This week we are reminded yet again of how lucky we are to live in New Zealand. Photos of neighbourhoods burnt down to the ground from the recent California wild fires, resemble war zones as rescue teams continue to look for survivors. In developed countries like the US and New Zealand, we are fortunate there are government disaster relief agencies ready to help those affected by these tragedies. However, in less developed countries with limited government support, there is more reliance on charitable NGOs (like Shelterbox) to help provide temporary shelter and life saving supplies to displaced families.  

This week’s speaker was Sally Ann Fletcher, one of the six Shelterbox Team members in New Zealand. She shared with us how Shelterbox has provided over 100,000 Shelterboxes and Shelter kits per year to families in natural disaster and war torn countries around the world. Many of our club members have packed Emergency Response Kits (ERKs) that are deployed to families who have survived natural disasters - a majority to those in our neighbouring Pacific Islands. While ERKs is a 100% Rotary sponsored program, Shelterbox is funded 50-60% by Rotary and the rest supported by others. The organisation is similar to Rotary in that there are some paid staff, while the majority are volunteers. Shelterbox and ERK’s often work  hand-in-hand to provide the Shelter (e.g. tents, tools) and the Response kits (e.g. cooking utensils, first aid equipment) for those families in need. 

Jan Malcom was our 5 minute speaker today and she shared with us her experience of traveling to Malaysia for the Moto GP which included a side trip to the Batu Caves (see photo) and the Selangor Pewter factory.  

Our “Super Sargents" (photo and title courtesy of James Hook) (R-L Dr. Bill, David Doughty, and James Billing) were able to extract another $50 for James Langton “President For  Life” name badge. Now who was it that said “titles don’t matter?…” 

The first half of the Rotary year has been busy with a variety of activities to help raise funds, promote fellowship, and service. Thank you to all who have actively engaged. There are a few more activities for the remainder of the calendar year listed on our Club website: https://rotarydowntownauckland.club/

Please take a look to make sure you’re diaries are up to date and come out to enjoy the fun and fellowship.

Our Annual General Meeting takes place on the 4th December. The formal part of our meeting will be brief, followed by a rapid fire presentation from our Champions with a mid-year progress report and plans for the second half. We will also announce our President Nominee. Our Club’s Past Presidents have come together as a Nominating Committee and have selected a candidate who they would like to put forth. Any member wishing to make a nomination may do so by sending in a signed acceptance of the submission by the nominated person, and contacting me for further details before Saturday, 1 December. Please join us on the same day for our Christmas Party at Williams Eatery from 6-10pm. 

We are fortunate to have our Christmas message and last meeting of 2018 at the Bishop Selwyn Chapel of the Trinity Cathedral in Parnell on the 11th December. We will gather at 7:15am at the Visitors Centre (St. Stephens Road entrance) for an individually packed box breakfast by “Eat my Lunch” and coffee (provided by Dean Anne). After breakfast, we will move to the Chapel for an introduction from Peter Wilson and a Christmas Message from Dean Anne. Following that, we will move to the main building to hear organist Dr. Philip Smith and our Downtown Rotary Choir- (led by Andy Picot), fill the halls with song and cheer.  Registrations for the meeting and breakfast orders will be done via Clubrunner, so please look out for an email from me later this week and click to accept/decline. Please contact me directly if you have any special dietary requirements.

Have a wonderful week & see you next Tuesday!

All the best,

Lucy