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Editors Rant
Your Rapport issue 31 to enjoy as you wish.
Be it Dave’s Rave on toothbrushes and underpants or,
Be it Club News where we report on another full and informative even inspirational meeting on meeting challenges and spreading kindness
Be it Member’s Slot where you get yet another pot pourri of what some of us get up to…and a heads up for another Fellowship event with mixing at its core
Be it Rotary World where we feature Rotary’s DEI survey call from RI President Jennifer Jones
Whatever it is you can be sure that we all get out of bed in the morning and put on our underpants the same way…. or do we should we?
Ron Seeto
Dave's Rave
TOOTHBRUSHES AND UNDERPANTS
This week we witnessed the skirmish between the new “young” Mayor and the “established” council members in Gore.
We may never know what the underlying triggers were – but it’s been an interesting public spectacle of dysfunction.
The primary narrative chosen by the press was a conflict between a new and an old guard, representing contemporary vs traditional views.
All of us with children or grandchildren know what that is like. With three opinionated, well-travelled and well-read children in their 20’s – 30’s I’ve formed a “golden rule” to stay contemporary.
It’s simple. I always choose to understand and almost always adopt the younger person’s perspective.
This creates a bias for the future. You spend more time looking forward than back. It keeps you open to new technology, new methods, and new viewpoints.
The younger persons perspective regularly challenges our “experience”. But the latter is often derived from historic data or an outdated analysis. It can be frustrating and challenging being an older person trying to be contemporary. Maybe you feel awkward adopting views or methods outside your peer group/regular tribe – but it is also fun.
Here is a fun challenge to do something “new” or at least differently, with the same outcome. Tonight: try brushing your teeth… with the other hand. Tomorrow morning: try putting your other foot… into your underpants first. Older readers please take care with this last one!
Club News and NoticeS
Winni's Vocational, RYPEN & the Kindness Collective
Last Tuesday’s meeting
We enjoyed another visit by the DG, and several visitors, along with a memorable line up of speakers for the day. Solving each problem as it comes along in true Rotary fashion, President Dave secured the lectern banner with a kitchen knife that doubled as a make-believe microphone, stole our speaker’s thunder with his latest [very funny] pass-it-on kindness experience and - at the end - produced an ersatz kind of cheque [cheque?] for our speaker– kindness personified.
Winni's Vocational
First we had a job talk from our new member Winni Kanangarra Senior Partner at BNZ with responsibility for their Business Partners Team. Originally from Sri Lanka, Winni highlighted his world, from Invercargill to Brisbane to Sydney and then to Auckland.
In introducing us to his whanau he re-emphasised the well-established Rotary principle of family first – and then passed over a series of financial slides that made any business eyes present water. BNZ have been generous in permitting the use of their Business Partners Centre for recent interviews for RYPEN [Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment] and RYLA [Rotary Youth Leadership Award] candidates. Thanks Winni – and welcome.
RYPEN Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment
a week long leadership camp for Year 11 and Year12 students.
Then we had presentations from the recent RYPEN weekend students we had supported – Jarrod Seko and Matthew Fasavalu from St Peters and Katerina Collier-Tanielu and Janet Tuimauga from Aorere College. They reminded us that that weekend is designed to promote friendship, teamwork and participation. Activities include hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. All four expressed appreciation of their experiences, acknowledging the considerable confidence boost gained. Special appreciation – in her absence – to the ongoing chief organiser and co-ordinator, Aine Kwok, of the St Johns Club. Thanks Aine.
SARAH PAGE : the Kindness Collective
Our speaker was Sarah Page founder and CEO of the Kindness Collective, introduced to the meeting and thanked by our own Ariana Andrews, a member of Sarah’s Board. Recently New Zealander of the Year, Sarah & The Kindness Collective received the “Community of the Year 2023” Award. Sarah reminded us of the current stats – around 200k children living in poverty and deprived circumstances. In a very personal introduction to her talk, Sarah spoke of her own family journey, her autistic son and the moment in 2014 – suffering from post-natal depression - she decided to do something practical for her community, supplying a local women’s refuge with food and support. 34 presents for 34 children in 2014 has now become 35k new toys for a similar number of deserving children in 2022. Operating on referrals, the Kindness Collective helps 110 community groups around the country in 39 cities and towns. Family essentials, food and toiletries - Sarah described “moments of joy” for all those involved in this transfer of goodwill.
She described the local Christmas Joy Store, supported by club members last year; the current winter pyjama drive – target 20k pairs; the $1.5m Cyclone Gabrielle relief moneys donated by the Collective to flooding victims – whiteware, bedding and assistance to some of those uninsured.
The Collective works with Community-lead projects, including school gardens, embracing the whole school community.
A moving presentation – responded to by President Dave with the presentation of the aforementioned $5k “cheque” from the Club and the Trusts. Indeed Big Wig Ed
Next meeting
Tuesday 23rd May, 6.30pm at the Remuera Golf Club. Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Nicola Willis, responding to the Budget. If you are thinking of coming, register NOW [or you may be too late].
Members Slot
Queenstown shenanigans & a Mixology fellowship evening out
Golf, Ice cream & ...no doubt about it ... your comms gang know how to have
More on DEI : a Rotary International Survey from RIP Jennifer Jones
Dear Rotarian ,
If you’ve already taken a few minutes to participate in Rotary’s 2023 DEI Survey, THANK YOU. If it’s still on your to-do list, I hope you’ll consider sharing your thoughts.
Your perspective will be combined with others to help shape our DEI strategy for 2023 and beyond. We appreciate your time and candor!
The survey closes on Sunday, May 14, 2023. If you have any questions, please send them to RotarySupportCenter@rotary.org.
This week we witnessed the skirmish between the new “young” Mayor and the “established” council members in Gore. 
