RYLA is such a valued leadership training event each July, and an activity that many St Johns members have contributed to in a significant way over the years. We were fortunate to have that reinforced by the articulate and motivated group of 7 participants who addressed us last Thursday - including our own Nick and recent visitor Ozgun. We hope that others of our visitors will feel free to join us again in future.
This Thursday, we have Jonathon Ross speaking to us about use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This is especially topical as our club has just donated two AEDs to our local community and the first was installed over the weekend. Knowing how to use an AED, which is not difficult, could save someone's life. Ainie is kindly standing in for me this Thursday, as I'm in Hi Chi Minh City, Vietnam for a conference. Spending today (Sunday) visiting the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels (as used by the Viet Cong) reinforces again the fundamental importance of Rotary's mission of peace against the evils and atrocities of war.
You know the saying “a picture is worth ten thousand words”? Well, check out this great photo! Thank you, Miles our in-house photographer for skilfully capturing these vibrant RYLArian’s (guest speakers) who made “our place” jump with energy last Thursday evening.
We always enjoy hearing back from each year’s RYLAians and this group of six reinforced what a great leadership development programme RYLA is (www.ryla.co.nz). Nic, Ozgun, Alex, Nic Goddard (who spoke for himself and also read Kelvin’s speech), Daniella and Caren. So enthusiastic that we had to break you into two groups (before dinner and after dinner) just to have a breather from the vigour!
It is hard work to do this group justice in a “write up” suffice it to say, if you weren’t able to attend this meeting, you missed a great one. For snippets of how RYLA resonated for them click more...
Ask any RYE student in our District about the highlights of their exchange year and you can be sure the “Marae Weekend” will be in the top ten of their list. Many of our St John’s Club members will know that “Marae Weekend” is where Frida (our Swedish RYE student) learned a haunting and beautiful welcome pōwhiri and later that weekend was given the honour of singing the powhiri to welcome host parents onto the marae. Members might also recall 18 months later, Henning (our German RYE student) proudly learned the Haka at “Marae weekend” which he heroically performed by himself for the host family welcome, because he was the only male RYE in the group that year!
Ok, I’m exaggerating a tiny bit! Both of our RYE students were subtley guided and supported to do the Powhiri and Haka by the most amazing team of tutors from Te Tahawai Marae. If you have never had a “Marae” experience and would like to learn about Maori culture and customs and be made to feel at home in a learning situation, then this is the place to go.
Donald outlined a new project, which would be targeted specifically into the school. The group which travelled there earlier this year were dismayed to see the school's make shift classroom consisted of a tent covered with black mould and other school facilities were clad with just corrugated iron and in great need of updating. He called for ideas to generate funds; and also asked for help with a Facebook page. Any ideas and/or assistance with the Facebook page, please contact Aubrey Richardson-Jones Email: aubreyrjones@xtra.co.nz
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Ask any RYE student in our District about the highlights of their exchange year and you can be sure the “Marae Weekend” will be in the top ten of their list. Many of our St John’s Club members will know that “Marae Weekend” is where Frida (our Swedish RYE student) learned a haunting and beautiful welcome pōwhiri and later that weekend was given the honour of singing the powhiri to welcome host parents onto the marae. Members might also recall 18 months later, Henning (our German RYE student) proudly learned the Haka at “Marae weekend” which he heroically performed by himself for the host family welcome, because he was the only male RYE in the group that year! 
Donald outlined a new project, which would be targeted specifically into the school. The group which travelled there earlier this year were dismayed to see the school's make shift classroom consisted of a tent covered with black mould and other school facilities were clad with just corrugated iron and in great need of updating. He called for ideas to generate funds; and also asked for help with a Facebook page. Any ideas and/or assistance with the Facebook page, please contact Aubrey Richardson-Jones Email: aubreyrjones@xtra.co.nz