We are indeed fortunate to have Assoc. Prof. Susan St John as our speaker this Thursday evening. Susan's involvement to seek the best for our nation's least privileged children and her broad contributions to social policy in NZ, including family tax, social security, and retirement policy, was recognised in her award as Companion of the Queen's Service Order. As a leading member of the Child Poverty Action Group, Susan's comments on child poverty post the recent election are sure to be both insightful and evidence-based.
Last Sunday (yesterday as I write) was a special challenge for member Alex Smith. Alex decided to train for his first marathon run relatively recently, and ran a creditable time in the Auckland Marathon, in the process raising a substantial sum of money for charity. Congratulations Alex!
Don't miss reading about the "Project ELF" opportunity that Ainie has arranged for St Johns as a major fund-raiser. Funds raised by each of us offering to contribute will in turn enable St Johns to fund projects to help others. We are asking everyone to consider helping supervise gift wrapping by Glendowie College Interact members (elf-work) at Sylvia Park during most of December. See the booking sheets where you can indicate your choice of 3-hour shifts; open to Rotarians, family and friends. The story is worth reading just to admire the wordsmithing and branding talents of Bulletin co-editor Robyn!
See you all on Thursday evening - but if not already - you must register ASAP with Brian Fergus.
David began his presentation by advising how Rotary had shaped his life. He was a Rotary Youth Exchange student in 1970 and went to Wyoming, USA. As a result, he made strong connections with Wyoming and has since returned there five times! Presently, David is the Community Development Advisor at Tamaki Redevelopment Company “TRD” based in Glen Innes. (He began his career as a Landscape Architect, and was delighted to advise members that he did some of his first work at Waiatarua Reserve).
TRD is the urban regeneration company established to implement the Tamaki Transformation Programme in Glen Innes, Point England and Panmure. Set up in 2012, TRD is jointly owned by the Government and Auckland Council and now employs around 95 staff.
Working in partnership with the local groups (private and public sector) TRD is “behind the first urban transformation project in New Zealand” tasked with “creating a thriving, attractive, sustainable and self-reliant community where the future looks brighter for the residents of today and tomorrow” (Website: www.tamakiregeneration.co.nz/about-trc) More to read...
Welcome to Project Elf, promising to be St John’s LARGEST fundraiser for the year! Yes folks, largest fundraiser!
Project Elf (aka supervising gift wrapping at Sylvia Park) has the potential of bring in $21K for our club, shared strategically with our charter Interact Club (Glendowie College). [What kind of money do Elves use? Jingle Bills!]
What is Project Elf
Each year in the build-up to Christmas, Sylvia Park Shopping Mall offers “gift wrapping” booths to happy shoppers. These booths are manned by Elves who (for a gold coin donation) will joyfully and expertly wrap any gifts you have purchased while shopping at Sylvia Park. [What kind of music do Elves like best? Wrap music.]
What's in it for our Club? Click Read more to find out...
Glen Taylor School (led by our very own Chris Herlihy) is looking for mini scholarship sponsors for approximately 55 children hoping to attend Camp Quality this year. The camp experience (one week on Kawau Island, December 11) is a very special experience for most of these children and an expense that is often out of reach for families. Our Trust provides $3,000 for bus transport for the children but this does not cover the basic camp fees. In the past club members have assisted with the fees but sponsoring. Please consider helping again this year by becoming a mini scholarship sponsor for $70. Details on how to do this will be coming from Chris soon.
Members were advised at breakfast last week that our little club was celebrating its 28th Anniversary and two of our founding members were in attendance:
One of our Rotary projects in the community (for our Club) is on ongoing series of “garden projecst”. In 2016, the Club helped Glen Taylor School with their vegetable garden project. It was a success and throughout last year, we extended the idea and have sponsored and assisted schools within our community with their own garden projects. The schools currently involved are: Glen Innes School, Glen Taylor School, St Patricks Primary School, Churchill Park School and St Piux School.
Club members (with and without green thumbs?) including Miles Cain, Murray Hutchinson and Gary Key have put in a lot of effort to these projects this year. Click read more to see delightful photos from harvest day.
Did you join Rotary to do good things in the community?
You can help or join in all projects (whatever the committee), just contact the committee director and/or project team leader. In most cases, you can include family and friends.
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Welcome to Project Elf, promising to be St John’s LARGEST fundraiser for the year! Yes folks, largest fundraiser! 
