Pictured above are most of the 24 members and 1 guest who zoomed in for our meeting last Thursday. It was also loverly to see HM and PP Ainie participating in the meeting!
Our Guest Speaker was Simon O'Connor, our local MP. He is a member of the National Party and is the Opposition Spokesperson for Customs, and Associate Spokesperson for Housing and Social Development. He is also Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade committees.
DG Elect Allan Smith introduced Simon, although after Angus's Quiz, "20 things you should know about Simon", there wasn't much more to say!
In his address Simon covered off, and shared, his perspective on a wide range of subjects, both those impacting locally and nationally, such as; Covid19 and associated issues; Lockdowns and their impact on people and businesses, MIQ (availability & special cases), Elimination Strategy, Testing, and Vaccination's.
Other subjects raised, specifically linked to the Eastern Bays electorate, included; the growth of crime in the area, the introduction of Community Patrols, Social Housing and Afghani Refugees. He also touched on the Economy and the state of the National Party and Leadership. All in all a very comprehensive range of subjects were raised followed by an active Q & A. Thanks Simon for your time and your interest and support of St. Johns Rotary.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd - BREAKFAST ZOOM MEETING 7.30 am- Guest Speaker Ann Dunphy & Libby Barrett:
Do you know about the Rotary "Reading Enrichment Programme", (REP)?
REP is a programme that has been running for 20 years – but somewhat under the radar! It aspires to raise student literacy levels by offering professionally supervised one-on-one sessions with students, at set times, and worked within the school timetable. The programme was set up at One Tree Hill College by past principal Ann Dunphy and businessman Harvey Alison, representing the Penrose Rotary Club.
Students are paired with volunteer reading tutors, who give up their time to coach students to help them with basic literacy principles and gain more understanding (and therefore more enjoyment and motivation to read) from the texts they work on. REP is now offered at seven high school. Our club member Alex Gatt has been a Tutor for this programme for many years and can’t speak more highly of it.
This week we are delighted that Ann will be joining us to tell us about the programme, along with Libby who has been the volunteer-REP coordinator at One Tree Hill College for 20 years; and our own Alex Gatt will also make a special appearance and share his experience as a Tutor.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30th - BREAKFAST Meeting, via ZOOM, 7.30 am - Guest Speaker Desley Simpson:
Desley is an Auckland Councillor representing the Orakei Ward. Prior to that she was Orakei's Local Board Chair, a role she held unopposed for 6 years since the formation of the Super City in 2010. Desley is known to many of our members and most recently 'entertained' us as a member of the Rotary Club of Auckland East Debating team, during our annual interclub debate.
We look forward to hearing what is currently keeping Desley super busy in her role as Councillor.
THURSDAY OCT 7th - DINNER MEETING 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm. This could well be our first Face to Face Meeting for some-time. Due to Level 2 restrictions we are limited in the size of the meeting. Be sure to RSVP to PP / Club Services Director Robyn I. to secure your seat at this Dinner meeting. Guest Speaker - James Palmer:
An overview of the real stats and state of housing in New Zealand, and a discussion on some of the solutions needed to tackle New Zealand’s greatest social crisis since the Great Depression.
James Palmer, BA, LLB - Chief Executive, Community Finance and Christian Savings.
Christian Savings is New Zealand’s only registered charity that is also licensed by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as a non-bank deposit taker. Christian Savings manages over $225m, with over $180m in loans to a range of not-for-profits and Community Housing Providers.
James identified a need to grow impact investing to help meet New Zealand’s significant housing crisis. He founded and launched Community Finance in 2019. Community Finance is now New Zealand’s largest open impact investment intermediary established to facilitate investment into affordable housing. The core focus is on permanent solutions delivered by reputable organisations who are equipped to take care of our most vulnerable New Zealanders. Community Finance has already advanced over $50 million to Community Housing Providers such as The Salvation Army and Community of Refuge Trust. In 2021, Community Finance launched the Aotearoa Pledge to raise an additional $100m for impact investing through the housing sector. By April 2021, $71m had already been pledged from a range of fund managers, KiwiSaver providers and community trusts and foundations.
At the Institute of Financial Professionals of New Zealand Gala event in May, James won the coveted Emerging Leader Award for 2021.
Criteria for Donations was accepted as update, (See separate story in this Bulletin)
Trust
Board approved complying with Bruce Howe's advice and waiting for Rotary to update the Deed template before we amend our Deed.
In order to comply with 9.6 of the current Deed all Trustees will retire and the Presidents will announce the reappointed and new Trustees at the November AGM.
BeyondWater. (Speakers earlier this month). A $250 donation was approved.
District Grants 2 out of 3 applications were successful. (Basketball and Have a Go).
Science Forum. Board agreed to sponsor 3 x candidates. $3,000.
If any member, ever wishes to nominate an individual or an organisation to receive a donation from the club, there is a simple but nessessary process to follow. Please click on "Read More" here, to see the Criteria for Donations.
As discussed during our Rotary Zoom meeting last Thursday, this is your opportunity to register for tomorrow night's online webinar Membership Inspiration by Tom Gump from USA who is an excellent motivator.
Tom Gump is a Past DG and master international club builder with the Zoom webinar on Tuesday 21 September 2021 at 9.30pm NZST for a chat about things that work when you're creating a new club, and things perhaps to avoid.
Then you can either watch the webinar live, and / or the webinar recording will be sent to you a few days later to watch whenever it suits you.
I hope this email finds you safe and well in this long lockdown in Auckland and Fiji. It is a difficult time but we will get through this.
Included in this email below, is the link to a copy of the September 2021 Foundation News. It contains the normal information with regard to how to make Donations to the Foundation and also the updated list of the 2021-2022 Foundation Committee members.
It also contains information regarding a proposed Foundation Dinner in November 2021 (Covid permitting) and a way to virtually raise funds for the End Polio Campaign.
Once again St. Johns Rotary supported other clubs in the District to pack Food Boxes on behalf of the Salvation Army. The latest packing was undertaken last Wednesday September 15th and three St Johns club members, Murray H. Gary K. and Peter W. participated in what was a record day with 453 boxes packed in just under 3 hours.
We are also looking for volunteers for Wednesday September 29th - Can you help? If so please contact Murray H to register your interest; murrayh1@orcon.net.nz
St. Johns Rotary Club wishes to support this year’s POLIO ALL TRANSIT Appeal. Friday October 29th.
This is District’s appeal to raise money to defeat Polio in the world. Some 40 cases still arose last year in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Rotary and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have invested over USD 1 Billion so far and the campaign is working.
On the 29th October, Rotarians will have free use for the day of the AT network; Ferries, Trains and buses, (where substituting for trains) when wearing Rotary gear. We can collect donations; carrying pails but really the collection is now using QR codes to enable internet banking. We want a good turnout. It is proposed that the St Johns members pickup the train at Orakei / Meadowbank at 7.45am. Ride the train to Swanson; have a coffee and return. Keen riders head out South to Puhinui Road station then Pukekohe. Others ride the ferries to Waiheke.
The club has traditionally donated to the Appeal and we would like to do the same again this year.
Can you help?? Please contact Murray H. asap; murrayh1@orcon.net.nz
Hundreds of great people will be coming to the Orakei Volunteer Expo to find out more about the volunteering opportunities in their community and St Johns Rotary will be there to let them know that they can enjoy this with us.
What we need is some of our great members to be at the stand to chat about the greatness of St Johns Rotary - our people, our projects, our fun - to these prospective volunteers, sponsors or members. The event is on Saturday 30 October from 10am to 2pm at the Auckland Netball Centre, 7 Allison Ferguson Drive, St Johns (so easy to get to and loads of parking). Colin is organising the display and what we need to be doing when there and is the person to call today 021 652 801 and say "YES - I will help"... we need 4 people at least (2 on the stand and 2 floating handing out material and generally being visible). All will be wearing club shirts or a hi-viz vest.
Covid-19 issues: The event will only happen at Level 1 so will be safe (but the date may change) for larger number of people attending and usual Covid requirements will be followed.
This event is an MS Fundraising event, brought to us by Honerary Member Donald Bowie. Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions the proposed walk has been postponed and has now been rescheduled for 19th November, dependent on Auckland being in level 1.
Should any members who purchased tickets have questions, please contact Donald at; donald.bowie.dbc@gmail.com
Our past member and now St Johns HM and Taupo Rotary Club Member, Donald Bowie is still very active with the MS Society in Auckland. In this position he has asked the good members of St. Johns to consider supporting the following MS Fundraiser.
All details are in the flyer below and it would be great if a good sized group from St. Johns are able to support the event - all subject to Covid19 restrictions of course.
The Private Travel Company (PTC), have put together a unique tour, for Remuera Rotary Club, family and friends, and members of St. Johns Rotary are invited to join fellow Rotarians from Remuera Rotary.
PTC have been very fortunate to secure accommodation in the Chatham Islands in February 2022 when the weather is as good as it ever will be down there.
If you are interested in finding out more on the tour, itinerary dates and cost, please contact Cindy Bakewell on;
Co-Presidents St. Johns Rotary, Penny McGarry (Ph: 021 702 310), and Lesley Harris (Ph: 027 4935 498).
Pictured above are most of the 24 members and 1 guest who zoomed in for our meeting last Thursday. It was also loverly to see HM and PP Ainie participating in the meeting!
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30th - 
THURSDAY OCT 7th - DINNER MEETING 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm. This could well be our first Face to Face Meeting for some-time. 
