ROTARY BULLETIN  14 NOVEMBER 2022

Next Meeting –   21^st November 22 – New Member Talk, Janice Feutz

Rotary Bulletin – 14^th November 22  –President Brin welcomed District Governor Kevin Forgesen and his wife, and Assistance Governor Brian and his wife Diane.  He also welcomed Rotarian Colin  Wake back, after his absence due to ill health.

TWO-MINUTE TALK: was given by Rotarian Pasquale who advised that Trish had asked him to take over her role, given she was going to be absent from the meeting.  His plan was to talk about the pending Christmas Party to be held on 12^th December, which will have a 1970’s theme and he recommended that Rotarians also invite friends and family.  The dinner will cost $30.00 and include table decorations.  Gifts will be made available for the Christmas Cheer Appeal.  There will be a prize for the best-dressed person.  Pasquale is looking forward to a great evening.

SERGEANT’S SESSION – Rotarian Grant Spackman lead the session, wearing a Te Kuiti Legends T-Shirt to highlight the joys of his role when he was DG and to also acknowledged the home and community of the current DG Kevin.  People were fined for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, the location of Te Kuiti also the community of All Blacks and politicians.  Scott was fined for allowing his cell phone to ring at the meeting.  Ian Holford was also fined for non-attendance as a bus driver, at the port of Napier, given the non-arrival of a cruise ship – covid impacts again! $77.30 was raised to go to the Anxiety NZ Trust.

GRACE – was given by John Pollard:  “For the meal, we are about to eat, for those who made it possible, and for those with whom we are about to share it, we are thankful.  Amen’

GUEST SPEAKER:   President Brin indicated that it was traditional for the President to introduce the District Governor, but DG Kevin wished to introduce himself!

DG Kevin acknowledged Past DG Grant Spackman for his role as mentor, and also Grant’s wife Wendy for her ongoing support.  DG Kevin also noted the fantastic work the Havelock North Rotary Club has done in the community.

As a member of Rotary himself, Kevin advised he was with the Te Kuiti Club for 33 years and President 3 times, including advisory DG for 4 years.  He held the role of District Chair of the Rotary Youth Exchange committee, at the time when Covid struck the world, prompting the committee to ask families with children overseas and those hosting children in New Zealand, what they would want to do for their children.  It was a nightmare to get all these exchange students back to their homes, however when the chips are down, Rotarians find a way of working things out well – it mirrored his experience of Rotarian member support for 30 years, and 35 years married, and working in legal practice at that time.  Kevin has 2 adult daughters, one previously practicing as a solicitor, but now working in the Police, on the front line in Auckland.  The other daughter is practicing Psychology.  There are 2 grandsons.

Given Kevin’s involvement in Rotary, he has not had much spare time but enjoys watching motorbike racing and rugby league.  His passion is motorbike racing and his bucket list includes becoming a racer in motorbike racing at an International event.

Kevin referred to Jennifer Jones, the current Rotary International President, from Canada, and the first woman to have the role.  She dreams big to harness the connection of the power of Rotary, to turn dreams into reality.  He has observed that Havelock North Rotary is a traditional Club with strong membership support for all projects.  Passport Clubs serve their many communities and other Rotary Clubs by donating time and support, but need to identify their Rotary role with projects, noting that diversity of membership is a thing that needs to be worked on – the world is constantly changing and that is significant, given that at last, we have our first female International President.  Jennifer is promoting fundraising for polio, and given she has a brother in the art world; she has acquired one of his paintings to be a prize in a raffle. The winner will be announced at the conference in April 2023, linking it with the Melbourne convention.

Next year, the focus will be on the symbolism of the image of Rotary, the DG’s goals being:

• Keep things simple.
• Don’t reinvent the wheel.
• Don’t be afraid to try new things
• Focus on mental health
• Key priorities: family, community, work.
• Ensure that Rotary is stress-free.
• Rotary’s biggest asset is its members.

Kevin advised that he does suffer from anxiety, and has set up a trust to assist people with stress, establishing an anxiety helpline, and recommending that each Club should set up a fundraiser for the Trust.

Core values for Rotary are fellowship, diversity, and leadership.  The organization will remain stable, being open to diversity.  It is important to encourage leadership skills.   Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s charity of choice, as well as funding key projects, 50% of the funding comes back to the districts after 3 years.  Kevin is asking Clubs to protect the environment – have at least one environmental project pa.

The District Conference will be held in the Les Munro Centre at Te Kuiti – the theme being Rural New Zealand – Triumph over Adversity gives something back to the communities.

In thanking Kevin for his presentation, Pasqualle noted that despite his confidence issues, Keven drives himself to do Service above Self.

PROJECTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Raffle Sales this week –   John advised that still more members were needed to work on raffle sales this week.  Please email him to advise of your availability.
• Havelock North Club Christmas Party Members are requested to get dressed in 1970’s outfits, the date of the event is 12^th December.
• The Lost King the movie, a premier fundraiser, is about Richard III, who once was killed, but nobody could find his body.  The movie is to be held in Napier on 6th December 2022, and is a means of fundraising for Polio Awareness Month, by the Ahuriri Rotary Club at 6.30 pm. Please contact Peter Mayne to reserve tickets.

PARTING THOUGHT from John Pollard:    “Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge you because you are vegetarian.”

Sue Forde

Bulletin Editor.