Rethinking Rotary is working...

Transcription

1 Issue 2: August 2013 Rethinking Rotary is working... District Governor s Newsletter DG Anneas Balt and DGA Valery Val and I have started our regional visits the end of July what an incredible experience! Before we started I thought about the 84 visits!! Maybe we should disappear. Now we cannot wait for the next visits to happen. These visits have also been a learning experience for us my thought process changers with every meeting. Thank you to all the Rotarians that are engaging me and challenging my thinking. This is the only way we can move ahead as an organization - revisited perception and ReThink Rotary. went into the most isolated Squatter camps and we have seen probably the worst side of some communities. However, seeing the many wonderful projects has had a very positive spin-off as we have met some real live Angels and we saw the difference that Rotary Clubs and their partners are making. I want to thank all Rotarians, Rotary Anns and Members of Inner wheel for Changing Lives we are humbled by what we saw THANK YOU. Lots of cuddles! Toddlers at Refilwe Badplaas weekend We have already been into inner city slum areas; visited the poorest of the poor;

2 P A GE 2 D ISTRICT GO VE RN O R S N E W S LE TTER How our lives have changed. 27th Rotary Greatest Train Race The needs and demands of the communities seems to grow and Rotarians cannot solve all the problems but we are motivated to make a difference and give folks opportunities. Networking amongst Clubs in your region, the District and the Rotary World are becoming absolutely essential - where would we have been without the old Matching Grants? We look forward to visiting the other clubs during the remainder of 2013 and beyond. We keep on Engaging Rotary and Changing Lives. Best wishes Anneas -- Remember that there are a number of training sessions being held this year and again in The annual Rotary Greatest Train race between emalahleni (Witbank) and Middelburg took place on 24 August His annual event is organised by the Rotary Clubs of Middelburg, Middelburg Cycad and Witbank. This year the road relay event drew nearly participants in all categories. This makes it the largest event of its kind in the country. There were more than 500 volunteer Marshalls (including Rotarians from Pretoria West, Johannesburg New Dawn, White River and Bela Bela). The Greatest Train Race Committee aims to raise more than the R1,2 million raised in 2012 for the benefit of a number of deserving projects in the community. These include: Middelburg Care Village A children s Home which was established arising from the Train race in 2003, and where 107 children currently are being cared for; The annual training camp of the SA reservist police service in Middelburg and Witbank Homes for the aged in Hendrina, Middelburg and emalahleni Vegetable garden projects at schools and old age homes Educational programs Wheelchairs for the needy Holidays for underprivileged senior citizens to the SWEMB Rotary resort in Badplaas Weekend away for underprivileged children to Loskopdam The event is made possible by large sponsorships from Anglo American, Eskom and Glencore, as well as many smaller sponsorships and contributions from the community in time and money. We look forward to seeing an even better race in Below is an aerial view of the event venue - see the buses lined up! The seminars and courses are excellent so sign up to avoid disappointment!

3 ISSUE 2 : A U GUS T P A GE 3 Dear Rotary Anns and Members of Inner Wheel DGA Valery Balt Thanks to all the clubs that have started to collect old spectacles. I hope that we can collect 100s of new or old spectacles to hand to the needy in our communities. Anneas and I attended many inductions and our first regional visit was with DGPR & DGAPR Chris and Enlim Pretorius in Pretoria with the Pretoria Sunrise, Pretoria east, Pretoria West, Hatfield and Warmbaths. Although the Anns of Pretoria East disbanded, we still had a meeting and they will continue to support their projects on a more informal basis. Well done ladies you are superstars. Thank you for your friendship, a very good visit and willingness to continue to do good work. It was very humbling and inspiring to see the projects. The orchard is still blooming and when I look at it, it is with fondest memories for you all. I think DGPR Chris has converted me to growing orchards. The Rotary Ann Presidential Induction of Johannesburg South 101 on Sunday 4 August was most enjoyable. I congratulate Jackie Romano and the club s Anns all the best for a successful year ahead. We enjoyed a joint meeting with Region 9 s Rotary Ann Clubs being Randburg, Northcliff and Roodepoort. President Betty and the Randburg Anns and I visited Usindiso, managed by Pastor Jay Bradley (Director) in Marshalltown. Usindiso is a shelter for abused and/or homeless women and their children. Pastor Jay received 50 new waterproof sheets during the visit (see right). The Randburg Anns sell their Calendar Girl Calendars and proceeds are for Usindiso. Consider getting the birthday calendar. They are great! These ladies took their clothes off for the right reasons!

4 ...continued. diary notes from DGA Valery At Usindiso, cupcakes and chips were enjoyed by the children who entertained me with a heartfelt Jesus loves me. On the 20 th the Anns met at Randpark Golf Course for an informal meeting. This was very well attended and I thank the Anns for their hospitality and sincerity. Northcliff Ann President PDGA Shirley Thurtell (seen right) reported on the Northcliff projects- Tom Shoes, the Golden Girls, etc. Unfortunately the Anns will no longer supply comfort bags to Sophia Town Police station as the contents of the bags were stolen. They also host a Christmas party for underprivileged children. Roodepoort Ann President Rose reported that they assist the Floroma Old Age Home and the Davidsonville After Care Centre. Fellowship is enjoyed with the Rotarians at a Sop and Dop evening where the Anns provide the soup and the Rotarians provide the Dop - as well as enjoy a Barnyard show and a quiz evening. The adopt a teen project was explained by Randburg Ann President Betty. They Anns fill comfort bags and soon they will embark in a new Aids orphans project. It was an excellent informal and interesting meeting. The Anns of Region 9 definitely comply with the theme of the year. They are very engaged and change many, many lives. We joined the Rotarians for the formal part of the evening and it was a very enjoyable evening with lots of fellowship. My heartfelt thanks to DGAPR Margaret Grant for organizing this visit and to the Rotary Anns for the lovely bouquet of flowers. We arrived as acquaintances and left as family. Best wishes Valery On 3 August we held another Discon meeting and many thanks to the committee for their dedication and hard work. The exciting news is that the entire cost is R 3999 (sharing)! Charlene, (left) is the newly inducted Rotary Ann, Randburg.

5 Humanitarian Centre container for the RC of Vanderbijlpark Karel from Delta Crane Hire and his men watched as the 40 tonne Delta Crane lifted the container off the Peterbill Transport truck. As it turned mid-air, it was guided by hand till it reached the correct spot. PP Rex Anderson (seen in the picture) is watching the 30 minutes process very carefully. Thank you to everybody! WHEN YOU VISIT THE NEW ROTARY INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE.the Tools and Templates can be found under new member access called My Rotary... Please check all the new rules with regard to branding. September is Youth Services Month If your club has Interact and/or Rotaract clubs, then consider organizing a get together with the youth members. It is with sadness Rtn Grace van Zyl (Benoni Aurora) lost her husband, Willie (55) following a number of medical complications. He was a humble, special man and he will be sorely missed by his family of fellow Rotarians. Rtn Paul Kindon s (Benoni Aurora) mum passed away on the same day as Willie - our condolences to Paul and his Ann, Cheryl and their family. Honarary Member and IPP Rotary Ann Linda Thornhill s mum passed away in the UK after some life-changing events. Our thoughts are with Linda and PP Rotarian John Thornhill (Morningside). May they all rest in peace and let the angels guide them on their way. PP Elsa Venter (Vanderbijlpark) is recovering from an eye operations and is out of action for a while...which is hard for our dear Elsa! Get better soon Elsa. The Exchange students and RYLA youngsters (note their new logo above) are also potential future Rotarians and they need to be nurtured. Join in a fun event; visit their projects and give them all the support that you can. Rotaract Chairperson, Rtn Claire Wilson (Benoni Aurora) has introduced a newsletter for the youth. A first for our district and possibly in Southern Africa. Congratulations to Claire for taking the initiative. We look forward to reading the news of the Youth. PUBLIC RELATION/COMMUNICATIONS SEMINARS These seminars will be held in every D9400 Region look out for the seminar announcements. See you all there soon!

6 P A GE 6 D ISTRICT GO VE RN O R S N E W S LE TTER Increase Membership with Satellite Clubs Sometimes when you ask a friend, colleague or relative to join Rotary, you get answers like I am too busy or It s too expensive but now none of these excuses need to apply any longer! Your club can start a satellite Club! The following will help you to start a club. Call your regional membership representative for more details.details are in the directory. Satellite members are members of the main club. The process to induct a satellite member will be the same as with any other member. They pay annual subs as any other member but not more than R100 per month as it only covers RI, District and the Rotary Magazine. They can meet anywhere they choose and at any time of their choice. They are headed by a Chairman who sends a report once a month to the main Board. They can choose their own community projects. They can raise funds themselves or get funds from the main club. Their initial chairman should be an experienced Rotarian. They can attend a main club weekly meeting if they so desire and vice versa they should however also try and attend some important events of the Main Club (Inductions, Fundraisers etc). They must abide by Bye laws and RI laws as would the main club. The Satellite can be in any part of SA. RC Waterkloof - refurbs a clinic & delivers blankets The Jakaranda Netcare Hospital group together with the RC Waterkloof renovated the Rivoningo Care Centre. Qumi Homes in Rayton, thanks the RC of Waterkloof for the warm blankets for the mentally and physically challenged folks in the home. Dr Wilma (Waterkloof) seen holding the blanket September is New Generations / Youth Services month. The RI Foundation rate is R 9,90/US$ for September

7 ISSUE 2 : A U GUS T P A GE 7 Containers start to leave! Millions of books have been taken from the Humanitarian centre since records were first kept by the late Ken Kay (Randburg). We miss Ken s smiling face around the centre but we also know that he has joined his dear wife Pat. May you be blessed for your wonderful Rotary enthusiasm whilst with us Ken. Over 30 clubs put their name on a list for a container. As at 1 July, there were 10 containers available. Centre liaison manager, Kaylene Ferreira contacted the first 10 clubs on the waiting list and 60% of the containers have already been collected. The other clubs need to collect as soon as possible otherwise the container will be allocated to the next club on the list. Maintenance manager, IPP David Laventhorpe (Bedfordview) has been working diligently to ensure that things are fixed and some of the rooms are cleaned, painted and shelved. Anne Murray (Bedfordview) manages the day -to-day funds and the volunteers are sorting out books and many other things at the centre. On 13 October, there is a workshop at the centre with a number of Rotary clubs doing hands-on work to spruce up the centre. You are all welcome to join in for the bring and braai and to give a hand. David obtained a donation of 120 litres of paint from Plascon and the rollers are ready to be used. Thanks to Pres Sylvia Knoop for arranging the Benoni Aurora club members and Rotary Anns to fill the weekly duties on Tuesdays. Thanks to Sesego Cares for donating R 75,000 for the next consignment of four containers arriving in September. Sesego Cares has been very supportive of the project since Sesego Cares CEO & PP Annemarie Mostert (Northcliff) is a great supporter of the Humanitarian Centre. Pres Sylvia Knoop continues to collect loads of linen, towels, pillows, toiletries and slippers from the various hotels. Soon there will be steel office cabinets available. Chair Annemarie Mostert (ctr) and friends IPP Kanthan Pillay Membership seminar - 27 July - many happy faces. Thanks to the membership committee.

8 P A GE 8 D ISTRICT GO VE RN O R S N E W S LE TTER Badplaas is not for sissies! The Rotary Club Vanderbijlpark has organised a very lively holiday for senior citizens at Badplaas for the last seven years. The project is kindly supported by all five Rotary Clubs in the south of Johannesburg and both Rotary Anns Clubs in the Vaal Triangle. The senior citizens are transported to the SWEMB Rotary Resort at Badplaas Every year D9400 VIPs visit the project and is in awe and impressed with the excellent treatment the guests enjoy. Four hard working Rotarians (sponsored) ensure that everyone is well looked after and spoilt! DG Anneas and DGA Valery visited with their 8 year old daughter Zoë and stayed for three days. It was difficult to say who enjoyed the visit most - the 66 guests (who adored Zoë and her youth) or the Balt couple. PP Elsa Venter (above), one of the organisers, goes every year.. this time she is in front of the camera and not taking pics! Various activities allows everyone to be involved and to have as much fun as possible...including kissing competitions! The guests receive books (from the Humanitarian Centre), a large goodie bag, a fun T-shirts and a wheelchair hand-over. Guests get to know about Rotary by the end of the week, too. Back home everybody gets a photo CD and the write up on the event. If your club would like to send some guests along to be loved and entertained, please contact PP Elsa Venter or dg @lantic.net. VISIT THE NEW ROTARY INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE.YOU WILL SEE MANY CHANGES!

9 ISSUE 2 : A U GUS T P A GE 9 RI President Ron Burton started The First Class! At the International Assembly in January 2013, all the Governors Elect were encouraged to donate monies to the Foundation and before the week was over, US$ 630,000 odd was donated and more has been donated since the Assembly. The governors were encouraged to get the club presidents to personally contribute as well. Alongside are the results. Please remember to pledge your club s contribution. The Exchange rate for September is R 9,90/US$. Rotary s new official signature (logo) consists of the word Rotary beside the traditional Rotary wheel to make the word Rotary more prominent. Japie Gouws, CEO of the ATKV Group & Diva, Mimi Coetzer ATKV Winner Caroline is a student of Rtn Louis Botha of Waterkloof and former member of the club's Dithakga Vocal Ensemble. She moved to Cape Town to further her studies there. She is however, still an International Fellow of Rotarian Musicians. She is the overall winner of the competition! Congratulations to her for achieving this award and thank you for her loyalty towards Rotary over many years!!! Coming first at an ATKV competition, is an achievement by itself! There will be a variety of color combinations used for best graphical representation, but it is important to note that the Rotary wheel - our mark of excellence - will remain prominently displayed in our publications and materials.

10 BIG DADDY COMES HOME TO CHECK ON HIS SIBLINGS!!!! Graham Money shared some thoughts and experiences on his Rotary journey over the past 42 years. He was a District Governor's Representative (before Assistance Governors) for the then Governor of D9300 John O'Connor in One of the Clubs assigned to him was none other than the Northcliff RC. The President was Mike Pearlman and they developed a wonderful relationship with the members, spending many happy hours of great fellowship. It was sometime during the year that President Mike surprised me by inducting me as a "Country Member" with the presentation of a large rosette! says Money. So you can imagine that he has a very soft spot for the Northcliff Rotary Club and happy memories of his association. Graham has recently received the RI Membership Award for his successful membership drive at Helderberg Sunrise in Western Cape (63 members). The Club has over the past four years partnered with the RC of Northcliff in various international and local projects. Left - Right: DGPR Francis Callard, AG Belinda Alport in the background, PDGA Bunty and PDG Graham Money (D9350) Photo: Pres Hans Mostert, DG Anneas Balt and Ashwin Daya, Financial Director of FEM. FEM (Federated Employers Mutual) is the major and founding sponsor of the Rotary Club of Northcliff s Rushmoor (UK) Wheelchair project. The project was founded 20 years ago. On Tuesday 20 August, during District Governor Anneas visit, a cheque of R200k was handed to the club s president, Hans Mostert. Since 1993, over wheelchairs have been donated at no cost to beneficiaries in need of mobility. The current Convenor of the project is Rotarian Dave Woodhouse. For more information please contact Dave on dave@woodhouse.co.za. Graham was also responsible for the charter of the RC of Morningside 27 years ago and he and Bunty visited the club too whilst in Johannesburg. Graham reminded everyone that he was the club s daddy and he was popping in to see how his sibling is doing! The RC of Morningside inducted 3 new members in the past few weeks.so, Graham your children are multiplying at a fast rate! Shirley Downie served on the same committee as Graham when South Africa hosted the annual Rotary International Golf tournament at Sun City a few years back.

11 D9400 s First eclub Assistant Governor /PP Belinda Alport, Membership Chairperson/PP Annemarie Mostert, DG Anneas Balt, DGPR/PP David Grant (Back), Rotarian Cheryl Pillay, Robyn le Roux, Janice Moodley, Mariam Jacobs, President Hans Mostert (back), Mahlaku Nkuna, Charlotte Khoza. RC of Northcliff inducted its first members of the 1 st Satellite Club Six new Rotary members, out of a total of 11 members, were inducted into the 1 st Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Northcliff on Tuesday 20 August, during DG Anneas Balt s, visit to Region 9. We are so excited to launch our 1 st satellite club in the District, and perhaps in the country. We warmly welcome these extraordinary women into the family of Rotary! said DG Anneas. The new members are leaders in their own professions and the community in and around Gauteng. The RC of Northcliff has close relationships with each of these members. They serve, as volunteers, on various community structures and have made significant differences to the lives of vulnerable community members. If you would like to consider chartering an eclub, please contact Annemarie at In appreciation PDG Tom Borrill and PP Robin Bath have been deployed to manage the LOCOG container project (from the UK) from 1 July and they will be operating from the Rotary Centre/Shop offices in Bezuidenhout Park. D9400 thanks them both very much for their dedication and management of the Humanitarian Centre since Best of luck to them both with their new venture. The Humanitarian centre is under new management. Warmth has been ordered for the Discon theme evening! The Arabian Night theme event at the 2014 Discon in Polokwane will be not only include belly dancers (which will pop your eyes!) but blankets to keep you warm! To ensure that the blankets provided will be complimentary to the décor of the event, special blankets will be made by PHF Ricky Senekal of RC Vanderbijlpark. Ricky appears in the middle of the pic, wrapped in another one of her blankets she made for other blanket projects. Without letting the surprise out, it can be said that the Discon 2014 blankets will not look like this one at all! On the left is Heidi Tucker, event planner from RC Benoni Aurora, responsible for Discon 2014 décor. On the right is Helene Malan, wife of IPP Hannes Malan of RC Vanderbijlpark.

12 Discon 2014 DG Anneas and some of the Discon 2014 Committee members on the Bush Willow Deck at The Ranch Hotel, Limpopo. This is where the Theme Evening event will be held and you will see the lions being fed from this deck! Pretoria Filadelfia Ark, AG Liana van der Walt, Dirk van Vuuren owner and some tenants From the desk of DG Anneas..please follow us on Facebook for a picture journey of our visits throughout the district Facebook Anneas Balt RI Foundation Record hot off the press! contributions to the Annual Fund reached an all-time high, exceeding US$115 million for the first time ever! Achieving annual contributions of this magnitude is a reflection of the extraordinary work of Rotary leaders, like you, around the world. Thank you!