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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).

 
 
Our Zoom meetings are almost the norm as we continue, to fix our own brekkie and be stimulated by amazing interesting speakers - Thanks Robyn from Ohakune for arranging our speakers!
 
A shout out also to Angus for his Sergeants session, 8 questions testing our
knowledge of what's going on outside 'Lockdown' - our answers demonstrated we were mostly keeping up to date with what's going on!
 
Desley Simpson updated us on Council under Covid and what Council are  proposing both financially and water wise,
It was very interesting, both the positive actions  and the proposals to watch for! 
Thanks Desley, we believe  we are in good hands.
 
The 'close' was the  summisation that 'One size does not necessarily fit all'
On that note take care and see you next week!
 
L and P
Stories
Meeting in Review - 30th September 2021
The picture above is of the record number of Zoomers who joined us on last Thursdays Zoom Meeting - 26 members plus one guest.  Many thanks to all who joined, and hopefully you will also be able to join our next Zoom Meeting - Thursday this week 7 pm.  See writeup on James below.
 
Not too many club notices at this time, but a few recorded here for those who missed the meeting.
  • Tom extended his thanks to Brian and Graham for volunteering their time to join him interviewing candidates for the Science Forum.
  • Director Foundation Gary once again reminded members that Donations to our Charity of Choice, the Rotary Foundation, are now being sourced.  All donations will be gratefully accepted.
  • The "Orakei Volunteers Expo has been cancelled and a new date is yet to be confirmed.
  • A huge thank you to Michele Mann  for her donation to the Museum from the ANZAC Day Breakfast Trust.
  • ...and once again thanks to Angus for the Sergeants session and his breakfast quiz keeping us all on top of what's going on in the world outside the Auckland Lockdown! 
Our good friend and fellow Rotarian, Desley Simpson, was our guest speaker and she was introduced by Co-President Penny.  Desley is, of course, the Orakei Ward Auckland City Councillor and she has been an advocate and representative for the Eastern Bays area since 2007.  Desley is a second term Councillor and she chairs the Finance and Performance Committee, the Value for Money Committee and the Auckland Domain Committee as well as being a member of many other council committees.  
 
Her presentation focused on recent and and current issues, the impact of Covid19 on our city and residents, the significant financial savings made by the Council over the last year and the challenges and what is planned for our city going forward.
 
Needless to say, the challenges facing the City are huge, and her commitment to the Ward is well known and she re-emphasised that she welcomes contact from any of the public who wish to talk to her about any issue or ask questions that they may have.  Desley also acknowledged that many residents are currently feeling very concerned about Covid, the impact, their safety, the future and many other aspects and she recommended that if anyone needed to "talk to someone", Text 1737.  This text is accessible 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is fronted by trained professionals from the National Telehealth Service.
 
Many thanks again Desley, for your time and the very detailed update and summary of Council activity, past, present and future.  We look forward to catching up with you again soon and you are, of course, welcome to join us when we are once again meeting face to face.  
 
 
Club Meetings and Other Important Dates
THURSDAY OCTOBER 7th - DINNER ZOOM MEETING 7.00 pm - Guest Speaker - James Palmer.  Unfortunately Covid19 restrictions continue to dog our plans to return to face to face meetings,  However, James has generously agreed to present over Zoom this Thursday at  the new time of 7.00 pm.

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.

 

THURSDAY OCTOBER 14th - BREAKFAST MEETING 7.00am for 7.15am - Venue Remuera Golf Club.  Guest Speaker; To Be Advised - watch this space!!

 

THURSDAY OCTOBER 21st - BREAKFAST MEETING 7.00am for 7.15am - Venue Remuera Golf Club.  Guest Speaker; To Be Advised - watch this space!!

 

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 27th - JOINT BREAKFAST MEETING WITH AUCKLAND HARBOURSIDE ROTARY.

 

THURSDAY OCTOBER 28th - MEETING CANCELLED IN-LIEU OF JOINT MEETING WEDNESDAY 27th AS ABOVE.

From the In-Box - Polio All Transit Event
The following email has been sent to St. Johns Rotary from Kirsten Hawke - Event Organiser
 
Kirsten Hawke <kirsten.astillhawke.co.nz@clubrunner.email> wrote:
Dear Peter
 
Districts 9910 and 9920 will co-host the Polio All Transit event on the Auckland Transport Network and this year we had planned to return BIGGER and BETTER but COVID has once again thrown a spanner in the works!
 
The event we had planned in October 2021 has now been postponed and the date has been moved to FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25th 2022.
 
Our plan is that teams dressed in red "End Polio" apparel will ride 40 stations on the Auckland Transport (AT) Train Network and 12 Ferry terminals. At each station or terminal visited there will be a local Rotary Club also dressed in red End Polio apparel in "a sea of red"
 
It is anticipated we will not only raise awareness and funds for the End Polio Campaign but it is also an opportunity for local clubs to promote Rotary and invite interested people to join or engage with their club and for
 
GREAT FUN & FELLOWSHIP!  SAVE THE DATE!
From the In-box - Invitation to Hear Guest Speaker at eClub 9920

The following e-mail has been sent to all St. Johns Rotary members, inviting them to Zoom in to hear District eClub 9920 next guests speaker.

Dear Presidents and Secretaries of the Rotary District 9920,

Our next Club meeting will deal on Dental Anthropology with prof. Jelena Dumancic, Associate Professor of the University of Zagreb (Croatia). What can teeth tell us about ancient human remains? Join us Tuesday the 5th of October at 8 pm CET (7 am Auckland, NZ) to learn more! Meeting will be recorded. 

Simply join at the scheduled time and date using our Club zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3459181630

Prof. Emilio Nuzzolese 

President Rotary eClub 9920, District 9920

Dentist - Forensic Odontologist (PHF 2R)

Researcher and Professor of Legal Medicine, University of Turin, Italy

Member of Rotary International since 2004, Rotary ID #6347653.

Time For A Smile
Life under Lockdown and Covid19
 
  • What’s the best way to avoid touching your face? A glass of wine in each hand.
  • Day 121 at home and the dog is looking at me like, “See? This is why I chew the furniture!”
  • My husband purchased a world map and then gave me a dart and said, “Throw this and wherever it lands—that’s where I’m taking you when this pandemic ends.” Turns out, we’re spending two weeks behind the fridge.
  • My mum always told me I wouldn’t accomplish anything by lying in bed all day. But look at me now, ma! I’m saving the world!
  • I thought you had to wear a mask when entering businesses. They kept yelling at me to put on some pants.
  • I’ve gained so much weight during lockdown my bathroom scale is telling me that it can only weigh one person at a time.
  • Nail Salons, hair salons, waxing centers and tanning places are closed. It’s about to get ugly out there.
  • If there’s a baby boom nine months from now, what will happen in 2033? There will be a whole bunch of quaranteens.
  • What did the astronauts say to NASA when they notified them that their mission was complete and they could return to earth? Thanks, but no thanks.
  • What did the virologist say to the public? Probably the opposite of what he’ll tell them next week.
 
Read more...
Rotary Four Way Test
 
Next Meeting:
 
Evening Zoom Meeting.
Link to follow via email.
 
Thursday October 7th, 7.00pm 
 
 
Contents:
  • Presidents Pen
  • Meeting in Review - September 30th 2021
  • Club Meetings & Other Important Dates
  • From the Inbox
  • Time for a Smile
Speakers
Oct 07, 2021 6:00 PM
New Zealand’s Housing Crisis: An overview of the real stats and state of housing in NZ
Oct 14, 2021 7:00 AM
Oct 21, 2021 7:00 AM
Oct 27, 2021 6:00 PM
TBA
Oct 28, 2021 7:00 AM
Combined meeting with RC Auckland Harbourside
Nov 04, 2021 6:00 PM
Scott Brown Carpentry
Nov 11, 2021 7:00 AM
New CEO Tamaki Regeneration Company
Nov 11, 2021 7:00 AM
Nov 18, 2021 7:00 AM
Nov 19, 2021 6:00 PM
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Orakei Volunteer Expo (TBC - in Level 1)
Auckland Netball Centre
Oct 30, 2021
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
 
View entire list

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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