The Speaker said ...
Last evening our speaker was Jo Alderdice, the founder and national manager of ‘Little Sprouts’. She and partner Andy Sole started Little Sprouts in 2013 and at first, operated the charity out of their garage in Whitby.
They assemble ‘baby packs’ and provide them free to needy families so that newborns can get the best start in life. They are distributed through partner charities such as Women’s Refuge, the Red Cross, the Neonatal Trust, and Birthright.
Visitors
We welcomed Lorraine Whyte to the meeting and were delighted to see a very sick Terrie Turner, holding her own while she waits for the call to surgery. We're thinking of you Terrie ...
Snippets
Peter Lillico reminded members that we are expecting six couples from Canada and the United States to visit us on a Friendship Exchange from 25-27 March 2019. He is still looking for two more host families so if you would like to host, please let Peter know.
The latest membership list is now available in the Intranet. If you log on at any time, you can click on this link to find the document. Alternatively, here's the document which you can print right now. If you have made any changes to any of your details, please let Graeme Tongs know immediately. This would include any change you might have made to your Club Runner record - if that is, you have such a thing ... Membership_List_2019_02_13
Assistant Governor Adrienne has details of Rotary District 9940 Training for 2019. There are Presidents-elect Training Sessions (PETS) and South Pacific PETS (SPPETS), District Training Assembly and more. If you would like to attend any of these important training opportunities, please contact Adrienne.
2019 marks 30 years since Rotary International formally enabled women to join Rotary as Rotarians. President Donna called for nominations of women in our club who have gone above and beyond the call of Service above Self and thank them for being part of our Rotary family. You can forward your suggestions to President Donna who will know what to do with them!
We have an opportunity to preserve and showcase our club history. Dr Stephen Clarke, a professional historian, has been commissioned to research and write a landmark publication on Rotary in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands 1921–2021. Go to this site and see if there is a story you can tell to celebrate Rotary.
President Donna offered congratulations to Debbie Mair and her Rages project, The Rotary Action Group against Endangered Species. Rages won the best short documentary at the Independent Film Festival on Saturday for 'Black Mambas', the group of women and the school children she trained in anti-poaching techniques at Kruger National Park. She is pictured here with Benn Jae who received 'Best Director' for the short film 'Hunted". In addition to the award that she received on behalf of the Mambas team, there was also a celebration on Monday evening of the completion of her first year of her Masters in science. Her research into water quality has been accepted for her thesis.
Bob Austin reminded members to start inviting friends and relatives to our ERKs fundraising movie night on 2 April to see 'Daffodils'.
This week's happenings
The official opening of Te Ara Piko Pathway Stage 3 will happen at Motukaraka Point on Thursday 14 February at 3.30 pm. Mayor Mike Tana and President Donna will be among the official speakers. If you want to be part of the 'party' you need to register with Porirua City Council.
What's coming up in February and beyond?
Next week, 19 February, Isabella Cawthorne will be talking to us about Healthy Streets, one of the topics that have been touched on at the Forum over the past few years. Meghan Davidson will also be speaking to us about her experiences at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 2019.
Zonta Club of Mana has sent us an invitation to help them to celebrate International Women's Day 2019. Tusha Penny, Assistant Commissioner, is speaking at breakfast at Mana Cruising Club at 9.00 am on Sunday 10 March. Please apply directly if you would like to attend. Zonta_2019_breakfast
For just a bit of forward planning, the annual bowls evening will be on 19 March. Details will be on the Events page soon.
You can find future events on the Events page here.
President-elect Euon reminded us that the District Conference will be held on 17-19 May in Whanganui. The theme is 'Light My Fire' and he would like to see Plimmerton well represented at the event. If you are thinking of going this year, please let Euon know.
Euon also sought the members' response to the idea of holding Changeover in the Grand Hall at Parliament on 25 June. The cost would be $69 and he and his committee would be thinking of creative ways to help members to meet this cost on the night. Members generally seemed to be supportive of the idea.
He went on to indicate that he hoped to announce his 2019-2020 Board shortly. Incoming presidents often make changes and one of his intentions is not to have an International committee next year but to focus on local, community and youth matters. He asked any member who would like to discuss this with him to get in touch before next week's meeting.
Comings and Goings
Formal resignations have now been received from Ken Gardner and Sandie Ryan.
Viewpoint
Chris Garrett explained that when MMP came into being twenty-five years ago, the support for it was 85% but that in a referendum in 2011 the support had dropped to almost 50/50. Chris believes that MMP is the worst thing that ever happened to New Zealand. The outcome of the last three elections, for example, have all been held to ransom by Winston Peters. Politicians love MMP but many of them are not voted in. Of the 120 MPs in Parliament, 64 of them did not win a seat but still got in through the party list. His viewpoint was that 'we need to get rid of MMP'.
Parting thought
Deirdre Geyser's parting thought was that 'if, at first, you don't succeed, don't take up sky diving'.
Who’s on duty for the next month?
Unable to do your duty? Please find a replacement and inform Philip Mottram. If you're a late 'no show' please tell President Donna.
Please arrive at 5.45 pm if you're on Door duty or on Introduction duty to greet the Guest Speaker and be his/her host for the evening.
Need to apologise or bring additional guests?
Advise the Receptionist at Professionals before 10.00 am on the Monday before the meeting on 233 9955 or email paremata@dwre.co.nz if you prefer.
Please provide the name (and spelling if necessary). The same applies if you're going to be late.