The turnout for the meeting was down on numbers. Some Members are away seeking sunshine with a few unwell.
Welcome once again to Clem, our exchange student. Clem seems to have settled into school and is also enjoying his host family. They are a Spanish family and the daughter is of similar age. She is destined to go to France as an exchange student later in the year.
Our very own Rotary member, Sally Fletcher was the guest speaker for this meeting. Sally spoke about ShelterBox.
Sally has been associated with ShelterBox since 2011, having done her training she is now part of the ShelterBox Response Team, one of one hundred and fifty SRT’s worldwide.
Sally’s involvement has required her to travel to typhoon hit areas, Fiji being her first deployment in 2012. Since then she has been to the Philippines and Vanuatu. The Philippines has been constantly hit by typhoons with SB responding more than twenty five times.
SB is twenty four years old and started as a Rotary project in Helston Cornwall UK. SB is supported by volunteers, paid staff and a global network of affiliates and partners including Rotary International. Seventy percent of the funding to run SB comes from Rotary.
SB has a vision that every family is entitled to shelter which provides dignify and hope. Everything they do is shaped by the four humanitarian principals of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality. They are currently working in Turkey, Ukraine and Syria. SB partners with Relief Aid. Conflicts zones use a large volume of SB resources now.
Our thanks to Sally for a very interesting and informative speech.
Last year Howick Rotary with the help of the Thomas Brydon Trust donated in excess of $!6,000.00 of international relief aid to ShelterBox, Emergency Response Kits, ReliefAid and Rotary New Zealand World Community Service. Locally with a matching grant from the Thomas Brydon Trust we donated $10000 for Cyclone Gabrielle relief aid.
I recommend visiting shelterbox.org website for up-to-date information.
Rotary business then took place. Sergeant Steve once again extracted money from members........again with much humour!
All members were updated with progress to date regarding the proposed merger with Pakuranga Rotary Club. The next meeting with Pakuranga Rotary is set down for September 11th.
Congratulations to the Raffle winners. Have a go raffle... 1st Geoff Thompson. 2nd Sally Fletcher.
New World Vouchers;- for Mike Stanghan and Fred Holland.
Our next dinner meeting is 12th September. This is our Charter – Birthday dinner night here at the Howick Club
I will unfortunately be away in Australia so wish you all an enjoyable evening.
Kind regards.
Take care and stay warm.
Malcolm J Pascoe.
President RCOH.
