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The Presidents' Pen

Co-Presidents St. Johns Rotary, Penny McGarry (Ph: 021 702 310), and Lesley Harris (Ph: 027 4935 498).

 

Lots of reminders this week, Thanks to Hugh who has championed the Foodbank collection on Saturday. He is pleased to report that with the help of CAB volunteers all 'slots' were filled.  Great Rotary project, and thanks to Rotarian Graham  for providing the New World Stonefields support.

Stop Press - Last shift reports via Co President Penny -  Wonderful effort 80 boxes of food donations and $177 in cash for the CAB, what a generous community we live in.  Thanks to everyone who helped - It is always good to be part of the team in action- feeling good doing good in the community.

A reminder that the Rugby fellowship event is being held Saturday 7 August, see Bulletin for details, don't forget to RSVP ! - Go the AB's !

Also planning for the Quiz (September 10) in underway, let's make it an extraordinary fund raising event, get your teams ready!

Tom asked for Volunteers to do Youth projects and the call went out for any volunteers to serve as Trustees

Our '"new sergeant" Cheri posed a splendid set of questions that taxed our early morning brains, and we welcomed back the familiar face of Conrad Le Ponte, from Habitat for Humanity, who gave us an update on their housing policies and progress.

Oh we nearly forgot... It was Tom's birthday

Next week is a dinner meeting  and certainly 'RYLA flavoured' as we hear about their RYLA experiences from our sponsored candidates. We are also being joined by some members of the RYLA District Committee. It may be a good opportunity to encourage younger members of your family to come along, don't forget to RSVP

Exciting times in Rotary and more to come

L and P

 
Stories
Meeting in Review - July 29th 2021
A small group of 17, including two guests, were present at last weeks breakfast meeting.  Our guest speaker was Conrad La Pointe from Habitat For Humanity, (HFH), and an overview of his talk is included below.  It was also our good fortune to welcome Gary's eldest grandchild, Odessa, to our meeting, who was spending some quality school holiday time with Poppa.  What a charming young lady!  
 
Prior to listening to Conrad, Co-Presidents Penny & Lesley reminded all of the activity calendar for the next few weeks - and a busy one it is.  Some of these activities are the subject of a separate story in this Bulletin, but a brief summary of what lies ahead is;
  • August 5th - Dinner Meeting - RYLA Awardees talk about their experiences,
  • August 7th - Club FUNdraising event.  Pizza and All Blacks, (What a combination).  See separate story below and please RSVP to PP Robyn Ingram asap
  • August 22nd - Churchill Park Open Day
  • August 29th - Rotary Leadership Institute Training - Parts 2 & 3.  Interested?  Please contact either Penny or Lesley.
  • August 30th - Joint Meeting with the Rotary Club of Remuera. (Note no St. Johns Dinner Meeting September 2nd),
  • September 10th - St. Johns Fundraising Quiz night - more details to follow.  (Note no St. Johns Meeting September 9th).
Prior to moving to our guest speaker, our Co-Presidents advised the meeting of the requirement we have of rotating Trustee's on the St. Johns Rotary Trust.  As per the constitution this process now needs to be completed.  It is not an onerous role and as a trustee you are exposed  to another aspect of our Rotary club.  If any members are interested please contact either Lesley or Penny for more information.
 
Conrad has spoken to our club on numerous occasions during HFH's 25 years in New Zealand and he felt that, as we all had a good understanding of the basic work undertaken by HFH, he would focus his talk more towards the challenges HFH and the country are facing at the moment when it comes to housing affordability, and housing stock availability. 
 
The present housing challenges are a very political issue and there are no easy solutions that will resolve the issues facing the country presently.  All political parties have a role to play, and over the years various parties have introduced legislation that is having minimal impact and the near term outlook is not looking positive.
 
HFH and Conrad have their own opinion on what could be, should be, and needs to be done, as do many Rotarians, to address and fix the housing related issues.  However, as this publication is not the appropriate forum to debate government policy we will leave it at that and thanks to Conrad for once again agreeing to talk to us and share his knowledge on this subject. 
 
Editor's Note: Many of our guest speakers address us with very thought provoking and excellent content.  Securing speakers is nearly a full time job, and thanks to all members for doing their best to attend meetings whenever possible.  This acknowledges the effort that goes into securing speakers, and of course a large audience helps to send a positive message to our speakers, that we very much appreciate the efforts that they have made to take the time to talk to us.  See you on Thursday!
Club Meetings and Other Important Dates
 
 
THURSDAY AUGUST 5th - Dinner Meeting - Guest Speakers; This year's St. Johns Rotary sponsored RYLA participants.
 
This year's RYLA was held from 3-10 July.  We have invited our sponsored RYLARian's to report back on their experiences.  Always an inspiring meeting - please be sure to get your RSVP in to PP Robyn, Director Club Services NOW!!  Robyn looks forward to your RSVP responses filling her inbox.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THURSDAY AUGUST 12th - Breakfast Meeting - Guest Speaker: Eddie Uini.

Orange Sky provides free laundry, warm showers and genuine conversation to people experiencing homelessness.  Eddie is the NZ Operations Manager of Orange Sky and will tell us about the NZ operation of this charitable organisation; exactly what they do and who they are helping.  Orange Sky was started in Australia in 2014 by two twenty-year olds; and then came to NZ in 2018.  https://orangesky.org.nz/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THURSDAY AUGUST 19th - Breakfast Meeting - Guest Speakers: DG Steve Chaney accompanied by DG Ashwini Sadhur; 

An address from DG Steve and AG Ashwini. will bring us up to speed with District plans and aspirations for the new Rotary year.

 

EARLY ADVICE OF CHANGES TO OUR ACTIVITY CALENDAR LATER IN AUGUST / SEPTEMBER:

  • The combined meeting with the RC of Remuera on Monday August 30th will replace the St. Johns September 2nd evening meeting.
  • Instead of our scheduled meeting on September 9th we will defer by one day and have our QUIZ night on Friday September 10th.
Foodbank Collection

Once again our club organised a very successful Foodbank collection for GI CAB.  Huge thanks to Hugh and to all others who volunteered.  

We filled 80 boxes of food donations and $177 in cash for the CAB.

Pictured above is one of the many teams who volunteered on the day.  If others have photos that they would like to see in next weeks Bulletin, don't hesitate to forward, (in JPEG Format), to the Bulletin Editor.

Club FUNdraiser
LAST REMINDER!!!
 
Let the fun begin!  It doesn't get much better than this.  A great night of fellowship, a great night of rugby, (potentially) and a great opportunity to raise some funds for "doing good in the community" .
 
Kev's Candid Camera Album
Unfortunately Candid Kev was unable to attend last weeks meeting, but without hesitation stand-in paparazzi Aubrey, added a few shots to the Candid Album;
 
 
Do you think anyone else is coming or is it just the two of us!
 
 
A very proud Grandad introducing delightful Granddaughter Odessa Key.
 
 
Even though there are not many here today Murray, I still want you to behave yourself.
 
 
For goodness sake - if you don't know the answer, just pay the fine!
 
 
Tom asking all if everyone can still see David's name on the wall above.
 
 
...And the Thank you's for Have A Go Sailing sponsorship just keep on rolling in!
 
 
...And more
 
 
Looking forward to seeing a lot larger attendance at the August 5 meeting!!
 
 
 
 
MS Fundraiser
Past member Donald Bowie has asked us to pass on this invitation to all St Johns members, to visit "Gibbs Sculpture Farm" for an upcoming MS fundraising event.
 
For those who have never visited the farm - this is a must do - you will not be disappointed.  To see more details, click on the following link;  https://www.msakl.org.nz
 
Donald also asked to pass on his best wishes to all members and he extends his sincere thanks to our club for their support of MS.
You're Invited - High Profile Speaker
On Friday 13th August the Ellerslie Sunrise Rotary Club has a guest speaker -   Professor Shaun Hendy, the lead COVID-19 modeller to the Government.
 

Shaun is a scientist, he teaches in both the Department of Physics and the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland. He was founding Director of Te Pūnaha Matatini, a national Centre of Research Excellence, and is a co-founder of the green fintech company, Toha. He has won a number of awards, including the Callaghan Medal, the Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize, and the E. O. Tuck medal for applied mathematics. In 2020, his team was awarded the Prime Minister’s Science Prize for their COVID-19 response. He co-authored Get Off the Grass with the late Sir Paul Callaghan in 2012, and has since written two other books, Silencing Science and #NoFly. 

 

Shaun is very good at describing complex science in lay persons language. He is well positioned to present the topic COVID-19 describing:

  • What exactly is COVID-19?  
  • How does it act inside our bodies?
  • Why are some variants spreading quicker than others?
  • What does Dr Ashley Bloomfield mean when he says ‘we in NZ are just at the end of the beginning of COVID-19’?
  • What does the World Health Organisation mean when they say ‘no-one will be safe from COVID-19 until everyone is safe’?  
  • The science of the current vaccines available around the world – how do they work in the body, are some better than others, etc?
  • Why has NZ chosen the vaccines it has?
  • Why should I get vaccinated if it seems people are still getting the disease after they are vaccinated?
  • AND much more including the range of questions the audience will have.
 
We would like to invite you and your members to come and join us for our breakfast meeting so you can get all the latest information on COVID.  It will be a very very interesting morning.
 
The meeting is at:
 
Ellerslie Convention Centre, Level 2, Silks Room
From 7.00am - 8.30am
Friday 13th August 2021
Breakfast cost is $28.00pp
 
It would be fantastic to have a group of Rotarians from different clubs along to join us on this special occasion.  To assist, we are happy to bill your Club direct for breakfast costs.
 
For catering purposes, could you please advise if you or your Rotary members/friends would be interested by Tuesday 10th August.
 
Kind regards
Gabrielle
 
Gabrielle Gimblett-Martin
Past President Ellerslie Rotary Club Inc
Past AG District 9920 NZ & Pacific Islands
Mobile +64 21 576 437
40 Bramley Drive, Farm Cove, Auckland 2012
An Invitation to all St. Johns Rotary Members
The Rotary Club of Somerville, has sent the following invitation to an Anniversary Fund Raising Dinner;
 
Dear Lesley,

Rotary Club of Somerville is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a fundraiser.  We would like to invite you and your club members to help us celebrate.

After 25 glorious years of selfless service to local and international communities, Rotary Club of Somerville is hosting an evening packed with charm, wit and wisdom with Chris Luxon, former CEO of Air New Zealand. Luxon will share his secret mantra on Leadership and success.

A three-course dinner with plenty of entertainments, silent and live auctions and raffles is guaranteed to make it a fun evening to remember.  All proceeds go to Rotary projects both local and international.

Book your ticket now!

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2021/rotary-club-of-somerville-25th-anniversary-fundraiser/auckland/howick

Yours in Rotary

Kathryn Harvey

Immediate Past President - Rotary Club of Somerville Inc 2020-21
Time For A Smile
After retirement, Mr Nathan aged about 65 married a young 25 year old woman.

Following his marriage he was spending less time with his friends.  His concerned friends enquired if there was a problem.

"I'm eager to pass time with you all, but my young wife gets lonely when I'm away.”

His friends advised him: "Find a young boarder to move in and your wife will be happy in the company of a younger person".

Mr. Nathan promptly acted on his friends advice and leased a room in his big house to a young boarder.

Now the friends were meeting more often, one day the friends jokingly asked, “How is your wife now?”

Mr Nathan replied - "she is not lonely at all, in fact she is happy and in fact she is pregnant'.

"And how is the tenant” the friends asked.

Mr Nathan very soberly "She is fine and also pregnant”.

Never underestimate a Senior Citizen
 
Thanks Michelle for the above.
Rotary Four Way Test
 
Next Meeting:
Dinner Meeting
 
Thursday August 5th 
6.00pm for 6.30pm
 
Venue:  Remuera Golf Club
 
Contents:
  • The Presidents' Pen
  • Meeting in Review - July 29th 2021 
  • Club Meetings & Other Important Dates
  • Foodbank Collection
  • Club FUNdraiser
  • Kev's Candid Camera
  • MS Fundraiser - Gibbs Farm
  • You're Invited
  • ...And another Invitation
  • Time for a Smile
Speakers
Aug 05, 2021 6:00 PM
RYLA 2021
Aug 12, 2021 7:00 AM
Orange Sky New Zealand
Aug 19, 2021 7:00 AM
Address from our newly appointed District Governor
Aug 26, 2021 7:00 AM
Aug 30, 2021 5:30 PM
Speaker: Allie Mooney 'Pressing the Right Buttons'
Sep 02, 2021 6:00 PM
Joining Rotary Club of Remuera - Speaker Allie Mooney
Sep 09, 2021 7:00 AM
Sep 10, 2021 6:00 PM
Sep 30, 2021 7:00 AM
Auckland Councillor
Oct 07, 2021 6:00 PM
New Zealand’s Housing Crisis: An overview of the real stats and state of housing in NZ
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Other clubs - open to all
Jun 05, 2021 – Dec 31, 2021
 
Churchill Park Open Day
Aug 22, 2021
 
Next RLI
Aug 29, 2021
 
View entire list
Meeting Responsibilities
Thursday 5 August EVENING
 
Set-Up
Gibson, Steele
 
Attendance
Mann, Michele
 
Greeter
Mayne, Alan
 
Speaker Host
Street, Tom
 
Speaker Thanks & Close
Key, Gary
 
Set-Down
Ingram, Robyn
 
Thursday 12 August MORNING
 
Set-Up
Kevany, Kevin
 
Attendance
Gatt, Alex
 
Greeter
Lewisham, John
 
Speaker Host
Boyd, Lynette
 
Thanks & Close
Cain, Miles
 
Set-Down
Hutchinson, Murray
 
Thursday 19 August MORNING
 
Set-Up
Robinson, Colin
 
Attendance
Ingram, Robyn
 
Greeter
Gulani, Namrata
 
Speaker Host
Harris, Lesley
 
Thanks & Close
Fabian, Graham
 
Set-Down
Robinson, Beryl
 
Thursday 26 August MORNING
 
Set-Up
Hillman, Mark
 
Attendance
Leyland, Penny
 
Greeter
Wheadon, Ruth
 
Speaker Host
Scott-Russell, Hugh
 
Thanks & Close
Buchanan, Peter
 
Set-Down
Bell, Patrick
 

Club Contacts

Co-Presidents': 
Penny McGarry 021 702 310 &
Lesley Harris 027 4935 498
Secretary, Treasurer & Apologies: 
Alex Gatt 021 571 722
Presidents' Elect: 
Gary Key 021 611 169 & Graham Fabian 021 826 292
Club Services: 
Robyn Ingram  022 0200 171 
Foundation: 
Gary Key 021 611 169
Community: 
Hugh Scott Russell 021 0813 7313 & John Lewisham 09 5288908.
Youth: 
Tom Street 021 685 651
Science Technology & Education:
 Peter Buchanan 027 434 1832
Sergeants: 
Michelle Forman 021 0277 9456, Angus McPhee  09 575 1007 & Cheri Joliffe 021 037 7559
Membership: 
Beryl Robinson 021 652 802. Email: berylrobinson@xtra.co.nz
Bulletin Editor: 
Pete Walsh 021 747 858. walshp@xtra.co.nz
 
Club: Email:  stjohnsrotary@gmail.com
Website:  www.rotarystjohns.club
Area Govenor:
Ashwini Sadhu
021 305 261,
email: marysadhu99@gmail.com  
Our Meetings
 
We meet Thursday for breakfast at
7:00 am for 7:15 am start,
except for the first Thursday of the month, when we meet in the evening at 6:00 pm for dinner.
 
Remuera Golf Club
120 Abbotts Way
Remuera
Auckland 1072
New Zealand 
 
All Rotarian's are welcome 
including family members.
 
Others wanting to visit are most welcome - please phone or email:
Beryl Robinson 021 652 802. Email: berylrobinson@xtra.co.nz
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