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 President's Message

Madeleine East
 
And so, we now enter the 2022/23 Rotary Year, and we managed to glide from one year into the next in high style last night.

The room looked lovely with pretty Tussi Florals from Avenrose Florist on the tables, along with stylish placemats replicated from our freshy printed thank you and all-purpose cards, set off with blue and gold serviettes and of course trays of chocolates.
 
We were delighted to welcome DG Steve Chaney and his wife Edith along with Savy Govender incoming President of Sommerville Club for the evening.
Unfortunately, PDG Craig Horrocks didn’t make it, he was seeking out charging stations for his new EV car so he could get from Wellington to Auckland!! Last we heard he had had to detour through Napier. This was a such a pity because Craig was on the programme to make several presentations, however I will endeavour to make alternative plans once Craig is back in town.

While the key purpose of the evening was of course Changeover, which was actually a Clayton’s Change Over affectionately labelled Gliding On, the real highlight was the presentation or two PHF Awards presented by DG Steve Chaney. The first one being a Sapphire Pin presented to Rob Mouncey. In his citation Ian Fox outlined Rob’s major contribution to the update of our communications including Key Way and Club Runner along with the strengthened relationship with local paper Howick and Pakuranga Times and our raised public profile. The improved policy and procedure around Trusts and the access to funds was also highlighted, along with Rob’s engagement and commitment to all club activities. A truly well-deserved recognition Congratulations Rob.

The second PHF Award was presented to Mike Abercrombie. Mike’s leadership roles within the club including Director of Community, Social and now IVY along with his President’s term in 2019/20 were recognised along with his high level of engagement in all club activities, his willingness to take on tasks and roles within the club, always putting the needs of the club at the forefront of his thinking. His role, along with Pat Abercrombie, as Club Almoners was also recognised.
 
Again, a richly deserved recognition. The lovely part of it all is that both recipients were caught completely by surprise!!

Banners for 2022/23 were unveiled with Rotary International incoming President Jennifer Jones theme for her year “Imagine Rotary” This is a Rotary where members act to make their dreams a reality and make the most of their club’s experiences. She urges members to engage more with each other and use their connections to build partnerships to change the world. My thinking is that we put this into our local perspective and focus on engagement, building relationships of trust and respect, and expanding our local connections.

The new board looks a lot like the old board with the following directors in place for 2022/23:
 Community        Sally Fletcher                                   President Elect   Malcolm Pascoe
 Membership       Ian Fox                                           Secretary          Alison Kearney
 Social                Pat Abercrombie                         Treasurer          John Richardson
 IVY                   Mike Abercrombie.                       
 IPP                    Gavin Green
 Sergeant            Bill Charkow                                     

My thanks to the outgoing board Colin Monk and Mike Stanghan for their support throughout the year and thanks to the incoming board for their continued hard work and support.

Special Notices 
Our next full meeting is 12th July when we will have our RYLA presentations and our AG will also be present.

A great night, thanks to everyone for coming and to all those who were all part of the organising to make is all happen.

Kia tupato, kia noho haumaru. Take care, stay safe.

Madeleine East MNZM
President.
Speaker
Jul 12, 2022
My Experience
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Meeting Duties

Host/Introduction:
Speaker Thanks:
Reception:
Attendance:
Upcoming Events
RYLA Presentations
Jul 12, 2022
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
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Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Ian Fox
July 9
 
Madeleine East
July 14
 
Rob Mouncey
July 17
 
Steve Lines
July 17
 
David Teape
July 30
 
Glen Donaldson
July 31
 
Latest News
"Gliding On" Changeover Night
 
Top: President Madeleine East being presented with a potted camelia by Social Director Mike Abercrombie with President Elect Malcolm Pascoe looking on. 
Bottom L and R: Mike Abercrombie and Rob Mouncey giving their Paul Harris Fellow thank you speeches. Mike is accompanied by Rotary District Governor Steve Chaney who presented the awards on the night.
Bottom Centre: Members attending the Club's "Gliding On" Changeover at the Howick Club.
 
Each year, across the globe at the end of June, Rotary Clubs elect a new leader, new team and plan for the year ahead. After such a disrupted 2021-2022 year and to maintain continuity the Rotary Club of Howick is moving forward with many of the existing team including re-electing its current President, Madeleine East MNZM for the year to come.  

As the number of changes were few the club decided to refer the normal “Changeover” function to more like “Gliding On”. However, MC on the night Ian Fox assured the audience that the Howick Rotary administration was significantly superior to the “bumbling bureaucrats” that acted in the early 1980’s TV series. 

In reviewing the year President Madeleine outlined some of the many projects we have been able to complete despite Covid including our most recent highly successful 'Blankets 4 Kids 4 Winter' project.

We also welcomed District Governor Steve Chaney and Edith who together gave us a snapshot of the challenges Rotary Clubs have faced during these COVID times. 

A Paul Harris Fellowship Award was presented to Past President Mike Abercrombie and a Paul Harris Sapphire Pin to Past President Rob Mouncey for the considerable work they have done in supporting our club and the community.
 
We all look forward to a less disruptive year ahead as we now plan for our annual Bookarama sale in October.

Apologies

 
Please note that meeting apologies should be made to Pat Abercrombie not David Owen as previously.
 
Pat can be contacted on Mob 021 438 728 or email mick.pat.abercrombie@gmail.com. Please alter your Directories and cross out the "m" in ambercrombie!)
 

  Howick 175th Celebration Luncheon 5th November

 

A great response from members to attend this function! 
 
President Madeleine has 24 tickets for the celebration luncheon. Members will be invoiced for the cost through their club accounts.
 
Please note that any changes to your booking will need to be handled by you in conjunction with 175th Anniversary Secretary - see the web site for contact details.
 
 

 A Thank You from Bev Riley

 
 

  Blankets 4 Kids 4 Winter Report

 
 
The Club’s Blankets for Kids project has been an overwhelming success
thanks to the outstanding generosity of the local community and businesses.
 
For the month of May the bins have been overflowing, and in good weather and bad, I too have had calls to accept deliveries at home.
 
It seems there has been an army of caring knitters and knitting groups clicking away on the needles in the background during May.

And not only did we receive donations of valuable woolen blankets, but
duvets and bedspreads, flannelette sheets, woolen hats and gloves.  For many who didn’t have a blanket at home to donate, new blankets were purchased, such was the desire to help those in need.
 
It has been overwhelmingly encouraging to experience the enthusiasm of people
in the community first hand.  The total number of blankets donated was in excess of 1,500 which far exceeds last year’s pilot project. As well as the three local charities, we have also supplied 200+ cot blankets to Littlemore, the organization which supports maternity and family wards at Middlemore Hospital.
 
I’d like to thank the Comms Committee, and especially Rob Mouncey for an excellent advertising and promotional campaign.  Making the front page of The Times was a great tribute to the community and the Rotary Club of Howick.
 
Thanks to Mike and Pat Abercrombie for the time they gave every day during May collecting blankets from Grasslands - and answering the call at short notice if I needed a hand.
 
Thanks to our quality control ladies; to all who helped bag the mountain of blankets, and to Geoff for the use of his van, and to those who assisted in delivering to the charities.
A special thanks to Dave Wylie who spoke to his business network group, about the blanket project.  The outcome was more than generous.  Not only did each member of the network group contribute financially, but Don Stehr, a previous Rotary Club member, matched the amount they raised, which further enabled the group to source and purchase 350 new blankets.  I’d like to particularly thank Wayne Strong and Greg and Wayne Banks. 

Dave, as a gesture of thanks, I have given you Sergeant’s immunity for the next
two meetings!
 
I’d like to acknowledge the team effort of Howick Village Association in liaising, supporting and assisting the Club.  It was an invaluable partnership. The Information Centre was the perfect central hub.   My thanks also to Grasslands, Howick Optometrists and other local retailers, Howick College and Farm Cove Intermediate.

I would like to encourage the Club to make this an ongoing annual project. 
We have received a clear message that the local community is uniquely united in it’s commitment to help those in need. 
 
Imagine what could be achieved if every Rotary Club in the District adopted a similar project in their own area?
Well done Howick community for your monumental generosity!
                                                                                 
Bill Charkow
Convenor
Blankets for Kids
 
 
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Articles/Content to be submitted to the editor No Later than 11am Thursday. Email to: dave.wylie@experienceontap.co.nz
 
Attendance apologies should be emailed to davidtowen@xtra.co.nz