Centenary Showcase.
This year is the 100th year of Rotary in New Zealand and to celebrate the occasion there was a celebration on Friday 25th June in the Kiri Te Kanawa theatre at the Aotea Centre. A number of our club members attended including Past President Gavin Green and his wife Lynne, Garry Donoghue and his wife Helen, Ian Fox and his wife Robyn, Jim Duckworth and his wife Judy, John Richardson and myself. I appreciated the support at this my first “official “function as your President.
The celebration allowed for fellowship and refreshments followed by a Centenary Showcase which featured video clips from PM Jacinda Adern and RI President Elect Jennifer Jones followed by an overview of charities started by or linked to Rotary, designed to showcase 100 years of service at local, national and global level, and to provide a context for the District Conference the following day.
Conference. Saturday 26th June
The day was divided into five sessions:
1. Celebrating our past as our future
2. Wellness and Chaos
3. Rotary means business
4. Projects and Suva
5. Rotary in the future.
1. A session presented by the Auckland Club looked at some of the major events/projects that have shaped the future, starting with comments from the author of Mana Tangata which set the scene, as major events from the past were showcased including The Ellerslie Flower Show (started by the Auckland Club) and provided an income of $1.1 million over a period of 9 years.
2. Wellness and Chaos. Remuera Club as made wellbeing a priority and examined some of the economic impact of Covid 19 on wellbeing. Alongside the economic impact has been the flow on effect of isolation and the lack of engagement young and old alike were locked into, with social media often the only link to family and friend. There is still uncertainty around the future -- what is normal? what will the new normal look like for us all going forward? A positive aspect is that Covid acted as an interrupter, helping the medical profession look to the future, making greater use of technology. A strong message emerged that we need to take care of ourselves meditation, positive relaxation and staying connected.
3. A series of personal business stories and journeys with links to Rotary Clubs. A common theme is the notion of creating a community to identify the product or project. Look at new opportunities for marketing including social media (Face Book, U-Tube, Tic Toc) Link into other clubs --- collaboration.
4. An overview of Rotary driven /initiated projects including:
* TYLA (Turn Your Life Around)
* Tree for Survival
* Polio eradication
* Give Every Child a Future
* Suva A number of projects are on hold because of Covid and Cyclone damage which is catastrophic across Fiji. Rotary Clubs have worked tirelessly to provide support wherever possible How can we help?? A new roof costs 2k. Is this something we could do?
5. The future presented by Manukau Sunrise Club talked about the need to adapt to meet the future needs and be more reflective of today’s communities. Clubs need to think about existing practices and protocols and ask will they attract new members. How can we adapt /change without losing the traditions that underpin who we are?
A common thread throughout all presentations was this notion of collaboration, the power of Rotary as a whole working together to get things done. This was reiterated at the dinner by guest speaker Susie Wiels. There is power in clubs working together and making a difference, History supports this and it must surely feature as part of Rotary moving into the future.
