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Absolutely the Last Bulletin
18 June 2017
 
Stories
This bulletin has been emailed to all 9940 Rotarians
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Did you hear the announcement from the Atlanta Conference?
ATLANTA, Ga. (June 12, 2017) – Today in Atlanta Rotary President John Germ and Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, announced a commitment of up to $450 million to support the eradication of polio.
 
To read the full story go here
At Rotary's Biggest Event of the Year
  • Bill Gates inspires the world to join the final push to end polio.
  • During Rotaract Preconvention breakout sessions Rotaractors learned how to craft the perfect sales pitch for Rotaract.
  • Rotary President-elect Ian Riseley addressed the important role of Rotaractors in Rotary and looked ahead to Rotaract’s 50th anniversary in 2017-18.
  • Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, received a standing ovation at the Presidential Peace Conference.
  • Rotaractor Brittany Arthur shares the importance of Rotary Alumni to the Rotary family during a plenary session.
  • Find inspiration around every corner in Toronto – register now for the 2018 Rotary International Convention.
Farewell Youth Exchange Students

Our Inbound Rotary Exchange students have nearly completed their 12 months in New Zealand and it will be so sad to say goodbye to these vibrant young women.  They all have had such an amazing time in NZ and it is all thanks to Rotarians in District 9940 - i.e. YOU!

At our recent District Conference there was a keynote speaker called Brian Bourke.  Brian talked about his life as a polio survivor.  Brian had a strength of presence, a strong message of ‘never give up’ and the relaying of his experiences was captivating.   So captivating, that the usual fidgety, snoozy, daydreaming exchange students present were alert, laughing and hanging on his every word!  At the end the students lead the floor in a standing ovation.  Afterwards they talked a lot about Brian, his stories, polio and Rotary’s role in working towards eliminating this disease from our planet.    

(note the interloper at the end:  where there is food ????)

Read more...
Honours List:  Rod Sutherland
My apologies for missing this last week,  and if there is anyone else we should be recognising please let me know.
 
For services to athletics, cycling and the community. Mr Rod Sutherland has been a member of Athletics and Cycling Masterton (ACM) for 58 years and an active member of Masteron South Rotary Club for 21 years and has served as President.
Rod has been a member of the ACM committee and has assisted with the running of the Wairarapa Country Marathon and other local events over the years. He helped instigate and assisted in organising the Pedal for Parkinsons cycle ride in conjunction with the annual Huri Huri cycling event, held annually in the Wairarapa for all levels of participation. He has supported several local people with disabilities such as Parkinsons and sight impairment as a tandem cyclist, allowing them to maintain physical fitness and engage in competition level cycling. He is an active member of Parkinsons Wairarapa and has been the organiser of the annual Parkinsons Awareness week for the past seven years. He is involved with fundraising initiatives for the local Parkinsons committee. He has been an active member of He has been involved in a range of projects including the building of the Kid’s Own Playground, the Masterton Intermediate School reading programme, and organising up to three club teams to participate in the Round Taupo Cycle race. Rod  assisted with the formation of the Millennium Reserve and has raised funds for equipment to maintain the Reserve.
 
RYDA
The flagship programme for Road safety Education Ltd 
2016/17 has been an outstanding year for RYDA in District 9940.  The final programme for the year was held at Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, on the 9th May when 160 yr 12 students from Awatapu College  were able to participate in and learn from the award winning road safety programme. At this event  Road Safety Week was acknowledged and this was in line with the 4th United Nations Global Road Safety Week, that had the theme  'Save Lives - Slow Down'.                                                                                                                                                                 
The success of RYDA is the result of a collaborative approach supported by so many groups,  organisations, agencies, civic leaders, skilled facilitators, individuals and ROTARY, as the Community Partner for RYDA,  providing invaluable support in a voluntary capacity. 
Pearl Newman from RSE Ltd, in a communication to Rotary volunteer teams, voiced her appreciation of this contribution. "Rotary support makes a big difference on the day and it certainly helps the students moving around the sessions in an orderly and generally timely fashion. I really appreciate the fact that you would have given up something else to come to our RYDA day  and I am grateful for your commitment to these students." So what contribution has Rotary made to RYDA this year? Rotary certainly has 'Made a Difference' and in doing so has fulfilled the 2016/17 RI theme 'Rotary Serving Humanity'. 
This year Rotarians have responded so generously to all of the  RYDA programmes by providing a full complement of volunteers at the five locations and also by being visible and  promoting the Rotary spirit of goodwill in the wider community. What wonderful  ambassadors!!
To summarise the programmes held in District 9940 over the last year.  
Read more...
2nd National Membership Seminar
                                                                  
Live on the Oceania Website.
 You can book for this seminar from here
 
Last but Not Least
Special AGM at 3pm Saturday 1 July followed by the District Changeover at 4pm
 
Details including proxy forms for those not able to attend the Special AGM can be found on the District website here.
Information about the Special AGM including Agenda and Nature of Business can be found at the same site on the District Website
 
Information about the Changeover can be found here.  Please let your President know if you are coming (Assistant Governors are collecting this information)
Numbers are needed for catering purposes.
                              
Upcoming Events
RANZE Matched Student exchange - student arrival
Jun 24, 2017
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM
 
RANZE MAtched Student - 2018 applications due
Jun 30, 2017
 
District 9940 Special General Meeting
Palmerston North Fire Station
Jul 01, 2017
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
 
District Changeover
Palmerston North Firestation
Jul 01, 2017
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Rotary Leadership Institute - D9940 workshop July
Tawa College
Jul 30, 2017
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
 
Bulletin Editor
Adrienne Murray