St Johns Rotary actively connects with communities locally and globally. Our members are men and women ranging from young professionals to the more experienced and are a group diverse across backgrounds and cultures joined together with a passion for community service and friendship. The achievements of the club members, often joined by family, are significant and appreciated by the community at large. Members are encouraged to include family and friends in club activities.
Didn’t we all have a great time at the annual debate with Auckland East. It was a friendly rivalry but at the same time all of us had so much fun. Our team led by Roger, Nick and Ben had all of us in stitches with laughter and it will be one of my highlights for my year.
But I am so proud to be the president of the most irreverent and best club in the District. Over the weekend, twelve of our members attended the District Conference at Royal NZ Yacht Squadron. We were treated to great, inspiring and thought provoking speakers.
Throughout the Conference, awards were given to Clubs for various achievement and Annie & I were so stoked and happy to win the Jack Smallfield Bulletin Award. Annie have put in a lot of efforts and we could not have done it without Colin’s help along the way. A big thanks to Colin for always answering and fixing our problems with Clubrunner.
On Sunday, we were awarded the Rangitoto Trophy for our involvement with the environmental projects undertaken throughout the year. It was a benefiting award for our president elect, Peter Buchanan as our focus for the upcoming Rotary year will be the environment and sustainability.
Our Club retained the most coveted Changemaker Trophy awarded to the best club in the District.
All of the above is everyone’s efforts and let’s give each other a big high fives on Thursday morning meeting. I look forward to listening to Alan Mayne on sustainability and I will also be able to update members on the Mrytle Rust found in Northland where Peter Buchanan will be working in the next few days.
During the weekend, it was humbling to see Geoffrey Amos and his eleven members of the Rotary Club of Taveuni working on projects far beyond our comprehension. As a small gesture, I have made our social evening meeting 8 June with a purpose. It will be a fundraiser evening, still with live music and friends but all monies raised for the evening will be going towards the Taveuni Projects. Please support the event by being there with family and friends.
An invitation to club members to attend the opening gala night of "Seussical", Thursday 11 May 2017, 615pm at Glendowie College. It will be a great production as always and if you like to go, please RSVP direct to Debbie (5759128 ext 102).
The great debate: that Donald Trump is the greatest US president of the 21st Century!
In the immortal words of our second speaker, Ben “We were definitely of extent, amount, intensity and eminence considerably above Auckland East!” Aka Greatest!
From the presentation of the affirmative debating team resplendent with red caps emblazoned with “Make America Great Again” and Donaldesuqe hairdos the opposition in frumpy attire had no chance.
The extent and enormity of the overwhelming evidence of the affirmative case presented with eloquence, panache and flair from statues to statistics and the man’s own diatribe the Case was firmly established and needed no defence!!
We were definitely of extent, amount, intensity and eminence considerably above Auckland East!
We attended a very enjoyable, inspiring and thought provoking District 9920 conference held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Westhaven. The Conference commenced on a perfectly glorious Friday afternoon with either some of us sailing - well more like adding ballast - (Robyn, Michelle, Annie) in the Rotary Conference Sailing Rum Race which was much fun in particular listening to a few old sea dog stories while others (Ainie) chose a more sedate cruise on a spectator boat. Our first WIN was with our very own Miles winning the golf tournament with the ball closet to the 16th hole. So with Miles setting the bar high there was a promise of more to come.
The theme of the Conference was the 'Power of One, Connecting for Good'. With this in mind the Speakers delivered incredible, entertaining, funny and thought provoking talks kicking off with Nigel Latta, well known author and TV personality on Saturday morning followed by Nanogirl Michelle Dickinson whose energetic and infectious presentation was a delight with all of us believing we can be engineers! The Conference Saturday night 'Hello Sailor' party was much fun with a number of people seriously dressing up. The meal and live music delivered a great party and some fancy dance moves were noted.
Sunday also bought a beautiful day with Sir Ray Avery theming his presentation around 'Change the World'. He talked about the power of observation which has shaped his life from being a small abandoned boy in London. A very eloquent story teller we were left in awe of how he overcame the hard knocks he experienced in childhood which was not too dissimilar to the final key speaker called Cam Calkoen; a guy with cerebral palsy presenting his take on 'Being Awesome' - he left the audience feeling very humble and grateful of this truly awesome person.
The Rotary Club of St Johns is AWESOMELY proud of being awarded the best Bulletin (yes that is correct). A big thank you must go to Ainie and Colin who have provided tremendous support and encouragement. We received another two awards namely the Rangitoto Trophy and the much prized Changemaker Trophy and to top it off we won a gift basket which will be raffled off on 8 June. All in all we attended a fabulous conference and spent time with fantastic people. I encourage you to attend next years conference 6-8 April in Denarau, Fiji. You will not be disappointed.
Starring: Larry Morris, Fiona McDonald, Shane Cortese, Mike Chunn, Peter Urlich, Jordan Luck and many more will be taking the stage, to celebrate difference and recognize talent and courage with songs like - I Feel Good, Why Does Love Do This To Me,Let’s Think Of Something, Stuff And Nonsense, Blackbird, Rust In My Car.
We aim to, not only raise community awareness for Autism but, to also provide funds for Autism NZ’s Employment Program a program that assists people with autism to find suitable, paid employment in mainstream settings.
Venue:Sacred Heart College Auditorium, 250 West Tamaki Rd, Glendowie
Date: Saturday 13 May 2017
Time: 6pm for festive family food and refreshments (cash)
7pm Doors for show (with intermission concludes by 10pm)
We are the greatest! People are flocking to our membership because of this but there is more to our club than that. We WANT people just to know more about us because, yes we like new members, but also YES we like people to support our projects by taking part, to be sponsors and to refer others to us.
You can help very easily! Really, it is so easy.
First you 'Like' our club Facebook page - even if you have Facebook and don't use it much / at all. To do this click on the big blue " f " to the left.
Second, as you see posts from the club - and they will be interesting - you can 'Share' these (the 'Share' is at the bottom of each post) and, this is important, if you can just add your own personal 'take' or thoughts about the post to the top - all will be obvious when you do this.
In Sharing you are telling a whole new bunch of people about our club and because the Share comes from you, they will read it because the trust YOU.
President Elect Peter Buchanan presented the Club's objectives and plan for 2017/18 titled ' Looking Ahead To: 1 July 2017 – 30 June 2018. Peter provided some background to the establishment of a new committee - the 'Environment and Science Committee'. Peter referred to Ian Riseley, Rotary International President-Elect and the 2017/18 presidential theme of Rotary: Making a Difference stating that ''the time is long past when environmental sustainability can be dismissed as not Rotary’s concern. It is, and must be, everyone’s''.
The new vision includes a new committee setup "Environment & Science" which amongst other projects will be:
Environment - Acting Locally
Restore Motutapu Island - weeding, planting, renovation and painting
Restore Waiatarua Reserve - annual planting
Clean up Tamaki beaches
School involvement in Trees for Survival Program
Environment - Acting Globally
Our club is also one of the first few clubs to be inducted into The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG). http://esrag.org/
Sciences
National Science & Technology Forum - D9920 coordination
Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka Awards - Auckland Region coordination
The Board of Directors for 2017/2018 are as follows:
The Club meets Thursday for breakfast at 7am for 7.15am start except for the first Thursday of the month, when the Club meets in the evening at 6pm for dinner
Venue is the Remuera Golf Club, 120 Abbotts Way, Remuera, Auckland, 1072, New Zealand.
All Rotarians are welcomed including Rotarian family members.
Others wanting to visit are most welcome to contact Peter Walsh walshp@xtra.co.nz to arrange an invitation.
Be an active participant in our vibrant club
Did you join Rotary to do good things in the community?
Below are some of the opportunities you can take part in. You do not have to be a member of the committee organising these to go to the director and / or project team leader and offer to take on a role. In most cases you can include family and friends. Enjoy you Rotary: Be an active Rotarian.
Meetings are an enjoyable time for socialising/networking, planning and some learning
Partners, family and friends are always welcome but if possible please let Club Service Director know for numbers (don't want to run out of the great food). Of course, evening meetings with the high-profile speakers are an especially ideal time to invite people.
If you are rostered for any duty, but unable to undertake the duty due to absence, it is your responsibility to arrange for another member to step in and undertake your duty in your absence. This cannot be the individual rostered as “On the Day Standby”. Everyone’s cooperation in this regard will be much appreciated.
The great debate: that Donald Trump is the greatest US president of the 21st Century!
We attended a very enjoyable, inspiring and thought provoking District 9920 conference held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Westhaven. The Conference commenced on a perfectly glorious Friday afternoon with either some of us sailing - well more like adding ballast - (Robyn, Michelle, Annie) in the Rotary Conference Sailing Rum Race which was much fun in particular listening to a few old sea dog stories while others (Ainie) chose a more sedate cruise on a spectator boat. Our first WIN was with our very own Miles winning the golf tournament with the ball closet to the 16th hole. So with Miles setting the bar high there was a promise of more to come. 
Sunday also bought a beautiful day with Sir Ray Avery theming his presentation around 'Change the World'. He talked about the power of observation which has shaped his life from being a small abandoned boy in London. A very eloquent story teller we were left in awe of how he overcame the hard knocks he experienced in childhood which was not too dissimilar to the final key speaker called Cam Calkoen; a guy with cerebral palsy presenting his take on 'Being Awesome' - he left the audience feeling very humble and grateful of this truly awesome person. 
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