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Editors Rant
Zeitgeist..Ahua …Qu shi … that’s german, maori and chinese to mean a defining spirit or mood of a particular period in history.
This week’s evening meeting for our karakia we had proud scottish descendant Alimac give a rendition to a full house the Selkirk Grace which you will find in Members Slot. There could be a prize if you can better Big Al’s brogue. Another a pic of Big Wig Ed challenging DEI perceptions.
Dave’s Rave has our glorious leader now aka “red hair” quoting Marcus Aurelius and wondering when and do we ask for help.
In Club News we see a kiwi ( once a rotarian) telling his story of reaching across continents and applying his many skillsets to support the harrowing war in Ukraine. Faith, Hope & Love in spades.
In Rotary World we have a timely story with an excerpt lifted from the march 25 issue of “Rotary in Review” on Saving babies in Ukraine. Rotary has no borders.
As Rotarians we all belong to a global organisation whose surname is INTERNATIONAL. For more than a century, we've bridged cultures and connected continents to build peace & bring love.
From haggis to hangi to sik fan lah … that’s time to eat in chinese. ….. I say let’s celebrate our diversity as much as our individuality. … long live Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Ron Seeto
Dave's Rave
ROTARIANS AND TOUGH TIMES
The people that are attracted to Rotary are often successful, strong, independent, and resilient.
They exhibit cheerfulness in tough times. They willingly offer to carry the load of others when required.
And yet they are often the very people who don’t ask for help, when they need it themselves!
Do you know any good Rotarians that quietly soldier on, exhausted!
Or, who simply leave Rotary, generally citing “no time” or “other priorities” as the reason.
2,000 years ago Marcus Aurelius wrote about this: “Don’t be ashamed to need help. Like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish. And if you’ve been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up? So what?”
Rotarians are strong, brave, and indefatigable. But we all still get the wobbles from time to time. That’s life. When business, family life, health … or whatever, gets on top of you, we need to get more comfortable asking our fellow Rotarians for help.
You’re not showing weakness. You’re displaying strength.
You’re not lacking insight. You’re gaining perspective.
You’re not giving up. You’re simply taking time to re-group or get well.
You’re not letting anyone down. You’re giving somebody else an opportunity.
Asking for help, or advice, or a little time-out is hard for Rotarians.
As leaders, we tell our teams, children, partners & friends they should be comfortable asking for assistance.
When times are tough, your Rotary whanau will be there for you, if you let them.
If you were (or are) going through tough times, would you: quietly soldier on? Or leave? Or ask for help?
Club News and Notices
JAM PACKED EVENING MEETING
President Dave welcomed several categories of visitors to our pre-Easter meeting: a lively occasion with an attendance of 65 including representation from 7 other rotary clubs, involving the welcoming of a new Club member, a moving vocational, the award of a Paul Harris, Alimac’s albannaich Burns’ Selkirk grace, an up-to-date and perceptive analysis of Ukraine’s struggle against its Russian invaders, and some warm Rotary fellowship.
TENBY POWELL on KIWI K.A.R.E
Ron Seeto introduced [and thanked] our guest speaker, founder of Kiwi K.A.R.E. [Kiwi Aid and Refugee Evacuation]. Tenby is a retired Army Colonel and former Mayor of Tauranga. He has spent time in the dangerous Red Zone in the east of the Ukraine and is heading back there again next month through to the end of the year.
Tenby outlined why it is important that Ukraine wins this war, not only for the country but also for the rest of the free world. There have been thousands of deaths of soldiers and civilians. More than 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced – half of these fleeing the country as refugees elsewhere. There is massive local and international economic disruption as a consequence.
Tenby became involved through a friend in Warsaw. Last July he set up an NZ flag operation – Kiwi K.A.R.E. – delivering humanitarian and medical aid and enabling evacuations from occupied territories. The aid is delivered directly into the hands of those who need it.
Other issues covered in his presentation included
The 7 donated ambulances and the 10 ton truck being shipped to the Ukraine, along with medical and practical aid
The increasing volume of Russia’s war crimes, including massacres and the deliberate targeting of hospitals and health clinics, and the forced repatriation to Russia of more than 300k Ukrainian children
The Wagner private Russian army
The West’s provision of tanks and armaments to Ukraine
An analysis of the likely pattern of the war from this point
Future potential EU and NATO membership
AUKAS
Facebook and the Give-A-Little $350k response to date
A sobering and realistic account of this ongoing tragic battle. Tenby returns to the Ukraine with our good wishes and great respect for what he is achieving under such difficult and confronting circumstances.
OLIVIA LIV McIVER FIZZING VOCATIONAL
Olivia gave us her engaging and personal vocational, outlining her philosophies of life [including introductions to her family and especially her Nan]. She has overcome significant medical adversity, with successful recovery and rehabilitation. She founded Soda Digital 5 years ago and now with solid application and effort has assembled a great team around her, specialising in social media profiles. She reminded us all – “Luck is an attitude.”
Thanks, Liv, for a very special presentation.
MEET Winindu Kannangara WINNI NEWEST MEMBER
Martin presented Winni Kannangara to President Dave for induction into the Club. Winni is a senior banker with BNZ – he will be a member of the Youth Committee. He has been to several of our Club meetings already – make sure you welcome him at the next meeting or two. His contacts are winindu.kannangara@gmail.com , 022 0804 208. Great to have you on board Winni – enjoy your association with us.
Paul Harris Fellow – Deb Hardy
Boyne, and on behalf of Paul, introduced Deb Hardy to the Club, from the Garden DesignFest Committee. Deb has been involved with the Committee from the start, 11 years ago, managing sponsors, promotions, media, the selling of tickets and the like. During that time more than $180k has been raised for Charity.
President Dave congratulated Deb on her Paul Harris Fellowship, presenting her with her pin: our Club’s public acknowledgement of her and her significant community service.
a KARAKIA by ANOTHER NAME ? courtesy ALIMAC
Ron, Herewith the words of the "Selkirk Grace" presented last night. This is a Scots language prayer recited annually at the "Burns Supper" held every year to celebrate and mark the unique contribution "Rabbie Burns" made to the culture and history of Scotland.
For the Rapport if you wish. Alimac
SKIRT, KILT or SULU
DEI = Diversity Equity Inclusion
What is the Aotearoa Inclusivity Matrix?
The Aotearoa Inclusivity Matrix is an evidence-based framework that allows organisations to identify the maturity of their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices across seven components.
Earlier this year, Dr. John Philips, chair of the International Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals, traveled with a convey through France, Germany, and Poland to deliver 120 boxes of vital medical supplies to Ukraine. Several months into the war, the fellowship became concerned about the status of maternal care in the country after hearing stories of women being forced to give birth in basements, subway stations, and other locations away from hospitals. The fellowship is working to save babies by providing ultrasound probes that can detect breathing problems in newborns.Learn more about its efforts.
The people that are attracted to Rotary are often successful, strong, independent, and resilient.
Ron Seeto introduced [and thanked] our guest speaker, founder of Kiwi K.A.R.E. [Kiwi Aid and Refugee Evacuation]. Tenby is a retired Army Colonel and former Mayor of Tauranga. He has spent time in the dangerous Red Zone in the east of the Ukraine and is heading back there again next month through to the end of the year. 
Olivia gave us her engaging and personal vocational, outlining her philosophies of life [including introductions to her family and especially her Nan]. She has overcome significant medical adversity, with successful recovery and rehabilitation. She founded Soda Digital 5 years ago and now with solid application and effort has assembled a great team around her, specialising in social media profiles. She reminded us all – “Luck is an attitude.” 
Martin presented Winni Kannangara to President Dave for induction into the Club. Winni is a senior banker with BNZ – he will be a member of the Youth Committee. He has been to several of our Club meetings already – make sure you welcome him at the next meeting or two. His contacts are 
Boyne, and on behalf of Paul, introduced Deb Hardy to the Club, from the Garden DesignFest Committee. Deb has been involved with the Committee from the start, 11 years ago, managing sponsors, promotions, media, the selling of tickets and the like. During that time more than $180k has been raised for Charity. 
Ron, Herewith the words of the "Selkirk Grace" presented last night.
DEI = Diversity Equity Inclusion 
Earlier this year,