I understand we broke some records with our meeting numbers last Thursday evening? It was great to see a full and vibrant room of members and guests, enjoying good food and an engaging speaker in Peter Lester. I came away feeling I knew a lot more about the Cup and the boat, thanks to Peter's knowledge and willingness to explain in plain English. Afterwards, I was motivated to look at images of foiling monohull yachts - we will certainly be in for an exciting series if that's the choice for the Auld Mug in 2021.
Sam Lucas and Onja: During the past week, we heard by email from member Sam Lucas - see item below about Sam's progress with his project Onja to provide coding opportunities for gifted students in Malagasy. Be sure to check Sam's website and watch his youtube video (see link below) where you will gain an introduction to his project to lift villages out of poverty by training local students to become software developers. The venture needs a kick-start in terms of funds via crowd-sourcing, and then will become self-sustaining.
This Thursday is a great opportunity to hear from local politician Sam McDonald (Labour candidate, Tamaki) as our speaker. With Sam's personal experience of working in our community, he is motivated to assist with local needs in education, housing, inequality, and youth opportunities. This is relevant to our club's focus to assist communities in the Glen Innes and Glendowie area. Sam will be well placed to answer questions about how we can help our community, as well as outlining proposed policies.
Wow what treat we all had with Peter captivating the audience relaying the history of the America’s Cup to the present day and in particular the 35th America’s Cup held in Bermuda. Peter kicked off with how St Johns Club in 1995-96 played a vital role as founding members of a Trust administered through Yachting NZ. Josh Junior, America’s Cup ETNZ sailor (number 2 Cyclor) was a scholarship recipient. Peter acknowledged and recognised the financial commitment of the Club sponsors Graeme Fabian New World Lunn Ave and Megan Jaffe Real Estate annual golf tournament.
Peter is the ultimate sailing man who had many a tale to tell. Peter provided a potted history of the America’s Cup, 166 years old and the oldest sporting trophy in world. The trophy’s roots date back to when a syndicate of businessmen from New York sailed the schooner America across the Atlantic Ocean to represent the US at the World’s Fair in England. The schooner won a race around the Isle of Wight with Queen Victoria watching and with it, a trophy called the 100 Guineas Cup. Apparently Queen Victoria asked one of her attendants to tell her who was in second place. ”Your Majesty, there is no second,” came the reply.
Michelle the acting Sargent for the next month delivered a stellar performance. As soon as she put on her 'Sargent's' hat she was a woman possessed. She was commanding, witty and looked you straight in the eye to extract those precious coins. She can also tell a good joke! Well done Michelle, can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for next week!
Since the last update almost two months ago now I have been stuck in Antananarivo, the capital city, mainly waiting for information from the government. It's been a little frustrating but has also given me a chance to work on many of the smaller things that I have not got around to doing.
Key Progress:
Hiang, one of our former web teachers in NZ has improved our website onja.org so that we can now accept donations. This was much more work than I anticipated and Hiang did a great job. She is a computer science graduate currently looking for a job in IT in case anyone knows of any openings!
I had a main speaker slot at the recent Elevate conference, a conference run annually by Engineers without Boarders. Since I could not come to New Zealand I asked my friend to interview me for 20 minutes and put together a little video. I have uploaded it to youtube here:
I am told it was well received, and that the whole conference was very impressive.
A company in Wellington donated 40 computers. Although they are used, they are still pretty good computers and will be great! We have the computers but will still need to source the monitors (screens) to go with them.
I spent a couple of weeks writing a program in excel to compare exam results between different years and different options and this will allow us to find and group the best students. We will test only the students that have dropped out of school.
We are processing a partnership agreement with ministry of Education, I believe this will increase the security of our project in Madagascar.
Key Challenges:
We received what we requested from the government but it was incomplete so we are waiting for the complete results however they are incredibly slow.
My visa expires in 10 days. I was told it would be very easy to renew which was a blatant lie so we are trying to rush through the process which often takes 3 months, in just a couple of weeks. I think we will make it on time :)
Warm Regards - Sam
Picture 1: Matt and Claire, Onja volunteers (and my brother and sister) at the Elevate Summit for social change
Picture 2: Claire drove the donated computers up to Auckland from Wellington!
Club Contacts
President: Peter Buchanan 027 434 1832
Secretary, Treasurer, Apologies: Alex Gatt 021 571 722
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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Wow what treat we all had with Peter captivating the audience relaying the history of the America’s Cup to the present day and in particular the 35th America’s Cup held in Bermuda. Peter kicked off with how St Johns Club in 1995-96 played a vital role as founding members of a Trust administered through Yachting NZ. Josh Junior, America’s Cup ETNZ sailor (number 2 Cyclor) was a scholarship recipient. Peter acknowledged and recognised the financial commitment of the Club sponsors Graeme Fabian New World Lunn Ave and Megan Jaffe Real Estate annual golf tournament. 
roots date back to when a syndicate of businessmen from New York sailed the schooner America across the Atlantic Ocean to represent the US at the World’s Fair in England. The schooner won a race around the Isle of Wight with Queen Victoria watching and with it, a trophy called the 100 Guineas Cup. Apparently Queen Victoria asked one of her attendants to tell her who was in second place. ”Your Majesty, there is no second,” came the reply.
Michelle the acting Sargent for the next month delivered a stellar performance. As soon as she put on her 'Sargent's' hat she was a woman possessed. She was commanding, witty and looked you straight in the eye to extract those precious coins. She can also tell a good joke! Well done Michelle, can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for next week! 
