The Power of Basic Education and Literacy: How Rotary is Paving the Way
September resonates with a theme that is close to many hearts – Basic Education and Literacy, a cornerstone initiative of Rotary International. In a rapidly evolving world, the significance of education and literacy cannot be overstated. The ripple effects of these fundamentals not only empower individuals but also uplift entire communities.
Lending Your Hand to the Cause
Want to be a beacon of change? There are ample avenues to contribute to Rotary's mission:
Make a difference with your donations to The Rotary Foundation, furthering global projects.
Invest your time and expertise in local Rotary club endeavors.
Advocate for the significance of education and literacy within your community, sparking a wider conversation.
President Tim Orrell
Secretary
Shirley Stratton
Treasurer
Graham Evans
Hosted by President Tim
Guests: Stephen Oatley, Mike Seawright (speaker) and supportive mate Dave
Ian Ayson
Opening thought:
Ian proposed a toast to Rotarians around the globe, thinking in particular of Rotarians in Kathmandu experiencing the aftermath of terrible flooding.
Parting thought:
If you want rainbows in your life
You have got to put up with the rain.
- Dolly Parton, Queen of country music, songwriter, savvy businesswoman, humanitarian and philanthropist
Raffle winner: Murray
Dinner menu: Delicious lentil and vegetable soup, followed by butter chicken, rice, veges, roti and poppadoms with condiments
Dugald
Ross collecting on Thursday
Gazza
Marilyn
Linda
Ross
President Tim's first induction
Tim, Linda and Stephen
Stephen
Induction of new member: Stephen Oatley
President Tim inducted Stephen, who was ably introduced by Linda (with notes on the back of a serviette), standing in for Doug. No fancy socks were in evidence. Stephen has attended a few meetings so Members have had the chance to meet him. Tim and Linda were chuffed to report that Stephen is a fellow Pom but we won't hold that against him.
Stephen had a varied career after starting as a telegram delivery boy in Dunedin, rising through the ranks at the Post Office for 27 years and gaining university qualifications. Stephen worked in sales and marketing with a range of enterprises, before moving into Prison Fellowship. He has been a volunteer with Riding for the Disabled. Stephen and wife Jenny did volunteer work in Vanuatu. He has been a Rotarian previously and looks forward to joining us in service and fellowship. Stephen was gracious in introducing himself and thanking the Club for the warm welcome extended to him and to Jenny.
Welcome Stephen, we are thrilled to have you join us!
Notices
President Tim
Tim thanked the team who cooked dinner for Ronald McDonald House on Tuesday. It was hard work but rewarding, and good fun.
You should have received a save-the-date for Charter Night on 15 October. This is a celebration of the date of the Club's inception and is a dressy, special occasion. Partners are very welcome; please register them by 12 October.
Remember Tawa Club has invited us to attend their Oktoberfest on 22 September at the Tawa Bowling Club. $35 for a 2 course meal. Their contact details are ph 022 362 0253 or email tawarotary.club@gmail.com
12 November is the date of the Club's charity golf match. It's fun and requires a team effort to run it, but many hands make light work of it. Tasks will be allocated to those who can help in the lead-up and on the day. If you are not already playing or helping, dinner is at 5.30pm, with prizes, raffles and an auction. No Club meeting that night.
The Christmas party will be at Southwards on 10 December. It will be a fabulous night, with a dress-up theme to be advised. Partners are most welcome, and we collect gift vouchers for Kāpiti Women's Centre to distribute.
The District is short of RYPEN candidates, so if you know of any 15 - 17 year olds who might be keen for a weekend of fun and personal growth, please direct them to Cherie, details below.
Marilyn
Can someone please volunteer to take the placemats home to wash them. They are getting very grubby. Marilyn has done it a couple of times and would like someone else to offer.
Ronald McDonald House is a bit short of groups to cook this year, so perhaps we can arrange to do it again?
Marilyn raised the possibility of our Club running a High Tea and Big Hats fundraiser event. The Lower Hutt Clubs run them and they are very successful. Marilyn and a few other Members think it would be a popular event in Kāpiti. She was seeking an indication of support. Enough Members showed enthusiasm, so Marilyn will get information from the Lower Hutt organisers about how to run such an event.
Linda
People brought in a big pile of New World Smeg stickers. Linda has now bought some knives and will buy whatever we can for the Kāpiti Women's Centre, to give to people in need. Please bring any you have to the next meeting or drop in Linda's mailbox.
Please note the date of 1 November for the Women's Expo and pop in, even for 10 minutes, in Rotary attire to chat to people.
Gary
Taveuni Fundraiser Quiz Night
Eastern Hutt Club is hosting a quiz night at 7pm on Friday 25 September. They will have a silent and live auction on the night. BYO drinks, supper provided. As a Club, it would be great if we can support this and make up some teams to go along. A few people have already signed up. Please let Gary know if you can join a team. It is at Avalon Park Pavilion at Taita. People may want to carpool.
Tickets are $25. Please collect the money from any guests you are bringing. Graham will invoice you, and it will be bulk paid to Eastern Hutt.
If you want to make a donation to the Taveuni project, you can let Graham know and it can be deducted from your account and receipted. Malcolm made a generous donation to the fund.
Graham
Statements have been emailed out. If you owe the Club more than $100, please pay it promptly.
Soup Sunday Fundraiser
The Kilns at Te Horo want to grab you for a lovely little afternoon out — Soup Sunday on Sunday the 27th September from 12- 2pm at the Te Horo hall. $45 per ticket.
It's exactly what it sounds like: good soup, good company, and a beautiful spot on the Kāpiti Coast to while away an afternoon and you get to keep the bowl you chose to have your soup in. Best part is your money all goes toward supporting a really fabulous charity, so you get to feel virtuous while doing basically nothing but eating soup and chatting, and taking away a lovely bowl to add to your collection — my kind of fundraiser.
To make this more special we will also have an exhibition on at the Kilns by our current resident artist Alana Wilson which I am sure you will also enjoy. Saturday and Sunday 10-4pm at The Kilns, 6 Jim Winiata Way.
Graham Evans Treasurer, The Kilns.
Dugald
Wood for Good
The next working bee is on 12 September. Update: what a glorious, sunny day for a working bee! No wind for a change which was very pleasant. The health and safety briefing was excellent. Great effort by all involved and of course, we were lucky to have delicious smokos. Thanks to everyone for their hard work. Paul may need a hand pulling out prickles from a wee tumble into the blackberry…
The Projects for Good crew are planning on a charity minigolf day to raise money for End Polio on 11 December from 1pm. Watch this space.
Ross
The trailer raffle is selling well, so please keep signing up for shifts. If you have committed to a shift but can't attend, please phone Ross or put a message in the WhatsApp group to arrange a substitute.
Members of the public have commented how they look forward to the raffle, and we are having great chats with people about the work Rotary does in the community.
Please wear a Rotary shirt if you have one. Newbies should sign up with an experienced Member to show them the ropes. Ross has sent out an email with step-by-step instructions for signing up for a shift. Partners and other whānau are welcome to help.
Members are also allocated 6 books to sell (or purchase) and can request more if they are able to sell to their friends and family. Please ensure you return the stubs to Ross/Derek and put the sold book stubs in numerical order to make the reconciliation easier.
If any Bulletin subscribers would like to buy tickets, email Steph (dyhrbergsa@gmail.com) and we can sort you out. $10 for a book of 6.
Rotary Roadie
This is on 16 - 18 October at Foxton Holiday Park. So far, 30 people are attending. The theme is By the Seaside. Please bring your beach attire and colourful shirts. Highlights include happy hour and morning smokos. Visitors will be welcome.
Cherie
Youth - RYPEN
Candidates are still being sought for this year's RYPEN (Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment) camp. RYPEN is aimed at young people in the 16 –17 age group who are still at school and are not likely to be selected for Youth Exchange or later for RYLA, but who possess qualities of decency, persistence and application and who deserve further encouragement.
Guy has been cycling for 25 years, after starting to accompany his daughter, who was training for triathlons. He and others formed the Kāpiti Kruzers. For new Members, this is a cycling group that all are welcome to join. Guy and mates have done many trips, including the circuit of Mount Taranaki, Rotorua to Taupo etc.
Guy and wife Viv have done some very cool trips, most recently in Vietnam. They went on an Intrepid Tours, and it was very well organised. They completed 600 km in 2 weeks, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The tour took them off the beaten track, and they got to enjoy seeing village life and learning about the culture. The food was brilliant and very affordable. Vietnam is a marvellous place, and the people are resilient, positive and forward-looking. They work incredibly hard.
Guy and Viv are off to Portugal next. Guy did a spin class on Saturday so he is obviously taking training seriously.
Mike was truly inspiring
Extraordinary valour under fire
President Tim, Mike and Graham
Guest speaker: Mike Seawright
Relief Aid NZ - Humanity in the crossfires of war
Graham introduced Mike, the founder of Relief Aid NZ. Mike had a stellar career as a banker, IT specialist and with MFAT, before giving it all up to found a charity to work in conflict zones. He started in Syria in 2014, during the siege of Aleppo. The organisation focuses on war zones and saving people's lives. They are apolitical and gon where the need is greatest. This can get them added to regimes' hit lists. Security is a priority, but there is always danger. Relief Aid NZ works under the radar in many places, avoiding scrutiny where they can.
The organisation has 80 - 110 staff, paid or volunteers. They are incredibly brave, and will sometimes ignore Mike, and make their own decision to stay and carry on the work. Tragically, Relief Aid NZ has lost 8 staff in Gaza.
People in Gaza and Syria are suffering terribly, many having lost everything, and experiencing famine despite food and water sitting at borders close by. Children are not receiving an education, or are in tent schools. Families are still living in camps, even years after wars end.
Mike owes a debt of gratitude to Rotarians, as he has had a lot of support from Rotary Clubs. He is inspired by our shared value: service before self. Years ago, a Rotarian he met invited him to speak to her Club and put him in contact with the Shelterbox organisation. Shelterbox places essential supplies in crisis zones hit by natural disasters and conflict. This led to a 10 year partnership.
Mike talked about the butterfly effect - please keep beating your wings; it is making a difference.
