Rotary Club of PlimmertonPlimmerton Rotary Weekly Update
Tuesday 31 January 2017
This week's speaker
Traditional ethical standards are under threat through a combination of advances in science and technology. Dr Deborah Stevens, (seen here before the meeting with Nick Walmsley and Alistair Taylor) a leading researcher and educator in the field of bioethics (the study of controversial ethical issues emerging from new technologies), explained the reasons for this dramatic change.
Snippets
President Peter welcomed ADG Lee Wilkinson and visiting Rotarian Rondha Sweetman (Devonport) to the meeting. He noted the return of exchange student Laurie, who has been holidaying in Auckland.
Graeme Blick reported on the public meeting called to discuss the founding of a Menz Shed in Porirua. Our club wishes to (at least) facilitate the process. There was a good attendance at the meeting and an establishment committee of six was appointed. The venue for the shed is still problematical but progress is being made. A call will go out for equipment in due course.
2017 Book Fair: Alan Nicholls has sent out the draft roster for collecting and sorting books. The collections will start in earnest next week. He asked volunteers to record on a chart at the lock up the number of hours they have spent. He asked for volunteers to gather up between 200-300 banana boxes from local supermarkets.
Peter Sinke asked if anyone could locate a vintage computer, described as follows:
The motherboard MUST have ISAF slots 16 bit for putting add on cards in there. The slots are usually black plastic and 137mm long. Also mouse and keyboard connect socket one above the other, often purple and green and preferably it has USB. Here's a photo of the innards he is looking for.
This week's happenings
Rhys Sinke has arrived safely in France and attended his first Rotary meeting. You can read his first 'report' of his experiences here.
DG Martin's 23 December edition of 'Hot off the Press' was circulated to all 9940 Rotarians. If you didn't receive your copy, you can read it here. You can also read his February 2017 offering here.
Very belatedly (with apologies), Plimmerton Inner Wheel's January newsletter is now available here for a good read.
For those of you wanting to get in touch with Brian Paget he has sent his amended contact details as 73 Castle Hill Road, RD3 Alfredton, Eketahuna 4996. His land line is 06 3750504 and his mobile is now in range on 021 523444.
RYLA
It was all happening at Silverstream last week as 44 young leaders got together to experience all the wonderful opportunities that RYLA has to offer. We sponsored Anh
Thu and she will be coming to talk to us about her experiences. The week's activities were as varied and informative as always and the teams managed to raise $1,100 for to go towards the purchase of ERKs.
After Wendy's workshop, 'Thinking about Success', she gave a copy of her book to each participant and there was a bit of a queue to have them signed!
What's coming up in February and beyond?
His Excellency Mr Mario Alzugarary Rodriguez, Ambassador for Cuba, will be speaking to us next week. He has an impressive cv. He speaks English and Chinese in additional to his native Spanish, Among other things, his professional experience includes:
1996 -1997: Official, Sub-Saharan Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1999–2001: Official, Asia and Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2001-2003: Second Secretary, Embassy of Cuba in P.R. China
2003-2005: Consul General, Shanghai, P.R. China.
2005-2007: Official, Asia and Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2007-2012: Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Cuba in P.R. China
2012-2013: Official, Asia and Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2014-2015: Assistant Director, Asia and Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Hon Hekia Parata's speech to the club has been resceduled for Tuesday 14 February. There may be a change in the evening's timings for this event.
Leigh Corner will speak to us about 'The synergy of veterinary and medical research' on 28 February.
We can enjoy a Bowls night at Whitby Bowling Club on 7 March at about 5.00 p.m.
Laurie will be the guest speaker at Johnsonville Rotary Club on 13 March. President Peter will attend and supporters are welcome.
The Outside World
Gary Haugen, leader of the International Justice Mission, contends that humanitarian work means little if basic safety is threatened. "The world is now divided between those who can afford to pay for their own protection and the billions who are left in lawless chaos", he says. You can read the feature story on My Rotary here.
Thought for the week
