It was a pleasure for me to visit St Teresa's School last week and deliver a Rotary medallion to commemorate a donation of $500 that we made to the school. The donation has been used to tidy up some of the school grounds. The teacher I spoke with knew all about this and I was well received. She rounded up a few of the pupils for the photos above.
For me this ticked all the Rotary boxes. We have done something useful that might otherwise be left undone and we have strengthened our community ties.
The medallions are 10-15cm in diameter and are designed for outdoor use. You might be aware of other projects that have been completed in the past for which we haven't taken any credit. If you can think of something that needs commemorating please bring your ideas to our next short format meeting for discussion. I see the medallions as part of our strategy to raise our profile. We have made quite a lot of progress using Neighbourly, FaceBook and the Independent Herald. While our community profile is important we have to turn his into new member prospects, something that hasn't happened yet.
Our next opportunity to call for community volunteers will come shortly when we will hold a gardening bee at the Marsden Club (day care for dementia patients). This will take place on Saturday 5 October from 9:30 to 12:30. Please put this date in your diary.
I've been spending some time recently looking at Rotary videos on membership and branding. Besides being of interest in their own right they also demonstrate the resources that Rotary can bring to these matters. The membership video can be found at https://bit.ly/RIMembershipRecordings This is required viewing for all members and there will be a short quiz on the matter at our next short format meeting. Our external signage is looking a bit tired and the board is considering our options to improve this. Why not take a look at a branding video which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5IUOuEUVaM Both of these videos address issues at the heart of our club.
Check out our forward program in this bulletin. There have been some significant changes and there's lots coming down the track.
Ok I was joking about the quiz but take a look at the videos and bring any ideas to our next short format meeting.
President Phil took the opportunity to outline variations on membership categories that the Wellington North Club has introduced. He said the Board would have a close look at some options for future Karori membership, including community representatives and younger people having a different subscription rate, household memberships, and corporates. He said the board would give more consideration to different opportunities for people to become involved with the Club, something more appealing and affordable based on personal needs. The Wellington North new membership categories is gathering momentum in that Club.
He also updated the Club on Birdwood Reserve project developing a new access to Zealandia. There are a number of issues for the Club’s consideration around funding, and the financial risks. RCK has made it clear that it supports the project but is not willing to be the Umbrella Organisation coordinating and receiving monies for the project from a wide range of sources and would prefer that Karori Kaitiaki took on this role. This has now been confirmed (controlling money and reporting to the Wellington City Council). The Club will be kept informed on planning progress. The next meeting of the Birdwood Reserve project committee is scheduled for 9 September.
Allan Frazer gave an update on consultation with community groups to establish avenues for Rotary support. He touched on a presentation from Wellington Age Concern on the plight of lonely people and building links with them. He also said on the youth front steps are being taken in the local community for a better understanding of youth needs, running youth programmes that includes churches and schools.
President Phil asked members to consider the new format of shorter meetings once a month with just light eats to hear and discuss projects the Club is engaged in and if members are happy for these meetings to continue, in addition to dinner meetings with a guest speaker.
We'll be holding a spring garden cleanup at the Marsden Club on Saturday 5 October from 9:30 to 12:30. Please book some time and invite friends and neighbours to assist. This is a great way to show them what Rotary does and to invite them to become Rotarians.
The Marsden Club is also looking for a Sutherland table. This is a table with rectangular leaves that fold down to make the table compact when not in use. If you have one stored somewhere please let us know. Fully extended the table must be rectangular, not oval.
The Club received 6 applications and several additional enquiries about the RYPEN course in response to Club advertising. Contact with the Club has also enabled discussion about RYLA for older family members, with the latter being held in January.
Two nominations for RYPEN are being referred by the Rotary Club of Karori to the organising committee. The course will be held at the Kawatau Outdoor Education Centre, Mangaweka, on 4-6 October. The Rotary Clubs in the Rangitikei and Manawatu have combined to run RYPEN this year.
Applications are now open for RYLA 2025. Our Club is interested in supporting RYLA and is on the lookout for possible nominations. Go to the RYLA website for details: ryla9940.co.nz. The RYLA course will be held on 22-26 January 2025 at Forest Lakes Conference Centre, Otaki,
Tuesday 10 September, Club Projects And Direction At Marsden Cultural Centre: 6pm. A dinner meeting with guest speaker Anthony De Rose, CE of YMCA Central.
Tuesday 24 September, Combined Dinner With The Lions
Mary O’Keeffe Consultant Archaeologist and maritime archaeologist confirmed as speaker on ‘Shipwrecks off our South Wellington coast and diving on wrecks’.
Saturday 5 October, A Working Bee At The Marsden Club
Please diary this event from 9:30 to 12:30. We are looking for volunteers to help, invite your friends and neighbours.
Tuesday 8 October, Alister Irwin At Marsden Cultural Centre: 6pm. A dinner meeting with guest speaker and Karori Rotarian, Alister Irwin on his life and times at the Salvation Army.
Monday 21 October, Karori Youth Awards
At Baptist Church Karori 7pm.
Tuesday 22 October, Guest Speak Sophie Williams, Regional Programmes Coordinator, Wellington Star Jam
At Marsden Cultural Centre: 6pm. Dinner meeting.
Monday 28 October to 17 November, Wellington Regional Heritage Festival
Tuesday 12 November, Club Projects And Direction
At Marsden Cultural Centre: 6pm. Short format, drinks and snacks in lieu of dinner. Discussion on projects and planning.
Tuesday 26 November, Visitors DG Jocelyn Hogg And The Mt Victoria Club
At Marsden Cultural Centre: 6pm. Dinner meeting with guest speaker DG Jocelyn Hogg addressing both clubs.
