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The President's Pen

Hi Community Champions
 
We are heading into our third week of the Rotary year and are slowly finding our rhythm. The focus for the next month will be getting interesting speakers to talk to us about our local community and the challenges they are facing. We are then hoping to step that up and move our speaker focus to the upcoming election – more on that to follow.
 
Thanks to Chris Herlihy for an amusing account on how the team at Glen Taylor School not only managed to keep educating the kids, but somehow managed to also support the wider community. It always amazed me how innovative people could be when facing a challenge. Chris’s mentor summed it up perfectly “Leaders are most remembered for how they handle a crisis!  Communities need someone to show strength and leadership in times of need.”
 
I would also like to congratulate Sam Lucas and the Onja team for obtaining a Rotary International grant to carry on their work with some very clever, but disadvantaged children in Madagascar. What is truly amazing is that the project will be self-sustaining and scalable in the future. I feel privileged to be part of a club with such a fantastic project.
 
Thank you for your participation in last week’s meeting and look forward to seeing you all next Thursday morning.
 
Hugh
President: Rotary Club of St Johns
Phone: 021 0813 7313
 
PS: I would like to propose that if necessary, we use the Sunshine Fund to bail Chris out of prison as it is obviously a misunderstanding!
 
 
Stories
Meeting in Review - July 9th 2020
Chris Herlihy (Principal of Glen Taylor School) was our guest speaker. His presentation was on how he, his staff and school community prepared for, worked through and came out the other side of the Covid-19 lockdown. In fact, it was so jam-packed full of information and side-stories that your reporter for the day (IPP Robyn), completely forgot to take notes! But the essence of his presentation was – they made it up as they went along; set the bar high and in true 'Kiwi Can Do' fashion, did extremely well.
 
I'm not sure what had more impact, his PowerPoint presentation just chock-full of stuff he, his staff and the kids did; or his admission that he is off to court soon to argue against some ridiculous charge he vehemently denies; or the account of one of his numerous lockdown Zoom appearances (to his school kids) made from the bath!
 
Takes from Principal Herlihy’s presentation:
  1. never miss a meeting when Chris is presenting
  2. nothing will stop Glen Taylor School achieving – and doing so with flair
  3. don’t pour a whole bottle of shampoo over your head when Zooming as it takes bloody ages to wash out
Thank you Chris for an exceptionally educational and entertaining presentation. (The care package from your mates at Rotary Club of St Johns complete with ‘soap on a rope’, will be delivered soon).
Turning Around Our Plastics Problem
With this month being Plastics-free July, our Science and Environment Director (Peter B) would like to bring this 3.5 minute video to our attention. It has been produced by the Royal Society of NZ and the Sustainable Business Network (Foodstuffs / New World Supermarkets are members) and can be viewed by clicking onto the following link: https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/major-issues-and-projects/plastics/video-turning-around-our-plastics-problem/  
 
The video highlights both the quantity of plastics that we use, but also their value to us: "Plastic isn't the problem. It's what we do with it. And that means the onus is on us to be far smarter in how we use this miracle material."  Globally, there is urgent need to minimise waste plastic getting into the environment. It fits well with this months worldwide Environmental focus to reduce/eliminate single-use plastics.
Quiz Night - Ticket Sales Update
Ticket sales are moving very slowly - so the challenge is on for all members to commit to buying a ticket or table and to encourage friends, family and work colleagues to come along to the best Quiz Night in the District.  Tickets are $25 or $250 for table of 10.  Please click onto this link to email Robyn and advise how many tickets you want.
 
Rotary Club of St Johns - Quiz Night
Please support this Club fundraiser by promoting our Quiz Night to family, friends, business associates and connections. It is always a great night - so please consider making up a table. Details on flyer below. Please use this quick link to email Robyn for tickets.
Quiz Night 2020 - Your Invitation
Club Activities & Other Important Dates to Diary
THURSDAY JULY 16th - Breakfast Meeting, Remuera Golf Club 7.00am:
Guest Speaker Sergeant Rhys Smith - New Zealand Police. Sergeant Rhys will talk about Glen Innes community challenges and how RCSJ could potentially offer support. He will also give us some insight into what it was like being in the Police during the Covid-19 lock-down.
 
THURSDAY JULY 23rd - Breakfast Meeting, Remuera Golf Club 7.00am:
Our club has been working closely with the Glen Innes Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), to help assist those in need in our immediate community, and Manager Patsy Sim is delighted to return to give us an update on the work and challenges of our local CAB and Foodbank.
 
THURSDAY JULY 30th - Breakfast Meeting, Remuera Golf Club 7.00 am:
Guest Speaker Isidora Ravanal. Isi is a Chilean RYE Student halfway through her year in New Zealand having arrived in Auckland last January. She is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Tuakau. Come and hear about her home, and how she is getting on here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Your Invitation to District 9920 Changeover
All St. Johns Rotary Members should have received this email invitation to attend the District Change-over, but just as a reminder, here it is again.
 
From: Vicky Soar <vicky.soarprint.co.nz@clubrunner.email>
Sent: Friday, 3 July 2020 9:11 AM
To: Robyn Ingram <robyn.ingram@outlook.com>
Subject: Invitation for District Changeover 2020
 
You are invited to District Changeover 2020 
 
Event:
District Changeover 2020
Date:
Saturday 25th July, start 5.30 pm and finish 7.30 pm 
Fee:
$35
Location:
Remuera Golf Club, 122 Abbotts Way, Remuera 
 
Details:
Please arrive between 4.45pm and 5.30pm 
To all Rotarians and District 9920
You are invited to District Changeover from outgoing District Governor Gary Langford and incoming District Governor Craig Horrocks. 
The event will be between 5.30pm and 7.30 pm but drinks and nibbles will be available between 4.45pm and 5.30 pm. 
As you come into registration a voucher will be given for your first drink which is included in your registration.
Welcome all Rotarians, partners and guests to attend this event.
Kind Regards Vicky Soar
District Secretary 
 
Note that the link above has been specially coded with your login information and should be deleted before forwarding this email to others.
If you were forwarded this email from the member above, use this link to register instead:
 
Thank you
For District 9920

 
Please Update your Membership Record

Urgent - please update your member record

All members received a copy of the St Johns Rotary member lists as at 1 July, on 1 July.  Please check that your details are correct and update as needed by logging in, go to Admin and then to 'Edit my profile'. 
 
If you do not have a photo of yourself please add one or the below will be used instead.  The club's expert Photographer Kevin Kevany can be approached at a meeting for a new or updated profile picture to be taken and he will forward to Colin to upload for you.
 
If you need any help, call Colin on 021652801 . An updated copy will be circulated at the end of the month. 
 
All website access permissions have been reviewed, but if you need access and do not currently have it, please contact Colin.
 
RCSJ - July Environmental Challenge
This challenge may seem like a simple request and indeed it is.  Look closely at the pictures below to see the impact on the environment - now's a good time to act - THANK YOU
 
Time for a Smile!
 
Could this be an option!!  A suggestion from the USA;
 
No nursing home for me. I'll be checking into a Holiday Inn! 

With the average cost for nursing home care being $188.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old and too feeble . 
I've already checked on reservations at The Holiday Inn. 
For a combined long term stay discount and senior discount, it's $59.23 per night. 
Breakfast is included, and some have happy hours in the afternoon. 

That leaves $128.77 a day for lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, 
Gratuities and special TV movies. 
Plus, they provide a spa, swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer dryer, etc. 
Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap. 
$5 worth of tips a day you'll have the entire staff scrambling to help you. 
 
They treat you like a customer, not a patient. 
There's a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free. 
 
To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays. 
For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of 
The nice restaurants there. 
While you're at the airport, fly somewhere. Otherwise, the cash keeps building up. 

It takes months to get into decent nursing homes. Holiday Inn will take your reservation today. 
And you're not stuck in one place forever -- you can move from Inn to Inn, or even from city to city. 
Want to see Hawaii ? They have Holiday Inn there too. 
TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem. They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience. 

The Inn has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks to see if you are ok. If not, they'll call an ambulance. 
 
And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini vacation. 

The grand-kids can use the pool. What more could I ask for? 

So, when I reach that golden age, I'll face it with a grin. 
 
 
Have a wonderful week with many *smiles*.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Next Meeting:
 
Thursday July 16th
 
Breakfast Meeting
 
7.00 am for 7.15 am
 
Venue: Remuera Golf Club
 
 
Bulletin Contents: 
  • The President's Pen
  • Meeting in Review - July 9th
  • Our Plastics Problem
  • Quiz Night Ticket Sales Update
  • Quiz Night Information
  • Activities & Important Dates
  • Update Membership Details
  • Invite to District Change-over
  • July Environmental Challenge
  • Time for a Smile
Speakers
Jul 16, 2020 7:00 AM
Sergeant Rhys Smith
Youth Aid - Glen Innes Police
Jul 23, 2020 7:00 AM
Patsy Sim
Manager CAB Glen Innes
Jul 30, 2020 7:00 AM
Chilean RYE Student - Isi Ravanal
My Exchange Experience so far
Aug 06, 2020
Meeting deferred to Friday 7 August for Quiz Night
Quiz Night at Glen Taylor School
Aug 13, 2020 7:00 AM
Simon O'Connor
MP for Tamaki
Aug 27, 2020 7:00 AM
Chris Makoare
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair
View entire list
Meeting Responsibilities
Thursday 16 July
 
Set-Up
Cain, Miles
 
Attendance
Forman, Michelle
 
Greeter
Boyd, Lynette
 
Speaker Host
Roake, Muriel
 
Thanks & Close
Bell, Patrick
 
Set-Down
Cornaga, John
 
Stand-By
Peacock, Shaun
 
Thursday 23 July
 
Set-Up
Lewisham, John
 
Attendance
Kevany, Kevin
 
Greeter
Fabian, Graham
 
Speaker Host
Hogg, Janice
 
Thanks & Close
Mayne, Alan
 
Set-Down
Mcphee, Angus
 
Stand-By
Herlihy, Chris
 
Thursday 30 July
 
Set-Up
Jolliffe, Cheri
 
Attendance
Leyland, Penny
 
Greeter
Rutherford, Christie
 
Speaker Host
Ingram, Robyn
 
Thanks & Close
Tedcastle, Isabella
 
Set-Down
Hutchinson, Murray
 
Stand-By
Jones, Simon
 

Club Contacts

President: 
Hugh Scott-Russell 021 0813 7313 
Secretary, Treasurer & Apologies: 
Alex Gatt 021 571 722
Presidents Elect: 
Penny McGarry 021 702 310   &
Lesley Harris 027 4935 498
Sergeant:  Michelle Forman 021 0277 9456
Club Services: Robyn Ingram  022 0200 171 
Bulletin Editor:  Pete Walsh 021 747 858
Membership:  Donald Bowie 027 4752 473
Website:  www.rotarystjohns.club
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 email:
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