There are times in ones life that stick in the mind and come readily to the fore. In my case JFK, Wahine, Erebus, Christchurch earthquakes memories are quickly triggered by major traumatic events. Terrorism in New Zealand was that trigger over the last week. In the midst of disaster we hear of inspiring stories of people who do extraordinary things. One of those is a friend that I encouraged to start her own business recently. I hope once she returns that I can encourage her to share her story with us. It is a true example of service before self.
On your behalf your board has released a donation of $5,000 to Riccarton Rotary for them to apply as needed. Thank you to those who have also made personal, private donations. Longer term there are bound to be further calls for specific projects.
On a positive note the annual Fun Run Walk was a huge success. An estimated 1,000 contestants and spectators crowded onto Stockade Hill which was a new record. John Osborne and all of the team deserve our gratitude for their excellent planning and organisation. Set up started around 6am and clean up was complete by 2pm. Remarkably there was very little to indicate that so many people had been there hours before. Well done everyone.
Our speaker last Tuesday was Bill Charkow who spoke about what he has observed going on in other clubs through his role as Assistant District Governor. He has given us lots of food for thought about new projects and different approaches we might adopt. Bill noted that more clubs are making the move to meeting twice per month and that looks like it will become the norm.
Over recent weeks the club has been made aware of a recommendation by the board that we should move our meetings to the Howick Club. All members present were given the opportunity to express their thoughts and a vote was taken. The decision to move was agreed unanimously with one abstention. I will now work with Mike Abercrombie and Geoff Thompson to implement that decision. Effective dates and details of the change will be communicated as soon as they are finalised. We will meet at the Bowling Club until you are advised of the change.
My closing thought. This has not been a normal week for us all in New Zealand and we will be a changed society as a result. The wisdom of Mahatma Ghandi perhaps says it all:
“we must become the change we wan to see.”