This is Basic Education and Literacy Month on the Rotary calendar and there are so many Clubs who are contributing to positive outcomes in this area. Just some examples are Reading in Schools, Dictionaries in Schools, Chromebooks for school children, IT support for lower decile schools in New Zealand, University scholarships in Cambodia, books sent to Pacific Island Schools and much more.
There is evidence globally that a lack of basic literacy skills accentuates health problems. Greater literacy skills can lead to increased confidence and knowledge with appropriate health treatment regimens being followed. Those with low levels of literacy have higher requirements for public welfare assistance and are over-represented in correctional institutions.
A key intention, supporting the global initiative of past Rotary International President Bill Boyd, is to provide a coordinated and comprehensive distribution of Usborne Dictionaries throughout the District, particularly to low decile schools. In the last year more than half the clubs in our district contributed over $15,000 worth of dictionaries to schools in our district.
Joy Durrant is the District Coordinator for this programme and she can be contacted at info@prosperity.co.nz. Orders for Dictionaries must be sent to Joy and received before March and September each year.
Wanganui North Club is an enthusiastic supporter - here is their story.
The Club’s fourth PolioPlus Dinner was held on the 17th August 2016 in the elegant Russell Room of the Massey University Staff Club in Palmerston North. It was registered as Event #2990 on the Rotary website for the World’s Greatest Meal. Reports on the Gala Evening are appearing in local newspapers, such as the Manawatu Tribune, and the Manawatu Guardian.
Spending time saving Borneo Pygmy Elephants is the latest of the amazing projects that Debbie Mair of the Hutt City Rotary is involved in. Two years ago Deb flew across to Borneo where she saw the first 2 rescued baby pygmy elephants arrive at Sepilok.
Adult pygmy elephants are being hunted and poached for ivory or killed because they cause destruction in palm plantations, leaving behind orphan elephants with a minimal chance to survive. Death comes slowly. Baby elephants will not take milk or food from humans. Locals are unable to help or assist. The only chance for these orphans is that locals call the Wildlife Rescue Unit who have been trained in how to help these orphan baby elephants.
Congratulations to all those awarded Rotary PHF’s, sapphire pins and specific Rotary awards in the last few months. A full list will be compiled over the year – so if your name is not here and you have had an award please get your Club Secretary or President to contact me with the details. amconsultingnz@gmail.com
The Rotary Foundation is about to mark a century of Doing Good in the World through
humanitarian projects, scholarships, professional training and exchanges, and its remarkable
campaign for a polio-free world.
In 2016-17, Rotary clubs throughout the world will organize Rotary Days to celebrate this milestone
by showcasing the Foundation’s rich history and good work. We’re suggesting a few ways that your
club can join the party, but feel free to adapt any of these ideas, combine them, or come up with an
idea of your own. Or pool your resources with neighboring clubs to organize a larger event.
This is not an invitation, but a challenge for all Rotary Clubs to be united in the celebration of International Women’s Day. What will your club or your cluster do on 8 March 2017 to mark this important day? Be loud and proud with your ideas - let us all know via the District Newsletter. Share them on the web!! You can contact your club development committee members (page 48 this year’s Directory)
Deb Mair has been voted on to the Board of Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species (RAGE). Deb has agreed and accepted a role; after the RAGES Board unanimously voted to offer her the Project Director of South East Asia covering 8 countries, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei.
I am sure we will be seeing some interesting stories about her adventures across South East Asia. Deb is very happy to come and talk to your club about the work she is doing: dkmair@gmail.com
Over the last few weeks, six students on the Rotary District 9940 Youth Exchange programme have arrived to start their 12 month cultural experience in New Zealand. We have
Laura from Switzerland hosted by the Masterton Club
Laurie from France hosted by the Plimmerton Club
Jil from Germany hosted by the Milson Club (Palmerston North)
Alexandria (Alex) from Austria hosted by Feilding Club
Gaelle from Belgium hosted by Tawa Club
Marielle (Ella) from Austria hosted by Whanganui Club
The venue is booked: May 27 2017. Continuing sponsorship from Tommy’s Real Estate is confirmed. Now we are looking for more Rotary Clubs to take part!
It is such an easy project to run and so rewarding for all involved. Maybe it is time to put it in your club calendar for kick-off February 2017? Simply organise some sponsorship, encourage participants, run the heats and then celebrate your area finalists with a trip to Wellington to participate in the Finals. Just contact Julie McLagan jmclagan@seagulls.co.nz for further details. Full guidelines are available so that we are all on the same page.
District Rotary records the recent sad passing of two Rotary stalwarts and prominent community leaders,
Don McIver, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Eastern Hutt and former National President of the RSA,
and
Glen Evans, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Hutt City, a former Mayor of Hutt City (9 years) and a former councillor on the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
They were both aged 80.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to their respective clubs, to Margaret and to Barbara and their families
Clubs must be careful when entering information through Clubrunner that will be displayed on the District website. It is the responsibility of Clubs to ensure that information is correct and appropriate and to check their information on the District website. In particular, please note that the ‘nickname’ field overrides the member’s given name field and should be used with particular care e.g. Robert Smith will be displayed as Bob Smith if that is the preferred name (nickname) of your Club officer. Please note that District will not be checking the information provided.
Please also note that Richard Stephen intends to reinforce this message by providing a link to a specific Clubrunner guidance document.
We have put together a Rotary's Clubs Guide to RYLA with information on the application process along with our recommendations on how to select and interview deserving candidates.
Don't miss out on our early bird discount. For programme costs please refer to the Rotary Clubs Guide to RYLA.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ganesh Cherian, Programme Director (Hutt City) on ganesh.cherian@gmail.com.
The District’s Risk Management Policy is available on the District website in the “Documents” folder under the “For Rotarians” drop down menu. The District’s Finance Committee recommends a review of the policy, which was developed in 2004, in light of recent changes in legislation and societal expectations.
This is a great opportunity for Rotarians to help the District and Clubs manage risk. DG Martin would like to hear from Rotarians who can offer their expertise to this review.
At the RI conference in 2017 there is going to be a special celebration because at the 1917 convention, outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed to set up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became the charity of choice for Rotarians
This is Basic Education and Literacy Month on the Rotary calendar and there are so many Clubs who are contributing to positive outcomes in this area. Just some examples are Reading in Schools, Dictionaries in Schools, Chromebooks for school children, IT support for lower decile schools in New Zealand, University scholarships in Cambodia, books sent to Pacific Island Schools and much more.
Spending time saving Borneo Pygmy Elephants is the latest of the amazing projects that Debbie Mair of the Hutt City Rotary is involved in. Two years ago Deb flew across to Borneo where she saw the first 2 rescued baby pygmy elephants arrive at Sepilok. 
I'm learning more and more about Rotary in this year of planning and preparation for my year leading our District in 10 months time.
The Rotary Foundation is about to mark a century of Doing Good in the World through
This is not an invitation, but a challenge for all Rotary Clubs to be united in the celebration of International Women’s Day. What will your club or your cluster do on 8 March 2017 to mark this important day? Be loud and proud with your ideas - let us all know via the District Newsletter. Share them on the web!! You can contact your club development committee members (page 48 this year’s Directory)
Deb Mair has been voted on to the Board of Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species (RAGE). Deb has agreed and accepted a role; after the RAGES Board unanimously voted to offer her the Project Director of South East Asia covering 8 countries, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei. 
Laura from Switzerland hosted by the Masterton Club 
The venue is booked: May 27 2017. Continuing sponsorship from Tommy’s Real Estate is confirmed. Now we are looking for more Rotary Clubs to take part! 
We have put together a 
