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The President's Pen

Kia Ora,

Apologies for missing last week's meeting but I believe IPP Robyn did a fantastic job of hosting the meeting.

This week we will have an Easter April Fools quiz followed by some fellowship before everyone heads off for their Easter Weekend.

Look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.

Take care
Hugh
President: Rotary Club of St Johns
Phone: 021 0813 7313

Stories
Meeting in Review - Thursday March 25th 2021
We had a good turnout last week with 33 members and guests in attendance

Memory – relevant to everyone and most of us want more!  Our guest speaker Gillian Eadie, gave us a lot to think about and to work on, in an important and practical address ‘Brain-Fit for Life’ as part of March’s Brain Awareness Month.  Gillian is CEO and co-founder, with her sister Dr Allison Lamont, of the Brain and Memory Foundation http://memory.foundation.  She is also very experienced in Rotary with her husband a past DG of D9970.

Key messages included:

·         Capture ‘top of mind’ items. Try to quickly record and define actions to close off our many ‘open loops’, the need-to-be-done unfinished tasks that can otherwise distract us from our main thoughts;

·         Memory let-downs are normal.  Respect the amazing complexity of our brain – with 100 billion neurons, the dendrites of which Gillian called the ‘trees of the mind’;

·         Stay in the present!  We remember when we pay deliberate attention.  Our short-term memory can hold 7 (± 2) items simultaneously, so slow down and avoid overload;

·         Use your non-dominant hand for simple actions like placing your keys or glasses.      This can help your brain to notice the difference and recall where and when;

·         Rehearse memories to activate the memory trace in your brain;

·         Walking and other physical exercise – good for body AND memory;

·         TAKE ACTION to minimise any negative impact of aging on memory.

Wanting more? Gillian provides on-line Brain Tune memory courses, and a free ‘Memory News’: Sign up here.

Club Activities & Other Important Dates to Diary
THURSDAY APRIL 1st - now BREAKFAST MEETING - IN-HOUSE EASTER QUIZ & APRIL FOOLERY
Moved to a Breakfast meeting so Members hoping to get away as early as possible for a well-earned Easter break, can do so. Come along and enjoy a hearty breakfast; an Easter Quiz and some April Foolery.  Hot Cross Buns and Easter treats have been ordered!
 
 
THURSDAY APRIL 8th - BREAKFAST MEETING - Speaker Rosie Boxall.
Rosie is in NZ thanks to a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship.  She is hosted by RC of Otahuhu and living in Ponsonby.  She is studying for a Master of Arts in Sociology at the University of Auckland and her research project is looking at how Pākehā New Zealanders respond to learning about New Zealand’s history (and other societal issues), and the implications (and potential) this has for peace-building and relationship building.  Rosie will talk to us about her studies and her Rotary journey.
 
 
 
FRIDAY April 9th - SPECIAL EVENT
St Johns Rotary's largest fundraising event of the year - our Golf Tournament
 
Now - Sold Out. Lesley is coordinating the large volunteer team who are required to run a successful tournament on the day - if you have time to help and haven't contacted her already, please do is. 
 
David is looking for more prizes and "Silent Auction" items.  If you have any suitable goods to donate or you are aware of any businesses who would like to support this fundraising effort, we would be delighted to receive any donations. Please contact David.
 
THURSDAY APRIL 15th - BREAKFAST meeting
Speaker - Peter Lester
 
We are delighted to have enticed popular America's Cup Commentator Pete Lester back to the club to give us his 'Debrief' on the America's Cup.
We Need You - ... and your ideas
Calling all club members!
 
 
Please open the above link to see how you can make a huge contribution to your club activities going forward!
Great Turnout for Food Parcel Packing
Super cool to have a team of seven of us last week, teaming up with RC Newmarket for our designated Tuesday to pack food boxes for the Salvation Army Foodbank. There was chatter time, which mostly consisted of nudging each other to 'get a move along'. Such was our 'packing prowess' we packed over 200 boxes and kept the shelf re-stockers on their toes sourcing replacement stock as quickly as possible. 
 
Here's Colin looking startled to be caught on the other side of the camera. His job last week was to re-bag bulk flour into smaller quantities.   And Beryl in action (but escaped before we got a group photo).
 
We have been offered an additional Tuesday to help out this week so maybe we can improve on last week's box count. Big thanks to Members who are able to volunteer on a weekday for busy (but fun) service.
Summary of Changes to our Meeting Schedule
Working around upcoming Public Holidays and speaker availability - some changes have been made to our normal meeting schedule over the next few months, and the following is additional information to that noted above, to allow you to update your calendar and to be sure you don't miss any activity;
 
Thursday 1st April – now a BREAKFAST meeting
INHOUSE EASTER QUIZ
Moved to a Breakfast meeting so Members hoping to get away as early as possible for a well-earned Easter break can do so.  Come along and enjoy a hearty breakfast; an Easter Quiz and some April Foolery. Hot Cross Buns and Easter treats have been ordered!
 
 
Thursday 22nd April – ANZAC BREAKFAST meeting
Special breakfast as per Club tradition with funds going to RSA.  Partners, Family and Guests welcome.
 
 
Thursday 6th May - EVENING meeting (no change - just a Promotion!).  ANNUAL INTERCLUB DEBATE
We are hosting RC Auckland East for the much-anticipated Annual Debate. Moot and team TBA.  Please let Hugh know if you have a topic suggestion or if you would like to be part of this years Debate Team.
 
 
Thursday 27th May – now an EVENING meeting,  HOSTING SPEAKER FROM LEGASEA
Rescheduled guest speaker from earlier in the year.  Partners, Family and Guests welcome.
 
Thursday 3rd June – now BREAKFAST meeting
Swapped with previous week.  As this date is immediately prior to Queens Birthday long weekend, a BREAKFAST meet allows members to make the most of the holiday weekend.
 
NB:  As speakers are booked, more details will be displayed in the Bulletin and on our website.
Note from Editor.
As was mentioned in last weeks Bulletin, Editor Pete and wife Angela have been on a South Island Road Trip, which was fantastic - what was also fantastic was, IPP Robyn stepping in to publish the last two Bulletins on top of her many other Rotary activities.  Many thanks Robyn, much appreciated - you will be kept on!
 
Also a special thank you from Ed. to Peter Buchanan, who has assisted Robyn by writing up the last two "Meetings in Review" notes, during Ed's absence.
Kev's Candid Photo Album
Kev's back in town and once again he's been clicking away - did he catch you this week!!
 
If you think this speaker is a good one, wait until I get up there!
 
 
Remember me??  Great to see you back in Auckland Ainie.
 
 
Just call me if there's a fire - I'm ready.
 
 
Talk about a Boy's club!!!
 
 
Pssst  -  do you want to come and sit with the boys?
 
 
There might be more boys in that corner, but look who has the important jobs!
 
 
Hang on, there are girls everywhere.
 
 
...and here's another!
 
 
Many thanks for taking the meeting notes Peter.
 
 
Now all of a sudden our Kev's camera started pointing at the floor. 
 
One leg to another -  Would you like to join me in the three legged race?
 
 
I still need a third leg to join the race.
 
 
Here's the third - now we have a race! 
 
Name all the legs at the next meeting and you could win a chocolate fish!!
Time For A Smile

 

 

Rotary Four Way Test
 
Next Meeting:
Breakfast Meeting;
 
Thursday 31st March 2021 
7.00.am for 7.15 am.
 
Venue - Remuera Golf Club
 
Bulletin Contents: 
  • The President's Pen
  • Meeting in Review - 25th March
  • Activities and other Important Dates
  • Salvation Army Food Packing
  • Changes to Meeting Schedule
  • Note from Ed.
  • Kev's Candid Camera Album
  • Time for a Smile
Speakers
Apr 01, 2021 7:00 AM
Inhouse Easter Quiz & Fellowship
Apr 08, 2021 7:00 AM
Rotary Global Grant Scholar (hosted by RC Otahuhu)
Apr 15, 2021 7:00 AM
America's Cup Debrief
Apr 22, 2021 7:00 AM
ANZAC DAY
Apr 29, 2021 7:00 AM
Environmental Improvements and Issues in the Eastern Bays
May 06, 2021 6:00 PM
To be revealed
May 13, 2021 7:00 AM
Club Assembly (aka Brainstorm)
May 20, 2021 7:00 AM
May 27, 2021 6:00 PM
EVENING MEETING - LegaSea NZ
Jun 03, 2021 7:00 AM
Jun 10, 2021 7:00 AM
Jun 17, 2021 7:00 AM
Jun 24, 2021
Jun 25, 2021 6:00 PM
Thanking Team of 20-21 & Welcoming in Team of 21-22
View entire list
Upcoming Events
New World Golf Tournament
Apr 09, 2021
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
 
Annual Debate with RC of Auckland East
May 06, 2021
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
MUNA 2021 (Model United Nations Assembly)
May 28, 2021 9:00 AM –
May 29, 2021 5:00 PM
 
View entire list
Meeting Responsibilities
Thursday 1 April MORNING
 
Set-Up
Cain, Miles
 
Attendance
Ingram, Robyn
 
Greeter
Richardson-Jones, Aubrey
 
Set-Down
Hutchinson, Murray
 
Stand-By
Forman, Michelle
 
Thanks & Close
Scott-Russell, Hugh
 
Thursday 8 April MORNING
 
Set-Up
Kevany, Kevin
 
Attendance
Tedcastle, Isabella
 
Greeter
Wheadon, Ruth
 
Speaker Host
Jolliffe, Cheri
 
Speaker Thanks & Close
Harris, Lesley
 
Set-Down
Fabian, Graham
 
Stand-By
Boyd, Lynette
 
Thursday 15 April MORNING
 
Set-Up
McGarry, Penny
 
Attendance
Leyland, Penny
 
Greeter
Robinson, Neil
 
Speaker Host
Key, Gary
 
Speaker Thanks & Close
Mayne, Alan
 
Set-Down
Mcphee, Angus
 
Stand-By
Bhana, Prabha
 
Thursday 22 April NO MEETING
 
Deferred for ANZAC Breakfast meeting
 
Sunday 25 April MORNING
 
Set-Up
Lewisham, John
 
Attendance
Bell, Patrick
 
Greeter
Ingram, Robyn
 
Speaker Host
Mann, Michele
 
Speaker Thanks & Close
Street, Tom
 
Set-Down
Rutherford, Christie
 
Stand-By
Jones, Simon
 
Thursday 29 April MORNING
 
Set-Up
Robinson, Beryl
 
Attendance
Hartstone, David
 
Greeter
Boyd, Lynette
 
Speaker Host
Buchanan, Peter
 
Speaker Thanks & Close
Robinson, Colin
 
Set-Down
Francis, Andy
 
Stand-By
Harris, Lesley
 

Club Contacts

President: 
Hugh Scott-Russell 021 0813 7313 
Secretary, Treasurer & Apologies: 
Alex Gatt 021 571 722
Presidents Elect: 
Penny McGarry 021 702 310   &
Lesley Harris 027 4935 498
Sergeant: 
Michelle Forman 021 0277 9456
Club Services: 
Robyn Ingram  022 0200 171 
Bulletin Editor: 
Pete Walsh 021 747 858
Membership: 
John Lewisham 021 375080
Website:  www.rotarystjohns.club
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:
John Lewisham. Ph: 021 375 080, email; jdlewisham@gmail.com
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