Join us this Thursday morning for a meeting that is sure to be interesting and informative. We will be hearing from Tricia Gerrard, one of our newer members, and we will be briefed on three new initiatives that our Club is embarking on this year. For now, let's call them the Motutapu Makeover, the Soap Box Derby, and the Rotary Ramble. There are many opportunities for you to become involved to assist the planning and organisation of these upcoming projects and events.
Last weekend, our club organised the Auckland competition for the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards - held at AUT. Isabella, Nick and I ran the event involving 4 judges assessing science presentations by secondary school and university students. In presenting about their topic of choice, students had to demonstrate how their subject would benefit New Zealand economically, environmentally and socially. The winners from Auckland will go to Wellington for the finals in September, and compete for many prizes including $10,000 for the overall winner. This event is run nationally by the Rotary Eureka Trust.
Looking ahead to our next 2 evening meetings:we are near to capacity for3 Aug., when Peter Lester will give us the "Inside Story on the America's Cup" - last chance to RSVP to Brian Fergus. Later we will invite you to register for 7 Sept. to meet with Rotary International delegates visiting from Rotary Institute.
Please also register for the last places for restoration planting or plant nursery work on Motutapu Island - on Sunday 20 August. A final reminder will be sent shortly.
Roger is a member of the Pakuranga Rotary Club. He has always had a passion and involvement with plants and is General Manager of Trees for Survival which has been around since 1991. This is an environmental education programme which involves young people growing and planting native trees to restore natural habitats by helping landowners revegetate erosion prone land, improve stream flow and water quality and increase biodiversity. The Trees for Survival programme creates community partnerships by reconnecting schools, their community, local businesses and Councils all working together to restore our natural flora.
Our Club is a great supporter of the RYE programme, hosting every second year. Our most recent exchange student Henning (from Germany) returned home just last month and many of us miss watching him work his way through three rounds of breakfast! Henning's hosting families are also enjoying (via Messenger) his cheeky updates on life back at home. St Johns members who have welcomed and hosted exchange students will be very aware how enriching the hosting experience is. Other members not in the position to host, have still enjoyed the fun of whisking away our student for weekend excursions; sharing day outings; or simply having "our student" for a meal in their home.
We know this programme is life changing for the students we host, and for the students our District sends out. We also know that RYE participants are put through a very stringent selection process and are incredibly well prepared for their exchange. Really sadly, because of the difficulty in securing host clubs and families, RYE District Committee is extremely worried (and somewhat shamed) that the RYE programme is struggling to survive in Auckland.
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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Roger is a member of the Pakuranga Rotary Club. He has always had a passion and involvement with plants and is General Manager of Trees for Survival which has been around since 1991. This is an environmental education programme which involves young people growing and planting native trees to restore natural habitats by helping landowners revegetate erosion prone land, improve stream flow and water quality and increase biodiversity. The Trees for Survival programme creates community partnerships by reconnecting schools, their community, local businesses and Councils all working together to restore our natural flora.
Our Club is a great supporter of the RYE programme, hosting every second year. Our most recent exchange student Henning (from Germany) returned home just last month and many of us miss watching him work his way through three rounds of breakfast! Henning's hosting families are also enjoying (via Messenger) his cheeky updates on life back at home. St Johns members who have welcomed and hosted exchange students will be very aware how enriching the hosting experience is. Other members not in the position to host, have still enjoyed the fun of whisking away our student for weekend excursions; sharing day outings; or simply having "our student" for a meal in their home.