has been of considerable help to the Salvation Army food distribution program,

Polio-free Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) on 25 August announced that transmission of the wild poliovirus has officially been stopped in all 47 countries of its African region. This is a historic and vital step toward global eradication of polio, which is Rotary’s top priority.

After decades of hard won gains in the region, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) — WHO, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the vaccine alliance — are proclaiming the milestone an achievement in public health. They offer it as proof that strong commitment, coordination, and perseverance can rid the world of polio.

Rotarians from all our clubs have and continue to support through their volunteer hours and donations the commitment of Rotary to eradicate polio. With World Polio Day coming up on 23 October there are many activities focused on supporting this cause including the Tag You On- Tag yPolio Off initiative on the Auckland train network.

Challenging the mind for fun and good cause

Friday 7 August saw people streaming into the Glen Taylor School Hall full of anticipation for an entertaining evening, a time to relax and escape the worries of these times. And they did. It was a Full House with every seat taken by Rotarians and Rotaractors, their partners, friends and family. The team from St Johns Rotary had totally succeeded in their dual objectives to put on an evening that would be entertaining and to enable people to support the club's projects in the community, especially those supporting youth, as in addition to the modest ticket price there were raffles, silent auctions and other ways to contribute.

Science - best kept secret?

Rotary National Science and Technology Forum will next be held 10-23 Jan. 2021. This Forum is a programme aimed at high achieving, well-rounded science, maths and technology students in Year 12 at New Zealand Secondary Schools who will be returning to Year 13 and who are planning to study science or technology subjects at tertiary level in New Zealand. Details have been emailed to all Auckland clubs of the District and more information is at https://rotarysciencetechforum.wordpress.com/about/event-details/ or by contacting Peter Buchanan Action required as 31 August 2020 is the final date for fully completed Student applications to be submitted to their local Rotary Clubs

Supporting our environment with club projects

The work of Rotary begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless ways, we focus our efforts and resources in (now) seven key areas to maximize our impact. Across the previous six areas of focus Rotarians have included a strong emphasis on caring for the environment and sustainability and indeed some of the criteria for these in applying for grants supports these concepts.

Now this concern for the environment has been taken a logical step further through the addition of the seventh area of focus; supporting the environment. The very strong support for a wide range of environmental projects by Rotary clubs in Auckland and the Pacific means this is welcome news as it opens an avenue of support for larger projects of greater impact. Rotary projects generally offer the opportunity for casual volunteering – just contact your local Rotary club.

Turning around our plastics problem

With this month being Plastics-free July, our Science and Environment Director (Peter B) would like to bring this 3.5 minute video to our attention. It has been produced by the Royal Society of NZ and the Sustainable Business Network (Foodstuffs / New World Supermarkets are members) and can be viewed by clicking onto the following link: https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/major-issues-and-projects/plastics/video-turning-around-our-plastics-problem/

The video highlights both the quantity of plastics that we use, but also their value to us: "Plastic isn't the problem. It's what we do with it. And that means the onus is on us to be far smarter in how we use this miracle material." Globally, there is urgent need to minimise waste plastic getting into the environment. It fits well with this months worldwide Environmental focus to reduce/eliminate single-use plastics.

Roads less traveled Auckland to Bluff rally

The “Bangers to Bluff” Rally is an annual charity event organised by the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay (Inc). It is an opportunity to travel from Auckland to Bluff with a small group of likeminded adventurers, on a carefully crafted route through spectacular Aotearoa. A unique and rich experience, the start of lifelong friendships and participation in greatly appreciated support for widely loved and respected NZ charities. 12 days from 6 to 17 April 2021. All details at http://www.bangerstobluff.co.nz/

The Fiji Oxygen Project

No Child Should Die for Lack of Oxygen

Great News - we are delighted to be able to advise you, our funders and supporters, that The Rotary Foundation has approved our Fiji Oxygen Global Grant. The funds available total US$404,767. Of that amount 45 per cent has been provided by you and by our clubs. Rotary districts around the world have provided a further 15 per cent and The Rotary Foundation grant amounts to 40 per cent (approximately) and is paid in two instalments.

The delivery of the project is in the joint hands of our cooperating partners, Cure Kids, Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services (Fiji MoHMS) and an expert team from the University of Auckland, ably led by Associate Professor Stephen Howie.

Cure Kids Fiji was launched in 2006 in partnership with Accor Hotels. Since then, Cure Kids has partnered with Fiji MoHMS to deliver more than FJ$7 million of initiatives in child health. In recent years, Cure Kids Fiji has focused on preventing and improving outcomes for children living with rheumatic heart disease. Also on improving oxygen supplies in health facilities to prevent death and illness from severe respiratory conditions.

Cure Kids has already demonstrated proof of concept with the installation of oxygen concentrators at six sites in Fiji. The photos show the concentrators being unpacked at Taveuni Hospital and the solar power unit at Nausori Health Centre, two of the existing established sites.

A fun social and very popular quiz night open to all

District Governor Gary’s end of term message

I write this message with only a few days left as District Governor. On 1 July I will join an illustrious group of Past District Governors who have contributed so much to Rotary and the community in our district and beyond.

The year as District Governor has been amazing and eventful. My wife Jan and I have many warm memories as Rotarians have welcomed us into club meetings and we have been privileged to see Rotarians supporting projects and having fun. While all the time living our motto of “Service Above Self” and doing good in the community and around the world.

It’s great to see clubs collaborating and supporting our Pacific Island clubs. The measles epidemic claimed over eighty young lives in Samoa and tropical cyclone Harold caused significant devastation in Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga. The emergency response kits (ERKs) were prepositioned and immediately available to help those in need. The ERKs programme is well supported by clubs in our district and other districts and we will soon be volunteering to replace the stock of ERKs used during the recent disaster.

The 2019-2020 year has been a year of change. In many ways it has been pivotal with the advent of COVID-19 and with the forced lockdowns we have all needed to adapt. Rotarians and clubs learnt to use Zoom and other methods to communicate and engage their members. It was pleasing to see so many helping those isolated or needing help during lockdown. Now that we are in Level 1 we are returning to meetings. Many clubs have adopted Zoom or other technologies, either as part of their meeting or have replaced some meetings with a Zoom meeting. Many of the district committees and board meetings, the Leaders-elect Development, District AGM and the Rotary International Convention have been held virtually. This is part of the new normal and one of the benefits is that the Pacific Islands, eClub and travelling Rotarians can participate.

Like many of you, I attended the Rotary International virtual convention with the general sessions starting at 1.00 am and finishing at 2.30 am NZST. Many others have been able to watch the sessions on demand.

Inspiring Youth Exchange Students Returning Home

L-R: Isa (Chile), Luise (Austria), Eva (Germany), DG Gary & wife Jan, Elise (France), Tijn (Netherlands), Clara (Denmark)

Front L-R: Robyn Inbound Coordinator & Tracey Faber RYE Chair

The District 9920 Rotary Youth Exchange Committee recently held a very special function for the departing RYE students, their host families, Counsellors and other Rotarian’s connected with the RYE programme. The gratitude of the students for the extraordinary and life changing experience of their exchange in New Zealand (their words) was evident as was the positive impact the students also made with their host families who commented that these students were an endorsement of their countries and the RYE programme.

Most people have heard of the Rotary Youth Exchange, the world's biggest and best-known student cultural exchange program. It is said that the programme provides students with a ‘year that defines a lifetime’ and the students about to depart after a year in New Zealand and Alumni who later in life reflect on their participation would endorse this as almost an understatement. The following is a distillation of the presentations from the departing students, their host families and Counsellors.

4-Way Test Podcast Competition for Schools

Rotary Oceania covers New Zealand and most of the Pacific Countries. Indigenous peoples, both within New Zealand and in the Pacific, have little presence on the Video logs (Vlogs) and yet this is the most accessible format for direct communication by the marginalised and the disadvantaged. The barrier is access to the equipment and training to use it. ROZOPS has developed a studio-in-a-box that can be delivered into communities, along with the Podcast competition providing a focal point for learning.

Rotary’s club network can take on the task of helping schools confirm need, raising funds and delivering this technology into the schools with set-up and learning support from the ROZOPS ICT team.

To find out more about what this initiative is about and how you can participate CLICK HERE

A Walk in the Park

The annual District Walk in the Park was again a chance for Rotarians and family to mix 'n mingle. Cornwall Park is lovely any time of the year and the sun broke out as all gathered at the Band Rotunda for the start of an easy 5km through the meadows and trees. The walk ended at the cafe for the needed morning tea and some more chat 'n laughter.

This is what we want – are you delivering it

Service opportunities and fellowship. That is why we joined Rotary and that is why we stay … if we get enough of these. Among us we will have different preferences – some of us thrive if we are engaged in service projects. While others like the projects, although tend to enjoy the fellowship more. But if we do not get enough of what we want, our support of Rotary will slowly dwindle away.

Imagine if as a Rotarian, you were able to pick and choose what interested you from a wide range of options at any time of the year. Whether a service project or social activity, whether created by your club or others. Think of the people you would meet and the experiences and satisfaction you would enjoy. Isn’t that the sort of vibrancy that drew you to Rotary?

Showcasing your club achievements for 2019-2020

Christchurch South Rotary certainly know how to present their substantial achievements in a timely and visually useful way (dated 24 June 2020 at their Changeover). Their website and Facebook pages are similarly great with current and useful information that clearly showcases their club. This is an example to all clubs. You do not and should not wait until your AGM sometime in the future to do this as the relevance is lost on those outside Rotary and many members. If you do - get this good news out to your members, your community, your sponsors and supporters and those you have helped ASAP.

Another example is in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W62rJChsPhE&fbclid=IwAR0cFEWBgea_-lLhuZzwZEkktRfj5PZ6VVN0CylzthyMStwiaADNsNszJj4

View the recorded Virtual RI Convention General Sessions and Breakouts

If you missed the Virtual Rotary International Convention General Sessions or possibly more importantly, the Featured Breakouts, they are available on-line via www.riconvention.org ... go to the section to want and click on the topic you want to watch (the Featured Breakouts cover many very useful topics and can take 2 days to be put up after the actual session).

The link to the first Featured Breakout, Using Virtual Tools to Engage Members, is https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY10rhCS16 The PowerPoint slides used are available via the Learning Center.

District 9920 Leaders-elect Development 2020-2021 Review

Firstly, many thanks to all our District 9920 club members who checked into the first leadership-elect development (LED) sessions over June 7 and 14 Sunday afternoons. It was so special to have our Pacific Islands members present and learning alongside of our Tamaki/Auckland club members for the first time! Also great to have other district members join us as well as global whanau – Jean Louis- Bonjour!

This was the first time this programme (previously LETS) has been delivered via the Zoom platform which has been a gift of COVID-19. It has enabled Rotary clubs across Aotearoa and the world to keep connected.

Secondly, a big thank you to our facilitators who prepared and presented their unique sessions which were informative, participatory and engaging. Again, a new space for many of our facilitators who perfectly managed the challenge.

All video recording of all sessions is accessible on the YouTube Rotary Oceania website just click here.

COVID-19 Opened Opportunities Accepted

Thinking back to last year; magazines flew of the shelves. The suddenly that all changed and supplies of printed magazines went unsold. End dates for these posed a problem for those with these stocks who then set about seeking a creative solution that would at least see these put to good use. A North Shore, Auckland Rotarian was contacted by a magazine publisher who had 1,600 copies of the Boy-Zone and Total Girl magazines they wanted to donate to Auckland schools. In the District 9920 area, Auckland South Rotary took up the challenge to arrange the distribution of 800 magazines to six Decile-1 schools as depicted in the photo. This was a big task but the club team excelled resulting in so many smiling faces. A similar distribution occurred in District 9910.

Rotary has the network, the 'can-do' attitude and the integrity to inspire confidence that we can take donations and other opportunities make do good with them. As clubs we need to spread the word in this regard.

Second Step initiative recognised with Rotary Young Totara Award

The first recipient in District 9920 of the Young Totara Award was Molly Hillman for her school-based charity enterprise ‘Second Step”. The Young Totara Award recognises the positive achievements of our young people, promotes sound role models for our youth and fosters responsible attitudes towards the community. By singling out and recognizing young people with these qualities, we can promote these ideals and encourage positive role models for the growing generations. This new initiative for District 9920 is recommended for all clubs to use at anytime of the Rotary year.

Public Image & Awareness Committee needs your input!!

I wanted to take this opportunity to pass on my details. It has been great to meet so many who want to make a difference to their Rotary club teams.

We need team members who are familiar with many aspects of social media and marketing event management and want to expand their talents in building video and podcast material. The ideal person is a Rotarian or Rotaract member but this may not always be the case. You may be a university student who wants to expand their experience and knowledge. This could be you or someone you know.

I would be very happy to discuss further so please contact me to explore this opportunity.

Kindest regards,

Allan

District Governor Nominee 2020/21

Area Governor 2020/2021

District 9920 Public Image Chair 2020/21

Tel: 021 959 397 Email: ASmith@ACCESSABLE.CO.NZ

Celebrating what we have achieved

The Centenary of Rotary International was held in the 2004-2005 Rotary year. Rotary was founded on 23 February 1905.

The Centennial Governors were charges with Celebrating Rotary and this was done by encouraging and supporting all clubs to create a lasting Centennial project in their community, something over 80% of clubs did. In addition, there were District special celebration events cumulating in the massive Rotary Convention in Chicago. A Centennial book was produced: A Century of Service – the story of Rotary International

The Rotary Foundation celebrated its centennial in the 2016-2017 Rotary year. The Rotary Foundation was formed in 1917 with the first donation then and the Foundation was (re)named The Rotary Foundation in 1928. Throughout the year the global and local contribution of The Rotary Foundation was celebrated in District and international events. A Centennial book was produced: The Rotary Foundation - Doing Good in the World

The 100 years of Rotary in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania is being held in the 2020-2021 Rotary year. The Rotary Club of Melbourne was founded on 1 May 1921, the Rotary Club of Auckland on 13 June 1921 and the first Pacific club was the Rotary Club of Suva, founded 26 March 1936.

The District Governors for this Centennial of Rotary in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania are supporting two projects that celebrate this milestone being the regional ‘Rotary Give Every Child a Future’ Pacific immunisation project and in New Zealand the ‘Mana Tangata’ History project. In addition, there will be special celebratory events through the year.

Meeting the Challenge for The Rotary Foundation in 9920

Message from District 9920 Rotary Foundation Chair, PDG Jennie Herring:

Rotary is no exception to the stresses that the COVID-19 public health and economic crises have brought to many businesses and individuals.

We have shown however that we can respond quickly. In the past few months Disaster Response Grants totalling US$4.25million have been made by The Rotary Foundation to address needs in 172 Rotary Districts in areas as diverse as Central Africa, Italy and Ohio. From personal protective equipment, to ventilators, to foodbanks – Rotarians, through our Foundation, have been helping support communities around the world.

End Polio Ride-a-Train October 2020

After last year’s successful inaugural event when $76K was raised by combined Districts 9910 & 9920, we promised with your support to bring together a Bigger, Better, Bolder repeat this year. This years event is being planned for World Polio Day, Friday 23 October (TBC). Standby!

THE CLUB - Insta success

As things return to some normality, what needs to be done to create a 'new normal'? That place, where as a club, we can actually build on past successes, overcome some of the past bottlenecks to progress and embed that vibrancy we all crave.

It is time for a Walk in the Park

A WALK IN THE PARK - Cornwall Park that is.

It is time to get some fresh air! Our last weekend of the Rotary year, so why not come together & talk about what has been going on in your clubs, your lives & how we are all coping.

Bottle re-use in Savusavu, Fiji

The Rotary Club of Savusavu has been working with the leading women’s advocacy group,

iSoqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei Cakaudrove, to establish a bottle re-use programme in Savusavu.

It’s a simple and very useful project; people bring their used bottles to a table in the Savusavu market and anyone can collect them and take them away. Women from the local villages use the bottles for coconut oil, homemade chutneys and jams and even carrying water. Having a stand at the market makes it easy for women to collect them and then get on the bus to go home. It’s also easy for locals to drop off their used bottles for the project.

Elenoa Kaisau of iSoqosoqo Vakamarama says, “The local women from the villages are very pleased. They say that water tastes better when it’s kept in a glass bottle and a lot of them prefer them for keeping coconut oil, especially when it’s a gift. When the rules on social gatherings are lifted there will be a surge of weddings and coconut oil is often a popular gift.”

New knight Sir Robert Elliott says imagination is key to medical research success

Professor Robert Elliott, CNZM
Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Sir Robert Elliott, who prefers to go by Bob, says imagination is the key to having a successful career in medical research. He should know, having spent about sixty years of his life dedicated to trying to better the quality of life for people - especially children. Bob is a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Remuera.

In 1971, Bob co-founded the Child Health Research Foundation, now known as Cure Kids. The foundation struggled during the 1990s and Bob thought it might have tipped over. However, he made a valuable discovery. He found that milk from different sorts of cows had effects on human health but, at the time, Bob wasn't all that bothered by it. In an interview with the NZ Herald Bob said, "I didn't think much of it at the time and took a patent out that caught the eye of commerce and thus was born the A2 Milk Corporation. The corporation was prepared to pay handsomely for that patent and Cure Kids took off from there - it brought in a small fortune."

Looking back on his career, it was Cure Kids which pleased him as it would continue to fund top-grade research for children's health long after he was ‘pushing up daisies’. His career might not have been possible without his older sister though, who taught him the importance of using imagination which he thought was ‘extremely important’. "You have to imagine how a problem could be resolved and let your imagination go wild," Bob said. "People need to think as widely as they can and not be restricted by can't attitudes. If you've got a good imagination, you'll come up with solutions for all sorts of things." While he had failed hundreds of times, there were half a dozen or so successes which were adopted internationally for the treatment of children with diseases of which Bob is immensely proud.

District Governor Gary's June Message

June is Fellowship month in the Rotary calendar. It is a time to celebrate the many achievements that Rotarians and clubs have achieved in District 9920 and beyond. It is also time to get ready for club and district changeovers.

Now that the government has extended maximum meeting numbers to 100, some clubs are starting the journey to return to physical meetings. While good progress has been made to crush COVID-19, precautions still need to be taken to prevent a resurgence of the virus. The question for many clubs is to meet or not to meet. I have been asked for advice and my response is that it is a decision that each club needs to make based on their unique circumstances. The government guidelines on meeting numbers and physical distancing need to be factored into each decision. Each club must assess the ability of the meeting venue to meet these requirements and they also need to consider the membership age profile of the club. The other consideration is whether the members are ready to return. Several clubs are trying out a hybrid meeting with a smaller group meeting and the speaker and members able to join by Zoom.

Over the last month I have visited twenty-four clubs who have been holding online Zoom meetings. It has been wonderful to revisit clubs that Jan and I had the opportunity to visit before COVID-19. It’s been great to see clubs actively engaging with members, hosting visitors and speakers and finding ways to assist those in need in the community. The use of technology will be part of the new normal when we emerge from COVID-19.

Rotary Meeting Considerations

With the advent of Level 2 restrictions, do we start meeting physically or keep up our current practices e.g. holding meetings via Zoom? The decision is something that each club President and their team will need to make for themselves as we are all different in our makeup and the locations where we meet give us all different challenges.

FUN, FELLOWSHIP AND GOOD TIMES

Do you want more members, or just to make sure your current members are happy? Then tell them about the 100 or more Rotary recreational Fellowships they can join (including the displayed ones). Rotary is more than service and club activities as among these Fellowships there is something for every taste. For more go to https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships

Rotary Opens Opportunities Theme - upgrade your club media

As the 2020-2021 Rotary year starts it is imperative that the correct Theme logo is used on club websites, Facebook pages, documents and more because nothing makes your club look out of touch than outdated collateral.

The 2020-2021 Theme logo materials are available from > Brand Center > Logos > Theme logos (login required).

This includes the Theme Color Chart to download - picture of this is below. It is suggested you download a full set to your PC for future easy access.

Lautoka Rotary in forefront of community support

Throughout the Covid-19 crisis most clubs have found their own special ways to support their members and where practical, their community. This is a small part of the Lautoka Rotary story as told from their Facebook page:

Want more members at the beginning of the Rotary year ... one word - ALUMNI

These are four out of a series encouraging Alumni to Reconnect with Rotary. You may have seen these on the District Facebook page www.facebook.com/rotarydistrict9920 and a similar series will also soon run on the Rotary Oceania Facebook page www.facebook.com/rotaryoceania

Past participants of our programmes know who we are and are 'prequalified' to engage with us whether as members, sponsors, volunteers or more but often are waiting to be asked by you. So go though your lists - who has your club sponsored to Rotary Foundation or District programmes that you can reconnect with? Give it a go and ASK them.

Opening Rotary Opportunities to Community Involvement

If you are a Rotary club wanting to reach and engage with your community what is the easiest and most time and cost-effective means of achieving this?

That is easy. Social media and in particular and familiar to most clubs, Facebook. Facebook has become a mainstream method for Rotary clubs to increase engagement (potential members, sponsors, volunteers, project participants), to boost brand visibility and further reach than is otherwise easy to achieve. It is effective simply because so many people use it.

So, your club has a Facebook page but are you really, honestly, using it well enough to get decent results? Maybe not but have a look below for some ideas to ensure that you are fully opening the Rotary opportunities of this.

An exciting virtual Rotary international Convention for everyone

Some new information about the upcoming Rotary Virtual Convention. Not at the best time for us in the South Pacific, but very exciting to be a part of. Put your alarms on, share in a very different experience & see what Rotary in the world are up too.

"Fame" for your Rotary photos

Hi Everyone,

Would you like to see “fame” come to one of your photos? Well, there are high quality video(s) made about Rotary in NZ and the Pacific Islands to be produced to go onto our Oceania website, Facebook, YouTube Channel and possibly a TV channel.

So, what is wanted is good quality (hi-res) photos about Rotary projects that you think are interesting. These can be environmental, health related, mentoring and youth associated photos. For example, science and technology, RYE, RYLA, walkways, planting, ROMAC, etcetera, to build up an extensive picture of the many faces of Rotary.

Submit your photos for consideration to Liz Courtney, lizcourtney.lc@gmail.com (with a copy to cs.bg.robinson@xtra.co.nz) together with a short explanation no later than Friday, 19 June 2020.

Leaders-elect Development 2020

Watch Covid-19 Rotary Responds Telethon (English and French)

Sunday 3 May a global live stream Telethon was held by Rotary International for a global audience to hear stories of hope, inspiration and gratitude from Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends of Rotary from across the globe as they share what they are doing to help their communities.

RYPEN overcomes Covid-19 to run successfully on-line

Pictured are the RYPEN Leadership Team – Gabriel, Claire, Grace & Henry.

Due to Covid-19, all District Youth Programmes were cancelled including the 2020 Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN) Camp, which was to be held from 27-29 March 2020 at Kokako Lodge.

While it was no possible for the camp to go ahead as originally planned, the organisers still wanted to provide the students with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills as for many it would not be possible to reapply in 2021 as their schooling progressed. With Alert Level 4 requiring students to isolate in their 'bubbles' the obvious solution was to make use of readily available technology to deliver the RYPEN leadership curriculum online. This initiative is borne out of discussion over SKYPE on the night the Team cancelled the Camp on 9 March and the first video was out during the first week of lockdown.

Rotary Zoom Backgrounds you can use

Click on picture above to access. There are several options. This is a PowerPoint for maximum flexibility and has instructions.

RI Virtual Convention

1 May 00:01am in Chicago is 1 May 17:01 NZST so information on the virtual Convention should be available after that time on www.riconvention.org .

May is Youth Service Month

Changes we have made

Now that we have left Level 4 for Level 3 and the uncertainties this represents include just how long this will go on for, we can reflect on progress to date in the response by Rotary.

The first and most obvious is that clubs have had to meet on-line and most seem to be doing this OK. Members, even the “technophobes” have quickly adopted regular attendance to these electronic meetings as a way of staying in touch and beating the isolation blues. Often clubs are reporting that these meetings are gaining more attendance that their normal meetings, but it has been acknowledged that the preference for the usual face-to-face meetings remains.

Rotary Clubs step up under Level 4

There has been quite a bit happening among clubs during the Level 4 period of the crisis that includes the following:

Parcel drivers doing an essential service

Auckland East Rotary has answered the call by the Salvation Army for drivers to deliver food parcels to families facing serious difficulties putting food on their tables at this time of crisis. Unfortunately, the need is rapidly growing right across Auckland and even though the club has had a good response from members and Friends of Auckland East Rotary more drivers are needed – if you can assist call sam.m.mukhtar@gmail.com for more information.

District Governor Nominee selection 2022-2023

I am pleased to advise that the District 9920 Nominating committee have selected Allan K Smith as District Governor for the Rotary year 2022-2023. The selection is subject to objection by a Rotary club with a 14 day period but only if the club has previously suggested a candidate to the nominating committee.

Allan is a past president of the Rotary Club of St Johns, District 9920 Area Governor 2020-2021 and a panel member of the Rotary Governance Working Group. Sue is the NZ Operations Manager for ROMAC - Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children and works as a volunteer for many organisations such as the Cancer Society.

Jan and I wish Allan and Sue every success in their year as District Governor and I look forward to Allan joining the DG train as District Governor Nominee.

Gary Langford
District Governor 2019-20
Rotary District 9920

Rotary grants provide a major boost to Pacific vaccination project

Rotary Give Every Child A Future is Rotary Australasia’s centennial project to introduce three vaccines into nine Pacific Island countries. It has just reached a significant milestone with the approval of nine Global Grants by The Rotary Foundation. These grants, one for each country for the first year of the project, have a combined value of US$1.3 million.

Global grants are made up of Rotary club fundraising and Rotary District Designated Funds which are then matched by The Rotary Foundation’s World Fund.

RGECAF can now move to the implementation phase of this major public health initiative in the Pacific. Through our collaboration with UNICEF, 100,000 women and children will benefit individually, saving lives and saving families. In addition, the project will significantly strengthen health systems in each of the nine countries, providing a sustainable legacy of improved healthcare.

Zoom discount for Rotary clubs and Rotarians

Rotary Zoom Offer

Through Rotary Global Rewards clubs and Rotarians can get a 20% discount on a paid Zoom account. Go to https://my.rotary.org/en/member-center/rotary-global-rewards

The free version of Zoom has a 40 minute meeting limit and other restriction although good for first-time users to try out. If your club is looking longer=tern to use Zoom for on-line club, Board or Committee meetings then a paid account is an option to consider.

Thank you - together we are succeeding

It may not be radical or wildly Instagram worthy compared to pictures of Rotary volunteers delivering food parcels to grateful elderly or the myriad of other roles that are in the public eye, but Rotarians throughout New Zealand and the Pacific have been connecting with others fills a very essential function during this crisis.

Thank you to all who have and continue to willingly and brightly performed the role of cheer squad with your members and others who need perking up and to ensure people are not feeling isolated as they stay at home to keep all safe.

District Grant puts food on the table

Early on in Alert Level 4 Manukau City Sunrise Rotary was aware that some families in their community were likely to be finding things tough during the current crisis where lockdown had restricted movement and, in many cases, suspended jobs affecting income. What the club wanted was to find a way to relieve some of the stresses those families were facing in outing food on the table.

The club’s solution came through one of their members, Pelu Leaupepetele who is the Principal of Kedgley Intermediate.

Nukualofa Rotary distributes 148 ERKs following Cyclone Harold

ROTARY FIJI RELEASES MORE EMERGENCY RESPONSE KITS

Cyclone Harold cause significant devastation in the Pacific including remote areas of Fiji. Rotary Clubs in Fiji 15 April handed over F$280,000 worth of assistance for the people of Fiji residing in the Western and Central Divisions who had their houses destroyed during Tropical Cyclone Harold. The provision of the ERKs on Monday and todays handover bring Rotary’s assistance towards TC Harold to over F$0.5 million.

Hungry for interesting Rotary news!

Rotary Youth Exchange Inbounds - Locked Down but not Out

Going into a four-week lock-down due to a world pandemic is not something any of us would ever have imagined doing, least of all our group of seven Inbound RYE students. But heck are we proud of the way these young ambassadors have conducted themselves during this challenging time.

D9920 is currently hosting seven delightful young ambassadors, two from France and one each from the Netherlands, Denmark, Chile, Austria and Germany. Weighting up the pros and cons of “should I stay, or should I do?” and in constant consultation with their families and Rotary advisors here and at home, our Awesome Inbounds have all elected (for now) to stay here.

Reporting on Covid-19

There have been some reports that some club Bulletins have included Covid-19 medical-oriented advice with best intentions that has later been found to be incorrect. While this is rare, please exercise caution and include only information on this topic that has come from, or can be found in, official sources. There is some advice on managing information to prevent misinformation by MSN - view HERE

District Governor Gary's April Message

A lot has happened in the last month since our last district newsletter. At the end of February we had the first confirmed case of Covid-19 and since then everything has changed. We are now in Day 6 of the Level 4 Alert (for four weeks) and the State of Emergency (which has just been extended until at least 8 April) and getting used to being confined to home and our local area.

This provides challenges for everyone and it is important to keep up communication with friends and family and reach out to avoid social isolation of those who may be living alone. It is also important for Rotary clubs to communicate with their members and supporters to keep members engaged with Rotary. Also to consider ways to assist those in need in your community within the guidelines of your country’s Covid-19 response plan.

NZ Cycle Trails – Something to look forward to

Auckland East Rotary Club has been organising bike rides (for both old fashioned and E-bikes) around New Zealand for the past 3 to 4 years. It is part of a push to get more Rotarians out in the open, to enjoy the fresh air, the beauty of NZ cycle routes and participate in fellowship evenings.

Interplast - POSTPONED

Due to the Covid-19 situation, all Interplast programmes have been indefinitely postponed.

It is still intended for the planned programmes, such as District 9920 to Kiribati, to go ahead. But that won't be possible until all international travel restrictions have been lifted and our in-country partners are willing and able to receive the programme teams again.

Keep promoting your club

Keep promoting your club! Although you are restricted in the projects you can engage in at present (apart from forward planning) you are strongly encouraged to use an idea similar to this from District 9970 and keep the positivity of your club in front of your members and your local community by showcasing recent or in-progress projects. In doing so you are positioning your club ready to kick off when restrictions are eased.

Golfing for a good cause

The early morning was crisp, invigorating with a promise of a fine and sunny day with a light breeze. If you are thinking that this was excellent golfing weather, you are right because this was the day of the annual St Johns Rotary Annual Golf Tournament. Under the team led by member David Hartstone, the Tournament not only squeaked in ahead of the restrictions by the thinnest of margins but made more than previous tournaments. Not only was it a financial success, but players, sponsors, volunteers and others commented on how great a day it was and their satisfaction with being a part of such a great event.

The picture shows golfers greeting each other with the approved elbow bump (good Covid-19 practices being observed) and DG Gary demonstrating the perfect golf swing.

Stranded 2200kms from home after SPPETS

Ruth Cross is President Elect of the newly chartered Rotary Club of Tawera in Kiribati and had attended the South Pacific Presidents Elect Training Seminar in Auckland early March.

Following that was flying high on the buzz of the event but world events were about to send her return trip to Kiribati into a real tailspin leaving her stranded 2200kms from home. This is her story.

Rotary Saving Mothers and Children

Rotary makes high-quality health care available to vulnerable mothers and children so they can live longer and grow stronger.

Rotary expands access to quality care, so mothers and children everywhere can have the same opportunities for a healthy future. An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented.

Upskill your Rotary knowledge with your spare time

I don't know about you, but crisis or no crisis I am always keen to learn something new that will help me do the things I am involved in or want to do whether in my personal or business life or in Rotary.

The Rotary Learning Center has short courses (eg. 15 minutes +) that are very worth your time. There are a lot you can choose from across a wide range of topics and you do get recognised for your achievements.

Don’t let Coronavirus paralyse you. The future is coming

While our immediate focus is people’s health and wellbeing, as Rotarians, we have a vested interest to ensure our clubs are able to also weather the storm and emerge intact. Here are some thoughts.

Thoughts on engaging members during the Lockdown

During a time of physical disconnection and isolation it is even more important to keep our social connections. Rotarians join Rotary to do good in their community and give back, and stay because of the connections they make. What might giving back look like in our changed world?

How can we help Rotary stay strong, and even prosper, during a time when nothing is as it was, but people are seeking purpose and an opportunity to contribute. Rotary has resources – people and financial resources. We care and have a strong reputation.

Do not allow social distancing become social isolation

What is your club doing to stay in touch with members?

Yes, an interesting Bulletin is essential, and most are adapting to the current circumstances but the online face to face is equally useful.

It is Absolutely Fantastic that so many clubs are staying in touch with members through online meetings and for those of you yet to give this a try … have a go soon.

Club Bulletins and Editors are the new Rotary Stars

Club Bulletins and Editors are the new Rotary Stars

The humble club Bulletin, some would say much maligned, is about to come into its own as one of the most important Rotary club communication tools we have after picking up the phone and talking to members.

This page has ideas for clubs and no longer is the Bulletin solely up to the Bulletin Editor to find content ... we are all in this crisis together so we are all needed to help create a club Bulletin that is interesting and helps keep our club together. Additional resources at https://www.rotaryoceania.zone/page/covid-19-(coronavirus)-information

Breakfast Club’s Christmas Party 2019

You might remember that we did a story about Breakfast Club in our October newsletter. Since then they have been very busy and one of their events was a Christmas party for 200 families with 1,000 children. They also supplied an additional twenty families with both groceries and presents. Auckland Shoebox Christmas donated 1,260 presents that enabled Breakfast Club to also support:

South Auckland Christian Food Bank,
Te Atatu Peninsula Children, and
Rotorua charities.

This year Breakfast Club added ‘Cinnamon Donuts’, an extra candy floss machine and an extra bouncy castle.

TV One turned up at this event and ran a three minute clip at the end of their news that night which you can watch here: Breakfast Club Christmas Party.

Leaders-elect Training

Leaders-elect Training Seminar (LETS)

This was scheduled for Sunday, 3 May at St Cuthbert’s College, 122 Market Rd, Epsom for Auckland assistant governors, presidents-elect and their Rotary club leaders along with any other Rotarians. However, under the current circumstances it has been decided to cancel the physical meeting and to change the format to a virtual meeting which will be known as District Assembly. More details to follow later.

Participation in Rotary Leadership Institute is also very strongly encouraged and with the cancellation of the April course, the next course is scheduled for the weekend of 31 October/1 November. Click here for more information: https://www.rotarydistrict9920.org/page/rotary-leadership-institute-(rli)

District Conference 2020 Cancelled

Advice Notice 16 March 2020: COVID – 19 and District 9920 Conference 15-17 May 2020

Due to ongoing concerns about the current outbreak of COVID -19 (Coronavirus) I have made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 District Conference.The well-being and safety of our Rotary community is my top priority.

Furthermore, I am not prepared to enter into unacceptable levels of financial risk which may well be exacerbated by further delaying this decision.I am confident this is the right decision given the current circumstances. My conference planning team has been closely monitoring the situation and has considered advice from the World Health Organisation, the New Zealand Ministry of Health and Rotary International.

I can assure all those who have already registered that they will receive a full registration refund. My thoughts are with all those who have worked so hard to prepare for the conference and to everybody directly impacted by this decision.

I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this decision may cause, Gary Langford,District Governor 2019-20,Rotary District 9920

Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE 14 March 2020

Important UPDATE from Rotary International President Mark Maloney (please read in its entirety)

Dear fellow Rotarians,

The health and safety of our members are our top priorities. We are closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) and continuously assessing its potential impact on our operations, meetings, trainings, and other events.

The 2019 Measles Epidemic Response

Apia Rotary responded to the epidemic in three stages and their full report can be viewed here or click on picture. This is a quick but very insightful read and a wonderful example of the capability of this club to respond in an appropriate and timely manner to a crisis in the community.

Total Apia Rotary Response Efforts: Cash and In-Kind $220,000 + Total Rotarian Volunteer Hours: 1,000+

A safe way to get some fresh air and exercise

In previous years this walk in the Park has been a massive hit. Get along and enjoy the outdoors ... full details below. FREE event.

Inspiration with education prepares club leaders

Last weekend another tremendously successful South Pacific Presidents Elect Training Seminar for all club presidents-elect from throughout New Zealand and the Pacific was held. Rotary is constantly improving in an ever-changing world, so this weekend helped these incoming club leaders understand their role and what it takes to be an outstanding president, but also what is needed to make their clubs vibrant.

A pressing need - let's just sort this!

Twenty clubs from the New Zealand-based districts pledged the cost of providing a toilet each to villages in the interior of Vanua Levu where children, women and men currently struggle with life without this basic means of sanitation. The presentation at the South Pacific Presidents Elect Training Seminar on Sunday 1 March by President-elect John Prasad so clearly showed the need for these toilets that within minutes twenty clubs from throughout the six districts represented had pledged to support the project by Labasa Rotary to solve this pressing need. Rotary Foundation Trustee Jennifer Jones (pictured) and her husband also pledged one toilet such are the benefits that come from improving sanitation for those poor of Fiji.

Will your club be willing to email John Prasad (pictured) on skulleredge@gmail.com and also pledge the $500 cost of one toilet? Twenty-one toilets are not enough for the several villages needing these. Let's make sure no-one is with out sanitation.

District Governor Gary's May Message

We have just come out of thirty-three days in Level 4 lock down and have two more weeks (subject to review) at the slightly less restrictive Level 3. All Kiwis can be very proud of achieving a huge reduction in infection rates of COVID-19. Many of our Pacific Island countries have also had stringent lock downs and have been either able to remain COVID-19 free or flatten the curve of infection.

This success has come at a huge economic cost and disruption of normal social interaction. Rotarians across the district have played their part by meeting virtually, finding other ways to stay connected and keep members engaged. It is also encouraging that many clubs have been able to reach out to those in need in the community and donate money and time while observing the lock down requirements.

Over half of our clubs are meeting by way of Zoom or Skype and others are in contact via telephone trees, emails and newsletters. It’s wonderful to be able to use technology and many of us have been on a steep learning curve. As an example of the use of technology, my club will have its annual debate with the Rotary Club of St Johns by way of Zoom next Monday. I have attended many club meetings by Zoom and if you send me your club meeting link I will do my best to attend as a guest.

Now with growing confidence there will be a new normal post COVID-19. More board and committee meetings will be held using Zoom and as an example, Rotary International is organising a virtual convention in June which we will all be able to attend from the comfort of our homes (see separate story on the website and in the newsletter for the website link – operative from 1 May US CDT). It is also interesting to see some clubs attracting new members who prefer this type of meeting to the more traditional meetings. Rotary has established new club operating models over recent years and these provide new opportunities to attract members.

District Governor Gary's March Message

The second half of the Rotary year is well underway with February and March being particularly busy with club activities and events.

Jan and I had the privilege to attend a welcome function organised by the Rotary Club of Somerville for the Indian Car rally team from District 3131 in Pune, India. The team of thirty enthusiastic Rotarians arrived in NZ on 18 February. Besides experiencing our beautiful country, the team will visit Rotary clubs and projects in all six Rotary districts, promote Rotary and the End Polio Now campaign.

This weekend the South Pacific Presents Elect training (SPPETS) will be held at Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre. Presidents-elect from all over NZ and the Pacific islands will be attending. The event will be attended by Past RI Director and current Rotary Foundation Trustee, Jennifer Jones.

Epsom Rotary & Mt Eden Rotary Invite You to No Time To Die

Mt Eden Rotary and Epsom Rotary invite you to this private screening on 16 April. Please SHARE this invitation with anyone who you think may find it of interest. Thank you.

Talented Women as District 9920 Governors

An equal world is an enabled world, so it is appropriate with International Women's Day on 8 March that we celebrate the talented women who made the commitment to lead District 9920 (part of Auckland and the Pacific Islands) as District Governor. Thank you and we look forward to many more women District Governors in our future.

HANDWASH AND STAY HEALTHY

If there is accessible, plentiful and drinkable water ...

If there are the facilities that enable good sanitation ...

If good hygiene practices are known and practiced ...

Then the community members will be fully engaged in daily life, children are able to go to school, economic development will prosper, people will gather together, and the community will thrive. Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. The water, sanitation and hygiene projects our Rotary clubs engage in make an immense difference. This is not an issue just in poorer communities but all communities.

Nomination of District Governor 2022-2023

Nominations for District Governor for the 2022-2023 Rotary year are open and must be returned to PDG Jennie Herring no later than 4 April 2020.

Club Meetings ... underrated in importance?

Rotary is primarily about service to our community whether local or global. Included in that are some really great things like friendships made, an active social scene, skill development and so much more. What it is not about specifically is MEETINGS. People do not go to Rotary to go to meetings but for some clubs that seems all they do and for some others they have a perception that their meetings do not contribute much in the way of value for members.

Or so it seems, and this has resulted in an apparent aversion to holding “meetings”. But are meetings getting a bad rap? Let's have a look ...

Rotaract Cultural Night

One club with members on FIVE continents

The Rotary E-Club 9920 Francophone has members are spread over the five continents meaning that to find an hour which would suit all members to meet online is a unique challenge for the club and is an example of the differences a club like this has compared to a conventional Rotary club. In overcoming these their service activity is extraordinary!

The picture shows the first meeting of the Rotary Shanghai Elysee Satellite of the Rotary E-Club 9920 Francophone

District Governor Gary's February Message

Rotary clubs are starting to get underway after the summer break. I hope you had a good break and have returned full of energy and enthusiasm for the new Rotary year.

The end of last year was dominated by bush fires in Australia, a measles epidemic in Samoa and more recently the coronavirus spread around the world. I want to thank all the Rotarians and clubs who gave so generously for the Bush Fire and Measles Appeal.

The Rotary National Science and Technology Forum has held its 31^st summer camp attended by 168 Year 13 students who spent two weeks in Auckland learning and seeing the different possibilities offered for careers in science and technology. The co-operation between Auckland University, AUT and Massey University is good to see. Jan and I attended the opening ceremony, the BBQ midway through and the formal graduation dinner. This event is a credit to Rotary and reinforces our investment in youth. Well done to the hard-working trustees and organising committee.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2020 GROUP BOOKINGS

Dear Club President,

I am writing to ask you to encourage members of your club to come to the District 9920 Conference at Auckland University campus from 15 to 17 May 2020. There is an exciting list of speakers lined up for the conference with full details on the website: www.districtconference9920.nz.

I am pleased to advise that my committee have put together a Special Group Booking offer to motivate members to register. This qualifies club members and partners to register at a discounted rate provided at least four people register as a group. We hope this will enable you to get together a group representing your club. Click the following links to download an Excel form or this for a PDF form which can be used to register your group.

February Update re RYLA 2020

Important update on RYLA 2020 with important dates to keep in mind.

February to April 2020 Candidates need to complete the online application form at www.ryla.co.nz either on their own or in collaboration with the sponsoring Rotary club.

30 April 2020 Applications close

7 May 2020 Rotary clubs advised of successful applicants names

14 May 2020 Candidates notified of their acceptance

27 June to 4 July RYLA 2020

Any questions to Mike Williamson mikesuewilliamson@gmail.com

Download Flyer

Download RYLA Information Guide

NEW Publicity Resource - Rotary's Voice and Visual Identity Guidelines 2020

A NEW version of Rotary's Voice and Visual Identity Guidelines is now available for Download from the Brand Center (under Guidelines) - login needed. This condenses into one document the important branding information every Rotarian needs. It is recommended you Download to your computer for easy access.

At the same time it is recommended you download any logos you need, including the 2020-2021 Theme logos, so that yuou have easy access to these.

NEW Publicity Resource - Membership Promotion Part 1 - Rotary Briefly Explained

PowerPoint Presentation:

Created by Colin Robinson for a Rotary Oceania Facebook Membership Campaign January 2020

This is Part 1 of 2 Parts

Part 2 is highly “personalised” towards attracting non-Rotarians to Rotary and will be loaded separately

You are welcome to use this as you see fit whether for a club presentation, in social media or more.

All is E&OE

The topic is huge and not all areas or points can be / are covered.

Download from HERE

One pit toilet for 55 people … REPLACED

Imagine sharing a pit toilet with eight of your neighbours like this one never having seen a flush toilet in your life! And, it is 100 metres away day or night, fine or stormy. This was the situation faced by nine families in Fiji until Suva North Rotary stepped in.

In Waidradra Village, Fiji, extreme poverty meant that 55 people from nine families shared a single pit toilet for decades. The picture shows this communal “facility” but there were problems. The location had needed to be moved because its stench was creating complaints from other villagers. Also, the new location was some distance from the family’s homes creating access difficulties, especially for women and children at night. Not only that but the wider community had started using the same toilet, even breaking the lock to access, causing capacity issues.

D9920 District Governor's Christmas Message

Rotary clubs and their members have finished their activities for the year and we hope you will have a well-deserved break after a very active first half of the Rotary year.

We have had a very busy six months and a lot has happened in Rotary and personally. Since changeover, Jan and I have visited forty-seven Rotary clubs in Auckland and seven Pacific Island countries. We still have five clubs in the northern part of Fiji to visit in the New Year. The Rotary clubs we have visited are very inspirational with their community activities and we always leave with a sense of renewed energy and enthusiasm for the good work carried out by Rotarians in the district

District Governor's Christmas Message

Rotary clubs and their members have finished their activities for the year and we hope you will have a well-deserved break after a very active first half of the Rotary year.

In November I travelled to Kiribati with PDG Ingrid Waugh, PDG Jennie Herring, Jeanette Drysdale, Chair of District International Service and Tania Thomas, President of the Rotary Club of Otahuhu, to attend the Charter night of the district’s newest club, the Rotary Club of Tarawa. Kiribati comprises three island archipelagos and sits on the equator. It is a three hour flight north of Nadi and halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. To give you some idea of the distance, it takes three hours to fly from Tarawa to Christmas Island, the second biggest population centre of Kiribati. We had the opportunity to meet members of the Rotary Community Corps of South Tarawa. This is the first community corps in our district and provides an avenue for locals to come together and undertake community projects under the sponsorship of a Rotary club. Both the Rotary club and community corps have been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Otahuhu.

The Rotary Club of Somerville held a very successful Festival of Light dinner and auction where we were privileged to witness the Counties-Manukau Police Bhangra dance group perform in full police uniform.

We were subsequently invited by President Farida Masters of the Rotary Club of Somerville to join a group from the club to present Certificates of Appreciation to the members of the dance group at Counties-Manukau Police headquarters. We met the Police area commander and members of the Indian community who trained the group. This was a special celebration as the group has been performing for five years and undertaking community outreach programmes.

The Rotary Club of Harbourside held a very successful Diwali night to raise funds for a mobile medical clinic (MMC) and the club’s Rotary Dictionary Distribution Project in partnership with the Education First Trust for low decile schools in New Zealand and Fiji. The MMC will receive donations and be operated by the Ramakrishna Mission to provide health services to rural populations outside of Nadi. The project is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Parnell. Support will be required from other clubs in the district.

At the invitation of the Rotary Club of Pakuranga we joined Bill and Lorna Boyd and members of the club at Finlayson Park Primary School for the dictionary presentation to 280, Year Four students. It was a very uplifting experience to provide personally addressed books to students who greatly prized the dictionaries. Well done to the Rotary Club of Pakuranga and the Bill and Lorna Boyd Charitable Trust for starting this valuable programme which, with the aid of other Rotary clubs, has provided nearly 200,000 dictionaries to date.

The Polio All Trains event held on 1 November was very successful, raising over $70,000 towards the End Polio Now campaign. This was a joint event with District 9910 and End Polio Now and received excellent publicity as well as raising a significant amount of money which will be tripled with the contribution from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption was an unexpected deadly force of nature that has now claimed 19 lives (including those missing) and left many fighting for their lives in hospitals in New Zealand and Australia. Our condolences to the families of those killed and we give our support to the injured and their families. We also thank the people who put themselves in harm’s way to rescue the survivors and recover the victims.

The measles epidemic in Samoa has claimed the lives of 79 people, most of whom were aged four or younger. This is a tragedy and we admire the work that the health services have undertaken to prevent further loss of life. The Rotary Club of Apia has been supporting the needs of local hospitals and clinics. Rotary clubs in New Zealand have generously donated to support the appeal for funds. This appeal followed closely on the appeal for the Australian Bushfire Fund. Thank you to all the Rotary clubs and Rotarians who have supported these appeals.

It was with considerable sadness that we learned of the passing of PDG Rob Crabtree. Rob was an outstanding Rotarian and Freemason who made a difference in the world. He will be sadly missed. Our condolences go to Rob’s family and his many friends.

The District 9920 Conference is being held in Auckland from 15 to 17 May 2020. There is an impressive line-up of speakers already arranged and many requests from Rotary clubs to showcase their programmes. We are privileged to have Julia Phelps nominated as the Rotary International President’s Personal Representative (RIPPR) attending our conference. Julia is a Past Rotary International Director and current Rotary Foundation trustee. PDG Ingrid and John Waugh will be hosting both Julia and husband Steve while they are in New Zealand.

Please note that the early bird registration rate ends on 31 December 2019. If you want to take advantage of the lower rate then please register before the expiry date. You will still be able to register after 31 December.

To register now please visit https://www.rotarydistrict9920.org/page/district-9920-conference-2020

We are also asking clubs to register and host prospective Rotarians for the Saturday sessions and to visit the Rotary showcase of club activities. This will cost $75 per person and includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea. This is made possible by the generous support of John Boscawen from the Rotary Club of Auckland Downtown.

Jan and I wish all Rotarians and their families a happy and safe holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Season’s greetings and best wishes.

Gary and Jan Langford

District Governor 2019-20

Rotary District 9920

District Governor's Holiday Message

Rotary Clubs and their members have finished their activities for the year and we hope you will have a well deserved break after a very active first half of the Rotary year. Please read of the many activities below.

The Whakaari /White Island Volcanic eruption was an unexpected deadly force of nature that has claimed 16 lives and left many fighting for their lives in hospitals in New Zealand and Australia. Our condolences to the families of those killed and we give our support to the injured and their families. We also thank the people who put themselves in harms way to rescue the survivors and recover the victims.

December Update re RYLA 2020

Important update on RYLA 2020 with important dates to keep in mind.

February to April 2020 Candidates need to complete the online application form at www.ryla.co.nz either on their own or in collaboration with the sponsoring Rotary club

30 April 2020 Applications close

7 May 2020 Rotary clubs advised of successful applicants names

14 May 2020 Candidates notified of their acceptance

27 June-4 July RYLA 2020

Any questions to Mike Williamson mikesuewilliamson@gmail.com

Download Flyer

Download RYLA Information Guide

Rotary is supporting solutions for the Samoa measles emergency. You can too!

Posted on Dec 05, 2019

Rotary New Zealand World Community Service remains in daily communication by telephone with Rotary Samoa. Sadly the number of deaths has now past 60.

To date Rotary Samoa have had made and delivered 82 beds with vinyl covered mattresses and side tables, plus 6 cots. In addition they have supplied 8 wheelchairs, tidy containers and hospital consumables, for example kidney dishes, etc. Bereaved families will be given vouchers for food and other essential items.

RNZWCS is grateful for the donations that have been received from Rotary clubs, Rotarians and the public through its appeal but the need is urgent and great so please continue support for this appeal.

Various types of Rotary clubs are possible

that there are EIGHT different club models?

Question for you: if you are a Rotarian, which model is your club and what can your club borrow from the others to enhance your club so it is a good fit for all members? Things change in life so if your club is not longer best for you then you can transfer to one that does suit. After all, you deserve to enjoy your Rotary.

Are you interested in Rotary but cannot find a club model that suits you? The really great news is that Rotary is willing to start new clubs so why not be the driving force for a club that suits you and others like you in your community! Send an exploratory email via https://rotarydistrict9920.org/SingleEmail/ContactUs addressed to the District 9920 Membership Chair (Pam) or call 0800 4 ROTARY.

South Tawara RCC helps preschool through literacy project

South Tawara Rotary Community Corps held one of its early literacy projects last week by giving out reading books and Rotary Usborne Pictorial Dictionaries to the International Preschool at Eita. Head Teacher Mrs Talime Moote said that these will be very helpful for the teachers and the students especially as they have very few reading books in their resource library. She thanked STRCC for their charity and hoped they could continue to work with the preschool to expand their teaching resources over time. She noted that in addition to books, they have a dire need for toys and blocks for the children to play with.

Quick – a Conference Registration Super Prize for the taking

DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2020 - SPECIAL OFFER FROM ONE OF OUR CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS – ‘DRIVE AN ELECTRIC CAR FOR FREE, FOR 4 DAYS!’

GVI – Genuine Vehicle Imports (LMVD) will supply one lucky conference registrant with a late model Nissan Leaf full EV to drive and use for four days. GVI will provide a fully insured, latest year model of Nissan Leaf that's available in stock at the time. They will also instruct on how to charge and operate the car and supply a charging cable. Any driver of the car must hold a current NZ driver’s licence.

The winner of this offer will be selected by a ‘lucky dip’ from all registered attendees.

INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING

Early Bird registrants get THREE automatic entries into the lucky draw (Early Bird registrations close 31 December 2019).
Registrants after 31 December 2019 automatically qualify for one lucky draw entry.

ALL THE MORE REASON FOR EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION! REGISTER HERE: DISTRICT CONFERENCE

A new Decade with a whole lot of new members?

2020 marks the beginning of a new Decade. A fresh start. A time for Revival.

In January and February there will be a series of posts, backed by some modest and targeted NZ/Auckland advertising, on the Rotary Oceania and District 9920 Facebook pages suggesting to those wanting to try something new for the good of their communities, that Rotary is the answer they are seeking.

As we know, Rotary is grassroots at the club level so these posts will refer to the good things clubs offer. However, it only all works if clubs, upon receiving an expression of interest, follow this through to a great conclusion. That conclusion may be a new member, or a project volunteer, a new project, or maybe even a new sponsor. Just if you get a phone or email inquiry, do not muff it up! Think 'amazing customer service'.

And you are very welcome to share or copy the posts to create your own for your own club Facebook. In fact, just do that!

ROTARY DICTIONARY PROJECT - FURTHERING EDUCATION

On 13 November DG Gary Langford had the privilege to attend a presentation of 280 Usborne illustrated English dictionaries to students at Finlayson Park Primary School in Manurewa, the largest decile 1 school in the country. He witnessed joy and smiles all around and was made aware again of the great effort the Bill and Lorna Boyd Charitable Trust, the Pakuranga Rotary Club and its auxiliary, are making to improve literacy standards. Also assisting the purchase in this instance was the June Gray Charitable Trust, administered by the Newmarket Rotary Club.

POLIO CASE IN THE PHILIPPINES

In September a case of circulating vaccine-derived polio was detected in Mindanao province in the south of the Philippines. Through ongoing disease surveillance, the presence of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus has now been confirmed as far away as Manila. However, no cases of wild polio have been discovered.

How can polio derive from a vaccine?

Oral polio vaccine (OPV) contains an attenuated (weakened) vaccine-virus, activating an immune response in the body. When a child is immunized with OPV, the weakened vaccine-virus replicates in the intestine for a limited period, thereby developing immunity by building up antibodies. During this time, the vaccine-virus is also excreted. In areas of inadequate sanitation, this excreted vaccine-virus can spread in the immediate community (and this can offer protection to other children through ‘passive’ immunization) before eventually dying out.

On rare occasions, if a population is seriously under-immunized, an excreted vaccine-virus can continue to circulate for an extended period of time. The longer it is allowed to survive, the more genetic changes it undergoes. In very rare instances, the vaccine-virus can genetically change into a form that can paralyze – this is what is known as a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). Vaccination coverage in the Philippines has been steadily declining over the past few years, underscoring the importance of increasing coverage to at least 95 per cent of children to stop future spread of polio.

Growing our reach - new club Chartered in Kiribati

On 6 November 2019, the official charter event for the Rotary Club of Tarawa was held at the Lagoon Club in the middle of the island. Almost all of the 24 members of the club were present to receive their Charter certificate and for President Ruth to receive the chains of office from Tania Thomas, the President of the sponsoring Rotary club, the Rotary Club of Otahuhu in Auckland. The event was attended by Mr Taoaba Kaiea, Minster of Women, Youth and Sport, and the High Commissioners for New Zealand and Australia. Representatives of the local community were also present and we were entertained by traditional dancers from the area of Betio, in the west of the atoll. The following is a overview of the need for a new club through to their future activities:

Example of Young Totara Award in use

Young Totara awardees over the years have gone on to become successful in their endeavours, with recent awardees being involved in Rotary projects. In August 2019, Ben Keimpe Hofmans is the receipient of the “Young Totara Award” for the District 9970. Ben was nominated by the Rotary Club of Christchurch Sunrise and the Rotary Club of St Johns through Ainie Kwok for his dedication, perseverance in helping with the setup of 3D printers at Aidanfield Christian School in Chrischurch. The 3D printers funding have also been kindly donated by the Chenery Memorial Trust.

Ben is now a first year University of Canterbury student studying engineering. Since receiving the Award, Ben has attended and participated at the Rotaract Oceania Conference in Auckland. He was also one of the volunteers at the Rotary Oceania Conference, held in September.

Mt Eden and Epsom Rotary Realise the Fruits of Their Labours

Donation to Hearts4Kids on 29 October

Following the DOWNTON ABBEY Movie Night Fundraiser held at the Capitol Cinema on 12 September and with the support of a $1,500 matching grant from the Rotary Foundation (District 9920), Mt Eden Rotary and Epsom Rotary were able to jointly donate $3,250 to the team from Hearts4Kids for their surgical trip for children in Fiji in mid-November. Pictured are Ana Kennedy (L), leader of the Hearts4Kids ward nursing team and Ainslie Campbell (R), President Mt Eden Rotary. Unfortunately Craig Jones, President Epsom Rotary, broke a tooth and was unable to be present for the photo.

Donation of Books to Mt Eden Corrections Facility on 12 November

Mt Eden Rotary was delighted to donate 100 copies of the Usborne Illustrated English Dictionary to the Mt Eden Corrections Facility. The dictionaries will be used by the librarian Zoe Cornelius (R) (pictured with Mt Eden President Ainslie Campbell) and Regional Volunteer Coordinator Ghissy Lee to assist their literacy programmes. This donation was made possible by the OCEAN LIGHT book launch event held last year and thanks to Nalini Singh, her fans who attended the event, Hachette NZ, Epsom Community Library, Chapter Book & Tea Shop and the June Gray Charitable Trust for their support.

Based on Zoe’s and Ghissy’s initial feedback, it certainly sounds like there will be ongoing demand for dictionaries at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility given the facility’s size, turnover and average literacy rates. However, the NZ Road Code and NZ and South Pacific atlases are also possibilities for future donations.

Fantastic Offer for the District Conference

We are trying something new for this conference and with the generous support of John Boscawen (Rotary Club of Auckland Downtown) we are opening the Saturday session of the conference (9 am to 4 pm), to prospective members at a subsidised price of $75. Clubs can invite member prospects along for the day so they can see and hear more about Rotary, listen to the speakers such as:

Sir Richard Faull (Director of the Centre for Brain Research University of Auckland,
Stephanie Woollard (Australian Rotarian and founder of Seven Women),
Michelle Dickinson (Nanogirl), and
Julia Phelps (Director of Rotary International).

Also learn about major Rotary projects and enjoy networking with their prospective club members as well as the wider Rotarian group.

It will be up to clubs to identify and assist prospects to register, to host them on the day and follow-up with them post conference. These prospective Rotarians can be registered on the conference website District Conference. But be quick to take up this generous offer as places are limited and at the time of writing there were only 50 places left – that’s less than one per club in the district.

Mt Eden Rotary and Epsom Rotary invite you to The Two Popes

Mt Eden Rotary and Epsom Rotary invite you to this private screening. Please SHARE this invitation with anyone who you think may find it of interest. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS

Behind the Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church. A drama/comedy with Anthony Hopkins starring as Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce starring as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis.

South Pacific PETS and LETS Dates

SPPETS will be preceded with a full day's training for presidents-elect and incoming AGs during the day on Friday 28 February 2020 (with SPPETS itself on the Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday).

It is therefore important that SPPETS and LETS are well attended.

Note also that participation in RLI is very strongly encouraged: https://www.rotarydistrict9920.org/page/rotary-leadership-institute-(rli)

South Pacific Presidents-Elect Training Seminar (SPPETS)

Friday, 28 February, Saturday, 29 February and Sunday, 1 March until 1pm at Waipuna Conference Centre in Waipuna Rd, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand for all Auckland and Pacific Islands presidents-elect and assistant governors. The three full days format focuses on networking, inspiring plenary sessions and workshops on practical deliverables. All PEs and AGs to please register now via this link SPPETS.

Leaders-Elect Training Seminar (LETS)

Sunday, 3 May at St Cuthbert’s College, 122 Market Rd, Epsom for Auckland assistant governors, presidents-elect and their Rotary club leaders along with any other Rotarians. Rotaractors and Interact presidents-elect are also welcome. LETS includes motivational plenary sessions and your choice of breakout sessions, as well as project and event ideas and networking.

The Spring Rotary ALLFIT Coastal Run

Oh my, what a fantastic day it was! Pohutukawa Coast Passport Rotary’s second Rotary ALLFIT Coastal Run took place this year on a beautiful spring Sunday in Beachlands. Nearly 550 runners and walkers enjoyed the magnificent Pohutukawa Coast while testing their fitness in the sunshine.

Young Totara Award - new award for clubs to use in their community

The Young Totara Award:

recognises the positive achievements of our young people,
promotes sound role models for our youth, and
fosters responsible attitudes towards the community.

The future of the planet will be in the hands of the youth of today.

To lead the world of tomorrow we will need young people with

strength of character,
courage of conviction,
care of the community, and
pursuit of excellence.

By singling out and recognizing young people with these qualities we can promote these ideals and encourage positive role models for the growing generations.

For the criteria ...

Ormiston College Interact initiate Operation Christmas Child

The Interact club of Ormiston College has concluded another very active year with Operation Christmas Child Fund. This is the ongoing collection of toys, books, stationery, etc during Term 3 to create shoe boxes for children around the world who are less fortunate to have a happy Christmas.

The Interact club service group worked with Operation Christmas Child to provide emergency relief and to develop assistance to suffering people around the world. It was decided to conduct a gift drive, collecting any donations from Ormiston Senior College students, packaging them in shoe boxes and putting them to better use.

Our motto is "Serious Fun"

"With our motto to have 'Serious Fun', the Pakuranga College Interact Club experienced yet another successful year filled with volunteering within our local community, raising awareness and fundraising for various charities - all while having a good time! If what an Interact clubs does is a mystery to you then read on ... you will become a fan!

Train riding for Polio a huge success

Friday 1 November 2019, a day of red polio shirts throughout the Auckland train system, will be remembered for its impact. Rotarians, Rotaractors and celebrities such as Miss New Zealand, MPs Simon Bridges and David Seymour and others riding to Tag Polio Off. Here are some pictures along with an explanation below and a way for you to still donate.

Rotary Club of Apia - Literacy Project

The next couple of weeks will be a busy time for the Rotary Club of Apia as it gears up for its Melbourne Cup Charity Fundraiser. The annual gala event which promises a day of racing fun, is the club’s major money earner and supports many of its community projects.

With last year’s proceeds the club was able to support more than twenty foundation year students through its scholarship programme. This programme is part of the club’s wider literacy project which also comprises library book donations and the ‘a desk and chair for every student’ initiative.

Bookarama makes an impact

From small beginnings in 2000, the annual Howick Rotary Bookarama is now a widely recognised community event of note with funds being used to support many local activities (listed below).

Club Facebook Support

On the Rotary Oceania Facebook page www.facebook.com/rotaryoceania there are a series of posts during each month that clubs and Rotarians are encouraged to Share across to their own Facebook pages as a way of increasing awareness of Rotary. These structured posts have an explanation with them and are based around the theme for the RI Calendar Month. As you share, add your own comments to your post. This month it is Rotary Foundation. If at anytime a club needs help with improving their Facebook use please contact the District PR Committee (or Colin Robinson).

PDG Rob Crabtree

The family of Past District Governor Rob Crabtree has advised that that Rob passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, surrounded by family. Funeral arrangements to come. In lieu of flowers, Rob asked for donations to go to 'Big Brothers Big Sisters Taranaki' of which he was a trustee. Correspondence to calpr@xtra.co.nz. [dated 31 October 2019]

Rob Crabtree was District 9920 Governor 2001-2002 and a member of the Rotary Club of Howick before moving to New Plymouth where he joined the Rotary Club of New Plymouth North.

Our condolences go to all of Rob’s family. Rob will be remembered as a Great Rotarian and Past District Governor who put service above self.

District Governor Gary's November Message

By the time you read this message on 1 November, the Polio All Trains (PAT), TAG YOU ON/TAG POLIO OFF train ride will be underway.

World Polio day occurred on 24 October and Polio All Trains is the opportunity for all Rotary clubs to raise awareness and funds for the End Polio Now (EPN) campaign.

Districts 9910 and 9920 are collaborating to hold the event with the support of Auckland Transport who have authorised donations from passengers.

I hope that all the Auckland based clubs have registered and will meet the train riders at your designated station with your presentation for EPN. We are looking forward to the event and seeing so many Rotarians wearing their red End Polio Now shirts.

The Rotary Sky Jump for Cure Kids was held at the Sky Tower on Saturday, 5 October. There were two District Governors (Ian Kiernan, District 9910 and Gary Langford, District 9920) and four Rotary club presidents (Robyn Ingram (St Johns), Peter Martin (Drury), Marcus Mackenzie (Waiheke Island) and David Gock (Mangere)) who jumped and collectively raised over $20,000 for Cure Kids. What a great opportunity to create lasting change with the donation we made to Cure Kids. Well done to all the jumpers and their supporters.

District Governor for 2021-2022 Announced

I am pleased to advise that the District Nominating Committee have selected Stephen John Chaney (Steve) as District 9920, District Governor for the Rotary year 2021-2022.

The selection is subject to objection by a Rotary club with a 14-day period but only if the club has previously suggested a candidate to the nominating committee.

Steve joined Rotary in 1985 and is an Assistant Governor, Past President of the Rotary Club of Manukau City Sunrise and has organised three district conferences.

Jan and I wish Steve and Edith every success in their year as District Governor and I look forward to Steve joining the DG train as District Governor Nominee.

Regards

Gary Langford

District Governor 2019-20

District 9920

Taveuni Eye Project 2019

This year’s Taveuni Eye Project in Fiji was run very successfully from Monday, 7 October to Friday, 18 October.

One of the surgeons is Dr Jeffrey Rutgard (left), an ophthalmologist from Mililani in Hawaii. He received his medical degree from University of Illinois College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Since 1999 he has participated in over 170 eye missions, performed over 100,000 humanitarian eye examinations and over 11,000 humanitarian eye surgeries which have transformed the lives of those in impoverished locations worldwide. He has trained over 1,000 ophthalmologists worldwide to perform Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS). This is his fourteenth mission to Fiji and has brought untold benefits to the people of this country with cataract issues.

The primary goal of the Taveuni Eye Project is to give sight to children and adults from the more remote and rural areas of Fiji. The 14^th annual Taveuni Eye Project (TEP) 2019 was successfully funded and fully approved thanks to the help of many donors from across Australia and New Zealand.

Sky Tower Jump for Cure Kids

District Governor Gary’s triumph after the Sky Tower jump for Cure Kids.

You may recall that DG Gary said that at 2 pm on Saturday, 5 October, he would undertaking the Rotary Sky Jump for Cure Kids with District Governor 9910 Ian Kiernan and an assortment of Rotary club presidents. Well the good news is that he did actually jump and lived to tell the tale - along with all the others. And still on the subject of good news; the fundraising was very successful with the actual amount raised yet to be confirmed. But wait there’s more – you can still donate in support of Cure Kids via the website, Rotary Sky Jump for Cure Kids.

RAISING FUNDS TO ERADICATE POLIO

Hi. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Karim Rostami. I’m from Afghanistan but I am now a proud citizen of New Zealand. I love this amazing country that I now call home.

Let me share a little of my background, I am a survivor of the polio virus. I was affected by it when I was a small toddler and the doctors predicted I would not walk again. I lost all muscle control in my legs and hips leaving me paralysed but through years of intense muscle therapy I was taught how to walk again and regain my independence.

In 2014 I took up swimming and soon after a random stranger approached me at the pool asking me why I was pursuing the sport with my obvious disability (not having full use of my lower legs). I explained my circumstances to him without thinking anything about it. The following week he approached me again and with true 'kiwi' ingenuity he had designed a ‘rubber band’ (aka bike tyre) to be tied around the circumference of my lower legs. This invention has proven to be the key to the success of my swimming and fund-raising endeavours.

Help End Polio - 1 November 2019

Tag You On Tag Polio Off - Ride a Train to Enable Others to Walk Challenge

Posted by Farida Master

Ready to hop on a celebrity train?

In a never-before event in New Zealand, Rotary in Auckland is energetically working on `Ride a Train to Enable Others to Walk Challenge’ on November 1 from 8am-6pm.

VIVA LAS VEGAS

The Auckland South Rotary Club would like to invite you to our Las Vegas Night charity event to be held on Sunday, 10 November from 4 to 7 pm at Epsom Girls Grammar School Marjory Adams Hall. Tickets are $30 in exchange for $1 million of gaming chips. It will be a fun night for all ages with five games to try your luck. Food and refreshments can be purchased at the venue.

Upcoming Leadership and Development Dates

District Governor Gary's October Message

We are now three months into the Rotary year and September was a busy month with many district and club activities underway.

On a personal note, my mother died in Tauranga Hospital last week after a brief illness. She had reached a good age and had a good life, but there is always a sense of loss when you lose a parent.

On 4 September there was a very successful combined District World Community Service and Rotary District Foundation event held at the Kolmar Centre in Papatoetoe. It was attended by approximately fifty Rotarians who heard about the many wonderful projects undertaken by our clubs in the Pacific Islands and beyond with the support of District Foundation and Global grants.

During the weekend of the 7 and 8 September, the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) was held at Selwyn College. This is always a well-run event and recommended for Rotarians and Rotaractors for leadership training. The next RLI will be run on 4 and 5 April 2020.

The ANZ Regeneration conference (previously called the Rotary Institute) was held in Christchurch on 20-22 September. This is primarily for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Island past and current district governors, district governors-elect and nominee and all Rotarians are welcome. The conference was well attended with 470 registered. The Rotary International President Mark Maloney and wife Gay attended and had the opportunity to meet many Rotarians from our part of the world.

POLIO ALL TRAINS EVENT (ALL OF AUCKLAND)

POLIO ALL TRAINS EVENT

Ride a Train to enable others to Walk

“TAG YOU ON TAG POLIO OFF”

PREAMBLE:

October is Polio month with World Polio Day occurring on 24 October 2019. This is an opportunity for all clubs to raise awareness and funds for the End Polio programme. Districts 9920/9910 have decided to collaborate to hold an event called Polio All Trains (PAT) on the Auckland Transport Network. This is based on the All Stations event held in Sydney in 2018 when $250,000 was raised for End Polio.

Calling all RYLArians, Rotaractors

It will be a blast. Did you hear about the first Rotaract and RYLA led RYPEN camp held in March 2019 this year?

Planning is underway for our next year’s RYPEN2020 Weekend to be held on 27 to 29 March 2020, Kokako Lodge, Falls Road, Hunua. We’re having our first session of RYPEN 2020 TEAM LEADERS and future RYLA 2020 team leaders.

When: 8 October 2019, 630pm

Where: Remuera Golf Club, Abbots Way, Remuera.

Goodbye reality, Helloooo Vegas

A Passport to fit Rotary in their lives

Simplified!

Here is the Simplified Rotary emblem ... use where the words "Rotary International" cannot be easily read on the logo used.

Like all Rotary logos, Download this from the Brand Center via www.rotary.org (login needed)

The following is also important:

Dictionaries in Fiji Schools

The Dictionaries in Fiji Schools is a joint project of the Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside and the Education First Trust. The project has now been running for five years and is an amazing hands-on project.

The 2019 distribution, which took place from 29 July to 2 August 2019, was mainly in rural schools in Ba, Tavua, Vatukoula, Nadrivatu and Ra located in the north-west of the main island of Viti Levu. Twenty-four dictionaries were also delivered to Peter Drysdale of Koroipita Community Children and a further twenty-four dictionaries were distributed by Vidya Nand to Masimasi Primary School and Sabeto Primary School in Nadi at the specific request of donors. In total, 1,079 dictionaries were distributed to forty schools.

Indian New Year Charity Dinner

Economic and Community Development Month

October is Economic and Community Development Month. Rotary supports investments in people to create measurable and enduring economic improvement in their lives and communities.

The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to invest in people by creating sustainable, measurable and long term economic improvements in their communities and livelihoods by:

Building the capacity of entrepreneurs, community leaders, local organizations and community networks to support economic development in impoverished communities.
Developing opportunities for productive work.
Reducing poverty in under-served communities.
Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to economic and community development.

Breakfast Club’s Steve Farrelly becomes a TVNZ Good Sort

First a little bit about the Breakfast Club. While the name would suggest it just provides cereal and toast for hungry kids, Breakfast Club has become so much more than that.

Feeding children is always the most important issue to address in a struggling school, but it’s also a very useful vehicle for conversations on what is preventing individual students from learning and ascertain what can be done to help. It might be a lack of shoes, problems in the home, no budget for sanitary products or no way to stay dry on a rainy day. The struggles some kids have are beyond what many of us could ever imagine.

Breakfast Club’s sole purpose is to find a way to assist principals and teachers to get kids what they need so they can concentrate on learning and creating a better future for themselves. Founded in 2010 by Steve Farrelly, an ex-police officer with a soft spot for cheeky, hungry kids, Breakfast Club now has an amazing team of volunteers and supporters who help every day in a million different ways.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Interest Meetings

New Visitor Centre Opens at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi

The new look Bushy Park Tarapuruhi has launched with the opening of a new visitor information centre on 14 September. Around 200 people attended Saturday's event, including Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and trust patron and Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall. The new visitor centre features interactive displays, including real birds' nests and bones and includes information on what the forest area means to iwi.

Bushy Park Trust chair Kevin Ross said the event marked the conclusion of years of hard work:

"We have a historic homestead restored to its former glory. The stables have been renovated to house a visitor interpretation centre, exhibition spaces for some of our heritage items and an upgraded ablutions block."

Rotary Club of Otahuhu Senior Student’s Lunch

Our club’s annual school lunch is a highlight of the year and this year’s on 10 September was no exception. With students from Kings, McAuley, Otahuhu and Pacific Advance Colleges; plus teachers, visitors and Rotarians we had approximately sixty attendees.

Our speakers were Hailley Smith and Jasmine Worthington, the two youth ambassadors for the Key to Life Charitable Trust. This trust was established by Mike King to bring attention to and support for dealing with mental health issues. Hailley is from Tauranga and Jasmine is from Reporoa (near Rotorua). They work in their local areas giving peer support to students. Both youth ambassadors are financially supported by the IDEAL Foundation and we also hosted Errejon Gonzalo (IDEAL Foundation chair) and Shane Roger. Also among our visitor group were Mike Dawes, interim chair of the Key for Life Trust and Hailley’s sister Sophie, who at 15 years old is also having some mental health issues as a result of a difficult family environment.

Photo shows from left: Hailley, IPP Malcolm Miller, Jasmine and Sophie.

Five Ways to End Polio

There are three versions available of a new video about ending polio; Five Ways to End Polio. The short, fifty second version is available to view at FWTEP and to download at FWTEPDownload.

The ten and fifteen-minute versions are available to view and download at Resources. The material from the fifty second and ten minute videos is included in the fifteen minute version. Please feel free to share these links with your clubs and followers.

Basic Education and Literacy Month

September is Basic Education and Literacy month. This is a cause that is absolutely vital in bridging the gaping divide for those less privileged, especially the children. Education is fundamental to their ability to surmount challenges in the future.

In Rotary year 2019 Basic Education and Literacy ranked as the third highest area of focus with funding of over US$12.5 million to support projects worldwide. The video Rotary Supports Education describes how grants from The Rotary Foundation help alleviate the plight of the seventeen percent of the world’s adult population who are illiterate:

“Education has the power to lift families up, make real change, modify behaviour, create healthy habits and open minds. It creates security and safety in families so that they can support, provide and make informed and empowered decisions.”

Contributions to The Rotary Foundation impact lives all around the world. For people who would otherwise have been isolated by their educational disadvantage, it provides a path to connect to the world.

New and exciting and you are invited

A new initiative happening in our District 9920. Have you heard about Passport Club? Would you like to learn more about it?

Spring signifies a new beginning for one of our clubs. The Pohutukawa Coast Passport Club will bring the flexibility, variety of informal meeting styles and allow members to move freely and or be involved with other clubs in our Districts and beyond. Being Passport Club members encourages you to visit other clubs, bring fresh ideas and to create a positive impact locally and internationally.

Keen, interested to find out more? Come and join us on Thursday 26 Sep, 6pm for 6.30pm at PepperJacks, Pine Harbour, Beachlands. DG Gary Langford will unveil this exciting Rotary membership model. For further information, please feel free to contact Alex Garden 021676965.

Early Bird Register for District Conference 2020 Now

This will be one of the most inspiring and convenient of recent times so ensure the dates are in your (and your club) diary and to help your planning go to the Conference website for full information including the Top Ten reasons for going:

World Class Venue
Meet the Most Inspiring People in the World
Strengthen your Club and your Passion for Rotary
Plenty of Time to Party and Socialize
Explore Auckland City – The City of Sails
Enjoy Special Conference Events and More

There is special Early Bird registration for those of you willing to plan ahead so please register and take advantage of this.

Main and Information Page Here

Registration Page Here

The Annual Rotary and Dove Hospice Book Fair

The Rotary Club of Auckland East and Dove Hospice are proud to present this year’s book fair:
Friday, 13 September to Sunday, 15 September at St Heliers School, St Heliers.

Brave Thinkers from Rarotonga

From the “Rarotarian” – the Rotary Club of Rarotonga newsletter.

Earlier this year we were the major sponsors in sending a team of students from Tereora College, the National College of the Cook Islands, to Palmerston North to participate in a brave new programme where ideas have no limit and business is exciting. Their challenge was to identify a social, environmental or individual problem and solve it with a brave business idea. Members from the team will be in attendance at our meeting on the 4 September as guest speakers and report back on their experiences.

The “Brave Thinkers” at our 50^th celebrations with Helen Clark.

Mt Eden and Epsom Rotary invite you to Downton Abbey

In September, the worldwide phenomenon DOWNTON ABBEY becomes a grand motion picture event as the beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the King and Queen of England will unleash scandal, romance and intrigue that will leave the future of Downton Abbey hanging in the balance. Set in 1927–1929.

HEARTS4KIDS FUNDRAISER
The Hearts4Kids Trust is a volunteer medical team from New Zealand which travels to Fiji to perform life-saving congenital heart surgery on babies and children. With help these children have the opportunity to lead an active and fulfilling life.

Repairing simple congenital heart defects is one of the most lifesaving operations to be done in the field of medicine today. Unfortunately there are 350 children born each year in the Pacific Islands that do not have immediate access to this life saving surgery without travelling to New Zealand or receiving medical missions from other countries.

District Governor Gary's Message

We are almost two months into the new Rotary year and clubs will have set their Rotary citation goals and are well underway with their programmes. I am encouraging clubs to work with neighbouring clubs to support each other. It is important that clubs report both volunteer hours and money spent on community activities as both are essential in identifying the extent of Rotary service in the community.

Jan and I have so far visited twenty Rotary clubs and one Rotaract club since the district changeover on 6 July. This includes the clubs we visited in Suva. We have been warmly welcomed and have been privileged to see clubs in action and have visited many community projects that are good examples and illustrate my theme “Create Lasting Change”.

It is important that Rotarians and clubs tell their stories. Whether personally or by way of social media, club and district websites and the district newsletter, etc. We are often asked what is Rotary? We need to have our elevator speech ready and share why we are in Rotary and the good work that Rotary does in the community. We also need to ensure that we are identified as Rotarians by displaying Rotary banners and wearing the Rotary vests and caps when we are working on projects in the community. It can lead to membership enquiries.

ROMAC - Another Successful Operation

From Wayne Brewer, ROMAC Representative District 9920

ROMAC is a totally Rotary funded project offering life saving and dignity enhancing surgery for Pacific Island children that is not available to them in their home countries. ROMAC operates across all districts in Australia and New Zealand.

In Auckland the families are accommodated at Ronald McDonald House, mainly for surgery at Starship, and are hosted by local Rotary clubs who provide support and look after the family's day to day needs. Some clubs have a group of members sharing this most rewarding activity of caring for families in need. The ROMAC NZ committee offers full support and guidance.

Elizabeth Thomson from Downtown Rotary, whose report follows, has hosted a number of families and is currently looking after Ben Mahit and his mother Mayling from Vanuatu. Also in Ronald McDonald House at the moment is Jasminah and his mother Angelina. They are being hosted by Josie Adriaansen and the Rotary Club of Brown's Bay, District 9910.

Interact Club of Elim Christian College hit the ground running

From the Somerville Rotary Club - our Interact Club at Elim Christian College started the year in full throttle. The new team of directors is raring to go. They have organized a Daffodil Day fundraiser and have other exciting plans. Here’s an article written by Eliza Chin and Bethany Britten about the Interact changeover that is worth a read.

Cast your mind back to your high school years. Do you recall ever having a special school assembly featuring the changeover of your Interact club board, complete with flowers, banner and a YouTube mp4 of the national anthem? Oh, and was it all organised by a small team of dedicated, servant-hearted students? Because Elim Christian College did all that one Monday morning on 24 June 2019.

The 2019-2020 Interact Club Board with their teacher in charge, Mr Darron Gedge.

Breaking News from Charity Navigator

Rotary's Areas of Focus

District Governor Nominations Now Open

If you have ever thought of becoming a Governor of District 9920 now is your chance to apply. Read on.

Ride like a Girl - Helping Polio

This years Polio Movie Event is fantastic for the whole family to enjoy together and clubs can arrange for screenings as part of raising funds for Polio Eradication.

Newsflash: SAVE THIS DATE

Friday 1 November. Legacy startup event for End Polio - fundraising promotion – “Riding a train to enable others to walk”

INVITATION: Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to ride and/or gather at their allocated stations

WHAT: Ride a Train to End Polio stopping over at 40 odd stations on the Auckland Rail network

WHEN: Friday 1 November

CONTACT: Ron Seeto ronseeto@ronseetoarchitect.co.nz

CLUB PROMO PACKAGE : standby for more info!

Pictured (L-R): Wally Thomas, AT Executive General Manager Stakeholder, Communities & Communication, Phil Wratt, Customer Liaison Delivery Lead, Customer Liaison, Customer Experience and Ron Seeto

Patumahoe School Rotakids Club

The Rotary Club of Franklin have sponsored Patumahoe School - the third in District 9920 (fifth school in the country) to have a RotaKids club. RotaKids is designed to engage children to come up with projects they want to facilitate that will can benefit individuals, their school and the local community. In doing so it teaches them leadership skills, selflessness and gives them confidence as young people. Patumahoe School picked 11 students they felt would do the programme justice.

Rotary Youth Exchange - the coming together of cultures

A rousing powhiri haka performed by NZ and overseas exchange students from Argentina, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands was the highlight of the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) marae weekend attended by District Governor Gary and Jan. The marae weekend was held from 9 to 11 August.

It is all yours ... be proud of it

How many Rotary club members know where the club has come from, or the journey it has taken to get where they are? This is important but why? Now is the best time to write your club's history with all the tools and help you need to achieve this.

Christmas spuds pay for new mobility scooter

Helen Ratapu rides on her new mobility scooter with Belfast Kaiapoi Rotary President Peter Prattley.

For fifteen years Helen Ratapu has struggled with back pain and arthritis which has stopped her from taking her grandchildren swimming and to the park. But now the 65-year old from Redwood can do all she ever wanted to - thanks to potatoes.

Joint Foundation and International Information Evening 4 September 2019

Trees for Survival is Seeking a New CEO

Trees for Survival is a Rotary environmental education programme which involves school students potting and growing-on seedlings and then planting them the following winter on erosion prone land and riparian sites.

District Governor Gary Langford's Opening Message

The new Rotary year is already underway with Rotary clubs, Rotaract clubs and district changeovers behind us. New club and district leadership teams are in place and we have a new Rotary International President Mark Maloney and his wife Gay. They are from Decatur, Alabama, USA.

RI President Mark’s theme is “Rotary Connects the World”. Rotary connects the world in so many different ways; whether it is with individuals, clubs, districts, communities or with Rotary International and the United Nations. The new logo is attractive and is a representation of a modernised version of the Rotary wheel.

My wife Jan and I are originally from Wellington where we grew up, went to school and university. We have a son, daughter and a grandson.

District Governor Bio - Gary Langford

Gary is married to Jan and lives in Auckland. They have two adult children and a grandson.

A Chartered Accountant and retired Fellow of the Institute of Secretaries, Gary has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria University of Wellington. Gary is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme.

Gary recently retired as CEO of Eagle Technology Group Limited and has previously held senior leadership roles in public and government organisations.

A former member of the Rotary Club of Onehunga and now a member of the Rotary Club of Auckland East. Club president of Auckland East during the 2011-12 year. A Paul Harris Fellow and member of the winning district quiz team. Gary and Jan have hosted Rotary Youth exchange students from Denmark and the USA. A member of the District 9920 leadership team, Gary is also a Rotary Leadership Institute trained facilitator.

Rotary Action Group Against Slavery Project 2019

From 5 to 19 December 2019, twenty Rotarians from Australia, New Zealand (including District 9920) and the UK will travel to Cambodia and Northern Thailand to raise funds for NGOs working in the anti-trafficking and slavery movement. The volunteers will also participate in hands-on volunteering at the Rescue Mission for Children in Mae Suai.

There is still room for volunteers to join the trip which will be a life-affirming personal journey of service above self. If you would like to be involved as a team member or if your club would like to help support our project work fundraising, please contact RAGAS Oceania Regional Co-ordinator David Black at projectstarfishnz@gmail.com.

Still time for RLI this weekend! But call ASAP

A wonderful year over, a fantastic year begun

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.

Networking Event – Mayoral Debate

Epsom Rotary and Mt Eden Rotary joint event; Meet the Auckland Mayoral Candidates at the Epsom Bowling Club, 77 The Drive, Epsom, on 3 September.

Hear from and have your questions answered by two of Auckland’s mayoral candidates for the 2019 local elections: Phil Goff and John Tamihere.

EndPolioNow Campaign Progress

Special thanks to the class of 2018/19
I have held off writing this note of thanks in the hope of having final fund raising figures to pass on to you. However, our dedicated team at Rotary International is still finalising those details. It is very important to ensure the numbers are correct. However, the end of July is closing in and I did not want to get too far down the track before expressing sincere thanks to you all for your magnificent support in the Rotary year just ended.

DG Gary Langford’s First Paul Harris Fellow Presentation

DG Gary (R) presented Dr Robbie Francis (L) with a Paul Harris Fellow award at the 2019 Rotary Youth Leadership Award dinner on 5 July 2019. Robbie is a truly outstanding individual who has spoken at NZ district events and spoke at this year’s D9920 RYLA.

In 2009 Robbie won the Attitude ACC Supreme Award at the age of 20. In 2010 she was awarded a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to study Peace and Conflict resolution in Israel.

In 2013 Robbie was given the opportunity to intern for an international disability rights group in Mexico. Having witnessed first-hand the shocking conditions many people with disabilities are forced to live in, she decided to become an active part of the solution. So in 2014 Robbie and her friends founded The Lucy Foundation, an organisation empowering people with disabilities.

UPCOMING KEY DATES

2019
16 to 19 September	Zone 8 Governor-elect training in Christchurch
20 to 22 September	Zone 8 Rotary Institute in Christchurch
October	The 2019 Manual of Procedure is scheduled for distribution
15 October to 15 November	Council on Resolutions meets online. Resolutions proposed can be viewed online from 1 October: https://my.rotary.org/en/cor/vote
2020
19 to 25 January	International Assembly in San Diego, California
6 to 10 June	International convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. Registrations are now open.

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES – JUDITH COLLINS

The Rotary Club of Otahuhu Inc invites you to an interclub event

Speaker: Hon Judith Collins, MP for Papakura

Topic: Women in leadership roles and the challenges in politics

Date: Saturday 24 August 2019

Time: 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm

Venue: Otahuhu Town Community Hall, High Street, Otahuhu

Cost: $55.00 per person (includes one complimentary drink)

Dinner: Two courses followed by tea or coffee. Cash bar

Payment in advance please to Rotary Club of Otahuhu Inc

Bank account 06-0217-0016206-03 and note your name in the reference section

Please RSVP by 18 August to otahuhurotaryclub@gmail.com with names and confirmation of payment. Also advise if any special dietary requirements when you RSVP.

For further information contact Jeanette, tel 021 939 728

Number of attendees limited to 90

Auckland Harbourside 25th Anniversary

Please join us to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of

Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside Inc

Friday 23^rd August 2019 at 6.30pm

Novotel Auckland Ellerslie, 72-112 Greenlane Rd East, Ellerslie

Ambulance for Tonga

The Rotary Club of Christchurch Sunrise has been instrumental, with help from St John, in arranging a much needed ambulance for Tonga. It all started from a club meeting on 2 February this year when Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) chairman Stuart Batty spoke about the great projects around the Pacific that they are involved in. Stuart mentioned that the main hospital in Tonga required an ambulance.

A Salute to International Rotarian - Bill Boyd

Bill Boyd was President of Rotary International in 2006/2007, only the second New Zealander to hold that position.

On 30 June 2019 Bill finally drew closure to his stellar thirty years of international service to Rotary and returned to be 'Bill Boyd - Magazine Distribution’ and member of Pakuranga Rotary.

Always by his side during his years of service has been his much adored wife Lorna. Lorna played her part in convention break-out sessions and became a fountain of Rotary knowledge which she graciously shared with whomever and whenever the appropriate occasion rose.

The members of the Pakuranga Rotary salute Bill's work for Rotary and its many endeavours.

Club publicity is outright fun to do

One of the most interesting and creative club roles is that of PR

Achieving good publicity for your club is outright fun.

There are many possible sources of inspiration and you are invited to take advantage of is the PR Specialists for District 9920 Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/491985354562435/

If you join this Group - which is extremely easy you will see, and be able to make, some fantastic tips and ideas for club publicity. Also make sure your club has 'Like'd the District Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rotarydistrict9920

Ambassadorial Scholar

Shefali Mehta, District 9920 Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship Chair, is proud to announce that the Rotary Club of Auckland will be hosting Ambassadorial Scholar Connor Lind from July 2019 to November 2020.

Connor is from Tyler, Texas, in District 5830 which covers a tri-state area of north-eastern Texas, south-eastern Oklahoma and south-western Arkansas. District 5830 refers to itself as the “Action District”. Connor was 2018-2019 District 5830 Global Scholar. Photo shows Connor Lind and Shefali Mehta.

INTERPLAST Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Program to Tonga

Funded by District 9920, an Interplast team departed on 15 May and concluded on 23 May 2019. The team comprised two surgeons, two anaesthetists, two nurses and one physiotherapist. A total of sixty-four patients were examined and forty-one subsequently underwent surgery.

Newsletter top info bar 2019

Great news for local birds .. not so good for pests!!

This week a group of Rotarians from the Pakuranga Tamaki River Auxiliary got to work labelling and numbering 400 rat, possum and stoat traps.

The working bee is a culmination of 12 months work by Pakuranga Rotary and several other organisations in the area, to increase native bird numbers across the Howick Ward.

Rotarian Sylvie Wilkinson says, “It is so encouraging to see Lions, Friends of Mangemangeroa, Howick, Half Moon Bay and Somerville Rotary Clubs joining together working towards a common goal to preserve precious wildlife for future generations.” Together they have established a trap library, the first in the area.

Intense and life-changing describes RYLA 2019

Despite some rather extreme weather on the Thursday when we were packing up to come home, this was another successful delivery of the program for 118 young people. Rotary Young Leaders Awards (RYLA) is one of Rotary's most successful leadership programmes with a huge impact on the lives of those who take part and the 2019 camp was no exception.

Clubrunner websites can run like 'well-oiled machines'

Club websites that function without fuss or drama and contribute to a smoothly functioning Rotary club are not the thing of dreams, they exist. At the beginning of a new Rotary year now is the time to seek this for your club if you wish.

The Latest Rotary Club in 9920!

Right on the cusp of the new Rotary year, on 30 June 2019, the Rotary Club of Tarawa was Chartered as the newest Rotary club in District 9920 and further boosted the Rotary presence to a large area of the Pacific. The story of their formation and how Rotary is now represented in Kiribati is compelling reading.

Pictured is RCC Chair Kairao Tune and Tawara Rotary President Ruth Cross.

After the previous two Rotary clubs in Kiribati (Bairiki and Kiritimati) closed in 2015 and 2016 respectively, there had been no Rotary presence. However the initiation of a Global Grant to Kiribati by the Rotary Club of Richfield, District 5420 in Utah USA, was the catalyst for a visit to Tarawa, Kiribati in May 2018 by DGE Ingrid Waugh and PDG Jennie Herring.

Success in Rotary continues into a new Rotary year

The end of the Rotary year on 30 June is a time of celebration in Rotary clubs throughout New Zealand and the Pacific.

It is a time to celebrate the successes of the year just completed and to welcome in the opportunities of the new year ahead. Clockwise above is a snapshot of what Changeover includes:

Handbags brighten day for refugee women

It’s not everyday you spend a Sunday morning filling 100’s of handbags with little goodies such as shampoo, soap, toothbrush & toothpaste, deo, fem pro products, hair products etc.

Mt Eden Wellness Day 2019

On 4 May, the Mt Eden Rotary Club held its inaugural free WELLBEING DAY OUT at the Mt Eden Village Centre.

The free open-access health and wellbeing initiative introduced the local community to a number of organisations and activities. The day went well and was received positively. Looking ahead, the intention is to hold a bigger event, broadening the focus to include the environment, conservation and sustainability, over a half day on an annual basis.

The club is very grateful for the Albert-Eden Local Board’s support and funding and the assistance provided by the organisations, workshop presenters, Rotarians and Rotaractors who participated.

Rotary Club of Mt Eden: Ursula Rajkumar, Aritra Ray (President), Ainslie Campbell (President-Elect), Geraldine Henderson

Papatoetoe Central's fundraising event blew our socks off!

Papatoetoe Central Rotary's Indian Diaspora night was a great success. It was the perfect combination: guests had a wonderful night, and a significant amount of money was raised to support four charities: The Rotary Foundation, Cure Kids Fiji Oxygen Project, The Middlemore Foundation and Kids Can.

Model United Nations Assembly 2019

MUNA 2019 for Districts 9910 and 9920 was run over 17-18 May at Auckland Girls Grammar School by Rotary Club of Auckland East.

Nearly 300 high school pupils from 44 schools participated this year. Vigorous debate on the 5 remits submitted to the model United Nations Assembly ensued, with plenty of objections and points of order along the way. Delegates also took part in a snap Security Council debate on a pressing topic of the day. The event was ably chaired by Ross Robertson QSO former member of parliament, and the awards were announced by Bevan Iles, President of Rotary Club of Auckland.

Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Programme
- June 2019

The District 9920 RYDA team Left to rt; George Wilson, Peter Wilcock, Lisa James, John Overall; Chairman

They were recognised by the National RYDA organisation as the leading District committee for New Zealand. All based on their level of effort, commitment and focus on spreading RYDA across the District

The Rotary Youth Driver Awareness programme (RYDA) was established in NZ about 12 years ago. The take up by Clubs varies by district but they are led by 9920. This year in our district there are 11 Colleges and approximately 2,000 students participating in the exercises.

Since its inception approximately 70,000 students in 97 Schools have attended.

Feedback by both Teachers and Students remains very positive.

Ongoing efforts by George Wilson, Peter Wilcock (both Papakura Club) and Lisa James (Somerville Club) make this programme successful.

Peter Ross: Chair District 9920 Youth Committee

Polio Plus - Thank you

Not just another pic of Smiling Rotarians _ GIVING to END POLIO and YOUR Foundation of choice

These Rotarians featured have much to smile about. Your District 'End Polio' coordinator PDG Ron Seeto was on hand with AG Gill Johnston, pictured here with President Tim Edney, to receive 2 cheques from the Rotary Club of Penrose at their breakfast meeting!

A cheque for Foundation Annual giving of $2,750.00 and a cheque for Polio giving of $2,500.00 which becomes $7,500.00 with the Gates Foundation 2:1 Polio contribution.

What’s more, Rotary Penrose has exceeded RI President Barry’s call for a Polio per club contribution $1,500.

President Tim observed that the funds were from individual member contributions.

Here’s hoping that this can be an example for other clubs and their members in our District to do the same – GIVE to END POLIO BEFORE 30 June!

PS As both my regular readers will know I don’t like photographs of people handing over cheques. However, as I’ve often forgotten to recognise the huge work that Ron has been putting in for Polio Plus, this is an exception!

RYLA July 2019

RYLA – a district success story for clubs and awardees who attend

RYLA 2019 is on again in first week of July. This is one of the largest RYLA events in Australasia and is quite unique in many ways. Once again, we are expecting 120 candidates from a wide range of corporate and Rotary sponsors.

The support we get from all district 9920 Rotary clubs in terms of finding candidates, managing the corporate sponsors and in the overall support of the programme is greatly appreciated.

MUNA 2019

MODEL UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY 2019

MUNA 2019 for Districts 9910 and 9920 was run over 17-18 May at Auckland Girls Grammar School by Rotary Club of Auckland East.

Picking the winners was never going to be an easy task for the team of judges from Rotary Club of Auckland East. However, the following were prize winners on the day:

Best Team Overall - Westlake Girls High

Runners Up to Best Team - Glendowie College

Best Team Costume - Dilworth School

Best Knowledge of UN Charter - Lynfield College

Best Depth of Content - Dilworth School

Most Impressive Presentation - Westlake Girls High

Best Contribution to Security Council - Mount Albert Grammar

Most Engaging Speaker - Cameron McGeorge, Glendowie College

Runner up Most Engaging Speaker - Ba Phong Pham, Papatoetoe High School

Around and About - During May 2019

Bulletins Received:

These clubs have been good enough to send me your bulletins. Thanks. I’ve read some inspiring stories, seen excellent pictures and been amused by the cartoons. Parnell (my club) has been given some ideas for speakers (yes, I do copy you!) and some ideas, for example publishing the sum collected for the sunshine fund each week. I don’t know who will be the district bulletin editor from July but I hope that you give her or him the same support.

Auckland
Auckland Downtown
Auckland East
Auckland Harbourside
Botany East Tamaki
Ellerslie
Howick

Mangere
Manukau City Sunrise
Newmarket
Newmarket
Otahuhu
Pakuranga

Papakura
Parnell
Penrose
St Johns
St Marylebone
(London – YHC’s old club)
Suva East

Mangere Rotary

Part of our stock of firewood ready for sale... We need to urgently find further sources to meet our target so we can fund all the needs in our community.

Contact David Gock if you can help phone 09 262 0404/0274528294

Email: davidgock@icloud.com

Also, Mangere consistently has the best cartoons!

Auckland Rotary World Press Photo Exhibition – 29 June to 28 July

Our Club will again be holding the World Press Photography Exhibition on Level 6 at Smith & Caughey’s during July. The winners for this year’s contest were recently announced in Amsterdam and for a glimpse of what will be on offer during July go tohttp://worldpressphotoexhibitionauckland.nz/

Penrose:

'As long as everything is exactly the way I want it, I'm totally flexible.' (a Stewart Mathews Moment)

Botany East Tamaki

St Johns – It’s quite a splendid bulletin, most of the events in it are records of successful projects (the ANZAC Day breakfast especially) and they do have some good humour!

Pakuranga Rotary

(One of the reasons why Paul Harris met with three friends as the first ‘Rotary’ meeting was to establish a network of business men who could help each other. Thus ‘classifications’ were introduced to ensure that a range of occupations were represented. At a time that we’re looking for more members we need to remember the importance of ‘networking’ when talking to potential members. YHC)

When Noel Holyoake joined Rotary in 1963 he had been in business in Rongotai for 10 years. Clubs in that era were defined by a commercial area and classifications were important. Noel was in the oil heating and air conditioning business and his firm manufactured sheet metal piping. What it needed to develop was the ability to incorporate bends in that piping...

Interact Forum - May 2019

The Interact Forum was held on 25 May 2019

A majority of the Interact Clubs in Schools throughout our District got together to share ideas and meet other like-minded students and Rotaractors from Auckland University and Auckland City. Some of these Rotaractors were part of their school Interact Club and together, they shared their experiences and their "Rotary moment".

August 2019 Tennis Fellowship

Rotarians in New Zealand play golf. Everybody knows that. We have fund raising golf tournaments and golf matches at district conferences.

So – here’s a chance to extend our game playing toTennis! District Governor Ingrid received the following letter:

Curtain Call: An easy way to help

Papatoetoe Central Rotary's Colourful Indian Diaspora Dinner was a Runaway Success

Papatoetoe Central Rotary’s Indian Diaspora Night and Fundraising Dinner was an incredibly successful event at which all guests had a wonderful time that achieved its main objective in making a very significant and valued contribution to the good work done by the four chosen Charites; The Rotary Foundation, Cure Kids Fiji Oxygen Project, The Middlemore Foundation and Kids Can

Interactors brainstorm some progressive ideas for future activities

On Saturday 25 May when Aucklanders were outside enjoying the sunshine, the majority of the Interact Clubs in Schools throughout our District got together to share ideas and meet other like minded students and Rotaractors from Auckland University and Auckland City.

Rotary in Kiribati - an uplifting story

Rotary is at the beginning of a journey in Kiribati that will see the local community addressing pressing challenges in this very isolated, poor and climate affected land.

Feeling GREAT at Mt Eden Rotary's Wellbeing Day Out

Mt Eden Rotary Club’s inaugural free WELLBEING DAY OUT at the Mt Eden Village Centre introduced the local community to a number of organisations and activities as part of a free and open-access general health and wellbeing initiative as well as boosting the profile of Rotary within the local community. Shown here are the Rotaractors.

Reinvigorating Rotary's Presence in Kiribati

April’s theme of Maternal and Child Health really resonated recently as District Governor Ingrid and PDG Jennie Herring visited Kiribati to revitalise Rotary’s presence there through the charter of a new Rotary Community Corps and the start of a Global Grant developing a substantial hydroponics venture.

From the left: DG Ingrid, PDG Tony Castley (Sydney), PDG Simon Manning (9940) and PDG Jennie Herring.

Polio Plus - May 2019

A CHALLENGE FOR ROTARIANS IN DISTRICT 9920

Please read the following note and the attached Polio Flyer which gives us five good reasons to eradicate Polio. To do this Rotary needs your help.

Polio Plus - April 2019

Get the latest Polio Flyer here

And for the latest Polio Plus messaging ... read on ...

Membership campaigns

Increasing Rotary’s ability to deliver on projects

Is it time we rethought how we campaign to get new members? Many of us are involved in the private sector where we see employees not only as an asset to the organisation but also as a cost thus within reason we want to keep their numbers to a minimum. So we only take on new recruits when we know that their contribution to the enterprise will be more than their cost.

So, what do we do, often because we’ve got HR breathing down our necks, but also because it makes logical sense?

We define what tasks we need completed, the job description;
Then the attributes that the successful applicant needs, the person specification;
Then we advertise, hire head hunters, etc. and eventually
Recruit a new employee who’s going to carry out a specific job to contribute to the organisation’s success.

Could we apply that methodology to new membership in Rotary?

Firstly what tasks need to be completed? Notice it’s not ‘we need new members, let’s have a membership campaign’ it’s what tasks need to be completed.

It might be some skills required for ‘Internal’ reasons
- for example a new treasurer or a
- person to arrange the speaker’s programme,

we have too many/too few female members
a local ethnic minority or age group is not represented .
- or an External reason,
- we are running a project and we need more people to carry out the work

It might also be that we want to be more representative/relevant - Rotary was originally founded to enable business men to trade with other professional men they knew and trusted. I know, it’s now men and women and it’s not only professionals who are members but the thought’s the same, we need members who represent our whole community. That is the shop keepers, the restaurateurs, the plumbers, the medical and legal professionals, and so on but also members of immigrant communities.

A person who knows everybody, a good connector who can arrange interesting speakers and events. Or relatives, friends and neighbours who are prepared to help take action, not become members in name only but do the task as a Saturday morning stint to help a friend. Plus targeting local business people; telling them of the networking opportunities that are represented in the club. As an aside I can tell you that my lawyer, doctor, insurance broker and travel agent were all engaged as I got to know them through Rotary.

So:

1 identify the task, then;

2 the person who can fill it, then;

3 approach that person

Give them a chance to make a real contribution to society by being involved in the community via Rotary.

Then not only will we have success in increasing numbers but also the effectiveness of our projects.

Centennial History of Rotary 1921-2021 in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands

Is your Club contributing to the Centennial History of Rotary 1921-2021 in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands?

“Mana Tangata: People of Action” is the working title of a coffee table publication being crafted by professional historian Dr Stephen Clarke. The achievements of your Club and Rotarians cannot be considered by Dr Clarke if he is not aware of them. Many Clubs have already sent information to Dr Clarke. Research and writing is already under way.

The manuscript is due in July 2020 for publication in 2021, so Clubs need to get their information to the historian as soon as possible. More details and an outline of what the publication will cover are set out later in this article.

International Motorcycle Rally - this year in NZ

An opportunity to see our country through other people’s eyes!

Incoming DG Gary Langford received the following note recently. Naturally he said that we would support the rally.

If you feel that you, and/or your club, would like to be involved Gary would love to hear from you. Gary Langford glangford.rotary@gmail.com

Free Community Event 4 May

Support ANZAC Day

An option to still support the ANZAC Spirit despite changes to usual venues this year.

Cultural Night Blows to a Record

Over 260 enjoyed a uniquely different Cultural Night hosted by Auckland South Rotary with a stunning outcome for the children of Fiji in need of Oxygen for healthy outcomes.

Auckland Women in Rotary Celebration Walk a Huge Success

A sea of green was very hard to miss as 75 plus stepped out to celebrate 30 years of women as Rotarians.

Pukekohe Rotary Book Sale

D9920 Conference Dress ;o)

District Conference Friday 10^th May – Sunday 12^th. The dinner (and most importantly - the Dress!)

On Saturday night there will be the traditional Gala Dinner with a theme of Art Deco (no surprises there!!). Well, slightly less traditional this time as it will be an opportunity for everybody to dress up – and let their hair down! Entertainment will be provided by Stolen Records – dancing is not obligatory, unless the ladies insist!

Right – so everybody has to get their Glad Rags on and have a great time. Glad Rags – think Great Gatsby, the roaring 20s, flappers, etc. For ideas go to https://vintagedancer.com/1920s/ Stuff can be hired of course, there are two or three costume hire places in Napier that specialise in Art Deco gear. (Book them now!)

YHC’s Ever Loving is already plotting and scheming about what we’re going to wear! I understand that brightly coloured socks are obligatory!

At other times in the conference ‘smart casual’ is the formal attire.

Ellerslie - the Fiji Oxygen Project March'19

Willard and Gabrielle Martin made a visit to ASB Showgrounds on Saturday 2 February to the Chinese New Year Event. A huge turnout of people, there was not much room to move!! Auckland South Rotary Club had a stall promoting the Fiji Oxygen Project which is being organised by Remuera Rotary Club. They did a wonderful job of marketing and promoting it. Photos show President Janet (Ak South) Catherine (PE Remuera) with some of their members staffing the stall. Lots of fun all round.

For those who don't know about it, the Oxygen Project replaces oxygen cylinders – which are expensive, logistically difficult and often result in unreliable oxygen supplies – in health centres in Fiji with bedside oxygen concentrators, which produce oxygen from the ambient air. For health centres with unreliable power supplies, a custom-designed solar power system is installed to ensure that a 24/7 supply of oxygen is available for patients who need it.

The goal is that no child in Fiji dies for lack of oxygen.

100 Years of Rotary in New Zealand - calling Club historians

To celebrate 100 years of Rotary in New Zealand in 2021, Dr Stephen Clarke, a professional historian, has been commissioned to research and write a landmark publication on Rotary in New Zealand 1921–2021. Dr Clarke started work on the book in last year. The book will be part of a suite of activities under what the Mana Tangata Programme to celebrate the Centennial. The programme’s formal launch is later in the year.

Hamish Dick, a student at Victoria University, is working with Dr Clarke over the university holidays as a research assistant.

Hamish would like to make contact with each of the Rotary Clubs in our Rotary District and, at this stage, is looking initially for the following information:

Who is your Club Historian or the person responsible for your history and records?
Briefly, what is the range of your Club’s historical records, photographs and special memorabilia?
Does your Club have previous history publications (e.g. 50^th, 75^th anniversary)?

Could you please email this information to Hamish at the following email address:

research@rotaryoceania.zone

If possible, Hamish would be grateful to have these details as soon as possible, so he can provide Dr Clarke with this information.

Clubs in District 9920 have made very significant contributions to local and global communities so for these achievements to be recorded please give this request your urgent attention.

District 9920 Conference in Napier - March update

We are now only 2 months out from the District 9920 conference in Napier, Friday May 10 - Sunday May 12 2019

Already more than 200 have registered for the conference, but there is still plenty of time for those who have not. To register click here

The conference boasts a fantastic location and venue, some excellent pre- and during-conference activities, as well as a line up of speakers that you won't want to miss including:

Dr Tom Mulholland - Dr Tom is an Emergency Department Doctor and GP with over 25 years’ experience in New Zealand. He has worked in Kaitaia Hospital in the North to Southland Hospital and the Sub Antarctic Islands as a doctor. He has worked in Tologa Bay, Chatham Islands, Papamoa in the east to Raglan, Taranaki and Greymouth in the west. He has hosted his own TV and Radio shows, written two internationally best-selling books and been a professional speaker to the likes of Google, Microsoft and Hilton for the last 10 years.

Dr Harold Hilman -After working in his early years as a clinical psychologist, Dr Hilman developed a passion for leadership development while teaching at the United States Air Force Academy. His professional journey since then has led him down the path where he is actively exploring the domain of authentic leadership. His two books have focused on what it means to lead others through authentic connections.

Mike Williams - Mike is a former president of the Labour party and regularly appears on current affairs television in New Zealand. Mike is chief executive of the Howard League whose programmes and objectives are aimed at reducing the prison population, reducing recidivism rates and helping reintegration of former prisoners into communities.

Nigel Latta - Nigel trained as a Clinical Psychologist and worked for over two decades in the areas of forensic psychology and family therapy. In 2010, as a result of his passion for science and science education, Nigel was invited to become an associate of the world leading Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study at the University of Otago. In 2012 he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to psychology. He’s written eight books which have now been published in 19 countries and 10 languages. His television career has spanned almost a decade and he’s presented a number of series including Beyond the Darklands, The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show, On Thin Ice: Nigel Latta in Antarctica, and The Hard Stuff. In 2016, along with Arwen O’Connor and Mitchell Hawkes he co-founded a production company, Ruckus, and the team have since made numerous primetime television series including Mind Over Money, What Next, and The Curious Mind. In 2018 Ruckus was named New Zealand’s Hottest Production Company in the StopPress awards.

For more info about the conference click here

Howick - Brit & Euro Car Show

What a great event the Brit-Euro 2019 Car Show was.

It was a `wonderful hot summer’s day - however, not too hot to sell lots of BBQ sausages - see link below for a great photo!

Please log-in to your Facebook account to look at the links published in the following.

Facebook Classic Driver Magazine.

Most impressed with 'membership initiative' Dave and keen hear what response you got on the day.

A big photo coverage per courtesy Classic Cars.

Please pass on our thanks to your club, not just from Rotary, also from the organising committee of the Show itself,your participation was very much appreciated - and by the way you might like to make a diary note for: 'Sunday the 1st of March 2020' for the 5th 'Brit-Euro Classic Car Show!

Thanks again, Kind regards

Posted by Ian Rodger

on behalf of the RC of HMBHowichCarShow

Auckland East provides car for school's Driver Training scheme

Auckland East Club President Bevan Iles with Tamaki College Principal Soana Pamaka at the recent handover of a car to Tamaki College's Driver Training Scheme

Rotary Club of Auckland East has a long term relationship with its local school, the co-educational secondary school in Glen Innes, Tamaki College. Tamaki College has a well-run Driver Training Scheme to prepare students for work.

In 2017, the college’s existing vehicle was reaching the end of its useful life. The school asked the Club if they could have a new car to reduce on going running and maintenance costs. The Club sprang into action.

As a result of this major effort to raise money for a replacement, students at Tamaki College can now learn to drive in a safe, modern vehicle.

Manukau Sunrise paint an Elephant!

A different type of project! ELEPHANT PAINTING - Posted by Les Parlane

Our club was approached to paint a concrete elephant, for a Pre School located in Otara. It so turned out he/she was fibreglass. We understand it was donated to the pre-school by the Otara shopping centre. So Jill, Elaine and myself excepted the challenge.

I approached Wattyl paints to see if they would provide free paint and they obliged by providing 4 ltrs of the grey coloured paint.

We arrived at the site on a Saturday morning all decked out in painting clothes and armed with paint brushes, rags and paint pot and proceed to paint. We completed the first coat by mid-day. On completion the pre-school provided us with an exceptional lunch as the island community do.

For the love of bees

“For the Love of Bees” is a collaboration that aims to improve the city’s ecosystem through community-led actions including bee conservation. Mt Eden Rotary have supported this initiative by building and providing a garden storage shed and associated flooring materials

Unlocking Africa's next top coders

St Johns Rotary and The Rotary Foundation unlock the untapped potential of the poorest of the poor in this massive project.

Handbags for a hand up

Mangere Rotary have collected over 120 handbags thanks to the effort of member Roy Thomas. This equals 10 handbags per member. Well done.

These will go to Manukau City Sunrise Rotary who will fill them with toiletries and similar for the women in need at the Women's Refuge. Further information about this great project from Leanne Jaggs.

Women in Rotary event for all

Rotarians boost Cure Kids’ child health research funding at Chinese New Year Gala Ball

460 guests dressed to the nines to mark the Chinese New Year’s Year of the Pig, enjoyed an evening of high-spirited entertainment and excellent Asian cuisine at an exciting Chinese New Year Gala Ball hosted by Auckland Harbourside Rotary.

Cultural Night - 6 April

https://rotaryaucklandsouth.org.nz/event/cultural-and-charity-night-2019/

A stunning success for all clubs

South Pacific Presidents Elect Training is a annual event that well equips the Presidents Elect with the skills, knowledge and connections to guide their clubs to another successful year in Rotary. Thank you to all involved. Under the 'Read More' there is more about the event but thanks go to the District 9920 Trainers Joyti and Beryl who spent countless hours preparing to deliver a seamless training ably assisted by District Governor Elect Gary. Above the Trainers are hard at work and Gary is also (very) hard at work ...

Indian Diaspora Night - May 2019

Papeete Rotary parties in style into their 61st year

Papeete-Tahiti’s 60^th celebration was a Gala Night in the prestigious setting of the ARANUI 5 at the Port of Papeete. It was a great to catch up and reminisce with friends from their first 60 years and even make some new ones.

Handbags for Women's Refuge

The Rotary Club Manukau Sunrise Inc are looking for spare handbags, ones that are still in good condition, but you don’t want or use anymore.

Polio - March 2019

What are you doing to celebrate Rotary International Anniversary 23 February?

Contact PDG Ron Seeto

ronseeto@ronseetoarchitect.co.nz

Club Bulletins - Feb 2019

It is really fascinating to receive a number of club bulletins. They illustrate similar themes: how quiet it was over Christmas and the holidays, planning for the second half of the Rotary year and the many imaginative projects that the clubs sponsor.

Bulletins were received from the Rotary Clubs of:

Auckland
Auckland Downtown
Auckland East
Auckland Harbourside
Botany East Tamaki
Ellerslie

Howick
Mangere
Manukau Sunrise
Newmarket
Otahuhu
Pakuranga

Papakura
Parnell
Penrose
St Johns
Suva East

From the Mangere bulletin – too good to delete!

Auckland City Mission (ACM) is one of the 7 social causes Auckland Downtown members voted to support. Here's a link to their Clubrunner article: City Mission - Cooking for the Homeless

St John’s Rotary has a great lineup for 2019. Good luck, people. You will really make a difference with all these projects.

Golf Tournament March 2019 – Supporting KidsCan
Freshwater Project – Interact Team alongside NIWA
Visit to Little Barrier Island
Have a Go Sailing – 20 schools
Discovery Training for year 8 students
RYDA Training for student drivers
ANZAC Breakfast – April
Club Trivia Nite – 2nd Raising funds for Oxygenator project / Club activities – May
Taveuni Project Team Trip – May
RYPEN planning for attendees
RYLA planning for attendees
Alongside attending the District conference in May
Interact Club looking at establishing a pop-up library in Glen Innes

Ed: As a spot of trivia, other than not being able to spell ‘night’, this looks totally brilliant!

Downtown are proposing a new logo – neat, eh?

And, here's an idea from Otahuhu Club’s bulletin - neat, eh?

Parnell Golf Day Feb 2019

The Rotary Club of Parnell expects to be able to donate $140,000 to Dementia Auckland as a result of the 2019 Golf Day. This sum will add to the $2.2 million already donated over the last fifteen years. These donations have been raised at golf tournaments held in conjunction with Countdown and its suppliers.

<<< DG Ingrid and Avis signing players in.

Before dawn on Friday 15^th , 45 Parnell Rotarians and friends set up at the Titirangi Golf Club course with sponsors’ stands, sun tan lotion (it was a very sunny day!), refreshments (it was a very hot day!) and big smiles to welcome the 36 teams for each of the morning and afternoon rounds.

The 78 teams, some of whom took the competition very seriously, represented many of Countdown’s suppliers. The players welcomed the opportunity of catching up with old friends and renewing business relationships.

Sponsor Sistema’s stand, with Rotarians encouraging players to bet on how close they could land the ball to the hole >>>

Interplast Feb 2019

The bulletin editor is sent lots of stuff, some exciting, some boring but most of it interesting. Recently, Interplast sent me their regular newsletter. This is a brief description of what it does, see the link below for more details. It is important work, as it is professional Rotarians using their skills to the direct benefit of members of our community in the Pacific.

Interplast is a small charitable organisation started by Rotary in 1983 through a partnership with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Rotary continues to be crucial in both governance and support from clubs and Districts throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The Constitution designates Rotary members of the Company, the Board of Directors and the Rotarian Committee of 9 Past District Governors.

Interplast sends fully qualified Australian and New Zealand volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals to the Asia Pacific region to provide free surgical treatment for patients who would otherwise not be able to afford access to such services.

Here's the link to their newsletter for more detail: Interplast January Newsletter

Around and About - During April 2019

Thank you club bulletin editors who have sent me your bulletins. I’ve included some good stuff from them!

Actually, while I'm thinking about it, I will be at the Conference as it's a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet some new ones, learn some interesting ideas and (because it's in Hawkes Bay) drink too much. I hope that you'll make yourselves known to me so I can thank you personally for sending me your bulletins and providing me with a whole lot of good ideas and quite some amusement!

Club bulletins were received from:

Auckland
Auckland East
Botany East Tamaki
Downtown Auckland
Ellerslie Sunrise
Howick
Mangere
Manukau City Sunrise

Newmarket
Otāhuhu
Pakuranga
Papakura
Parnell
Penrose
Suva East

Auckland: Chartering a new Interact Club

On Tuesday our Club sponsored the chartering of a new Interact Club at Epsom Girls’ Grammar. Rotary Interact Clubs are for young people aged 12 to 18, who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they most care about. Our Club has already chartered one Interact Club at Auckland Grammar School and this Club continues to grow each year – with a current membership of about 130.

Auckland East : St. Heliers School Fair

A very big thank you to all members and partners who volunteered to be part of the St Heliers Primary School Fair on Sunday. It was a great opportunity for our club to be seen doing great work in the community thus raising our profile, as well as giving back to the School who have supported our book fair in the past years.

We really stood out in our Rotary uniforms and those who had the high vis vests with the Rotary emblem even better. The Rotary auction wheel we have is really a great asset both for fundraising and also raising our profile and it made me realise we should try and use it more often. President Bevan

Anon (i.e. I can’t remember which club’s bulletin this came from!)

So John says to Joan, “how did you get on at the faith healing session last night?”
Joan replies, “It was rubbish. Even the guy in a wheel chair got up and walked out”.

Downtown Auckland Club: notifications in advance

While we encourage all members and guests to attend our informative and fun meetings, it's important to register your attendance in advance. The Northern Club normally charge members who fail to register in advance a $5 late fee as it causes challenges with catering. Starting in May, we will begin charging members/guests who don't register the $5 fee. The Northern Club have graciously agreed to donate any late registrations fees to our Sunshine Fund. So please make sure to click your meeting invitation to register yourself or your guests by the 12noon deadline on Monday before our meeting.

The club is working on getting an online payment system in place, in the interim you may register online at the club website https://rotarydowntownauckland.club/ and pay on the day at reception with either in cash or credit card for the $25 breakfast fee. If you have any issues with online registration, please txt Graham Hendry at 021 997 934 or email President Lucy at changlorinczi@icloud.com.

Mangere:

Auckland Harbourside

“Work for a cause

not for applause,

Live life to express

Not to impress"

Three Ideas for meetings:

These are some venues and activities that clubs that sent me their bulletins had during April:

Auckland – Spirit of Adventure evening sail

Newmarket – Petanque at Epsom Bowling Club

Pakuranga - Sachies Kitchen Chinese Cooking Social Night, St Georges Bay Rd. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn some basics of Chinese cooking and at the same time taste your cooking

Global Grant Hydroponics project, Kiribati

Jennie Herring visited South Tarawa. During her visit she presented the charter certificate to Kairao Tune, chairperson of the RCC, and a pull up banner to the South Tarawa Rotary Community Corps (STRCC).

Remuera and St Johns, and Mt Eden

There were two ‘quiz’ nights managed by these clubs recently. Remmers and St Johns was in aid of the medical-oxygen project in Fiji and Mt Eden’s for Allergy NZ. These are great fun, add to the branch’s social engagement and raise money for good causes. What’s not to love? Your Humble Correspondent and the Ever Loving went to the St John’s and Remuera competition, we were unable to repeat last year’s winning performance but had a great time in a well presented and profitable evening.

Around and About - During March 2019

Sneak preview: RI’s theme and logo for next year 2019-2020

Auckland Harbourside : Great idea – to be imitated!

Each week’s bulletin announces the sum donated to their Sunshine Fund. This seems like a good idea as it tells the sergeant how successful they’ve been in ‘encouraging’ members to make a donation and can give the members a sense of achievement.

It's great to see humour in the Club Bulletins:

Penrose Botany East Tamaki

Bulletins have been received from these Clubs - Thank You:

These clubs are active and wonderful! (It’s just possible that others are as well but they don’t send me their bulletins so I don’t know...)

Auckland
Auckland Downtown
Auckland East
Auckland Harbourside
Auckland South
Botany East Tamaki
Ellerslie
Howick
Mangere
Manukau Sunrise

Mt Eden
Newmarket
Pakuranga
Papakura
Parnell
Otahuhu
Penrose
Suva East
St Marylebone (YHC’s old club in London)

Special mention of upcoming event: Oxygenator Fund Raising Quiz Night Friday 12 April

The Rotary Clubs of Remuera and St Johns are combining to raise funds for the CureKids Oxygen Generator project bring rolled out across Fiji. These "Oxygenators" create 95% pure oxygen from the atmosphere and being rolled out to replace the unreliable oxygen bottle supply to Fiji hospitals.

Come & join the fun and raise funds so no child dies from a lack of oxygen

6:15 – 10:00 pm Friday 12th April
Glen Taylor School, 172 West Tamaki Road, Glendowie

(PS For details, there’s a piece about this in Looking Ahead!)

And now, here are some examples of some of the inspiring events that have taken place in our communities over the last couple of months:

Papeete Rotary Club celebrated their 60^th anniversary in style;

Youth Programmes - April 2019

Rotary Youth Exchange - Applications close 30 April 2019

Let 2020 be the year you take the leap to a new country.

Experience the culture first hand with several host families. Meet new friends, learn a new language, grow and develop – all with the support of Rotary. This is a life changing opportunity, so come and see what it’s all about!

At our information evenings in March you will have heard from the organising committee, past exchange students and from overseas students currently here on exchange.

Applications close on 30 April 2019 for departure in January 2020.

Around and About - During February 2019

Here are some examples of some of the inspiring events that have taken place in our communities over the last couple of months:

Papeete Rotary Club celebrated their 60^th anniversary in style;
Taravao Tahiti-iti club put on a Magic show for about 500 children from their local community;
DG Ingrid's own club of Parnell organised supermarket chain Countdown’s annual golf tournament for suppliers and raised over $140,000 for Dementia Auckland;
Waiheke ran a very successful Onetangi Beach Races for the 21^st year. See here for their great write-up in the Island magazine;
Auckland South showed us how to 'Shoot for Oxygen' and have a load of fun while also raising money for the Oxygen project in Fiji and raising Rotary’s profile;
Highbrook organised a Fun Run in their local community that got over 600 people out and moving.

And these are only the larger events – I am sure there are many more happening that superbly demonstrate who we are as Rotarians – People of Action.

Youth Programmes - March 2019

RYPEN – 29, 30 & 31st March 2019. Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment has a fantastic impact on young people’s lives. This is a weekend long camp for Year 12 and 13 students, aged between 14 - 17 years old, designed at developing young people’s potential through a mixture of lecture style sessions and adventure-based learning. I trust your club is supporting this.

RYLA 2019 – This year’s 9920 RYLA will run 29 June – 6 July 2019 at Willow Park in Eastern Beach. I am sure there is a young person in every community our clubs serve who would love the opportunity to join with 120 other young people for a life changing week. I would like to see 80% of our clubs sending someone along. It is a modest investment for a wonderful leadership programme.

Outbound Exchange Students 2019

Many youngsters have benefited hugely from the overseas experience as outbound students. And many clubs have benefited from having an inbound exchange student staying with them. Here are the latest group of outbound students.

Rotary Exchange Students leaving ; Madita Pleiss (sponsored by RC Howick), Katrine Lundo-Nielsen (Pukekohe), John Fothergill (District 9920 Outbound Student Co-ordinator ), Jake Le Sueur (Half Moon Bay), Mia Kidston (Pakuranga), Madeleine Kennedy-Jarman (Waiuku).

Do not miss this one!

Lots of puff means more oxygen for those who desperately need it

When was the last time you enjoyed a fun game while also achieving meaningful fundraising outcomes?

Looking Ahead - May '19 onwards

Please let us know about your June events so we can include them in next month's newsletter!!!

New Zealand Motorcycle Show 2019 Papakura Rotary is seriously involved in this:

Save the dates! New Zealand Motorcycle Show is back for 2019!

Mark the dates on your calendar for September 13, 14-15 2019. More Info will follow soon.

Looking Ahead - April '19 onwards

Please let us know about your June events so we can include them in next month's newsletter!!!

Auckland South Cultural & Charity Night - 6pm Saturday 6 April Download the flyer here so you can buy your ticket...

New Zealand Motorcycle Show 2019 Papakura Rotary is seriously involved in this:

Save the dates! New Zealand Motorcycle Show is back for 2019!

Mark the dates on your calendar for September 13, 14-15 2019. More Info will follow soon.

Looking Ahead - Mar '19 onwards

Harbourside Rotary Chinese New Year Gala Ball, Sat 23 Feb - always a huge event and they have the Mayor of Auckland and local MPs attending.

Pakuranga Rotary Community River Carnival – Sun 24 Feb, 11am – 3pm – Bramley Drive Reserve, Pakuranga

South Pacific Presidents Elect Training at Waipuna 2-3 March, with President Elect Training for our Pacific Island Presidents on 1 March. There will be a casual pay-your-own-way District Dinner on Friday 1 March at Wellingtons (Mt Wellington). Please let DG Ingrid know if you would like to attend - $27.50 per person.

St Johns Golf tournament for Kids Can - 18 March

30 Years of Women in Rotary – Keep this date free - Saturday 6 April - a special event is to be organised for all women Rotarians in Districts 9910 and 9920, and their friends.

Auckland South Charity Event - Saturday 6 April in the evening

Please let us know about your events so we can include them in next month's newsletter!!!

Our 9920 Conference 10-12 May 2019

Don’t forget to register and join your fellow Rotarians for a great weekend in Napier.

Looking Ahead - from Feb '19

There are a few special events coming up this year:

Papeete Club is celebrating its 60^th anniversary on 9 February 2019
Rarotonga will celebrate their 50th anniversary on 23 April although their charter date was 05 February 1969
Nadi will also reach the 50 year milestone on 29 May 2019

This is a wonderful achievement to all these clubs.

30 Years of Women in Rotary

This is a special milestone for Rotary. It was a hard fought fight to have women admitted to Rotary in the US in 1988/89. We will be celebrating the many women in NZ and our district who have made a big contribution to Rotary. Through the District Facebook page and website (in addition to the Rotary Oceania Facebook and website) over the next few months we would like to recognize the work that Rotary women throughout NZ and the Pacific do publicly and behind the scenes. This is a great opportunity to highlight women in your Clubs and Districts who have gone above and beyond the call of Service above Self. We are wanting to know those really special women and to thank them for being part of our Rotary family. Please send your suggestions to Leanne Jaggs, District 9920 Publicity Committee Chair.

For the background story, click here.

We will be celebrating right across New Zealand on Saturday 6 April. Watch this space for a special event in Auckland for Districts 9910 and 9920.

Club Events

Check out the District website for the special events many clubs have planned, and don’t forget to advertise your club events there. Highbrook’s Fun Run, St Johns golf tournament for Cure Kids, and there are more. Please let us know!!

Chinese New Year is coming up and Auckland Harbourside always host an amazing gala ball, or having a ball, anyway there will be a celebration of Chinese New Year on February 23^rd. See the flyer for details. Get your Glad Rags on and enjoy.

Our 9920 Conference 10-12 May 2019

Don’t forget to register and join your fellow Rotarians for a great weekend in Napier.

Around and About - Feb 2019

In December your humble correspondent wrote to all club presidents; individual emails, none of this unlabelled stuff, asking to have club bulletins sent to his email address, nick@quint.co.nz . These clubs replied:

Auckland Downtown
Auckland East
Auckland Harbourside
Botany
Ellerslie
Howick
Mt Eden
Mangere
Manukau Sunrise

Otahuhu
Pakuranga
Papakura
Parnell
Penrose
Remuera
Suva East
Waiuku

So, if your club’s not here sorry, YHC doesn’t know what you’re doing. If your club is never mentioned, tell your bulletin editor!

(And in the last district bulletin of the Rotary year, when the DG can’t fire YHC, an opinion of the best will be published!)

From the Mangere bulletin

“I was drinking at a bar so I took a bus home. This may not be a big deal to you but I’ve never driven a bus before”

Ed: fake news?

Rotary Club of Otahuhu - neat Birthday cake, eh?

Pakuranga - Another one bites the dust!

Pakuranga Rotary now has 16 Council registered rat catchers! Don, Sylvie and Ron have all had good results and between them, have eradicated 5 rats.

Please remember to log your catches on the CatchIt database (you all have your access codes). Even if you do not yet have a trap, you can still visit www.catchit.co.nz and see what has been caught in your street.

Congratulations to Pakuranga Rotary and special thanks to President Duncan for this new and very worthwhile environmental community service!

Papakura - Trees for Survival

Our heartfelt thanks : To Trees for Survival teachers who put in many hours growing students and plants alike! To Trees for Survival Landowners who provide a place for these plants to live and amazing outdoor experiences and lunches for tree planters. To every volunteer that helps and every sponsor whose funds supply the resources needed to continue to inspire young environmentalists. Thank you! Your contributions make for a better greener cleaner New Zealand!

Summary for Auckland:

● A total of 76 planting sites

● a total of 45,932 plants by

● 2,011 students, 158 teachers, 353 parents/other helpers and 161 sponsors

● 3,669 metres of stream have been planted

● most planted plants were: Phormium tenax / Flax (12,009); Leptospermum scoparium / Manuka (10,246); Cordyline australis / Cabbage Tree (9,965)

Water and Sanitation Rotary Working Group

Well, that’s a title to turn you on!

But it’s important. As many people die of water related diseases as die of many other more prominent causes. Over forty members of our district 9920 will be going to the conference, so even if you can’t go, one of them would make a good speaker at the club meetings.

Here's a link to the latest WASRAG newsletter.

Otahuhu - Books for children in Tonga — Project report

From Otahuhu’s bulletin: Books for Children in Tonga — Project report by Pat Taylor and Jeanette Drysdale

For some years Nuku’alofa Rotary has been assisting with books for Tongan schools. These books have come from Rotary Clubs and other sources. The assistance of US Peace Corps Tonga and their volunteers was sought to help sort books and distribute them to schools. While this has added to school libraries the exercise identified the need for more books using local themes and focused at a level relevant to the reading skills of Tongan primary students. Many books sorted as ‘primary’ from Australia and NZ were better suited for Tongan secondary schools. Over the years, these have been distributed to secondary schools, where good use has been made of them.

From this partnership, the idea of using local authors and artists was developed. This resulted in the Sight Word Book Program as a joint partnership between the Peace Corps in Tonga and Tupou Tertiary Institute in Tonga. The programme is now well established ...

Youth Programmes - 2019

RYPEN – 29, 30 & 31st March 2019. Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment has a fantastic impact on young people’s lives. This is a weekend long camp for Year 12 and 13 students, aged between 14 - 17 years old, designed at developing young people’s potential through a mixture of lecture style sessions and adventure-based learning. I trust your club is supporting this.

Rotary Youth in January

The big event for Rotary Youth in January was the departure of our Rotary Youth Exchange students for their year of life changing experiences.

The other big event was the 2019 Science and Technology Forum – Over the two middle weeks of January, 168 Year 13 students from all over NZ, came together to learn all about the many varied avenues of science. DG Ingrid attended their BBQ evening and the formal dinner. What a credit they are to their schools and the many Rotary clubs who sponsor them. This is Rotary in NZ’s biggest youth programme, and the only one that the three universities in Auckland collaborate on. If you have sponsored students to attend I am sure you will be equally inspired when you have them come and speak to your club.

Remuera - Great Auckland Duck Race

Remuera Club members donned hi-Vis jackets and got ready the eight activities: "Pluck a Duck" (Cindy), "Ping Pong Duck" (David & Cher), "Floating Islands" (Etienne), "Shooting Gallery" (Graeme & Wayne), "Ladder Toss" (Niel), "Bean Bag Toss" (Karen), "Guess the Ducks" (Patricia),"Pin the Beak" (Norman & Davina). "Rotary Gazebo – ticket sales" (Annabelle & Catherine), Support crew: (Jim, David McA, Ross, Iain). Set-up assistance the day before (John and Ashok):19 Volunteers in all.

Just after the start the misty rain relented, and none fell for the rest of the morning. The race for the decorated School Ducks race was followed by the Business Duck Race – over 30 entrants beautifully decorated. The winning Business Duck was “Cure Kids” – best looking & first over line. The 3rd race at 11.30am was the “Everybody $5 ducks” race with all 5,000 little yellow ducks – our very own Catherine winning 2nd prize with her duck (raffle ticket). Our whole Club’s effort in selling these tickets over the last 10 weeks raised $8,600 from public sales during weekends, and $4,500 from member’s sales.

Overall the day and the effort was a great Club achievement being out there in the Community - raising our profile, and attracting leads for over 5 prospective new members.

Iain Valentine - Committee

Grab a Global Grant

More funding = greater impact for your projects (even the local ones!)

We all know that large Global Grants from the Foundation make it possible to undertake high impact international projects – but did you know they can be used for local projects too?

A great example is the Kerikeri Club in Northland. They identified an issue with young students from poor families in the area who were performing well below average. With a club investment of US$12,516, they were able to undertake a US$102,000 project that delivered ‘digital classrooms’ to help address the issue.

If your club has a vision to create a major project that will have a significant impact on people’s lives, consider Rotary Foundation grants – for international and local projects.

Foundation funding would not be possible without the wonderful generosity of Rotarians and clubs!

Polio cases no longer declining: W.H.O. fears global resurgence

Progress has stalled in ridding the world of polio. An emergency committee of the World Health Organization unanimously agreed to continue to designate the paralyzing disease a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.”

This year, W.H.O. has recorded 27 cases of wild poliovirus worldwide compared with 22 total cases last year. Though the small number of cases may appear insignificant, the committee said the trend is noteworthy because it shows stagnation. This is the first increase year-over-year since W.H.O. began its efforts to eradicate the disease worldwide in 1988.

Pakuranga - 'Chippies' in Action

Chris Ward reported on Jan 07, 2019 that a Rotary team consisting of three members of the Pakuranga Rotary, Peter Armstrong, Don Lawry, Chris Ward, and his ex-classmate Howard Scott and Dennis Kavanagh (Don’s friend), has just returned from 12 days in Fiji on the island of Taveuni.

The team had a very successful time there assisting a group of local builders, by helping to construct a 2-classroom block in the village of Bouma. While the local builders laid the concrete slab and started laying the blockwork forming the walls of the classroom, the Rotary members built the roof trusses. They then painted these with two coats of undercoat and continued by painting the 75 sheets of ceiling panels. In total, Don worked out that we painted 810 square meters, the equivalent of 4 full sized tennis courts.

Rotarian Geoffrey Amos and his team of locals looked after the Rotary builders wonderfully We were proud to help support the Rotary Club of Taveuni Island.

This project is a great example of Rotary In Action, and we all felt privileged to represent Pakuranga Rotary in assisting this international project.

Women in Rotary

Women have always had an influence in Rotary right from the contribution of Jean Thompson, Rotary's Founder Paul Harris's wife, who is often stated as being "the power behind the Rotary 'throne' ".

2019 marks 30 years since Rotary International formerly enabled women to join Rotary as Rotarians. Since then the direct contribution of women in Rotary has soared and is today pronounced.

Through the District Facebook page and website (in addition top the Rotary Oceania Facebook and website) over the next few months we would like to recognize the work that Rotary women throughout NZ and the Pacific do publicly and behind the scenes. This is a great opportunity to highlight women in your Clubs and Districts who have gone above and beyond the call of Service above Self. We are wanting to know those really special women and to thank them for being part of our Rotary family.

While we could come up with names this would be more meaningful if suggestions came from Rotarians or those involved with Rotary. Our district has so many great women doing wonderful things this should be easy - send your suggestions to Leanne Jaggs, District 9920 Publicity Committee Chair.

Christmas Food hamper donation by Rotary Papatoetoe Central

The best part of Christmas is when families can get together and enjoy each other's company. Unfortunately for too many it is a time of hardship. Recognising that some in their community were facing hardship, Papatoetoe Central Rotary worked with Rawiri Community House Manukau to identify fifty needy families to whom they could provide a food hamper each and the presentation is depicted here (note the reusable shopping bags with the Rotary emblem on).

New student driver training car for Tamaki College

Rotary Club of Auckland East determined that the existing 15-year-old driver training vehicle used by Tamaki College was well past its use by date so did something about.

Rotary to the fore at Christmas in Ellerslie

Ellerslie Rotary changed up their entry into the Ellerslie Santa Parade a bit this year - everyone wore Rotary Super-Hero T-shirts with the theme that Rotarians are super-heroes too - and aren't we all! Their involvement in their local community is seen front and centre and that's very important, especially for super-heroes!

Thoughts from DG Ingrid - Nov 2018

Where has 2018 gone? At the beginning of the year I was looking forward to my training to take on the District Governor role and now I have finished almost all my official club visits. What wonderful people John and I have met, inspiring projects we have heard about and visited, and we have seen a number of new ideas for meetings and club engagement being tried – “Be the Inspiration” is in action in 9920.

Some Highlights from our visits - there have been too many to mention all.

A new swimming pool in American Samoa – a hidden gem in the Pacific. I was able to officially present them with PDG Malini’s award for 2017-18 Best Project for their swimming pool. What a commitment that club made, raising over USD1 million and creating a community facility that everyone can use.

I also had the privilege of officially chartering a new Interact Club at Leone High School – 29 members and only 1 boy. And there is another club planned at another high school.

Fundraising for scholarships in Samoa – Apia Rotary has been running a Melbourne Cup event for many years and the funds raised are used every year to fund at least 20 scholarships for students at secondary school – what an impact that is having on many lives.

Noel pour Tous in Tahiti – can you believe that Papeete Rotary, supported by other clubs, has been running a free day of food and entertainment for children for 42 years? Every club member is involved in the planning and on the day – around 3000 children this year and over 5000 sandwiches made. Long standing member M. Rene Malmazac donated a number of bicycles as prizes – were those children excited! And the community contributed hundreds of toys and clothes to be distributed in all the French Polynesia islands through Catholic Relief.

Disease Prevention and Treatment – the theme for December

This is a massive part of Rotary International’s work, but we have our own closer to home:

In French Polynesia testing for diabetes is now part of every event Rotary runs, thanks largely to initial work by Dr Jean-Louis Boissin. A mobile van serves Tahiti main island and a tent is set up with volunteers to do basic screening. Anyone needing more is referred to a doctor.

Similar screening is done in Fiji.

Our own very special project is GECAF – Give Every Child a Future – to celebrate Rotary’s 100 years in New Zealand and Australia. Have a look at the website - https://everychildafuture.com/ and think about how you might contribute. Or contact Auckland Rotary for someone to speak to your club.

Remuera and the Fiji Oxygen Project

The Fiji Oxygen Project – No child should die for a lack of oxygen.

Yet too many do die from otherwise treatable illnesses because of variable access to good quality oxygen in Fiji. The Rotary Club of Remuera Inc, working in partnership with other charities and trusts, is working to raise $650,000 in order to provide reliable oxygen supplies to Health Clinics throughout Fiji. This is a project worthy of wide support and I fully endorse it and would like to see it come to fruition as soon as possible. I would appreciate Rotarians giving their full support to this project.

The Fiji Oxygen Project is designed to save the lives of children, in hospitals and clinics, who are currently dying due to the lack of a reliable supply of oxygen ...

Please see the link to the CK O2 video. - https://vimeo.com/299385357 And here for the one-page summary

Let Others Know the Impact We Have - Papakura Rotary

Have you seen on our website and on Facebook, the innovative way Papakura Rotary has developed to show how they are doing?

https://rotarydistrict9920.org/Stories/how-did-you-actually-do

The four posters were made by Madison Faber (President of Wellington Rotaract and the daughter of Tracey and Jon, President of Papakura Rotary).

Papakura Rotary shared their four posters on Facebook and displayed them at the Motorcycle show (see separate story) and had a great response.

NZ Motorcycle Show - Papakura

We had a very successful fundraiser with the NZ Motorcycle show once again this year. Read the article on the Papakura Website.

Peace Conference: Melbourne Feb15, 2019

The Rotary Peace Summit that will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Conference Centre, Victoria, Australia.

The Summit will be a curtain-raiser to the first ever Multi-District Rotary Conference in Victoria, with representatives from more than 200 Rotary clubs. It will be modelled on the six Peacebuilding Conferences convened by Past RI President Ian Riseley OAM in cities around the globe last year. Ian is one of several outstanding speakers who have agreed to speak at the Melbourne Conference. (See attached brochure)

The theme of our summit is Peace Through Service – Rotary’s Road to Harmony. Our objective will be to demonstrate how Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus converge to positively impact on peace and conflict resolution.

Apart from Rotarians from Australia and New Zealand, we expect to have a strong contingent of Rotary Peace Fellows, peace academics, police officers and community representatives who have a passion for this subject.

The attached brochure gives more details.

More information about the summit is available on these links: http://www.rotaryconference.org.au/peace-summit.html and https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=424680& .

People can register for the day long summit alone, or as part of a package with the Victorian Multi District Conference.

Murray Verso : Rotary Club of Williamstown; Convenor 2019 Peace Summit

Email: verson@netspace.net.au Mobile: 0417 595 217

Rotary International Council on Legislation 2019 (COL)

I am sending you this in my role as the District 9920 representative to the 2019 COL.

The attached information is being introduced to Auckland based President Elects and incoming Assistant Governors when they meet for training tomorrow, Sunday 19 November.

This is an opportunity to have input into decisions that shape various aspects of Rotary’s future.

On page three of the attached I have listed section headings relating to the proposed 119 resolutions, and bolded sections thought to be of most interest to individual members and clubs. I have also shown two areas that I expect will have further discussion within the District. One relates to the inclusion of environmental matters in the Objects. The other impacts the future of Rotary magazines.

Please share this information as you see appropriate within your club. Feedback is encouraged. If there is interest relating to particular topics I will convene a forum for discussion early 2019.

Regards

PDG Alan Eyes

alan.eyes.nz@gmail.com

Ph +64 9 2389992

Christmas Giving 2018

Papatoetoe Central Rotary Club

We are planning to give 50 food hampers to needy families on the 20^th Dec as part of our everyday on-going project. Each Hamper is of $50 value.

In this Food Hamper we also incorporate Christmas cake and some gifts for the children.

Otahuhu Rotary

There is a collection of non-perishable food items. This is in conjunction with Otahuhu Business Association donating food to people in need as identified by the Otahuhu budgeting services.

Reorganisation of Districts 9910 and 9920

There have been several preliminary conversations about a change in districts for 9910 and 9920 as well as a working group looking at the future structure for Rotary in New Zealand. Progress so far:

The Governor trains (for the three of you, including me, who don’t understand the jargon a 'train' is incoming, present and past officials who’ve held the same position, not things that belch out steam) for 9910 and 9920, plus 2 Past District Governors (Bruce Rasmussen from 9910 and Willard Martin from 9920), have now met twice. They’ve developed a plan to prepare for the creation of a proposed new district covering both the current districts. The attached document outlines at a high level where the project, named 'Tangata Moana - People of the Oceans', has got to.

There are some key points I would like to add:

This is not a merger but the creation of a new district
The discussions about the whole of NZ will be continuing but we felt we needed to look with some more urgency at our two districts, given the current membership numbers. The national modernisation project team will be meeting again before the end of the year.
We will progress with the nominations for District Governor for the 2021-22 Rotary year in both districts.
The Governance group for Tangata Moana will be co-chaired by PDGs Bruce Rasmussen and Willard Martin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, or DGE Gary or DGN Craig.

Ingrid Waugh
District 9920 Governor 2018-19
ingrid_waugh@rotaryoceania.zone
+64274298507

Rotary Clubs of Fiji - letter from the Prime Minister of Fiji

Attached is a letter from the Prime Minister of Fiji (he was re-elected a couple of weeks ago).

It is nice to get this official recognition as not only does it reflect well on the contributions made by Rotarians but it is all part of that we, as Rotarians, are being recognised as having made a difference in the community.

See Letter from PM Fij, here

Rotary Club of Papakura - Quotes for the week

“When I was young I used to admire intelligent people, as I grow older I admire kind people.”

“Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, they are not paid because they are priceless!”

Ellerslie Rotary - Tutu Regional Training Centre on Taveuni, Fiji

We recently received this message from Father McVerry, who is in charge of the Tutu Regional Training Centre on Taveuni, Fiji thanking the club for the recent delivery of tools and equipment to the Centre.

Hi Geoffrey, Delighted with the extra tools. You can tell whoever is sending them that we deeply appreciate and are lifted beyond with encouragement by this down to earth practical worthwhile assistance and want to thank whoever it is that has this spirit of sharing that makes the world a better place. More power to them. And to you who enable it all to happen. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.
Gratefully yours, Fr M.T.McVerry

Meanwhile the next container is about to be loaded and will include donations from North and South: 3 large boxes of tools from the Whangarei shed and a wood lathe from Menzshed Manawatu; thank you Mike and David. David is promising even more equipment as the Mens Shed at Howick is replacing all its tools and machinery with new stuff.

How did you actually do?

Rotary clubs and their members are deservedly proud of the projects they held during a Rotary year that have achieved so much. The stories of these individual projects describe the depth of activity and the benefits achieved but there is interest in the full picture to show the scale of all these individual projects together. Often, these are expressed as funds distributed. Other measures are volunteer hours and Donations in Kind and outcomes. How is your club showing the community, and members, what was achieved? Pictorially such as here? In the club bulletin and as advertisments in the local community newspaper? Telling this particular story acknowledges the contributions of members, sponsors and supporters and builds the club social creds that will in turn bring in additional support. The excellent example below is from Papakura Rotary.

Your club just has to be a part of this!

By popular request a Facebook Group has been created for anyone in a club open to new ideas for better publicity. Its is easy - just go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/491985354562435/

Feeling Good Doing Good - letting everyone know about Rotary and Rotarians

Upcoming District 9920 Training Seminars

These training sessions are also listed on https://www.rotarydistrict9920.org/events/calendar and https://rotaryoceania.zone/sitepage/rotary-leadership-institute.

Coming Up - November

Remuera Rotary – WineFriend Wildcard Wine Evening – 3 November to raise funds for the Fiji Oxygen Project

Pohutukawa Coast Coastal Fun Run – coming up on 4 November, this is a big event run by a small club

Auckland Airport Area Rotary Charter Evening – 9 November

The Great Auckland Duck Race – 25 November

Look on the District website for details

Save our Sisters - Joint project for Auckland Harbourside

Save Our Sisters: A joint project for RC Mumbai Queen’s Necklace (District 3141) and RC Auckland Harbourside

Mumbai, India, has a large number of girls trafficked from various Indian states, and neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. Women and girls rescued during police raids are lodged at Navjeevan Mahila Vasatigruha – a government-run care and protection home for trafficking survivors.

The local Rotary Club of Mumbai Queen’s Necklace (District 3141) were inspired to do what they could do help. They approached the Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside, NZ, (District 9920) to be International Club and District Partners in order to receive a Rotary Foundation Global Grant to fund their efforts.

Rotary project Save Our Sisters is directed at training women at the shelter with the skills they need to become gainfully employed, and live a life of dignity and self-respect.

Rotary Leadership Institute

Peace Forum Brochure

Download the brochure for the Peace Forum here

2018 Taveuni Eye Project

The 13^th year – awe inspiring!

368 cataract and pterygium surgeries were carried out free of charge to patients, including 5 children. In the photo, see in use one of the oxygen machines donated to Waiyevo (Taveuni) Hospital as part of the Fiji Oxygen Project – 2 Global Grants in action at once.

Several members of the medical team who have been working on this project for several years, including lead surgeon Dr Jeff Rutgard (13 years on the project) and nurse Jan Beamish (12 years), were recognised by Taveuni Rotary with PHFs. A huge thank you to Geoffrey Amos and his team, and especially to his wife Joey who does so much that most people don’t see.

Lots of congratulations this month

We were advised last month that 9 clubs in our district achieved the Presidential Citation for 2017-18 by achieving all the goals they set for their club and entering them into My Rotary – a big shout out and congratulations to………

Auckland South	Somerville	Highbrook
Remuera	Ellerslie Sunrise	Pakuranga
E-club Francophone	Drury	Manukau City Sunrise

RI awards and recognition were also made to the following clubs for: Membership Incentive, and for Giving to the Rotary Foundation ...

Congratulations to you all!

Are you missing “the good stuff”?

"Darn it! If I had known about that I would have really liked to have taken part!" Well, there is a way.

Get Clicking

The above shows the shape of the final cropped picture. Whether from a recent project or a project soon to come send these in with a brief description about the picture.

Pukekohe Rotary proved there is joy in riding a bike

The faces say it all. What-a-Day! Pukekohe Rotary's massive Counties Cycle Classic was a true family event attracting the under 10's to have a go right through to your experienced seriously competitive cyclist.

Rotary Months May - July

The focus for the next three months is:

May	Youth Service
June	Fellowship
July	Start of Rotary year and Service
	For the full list of months, read on ...

Rotary Months Feb - April

The focus for the next three months is:

February	Peace and conflict prevention / resolution month
March	Water and sanitation
April	Maternal and Child health month
	For the full list of months, read on ...

Rotary Months Dec - Feb

The focus for the next three months is:

December	Disease prevention and Treatment
January	Vocational Service
February	Peace and conflict prevention / resolution month

For the full list of months, read on ...

Play time in the tropics

Melbourne Venturer Scouts built two fantastic children’s playgrounds at Batibalavu School.

A place to learn that good things do happen

An invitation to a wine evening to help ensure no child in Fiji dies from a lack of oxygen

The long-term goal is that no child in Fiji dies from lack of oxygen. If you, your friends and family or maybe your business would like to support such an immensely important health project in the Pacific while also rewarding yourself or your employees/suppliers/customers then please email rotaryremuera@gmail.com

More information on the project is at https://rotaryremuera.club/page/the-fiji-oxygen-project/

For a full sized (readable) Invitation ...

Save Our Sisters - the recovery of human trafficking survivors

The Rotary Club of Mumbai Queens Necklace (District 3141) partnered with the Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside to gain a Global Grant for Project Rotary Save Our Sisters to train women at the shelter for human trafficking survivors with the skills they need to become gainfully employed, and live a life of dignity and self-respect.

Experience Rotary Around You in Comfort

Daily we can share in the experiences of others such as the delicious smell of cooking sausages and onions on the club BBQ along with the sound of the sizzle and the clink of coins into the bucket. The buzz and tinkle of glasses and cutlery of a room full of people enjoying fine food and camaraderie at the Gala Night. The shouts and cheers, maybe even jeers, in friendly competition at the Quiz Night. The feeling of the wind whipping through our hair as we cheer on the school team we have sponsored sport equipment for.

How?

Asking those questions that may make all the difference for your club

Rotary is changing for the better. The outcome is a greater vibrancy and effectiveness, so how can you make this work to the advantage of your club?

Are you missing “the good stuff”?

"Darn it! If I had known about that I would have really liked to have taken part!" Well, there is a way.

Much is happening on the International Service scene - a report

The District International Service Information evening, 18th September 2018, was an opportunity for a progress update on the many projects happening and to look at future possibilities. International Service covers many projects; small to large global grants, from small Club projects to many Clubs working collaboratively to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Registrations for District Conference 2019 OPEN

Be an Early Bird and get the best deal. See below how:

ERKs are Environmentally Aware

As with all Rotary projects considerable thought and care is given to all aspects of these projects including sustainability, down-stream effects and possible unintended consequences so these can be properly managed.

Eureka delivers

Posted by Peter Buchanan

The Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka Awards finals were held early September in Wellington at Massey University, with an especially strong showing from our Auckland participants, three of whom were selected out of the four national winners. See also https://www.eureka.org.nz/news-latest

Global Grant - Dengue Prevention and Eradication in Fiji

This recently approved Global Grant project will contribute directly to a significant reduction of locally transmitted cases of dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus in Fiji.

Take your Rotary to the next level

This is all about you having the skills and confidence to make the most of your Rotary opportunity. Here is how:

Cooking a brighter future for a Fiji community

Getting their hands dirty, learning new kitchen tricks from the Masterchef finalist, Vanessa Baxter, for a great cause thanks to Auckland City Rotaract.

Rotary Pacific Water for Life - Training Plumber

Rotary New Zealand World Community Service in partnership with Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation require the services of a Volunteer Plumber Trainer in Fiji. This is a very unique opportunity - download the full details in PDF from: portal.clubrunner.ca/…/9a4cf4d5-0a6f-4704-9fab-a2a7d7906…/1/ or contact Stuart Batty via www.rnzwcs.org

Cold + Blankets = Toasty Warm

Imagine being cold and trying to sleep. Thanks to Papatoetoe Central Rotary, for some most in need this has changed for the better.

Interplast Needs YOU

Interplast Australia & New Zealand is actively supported by Rotarians in Clubs and Districts throughout Australia and New Zealand. Many clubs support Interplast because of the massive transformation of lives thie surgery offers children. Read on to find out how.

Let's DO it!

So well expressed by Papakura Rotary, this is a call for action we all should heed.

Give your club publicity a massive boost

Rotary Days is a way to create amazing publicity for your club whether small or big, whether Rotary, Rotaract or Interact, Go to it! See https://www.rotaryoceania.zone/page/rotary-days-2018-2019

Rotary Months March - May

Using the Rotary months, programme organisers and bulletin editors can focus speakers and topics to support Rotary International's programme. The next four months are:

March	Water and Sanitation
April	Maternal and Child Health
May	Youth Service

For the full calendar year ...

District 9920 Awards July 2018

some text here

Cup

Description

Recipient 2017/2018

AUCKLAND HARBOURSIDE CUP

Awarded for the best Rotaract Club of the year

Rotaract Club of Lautoka

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

Griffon Emose

BILL & LORNA BOYD TROPHY

Awarded for the most significant achievement by a Rotarian or Rotary Club with regard to the furtherance of Rotaract within the Rotary Year

RC Mangere

COLTY CUP

Awarded to the club with the best attendance at District Conference based on a formula which recognises Club sizes and their distance from the conference venue

RC Apia

GRATTAN O'CONNELL TROPHY

Awarded to the Club with the best per Capita Polio Plus giving for he current year

RC Ellerslie Sunrise

CHANGEMAKER TROPHY

Awarded to the club that makes the most effort to reactivate, have a makeover, or to freshen up or whatsoever

RC Highbrook

JACK SMALLFIELD BULLETIN AWARD

Presented by Jack Smallfield and awarded for the Best Club Bulletins, produced annually, based on specific criteria which has changed this year.

(refer to www.9920bulletinawardrotarysouthpacific.org)/ rotarydistrict9920.org

RC Ellerslie Sunrise

New Zealand Clubs

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE SHIELD

For the best attendance at Conference by the Clubs within New Zealand. This is on the same basis as the Colty Cup, excluding the Host Club. Donated by PDG Graham and Merle Bishop.

RC Papatoetoe Central

PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Awarded for a District Club Project impact on non-rotarians, relative to the size and resources of the club.

RC Pagopago

PUBLICITY IN ACTION AWARD

Awarded for the best public relations initiative that a Rotary Club in the District undertakes within the Rotary Year.

Criteria has changed, refer to www.9920clubpublicity.rotarysouthpacific.org/ rotarydistrict9920.org

RC St John's

RANGITOTO TROPHY

Awarded to the Rotary Club in the District that is involved in the most significant Environmental Project undertaken within the Rotary Year.

RC Suva

THE DR CATHERINE HAMELIN AWARD

Presented to a Rotarian in District 9920 who has shown outstanding Rotary Service to the Community

John Boscawen

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

And for District Governor Malina's Extras!

Best dressed Rotarians	Ron and Sharon Seeto
Best dancers	John and Frances Fothergill
Most Enthusiastic Rotarian	Daisy Ping
Absolutely Fabulous Mentor	Jennie Herring
Most Supporting Son	Jordan Raghwan

‘Onja’ brings a self-funding computer training venture to one of the world’s poorest countries

Naulette sits Onja’s exam which tests computer programming aptitude. A Rotary Global Grant Application, led by District 9920 and the Rotary Club of St Johns, with the support of five of six Rotary Districts in New Zealand was approved by Rotary International in mid-July, securing the first-year funding for the Onja project, which will “utilise Madagascar’s untapped human talent” for a unique computer programming venture.

SPECIAL MOVIE SCREENING BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF FRANKLIN RAISES $1000 FOR THE PUEHUNUI WAKA AMA TEAM

On Wednesday 23^rd May 2018, The Rotary Club of Franklin held a special screening of Agatha Christie’s ‘Crooked House’ at Pukekohe’s Cinema Three. This event raised $1000 to help Tuakau’s Puehunui Master Women’s Waka Ama team get to the World Championships in Tahiti departing 18 July 2018

Tooling Up at the Tutu Rural Training Centre- Taveuni, Fiji

Ellerslie Sunrise Rotary member David Broadhead continues to do wonderful work co-ordinating the club's participation in this programme of collecting tools, equipment and machinery that is no longer being used here, and donating them to the schools and institutions in Fiji and elsewhere to help them educate and train young people to have productive lives.

World Press Photo Exhibition - snapshots of humanity

Brought to Auckland by the Rotary Club of Auckland, the World Press Photo Exhibition now on shows the good, the bad and the ugly sides of humanity. It is an exhibition that will invoke a range of emotions ... it is that good, it is worth visiting.

New Era for a More Modern, Dynamic Rotary

Pakuranga Tamaki River Rotary Auxiliary, the new Satellite club of Pakuranga Rotary, was formerly welcomed into the Rotary world this month. The formation and the future of this club is an example of new ways of designing the ideal Rotary club for the community it will serve and of the aspirations of its members for a vibrant club the will serve a segment of their community well. This is the start of their story and covers the journey from inception to the celebration of Monday 11 June 2018.

What is Rotary? An Unique Auckland Perspective.

A story of courage and hope in Tahiti

Pascal has become an inspiration to through his determination and courage in the face of adversity. It is because of this that all facing similar challenges will be helped in their recovery because of a significant project by Papeete-Tahiti Rotary.

Putting a huge smile on the face of a little girl facing adversity

Helping to put an everlasting smile on a truly deserving young girl who lives with incredibly challenging circumstances was the achievement of the Fundraising Quiz Night for India-Rose Clay organised by Highbrook Rotary.

From mountain to glass - clean water brings renewed life

Le Rotary E-Club 9920 Francophone recently completed a project to help a community of 30,000 people with a new reservoir that will provide a constant water supply for agriculture, and most importantly, clean drinking water for their own needs.

Lautoka Rotary's Reading Programme Restarts

Are we prepared? Yes!

There was a huge turn out to an excellent Leaders Elect Training Seminar last Sunday. The presenters were fantastic and special thanks to those who travelled from Australia and the South Island to provide insights in best practice.

Pirates all around Panmure Basin

There are some events that are so great at bringing the community together.

District Governor for 2020-2021 Announced

Craig Horrocks of RC Auckland has been confirmed as DG for 2020/2021. Members of nominating committee were present when the Chair PDG Willard Martin made this announcement to the members of the RC Auckland at the Clubs Monday meeting on 26 March 2018.

RYPEN 2018 a huge success

RYPEN 2018 was held this year at Sir Peter Blake Marine Education Centre (MERC) Long Bay. It was held from 23 to 25 March 2018.

The Year of the Dog starts in style

Imagine this: a huge room with hundreds of excited people dressed for a blacktie gala dinner to celebrate the Year of the Dog and confronted by lions and exotic dancers. Wow!

LOVE 20 and a cultural night a winning combo

A sought-after event is the annual Cultural and Charity Night hosted by the Rotary Club of Auckland South. What a night!

Are you or do you know a former Rotary Exchange Student?

High Tea

Rotary Club of Somerville hosted a 'Women in Rotary High Tea' on Saturday, with a Hats and Handbags theme. A glass of bubbles at the door set the tone (served by the only men at the event) as women arrived decked out in a huge variety of hats.

Fun Run Walk incredibly energising for so many

For the 5^th consecutive year, the Waipuna Conference Suites Highbrook Fun Run Walk hosted by Rotary Club of Highbrook, put on a substantial community event that brought people together socially for a great sense of accomplishment while also raising funds to help several deserving causes.

The sheer joy of being able to see again

Totally blind for 5 years and in one day ... sight! This is power of a Global Grant.

Leadership Development for Midwives of South Pacific Countries

Global Grant was a huge success in sending 15 midwives from remote areas of the Pacific for leadership skills training Canberra

Bring Your Own Project

The BYO (bring your own) concept is hardly new. How often do you go out for dinner and BYO! It makes you feel as though you are investing even if in a small way into the meal and evening beyond simply being there.

But here we are talking something considerably more rewarding. Projects! Bring Your Own Project (BYOP).

How often have we seen a need or opportunity in our community and said, “I wish someone would do something about that”. Now that you are a Rotarian you can say “I will do something about that”.

UPDATES on Rotary Relief Efforts re Cyclone Gita

Cyclone Gita has caused extensive damage in the Pacific. The Rotary response is though Rotary New Zealand World Community Service - information on how to support the relief effort is here and below will be media releases detailsing the evolving circumstance by date.

Four Donation Options Quoting Activity No. 333

Internet Banking 03 1702 0192208 01

Paypal at www.rnzwcs.org

Give a Little at https://givealittle.co.nz/org/rnzwcs/share

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmergencyResponseKits/

Cheque to RNZWCS Limited (Rotary New Zealand), PO Box 20309, Christchurch 8543

For more information email info@rnzwcs.org

Read on for media updates:

Rotary the original network is offering a networking opportunity. Come along.

The Rotaract Clubs of District 9920 (Auckland Region) are organizing a Rotary-Rotaract Networking Night on Tuesday the 6th of March 2018 and would love you to attend! This is being held at the Alex Bar and Eatery at Alexandra Park, close to the intersection between Greenlane East and Manukau Road and commences at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start.

Cyclone Gita Tonga

Rotary New Zealand World Community Service
Registered Charity CC26860

SUPPORT needed URGENTLY. Join with us to Make a Difference

13 February 2018

Rotary New Zealand in collaboration with Rotary Tonga, and other trusted partners in the region has launched an appeal for cash donations to provide practical support for families affected by Cyclone Gita. Catastrophic damage from the cyclone and resulting flooding are of major concern throughout the impacted region, including schools, health and community centres. Many are providing emergency shelter to vulnerable people, whose homes have been severely damaged due to violent winds, falling trees and flooding.

An evening with RI President Ian Riseley you can attend

Cyclone Gita hits the Pacific

Cyclone Gita is currently causing havoc in the Pacific and may indeed head down to New Zealand in the coming days. Rotary in New Zealand is in touch with Rotary in the Pacific: at present in communication with Rotary Clubs in Samoa and Tonga. UPDATE: You can help - for more information go to http://www.rotaryoceania.zone/Stories/cyclone-gita-devastates-tonga-how-you-can-help

Help relieve the trauma through a fun evening

Imagine being pregnant and having to ride with family in tow on a bus for miles if not hours to get to the only available hospital and then do the return journey again that night only to have to repeat this all the next day and possibly for many days all just to get the necessary treatment you need. Then imagine your joy at hearing that Rotarians from another country want to help by supporting the refurbishment of an available, but burnt out, building on hospital grounds so that there was a place you could stay in while you receive your medical care. YOU and clubs can easily help ...

Women in Rotary Special Event

Young adults between 20-28 year have a very special opportunity

Each year there is the ROTA Pacific programme over three weeks that combines both vocational and leadership training for young adults from the Pacific. Here the programme is being explained to Fiji Rotaractors.

A hit, hitting it off together - Rotary and the community

Rotary is making a difference in Tonga … a big difference. When Rotary acts together with the community the difference is even bigger and the community love it especially when it is an event where the whole family can have such fun.

Water water everywhere and, yes, there is now a safe drop to drink

SavuaSavu Rotary have a long-term safe water project for the villages throughout this Fijian Island. As seen by the picture some determination is needed to deliver and install these!

Refreshed and ready to go for 2018

Founded in 1946 to serve the villages of Tamusua and Nabukeru on the southern end of Yasawa Island in Fiji, the Shri Ram Govind Memorial School has some classrooms recently renovated thanks to a project of Lautoka Rotary club.

It is a primary school that caters for children of 2 villages namely Tamusua and Nabukeru. In front of the school is the beautiful Buasali Bay and directly opposite of the school is the famous island of Sawailau where the Sawilau caves are.

Events for you in February and March (click here to enlarge)

RotaKids starting a lifetime of service early

RC Otahuhu presented the first Rotakids Club in D9920 and also the NI with their certificates and pledge card (some could not make the presentation because of sports day). This is the third Rotakids in NZ with two in D9980. The school is Panama Road School which has numerous Rotary projects in the school

They are 8 –10 years old and have a pledge to make a difference in their school and the community and the world. On receiving their certificates they responded with a kapa haka presentation. The pictures shows some of them with them in their colourful T Shirts and with their mascot made by a Otahuhu Rotary member.

The RotaKids Pledge:

As a RotaKid, I endevour to be fair to all,

to serve my community

and to show respect to all.

Packing the latest supply of ERK’s boxes for the Pacific Islands

On Saturday 25^th November, under the grand supervision of the ERK’s Production Manager Don Bendall from the Rotary Club of Auckland, 8 willing members of Ellerslie Sunrise packed Emergency Response Kit boxes into 2 containers at the old University Site in Glen Innes in 1.5 hours. A total weight of 13,708 kilograms

Full of energy and enthusiasm the team of Ian, David, Grant, Ross, Chris, Roger, Don & Gabrielle worked together to fill the containers with no space left to spare! Except for the small gap in Container #2 where we could have placed Jenners Freightways truck driver Kevin Bailey’s daughter into the tiny space and sent her away for a holiday to Fiji.

All those present had given up their Saturday for a load of fun and good fellowship knowing that we would be “Making a Difference” to someone, somewhere in the Pacific at a time of (future) dire need.

For more news about ERK’s go to: https://www.facebook.com/EmergencyResponseKits To donate go to: https://www.rnzwcs.org/ or contact your local Rotary club.

Is this for anyone you know?

Another Rotary in action and community spirit.

Ainie Kwok of St Johns Rotary was approached by Taupaki School Fundraising Committee to assist them with some branding for the apron and cookbook “GATHER” that the school has undertaken.

She encouraged Nicola Topping, the food stylist, photographer and coordinator of the project to approach their local Rotary Club, Waiuku, to see if the Club can assist in anyway with the project. Much to the delight of fundraising committee, Rotary Club of Waiuku, through member Craig Walker, gave them seed money to get the project underway.

Malaria kills ... finding a solution through research

The Rotary E-Club 9920 Francophone continues to be extremely active on a global basis and as a participant within the Rotary Foundation Global Grant structure.

Here Past President Dr. Jean-Louis Nguyen (on the right) attended the opening of a newly equipped laboratory for malarial research at the Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM) in Lisbon. The Grant for the “Eradicate Malaria” project from The Rotary Foundation was for USD161,000 with the Host Club being the Rotary Club of Oeiras and the International Partner club being the Rotary E-Club 9920 Francophone.

Growing Membership in District 9920: A fresh initiative - Club Membership Incentives

Exciting news.

Adopting an initiative that has proven highly successful in other New Zealand-based districts the following is an new opportunity for clubs in growing their member base so that we can all do more in our communities.

Helping family. Saving lives in Samoa

Family. We want our children to enjoy happy, productive lives. As parents and family members we want to be able to enjoy getting out with our children and family to play and learn, to take part in what our community has to offer and to be able to contribute back in some way. For some this is unfortunately a challenge.

Kidney failure is not just a personal tragedy, it affects everyone associated with the affected person and is a disease that can affect people of all ages, including children.

Our vibrant Auckland 'Island' club celebrates 20 years

"Waiheke Island". The name conjures up so much that is great; Waiheke Island is a diverse community with so many cultures represented and is a destination for all of Auckland and beyond.

On Sunday evening 22 October, at The Batch Winery, the Waiheke Rotary club celebrated its 20^th anniversary. With past and present members and guests attending, along with District Governor Malini Raghwan, a very enjoyable night of comparisons of eras was had to the jazz tunes by Paul TT.

Have you entered in yet for the most fun and creative race of this year?

Picture this…Thousands of rubber ducks racing through the rapids at Vector Wero Whitewater Park. Race divisions include: Schools, Businesses and General public. Get your duck (or ducks) now for this quacky and fun event!

Quack, quack - The Great Auckland Duck Race is Sunday November 12, 2017, 8am to 12pm; a family-friendly festival and fundraiser. Partnering with Rotary Club of Manurewa-Takinini, Rotary Remuera will raise money for the Life Education Trust and other great charities. This is a great opportunity to come together to support the important work of the Life Education Trust – educating and empowering children to make healthy choices for full and healthy lives.

There will be FOUR Races

1) Business Duck Race

2) School Race: local schools are offered free ducks to decorate and race

3) Ray White Race: 65 Ray White offices are competing each with their own decorated duck

4) Everybody Race: 5,000 little yellow numbered ducks will be released into the rapids at the same time.

Full information here ... become a racer today