Fitness activities support telethon

Club members readu to GO

On 3 December 2011, the Rotary Club of Taravao Tahiti-Iti supported the Telethon by raising 245 054 FCP.  All club members supported two events involving many in the community:

Morning:  Relay races between different commercial centres of Taravao
Afternoon:  a fitness and Tamure Marathon in the les jardins de la marie (gardens of City Hall).

Recognition for Rotary in Christchurch

The Royal Humane Society Presented a gold medal to the citizens of Christchurch for their acts following the earthquakes.

The recognitions to the 140 organisations of which Rotary District 9970 and Rotary International were presented by Mayor Bob Parker on behalf of the Christchurch City Council

The inscription on the plaque reads as follows.

In recognition of service to Christchurch in the Earthquakes 2010-2011.  Presented to Rotary District 9970 and Rotary International in recognition of  acts of kindness, service and heroism during and following the Christchurch Earthquakes.

Presented by Mayor Bob Parker.

The recognition goes to the Rotarians and Rotary Clubs in D9970,  to Rotary International, and the many clubs and districts in New Zealand and overseas that supported the the appeal.

We in D9970 acknowledge the generosity of Rotarians,non Rotarians,Rotary Clubs and Districts in New Zealand and overseas and thank them for their kindness and support.

Club Vision getting good buy-in from Clubs

Club Vision facilitation, helping clubs assess where they want to be 5 years from now is receiving a good response in our District. So far 18 clubs have held Vision workshops with a team of facilitators – Stratford, Tawa, Wanganui, Feilding, Petone, Stokes Valley, Awapuni, Wellington, Wellington Central, Porirua Sundown, Eastern Hutt, Carterton, Taihape, Levin, Otaki, Fitzroy, Karori and Plimmerton clubs. Another 12 clubs are lining up for Vision workshops at this stage.

The Vision programme helps clubs identify what is needed for effectiveness and growth and to achieve this through consensus, consistency and continuity. The programme is now well established in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

We have a team of 23 trained facilitators to work with clubs in our District. It is a great time to go forward in Rotary and Club Vision which looks at club attributes, meetings, service outputs, fund raising, supporting the Rotary Foundation and Rotary Public Image is a key tool to help future strategic direction.

Please contact me to discuss your needs further and put your club onto a greater achievement path.

PDG David Watt,

District 9940 Club Vision Coordinator.

dwatt@xtra.co.nz

Ph 04 476 2236, Mob 027 2466 339

Christchurch Earthquake Anniversary

For an overview of Rotary projects over the last year that have supported those in need following the earthquake on 22 February 2011 go to: www.rotarysouthpacific.org

Rotary is social

One very pleasurable aspect of Rotary is the very active social side, with many groups within Rotary getting together regularly.  In most cases, these are members of Rotary clubs getting together, but there are other groups that also gather. 

One recent example is the Rotary District 9920 Past District Governors and partners' BBQ just held on a PDG's rural property amidst a magnificent garden on a brilliant sunny day. 

This annual event hosted by the current Governor is an opportunity to catch up with friends and to receive an update on Rotary in the district, plus a "heads up" on future plans for Rotary affecting the District and the rest of the Rotary world in the near future.

RYLA participants suggest projects for Christchurch youth

At the Christchurch Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp in January 2012 the participant syndicates were challenged to come up with projects that would benefit the youth of Christchurch, particularly something with an earthquake recovery theme.  Use the following link to read the February Rotary Earthquake Receovery Support Newsletter to find out what they came up with:

http://www.rotaryresponse-christchurcheq.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/earthquake-recovery-support-project.html

Are you Rotary fit?

If you are a Rotarian, are you Rotary fit?

What does that mean?  It may mean that you have enough of an understanding of Rotary to not only participate in a meaningful way within your club, but also to make your membership meaningful to you.  There are plenty of ways to gain this understanding.  First of course is to be active in your club, taking part in its activities on a regular basis and not being willing to let someone else carry the load.  Other ways to learn more about Rotary are: going along to Rotary district training - even brand new Rotarians are always welcomed when they want to discover the big picture of Rotary opportunities; participate in a Rotary Leadership Institute course, which after all is the Rotarian development forum; or simply browse your Rotary Down Under magazine each month - you will be amazed how much you actually pick up from each issue that is of use.

Or maybe being Rotary fit is taking part in some of the many walkways developed by Rotary clubs over time that are valued assets in their communities.  The Rotary walkway along the Tamaki River in Auckland comes to mind.  This was a partnership project of the Rotary Club of Pakuranga with Manukau City Council and others, and this walkway meanders along several scenic kilometres.  In the Napier-Hastings area there are tens of kilometres of walking and cycling pathways developed by Rotary.  And in the deep south near Cromwell there is a 45 minute walk along the 45th parallel that has spectacular views of Lake Dunston, the Cromwell Basin and the surrounding snow capped mountains.  It would be hard to not find something similar in virtually every community throughout New Zealand, and more are being developed.  All of these are free, so just do it! 

Then there are organised activities run by Rotary clubs that get you and your family out into our varied and usually spectacular countryside.  The Blog Post just before this one has an example, but what about the Rotary Club of Waiuku's Sunset Coast Walk held annually at the end of February?  This popular easy walk crosses farmlands along a stunning coastline that is enjoyed by single walkers, couples plus family and other groups.  The Rotary Club of Warkworth is another example with a guided walk in March each year combining Mount Tamahunga, Pakiri Beach and walks on private land on Kawau Island, so this walk provides challenge, variety and a wonderful unspoiled location.  As a third example, the Rotary Club of Milton organises guided walks of many of the great walks of New Zealand.  Get your boots on!

Rotary fit may mean taking part in some Rotary outside your club or even your country.  Rotarians are of course able to visit any Rotary club throughout the world as they travel.  The many Rotary recreational 'fellowships' offer amazing opportunities to meet people and see the sights.  We enjoyed memorable sailing on the sparkling waters of French Polynesia, then swimming and sipping French champagne while drifting in a lagoon, thanks to the hospitality of the French Polynesian Fleet of the International Fellowship of Yachting Rotarians.  There are also Fleets in the Bay of Islands, Auckland and Lake Taupo, plus many other locations all around the world.  Oh, you don't sail, you play golf ... then join the Golfing Fellowship to of course play the courses of the world. Or you can join the Cricketing, Flying, Motorcycling or Caravanning Fellowships. 

Why not get Rotary fit today and have a great time?  A healthy lifestyle demands it.

Rotary 4WD - out 'n about in some rugged scenery

Some 22 vehicles took part in the 18th Annual Rotary 4WD trip on 8 January. The Route took participants up through North-burn Station to the top of the Dunstans, then along the ridge and down to Thomson’s Gorge for lunch. After lunch it was back onto the tops of the Dunstans and then down a long spur to Logantown and Bendigo. There was a stop at Logantown and a talk on the gold workings by Donald Young. The event concluded with a beer and a barbeque at Bendigo Station.

Thanks are due to Murray Dennison and Bill Wilson, route masters and guides, Donald Young, Peter Jackson for coordinating the BBQ and to the landowners of Northburn and Bendigo for access to their land and tracks.

Thanks to the Cromwell Rotary Club Bulletin for this news.

RDU goes Mobile

Now available for viewing on your Mobile Phones and Tablets is the Rotary Down Under magazine.  Using your mobile phone or tablet, simply go to www.m.rotarydownunder.com.au and  Bookmark (save page) for easy access to the current magazine.

Leaders get out of the fox hole first, flying the flag ...

Excerpt from Christchurch International Airport Ltd CEO Jim Boult’s address to Rotary Youth Leadership Award, Christchurch, January 2012

… Leadership is about setting example and communicating.  It’s about demonstrating to your team that you are the person who is prepared to get out of the fox hole first, flying the flag and encouraging others to follow you.  It’s about having courage to make tough decisions which won’t always be popular - and to do what’s needed to see them through. 

It’s about relating to other people, no matter what their status.  It’s about sharing successes on an equal basis with everyone in the team. 

And it’s about humility … in good times and in bad, including the times of facing failures with the team, accepting responsibility, learning and moving on.

Leaders are people in whom others put their trust and confidence, from whom they get their vision and professional purpose. These are also qualities which earn respect and give some degree of comfort in difficult times.

People in leadership positions, as well as every other person prepared to show personal leadership, will have to fully commit to what’s required. The challenge is to focus on what’s needed, rather than what’s wanted.

Successful leaders have the happy knack of engaging others, which means they demonstrate what they expect. They don’t talk - they do;   they shine the light on the good and the not-so-good. They know when it’s time to be in the trenches with the team and standing on top giving orders.

Successful leaders depend on the people around them. It’s important to be modest so others feel they can speak up when you’re around. And when they do, listen carefully and let them see you are doing that.

It’s OK to disagree – in fact it’s healthy and often it’s when some really good ideas and plans take shape.  No leader has all the answers – that’s way too much pressure!

So go well on the next leg of your journey … be proud of who you are and all you have achieved to date.  Believe in yourself. Look after yourself – and your family and friends. Show people what you stand for - display personal leadership at all times and professional leadership when you get the chance.

Watch and learn from people you aspire to be like or work with. Leaders learn from both success and failure – sometimes learning from success presents bigger challenges.

Above all, be the best you can be. That’s leadership.

You are young leaders – I invite you to grow into older leaders.

Fiji Floods - for updates go to www.fijifloods2012.rotarysouthpacific.org

Please visit www.fijifloods2012.rotarysouthpacific.org and / or www.rnzwcs.org