Co-Presidents St. Johns Rotary, Penny McGarry (Ph: 021 702 310), and Lesley Harris (Ph: 027 4935 498).

Oh what a night!

I'm sure nobody minded that the meeting went on longer, it was such

an informative, engrossing meeting.

Thanks to James Palmer, aka Co President Penny's 'young cuzzie' (assisted by PA Catherine in the background) for his presentation I am sure we all have better understanding of the implications of the housing shortages and the ongoing social and financial effects on the people of New Zealand. It was quite sobering and very timely in such unusual times.

On a lighter note, Angus as Sergeant operated a new system of answering his questions, which most adhered to and were even stumped as we collectively didn't know the answers to several of his posers!

Nice to see Assistant Governor Ashwini join us, you are always welcome.

Take care and stay safe

L and P

Meeting in Review - October 7th 2021

A total of 19 members and 3 guests joined our evening Zoom Meeting last Thursday night and, after a brief recap of club notices and Directors updates our guest speaker, James Palmer, was introduced by his very proud Cousin, Co- President Penny.

James is the Chief Executive, "Community Finance and Christian Savings". He founded and launched Community Finance in 2019 and Community Finance is now New Zealand’s largest open impact investment intermediary established to facilitate investment into affordable housing.

Christian Savings is New Zealand’s only registered charity that is also licensed by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as a non-bank deposit taker. Christian Savings manages over $225m, with over $180m in loans to a range of not-for-profits and Community Housing Providers.

James identified a need to grow impact investing to help meet New Zealand’s significant housing crisis. The core focus is on permanent solutions delivered by reputable organisations who are equipped to take care of our most vulnerable New Zealanders.

James presented an eye watering overview of the real stats and the state of housing in New Zealand, and he shared his thoughts on some of the solutions needed to tackle New Zealand’s greatest social crisis since the Great Depression. There were many examples and statistics shared, but one that stood out was that "70% of all housing rentals receive Government Subsidy of some sort, totaling over $3.50b per annum. One other interesting quote was, "let's start investing in homes, rater than just houses".

Community Finance has already advanced over $50 million to Community Housing Providers such as The Salvation Army and Community of Refuge Trust. Early this year, Community Finance launched the Aotearoa Pledge to raise an additional $100m for impact investing through the housing sector. By April 2021, $71m had already been pledged from a range of fund managers, KiwiSaver providers and community trusts and foundations.

At the Institute of Financial Professionals of New Zealand Gala event in May, James won the coveted Emerging Leader Award for 2021 and, having had the opportunity of hearing James speak, it is not hard to see why he won award and why cousin Penny is so proud of his achievements to date. James is only 29 and we can expect to hear much more about his future successes in the years to come.

Many thanks James for such an inspiring presentation.

Club Meetings and Other Important Dates

THURSDAY OCTOBER 14th - BREAKFAST MEETING 7.30am - Via Zoom. Link will be emailed prior to the meeting. Three exciting Guest Speakers;

Three of our club members who have been working through lock down will share their experiences. Lynette – Barfoot & Thompson, Graham – Stonefields New World and Patrick – The Moving Company.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 21st - BREAKFAST MEETING 7.00am for 7.15am - Via Zoom. Link will be emailed prior to the meeting. Guest Speaker; To Be Advised - watch this space!!

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 27th - JOINT BREAKFAST MEETING WITH AUCKLAND HARBOURSIDE ROTARY. To Be Confirmed.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 28th - MEETING CANCELLED IN-LIEU OF JOINT MEETING WEDNESDAY 27th AS ABOVE.

RC St Johns Pauanui Club House Update

An update from our caretakers at the Pauanui Clubhouse. Looks as though will all be finished by summer and as long as we are are out of Level 3 no doubt members will be looking forward to a Pauanui break - bookings are now being accepted!! (Just joking!!)

RC St Johns Satellite Clubhouse in Pauanui is very grateful to be at Level 2 and as such can happily advise that the spring landscaping project for the clubhouse grounds has begun. Caretakers Robyn and Tony extracted themselves from their Mountain Retreat to return to the Coromandel and oversee the work.

Front lawn (Estuary facing) is now level and top-soiled but grass seed will only be sown after new fence is installed. Material ordered, just waiting on delivery (like everyone else!)

Future roadside lawns are now professionally levelled and top-soiled with grass seed sown; and gardens also top-soiled with some planting achieved.

Caretakers now eagerly await delivery of fencing supplies; so that Tony can use his newly acquired post-hole borer.

Obituary - PDG Clifford Dickey

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

I am writing to inform you of the passing of PDG Clifford Dickey (DG 1978-1979) of the Rotary Club of Drury. Born August 12, 1926. Passed away peacefully on 5 October 2021. Devoted husband to the late Ruth Dickey. Cherished father to Jeanette, Mark and John. A memorial service to be held at later date due to current restrictions. Communications to Iain Wakefield (almoner of the RC of Drury) iain@jollydoc.co.nz

Regards

District 9920

End Polio Now - Fund Raising Opportunity

The following email has been received from District.

On 06 October 2021 at 16:53 Kirsten Hawke <kirsten.astillhawke.co.nz@clubrunner.email> wrote:

Dear Fellow Rotarians

We’ve partnered with The Good Sell to raise $15k for our international project, ‘End Polio Now’. This has been one of our longest standing fights and for more than 3 years, wild polio cases have only been seen in two countries, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. For Rotary international and our partners to continue this hard work to eradicate polio worldwide we need your help.

All you must do to support this campaign is hop on over to The Good Sell and use your anyways money! What’s your anyways money? Well, if you’ve been meaning to replace that microwave or get a new air fryer, why not pop on over to The Good Sell where you can sell, shop, and donate together.

For each item you purchase, the seller will choose to donate either 25%, 50%, 75% or even 100%.

Go check out www.thegoodsell.co.nz/ and support our campaign.

HOW DO I ADD MY ITEMS TO SELL ?

It's just the same process as opening a Trade Me account.

All you need to do is add your email address, add a password, put in your bank details, which is in a secure place, then get going to add the items you wish to sell.

Let's get this project going and take a look around your home, office or business to see what you can donate NOW.

Sent on behalf of DG Steve Chaney

Invitation to Visit the Chatham Islands

Remuera Rotary Chatham Islands Adventure

Dear St. Johns Rotarian,

Cindy Bakewell from Remuera Rotary, has put together an exciting fellowship adventure tour of the Chatham Islands scheduled for February 2022.

Places are limited so check this out here https://bit.ly/3ag3qcD ASAP!

Contact Cindy pronto if you want more information on: cindy@privatetravel.co.nz

Time For A Smile

Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fight after school.

1950s - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends.

2021 - Police called, and they arrest Johnny and Mark & charge them with assault.
Both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Both children go to anger management programmes for 3 months.
School Board hold meeting to implement bullying prevention programmes.

--------------------------

Scenario:
Robbie won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1950s - Robbie sent to headmaster and given six of the best.
Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2021 - Robbie given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADHD – result deemed to be positive. Robbie's parents get fortnightly disability payments and school gets extra funding from government because Robbie has a disability.

--------------------------

Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in a neighbour's car and his Dad gives him a good hiding

1950s - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2021 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care; joins a gang; ends up in jail.

--------------------------

Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some Aspirin to school.

1950s - Mark gets glass of water from Principal to take aspirin with, Passes exams & becomes a solicitor.

2021 - Police called, car searched for drugs and weapons.
Mark expelled from school for drug taking. Ends up as a drop out.

--------------------------

Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover fireworks from Guy Fawkes night, puts them in a paint tin & blows up a wasp's nest.

1950s - Wasps die.

2021 - Police & Anti-Terrorism Squad called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, investigate parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated.

Club Contacts

Co-Presidents':

Penny McGarry 021 702 310 &

Lesley Harris 027 4935 498

Secretary, Treasurer & Apologies:

Alex Gatt 021 571 722

Presidents' Elect:

Gary Key 021 611 169 & Graham Fabian 021 826 292

Club Services:

Robyn Ingram 022 0200 171

Foundation:

Gary Key 021 611 169

Community:

Hugh Scott Russell 021 0813 7313 & John Lewisham 09 5288908.

Youth:

Tom Street 021 685 651

Science Technology & Education:

Peter Buchanan 027 434 1832

Sergeants:

Michelle Forman 021 0277 9456, Angus McPhee 09 575 1007 & Cheri Joliffe 021 037 7559

Membership:

Beryl Robinson 021 652 802. Email: berylrobinson@xtra.co.nz

Bulletin Editor:

Pete Walsh 021 747 858. walshp@xtra.co.nz

Club: Email: stjohnsrotary@gmai l.com

Website: www.rotarystjohns.club

Area Govenor:

Ashwini Sadhu

021 305 261,

email: marysadhu99@gmail.com

Our Meetings

We meet Thursday for breakfast at

7:00 am for 7:15 am start,

except for the first Thursday of the month, when we meet in the evening at 6:00 pm for dinner.

Remuera Golf Club

120 Abbotts Way

Remuera

Auckland 1072

New Zealand

All Rotarian's are welcome

including family members.

Others wanting to visit are most welcome - please phone or email:

Beryl Robinson 021 652 802. Email: berylrobinson@xtra.co.nz

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