President Ross introduced our evening which, as well as a packed night of usual and unusual items, was an historic event to celebrate a collaboration with the local Lions Clubs and Kāpiti Coast District Council to explore the options and undertake a feasibility study to build a mini putt course.
Local MP Tim Costley spoke with energy about the community focus of much of his work. He noted the growth of the Rotary Club of Kāpiti was no surprise given the tangible contributions our vibrant Club makes to many good causes, without expecting anything in return. Tim pledged to support us however he can. He thanked the Lions and Rotary members for all the hard work they do for their communities.
President Ross' announcements
Ross congratulated Mal Bird for the Leo Ducker Award he was presented with recently by Dive Pacific to recognise his outstanding contribution to diving.
Ross noted he and Josie had attended the Electra Business Awards event at KCDC the previous evening and how proud he was of Josie's work on the Club's entry.
The selection process for our new President Elect was democratic, swift and successful: Paul Adams accepted the nomination which was confirmed unanimously by members present. Paul said the timing was right for him and he was looking forward to serving us.
The Stihl Shop Kāpiti chose our Club from the nominees for a community group in need of a new chainsaw. The chainsaw was gratefully accepted by the Wood for Good team (minus prime instigator Doug).
Ross inducted Cath Simpson into the Club. Born and raised in Lancashire, Cath found her true vocation during a gap year, volunteering at a facility supporting people with physical and intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. She studied Nursing and Social Work and Midwifery, fully qualifying in both professions. Cath arrived in Kāpiti in 2005 and fell in love with the place. She completed a post graduate degree in mental health nursing and worked in a couple of roles before returning to her first love, intellectual disability nursing. Cath is married to Jeremy and they have 2 gorgeous dogs. She is a keen golfer. Welcome to the Club, Cath - we are lucky to have you!
RYLA graduate - Caleb Lopez-Sanchez
Steph introduced Caleb who spoke to us about his experience at RYLA in January. Caleb is now 21 and in his first semester studying medicine at Otago University (the best university in the world - Editor's note). Caleb was very grateful to the Club and the team who ran and presented at RYLA, including Steve Pasene who was at his table for dinner tonight. Caleb appreciated the opportunity to focus on how he could become a better person and leader in our community. Caleb developed some personal goals, which he is well on his way to achieving. The first marathon is still a work in progress...
Caleb credited his experience at RYLA with helping him achieve a couple of goals: he has been offered a research position for the summer working on diabetes, and stood for and was elected Vice President of the Otago Medical Students' Association.
Ross thanked Caleb for his impressive presentation (without his PowerPoint as we had some IT issues, see photos below), and reminded us all this is exactly why we do the fundraising work.
NOTICES
Graham
Marilyn and Graham attended as our Club representatives at the District Changeover and accepted awards for Excellent Newsletters & Communications, and the greatest increase in membership in the whole District. It was great recognition of all the hard work Immediate Past President Vic and the Membership team have put into growing the membership, and Steph, Stuart and Josie have put into the Bulletin and comms, including on social media.
Josie
Please support the entrants in the Electra Awards customer experience category by text voting: https://www.bkh.org.nz/customer-experience-voting. One vote for your favourite participating business in each region of Kāpiti and Horowhenua, per cellphone.
The draft strategy document is coming along well and will be sent out after the Board signs it off.
Josie had free walnuts with her again - contact Josie if you missed out; she has heaps!
Bruce
The gardening working bee at 2 Queens Road will be held on Saturday. Update: a large group of volunteers from BNI and Rotary turned up to help Al and Bruce do the clean up. Deb was very grateful.
Another working bee to do some planting and landscaping will be organised later. We will be looking for donations of plants that are tough enough to withstand an excitable dog. The work inside is coming along well too, with many Club members and trades providing labour and materials for free. Steph and Bruce will be fundraising for the floor coverings.
Paul
Standing in for Doug (still minus walk shorts). The shunt sheet was going around for Wood for Good which is on 13 July at the Kāpiti Golf Club. It will be a busy day splitting up rounds. Please park on the berm if possible to avoid churning up the lawn.
Ken Milne
Ken as Almoner has been in touch with a number of members recently. Honorary Member Vince Robinson is recovering well from heart surgery and is quite chipper.
Al Beissel
Al is on the Board of Lifting The Lid, along with Kevin Boyce. It has really taken off as a concept throughout the District and further afield, and now looks set to go national. In Wellington there will be services made available at intermediate level. The Board is having meetings to ensure the local College Principals make students aware of the programme and the benefit to rangatahi in need of urgent mental health support. Al noted this initiative was originally Bruce Morgan's baby.
