August District Bulletin

It has been a long August - I am sure we can all agree! An outbreak of the Delta variant and the resulting lockdown has left many of us questioning the new reality we live in.
 
However as an organisation with over 100 years of experience ours is one that has withstood pandemics, recessions, wars... the lot! And we will get through this and still play our part.
 
9940 has been active even during the lockdown to ensure we are able to help our communities.
 
The Rotary Children's Health Trust is working with stakeholders and our communities to help fundraise $400,000 for the whanau rooms at the Wellington Regional Children's Hospital. More on this will be available next month on their update to members.
 
Give Every Child A Future is continuing their fantastic work vaccinating children in the Pacific. Michelle Tanner will be chatting to members of Rotary across Australia, the Pacific and New Zealand from 7:30am on the 12th of September. To hear more about what GECAF is doing please register here for this Zoom session.
 
Our work with End Polio Now is getting underway for their largest annual fundraiser. As planning continues this information is under wraps however we will be releasing information on their fundraiser in due course.
 
Additionally, as we can see from the stories below we have been and are continuing the preparation for a busy year! Key among this is training and we have our members sorted. Ramola Ladge has been keeping us informed with her training sessions (please keep an eye out for her emails!) and Lee Wilkinson is also doing her part as shown below. Our Zone is pulling its weight with their virtual conference, and our friends from District 4455 - Peru - are showcasing their hard work!
 
As we head into September Education and Literacy are on our minds. I ask all members to take a moment to think about all those students in the Lower North Island, New Zealand and indeed our region who have had their education disrupted by lock-down. With Rotary being a centrepiece in our communities let us turn our thinking this month into what we can do to help those in need.
 
Hoping you are all safe in your bubbles!
 
Andrew Mahoney
Public Relations & Acting District Bulletin Editor
If you are interested in any of these monthly themes above, please feel free to copy and paste them, and use them in your Club communications. They are high definition images for social media and websites.

Innovative Young Minds

After a one-year hiatus due to Covid-19, Innovative Young Minds’ IYM Residential 2021 programme ran in July this year and 39 young women from high schools around the Greater Wellington Region took part. Founded in 2017 by Rotary Hutt City and Hutt City Council, IYM’s goal is to expose young women in Year 11 and 12 to career and research opportunities available in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and high-tech manufacturing). IYM seeks to encourage diversity in New Zealand’s science and technology industry by inspiring a new generation of innovators and industry leaders. 
When Covid-19 arrived last year, it changed everything for IYM. IYM was unable to run its normal residential programmes and in response, IYM Online was born. Delivered virtually via Zoom and Google Classroom, the programme was hugely successful demonstrating there was a strong demand for an accessible online programme. This year, IYM Online with Chorus - 2021 was held in the April school holidays and 100 young women from all over New Zealand participated in it; IYM Residential 2021 was held in the July school holidays and 39 young women from high schools from the Greater Wellington Region took part.

On both programmes, participants participated in the following:
  • Tours of laboratories and other spaces in universities, Crown Research Institutes and businesses.
  • Interactive sessions where researchers and innovators showcased their research and work.
  • Inspiring careers sessions led by women working in STEMM.
  • Team-building and networking sessions.
  • An Innovation Challenge where participants worked in teams led by industry expert mentors. 
IYM’s programmes are making an impact and its 2020 survey of 2017, 2018 and 2019 IYM graduates showed 80% of those who had left high school were studying or working in science and technology. Of the graduates who were still at high school, 74% plan to pursue STEMM after they finish and 22% have yet to make a decision.

IYM’s alumnae have also gone on to achieve incredible things. 2017 alumna Sophie Handford was voted joint Wellingtonian of the Year winner in 2019 for bringing the School Strike 4 Climate movement to New Zealand, and is now Paekākāriki - Raumati Ward Councillor on the Kāpiti Coast District Council. Sophie also participated in both of this year’s programmes.

 
Janis Baker, another 2017 alumna, is now in her third year of facilitating IYM’s programmes. Janis is also completing an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering with Trustpower while volunteering for Fire and Emergency New Zealand where she also has a leadership role. 

Rotary Hutt City is still very much a part of IYM with dedicated Rotarians donating countless hours of their time and energy fundraising and staffing IYM. Without Rotary Hutt City’s vision and ongoing commitment, and the support of other rotary clubs and organisations through sponsorship, IYM simply wouldn’t be possible. With these dedicated supporters, IYM is excited about the future and making an impact on more young wāhine around New Zealand. 

" I have gained so much knowledge from this course and so much confidence. I better understand who I am as a person and have a better and much clearer picture of what I want to do with my life. I know my WHY... I have made so many new friends and met so many new people. My eyes have been opened to what the future and my life COULD be, not just what I WISH/WANT it to be. The reality is I can make a change in this world. I can make a difference and this course has given me the opportunity, the confidence and knowledge and connections to be able to do this”.
Ariihia Morehu, Year 12, Paeroa College, IYM Online with Chorus - 2021 participant

“I’ve been reflecting on all the different things I enjoyed and the experiences that really challenged me during the programme. I met some really interesting people that I want to stay in touch with and a lot of industry leaders who are really inspiring. I gained real insight into how technical disciplines contribute to the world around us and to business in ways that hadn’t occurred to me before. There’s really nothing else around that could provide this – and on steroids! 

I want to convey to you how grateful I am. When I applied to partake in IYM it looked like an interesting and fun time. It was, but it was so much more than that as well. We got exposed to some terrific organizations and different people. I now have a better idea of how I can apply my love of technical disciplines in ways that can be good for society and be personally rewarding at the same time.”
Veronica Cox, Year 12, Kāpiti College, IYM Residential 2021 participant

 
Hi Fellow Members,
 
If you find things Rotary a bit mysterious, register for our virtual RLI (Rotary Leadership Institute) 101 workshops coming up. We commence with a two-hour workshop on 26 September, then 2 x one-hour follow up sessions!
 
We have shifted the Wellington area RLI to the virtual format because Level 3 means that the in-person programme can’t go ahead. Currently, I am hoping that the other in-person workshops in your area will go ahead as planned (19 September for the Whanganui/Rangitikei/Manawatu Regions & 3 October for the Wairarapa), but if anyone would like to come to the virtual one, they'd be very welcome.
 
Workshop 1: 26 September: Zoom 10.00 am – 12 noon
  • Our Rotary World: How Rotary is organised; how that can help you and your clubs!
  • Rotary ethics and vocational service: Rotary values of Rotary and their impact on you; how your job skills can be of value to Rotary, how you can gain from the vocational contacts offered in Rotary; leadership and governance opportunities in Rotary
Workshop 2: 28 September: Zoom, 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm
  • Our Foundation: How does it work; why does it have such a good reputation and how can it help your club service projects
  • Resources for understanding and using Rotary: What’s available online, making the most of other Rotary resources
Wokshop 3: 5 October: Zoom, 7.00 – 8.00 pm
  • Creating service projects: What do projects achieve and how to get one off the ground.
  • Membership and you: How you can help grow your club.
 
To attend, just email me lee.communicate@gmail.com and I’ll send you the zoom links.
 
Any suggestions, etc are welcome – email me, or call me on 021 455 326
 
Regards
Lee Wilkinson
Chair, Rotary Learning and Information
District 9940

2021 Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands Virtual Conference

Click here for more information on this great opportunity to learn more about Rotary in our Zone
  • New project ideas.
  • New types of Rotary Clubs.
  • Global Updates.
  • Be inspired to drive change.
  • Fantastic list of Guest Speakers.

Health & Safety in Event Planning (Part 1)

Our Rotary Clubs are involved in many different activities where we associate with members of the public. Fairs, auctions, garage sales, fun runs, tree planting, cycle events. We may also be involved in collecting money on behalf of other organisations, marshalling Christmas parades or road closures for a cycle or vehicle event. And then there is our involvement in youth activities, for example, RYPEN, RYLA, RYE, Interact and school programmes.
 
All of these activities involve some degree of health and safety risk and this risk must be mitigated for the safety of Rotarians and for the safety of the people, young and old, with whom we come in contact. It is not only the safety of others that we should be concerned about, our own safety is also important.
In any of the activities we undertake there is a potential for risk. We might be responsible for personal injury or property damage. This may or may not be due to our negligence; our lack of Duty of Care or our lack of risk assessment (she’ll be right mate). When we are dealing with the public there is no place for the Kiwi ‘Number 8 Wire’ mentality
 
How do we mitigate risk? Firstly, establish the context – the location where an activity will take place. Secondly, Identify the risk – drowning if near a waterway, road rage if marshalling traffic, etc. Thirdly, Analyse and Evaluate the risk – is the risk acceptable or intolerable and is it improbable or probable? Fourthly, Treat the risk – install procedures that will move the risk from intolerable and probable towards acceptable and improbable. Fifthly, Communicate and Consult – let the District Risk Management Chair know what you are doing and what you have done. And finally, Monitor and Review the risk – the unexpected is always possible and circumstances may change. And even if this does not happen, it is always a good idea to debrief after an event to look for what went well and what could be improved.
 
Every activity we plan may have risk attached. However,
A WELL-PLANNED PROJECT WILL RESULT IN
REASONABLE RISK ASSURANCE.
 
The source for this article, and your “GO TO” is the District Risk Management Manual. The manual expands on the ideas presented here, provides examples of risk and how to manage risk and cites references for further research.
 
rotary9940>For Members>Document Library> [scroll down to:] Risk Management Manual update August 2018 (pdf)
 
And finally, do not let the spectre of risk management put you off continuing to plan and hold the many excellent programmes and activities for which Rotary is renowned. If you have any problems or queries, help from the District is always available. 
 
Part 2 (Available in next month's District Bulletin) will cover a couple of specific issues namely, Risk management & Youth activities and Insurance issues.
 
Richard Wishnowsky
Rotary Club of Marton
9940 Youth & Vulnerable Persons
Protection Officer
9940 Learning & Development Chair

Food For Thought On NZ Projects OR A View From South America To Rotary Impact

District 4455 - Perú are inviting you and your clubs to their Virtual Project Fair from September 18 to 24, 2021.
 
Join their Inka Project Fair – Perú 2021, look at and learn from their projects, share our friendship and get to know their country.  
 
If you are interested or want to know more please register here.

Note on The District Directory

The 9940 Secretary is the Guardian of the Directory and has been working with all Club Presidents, Committee Chairs and AGs to ensure that the information in this directory is Up-To Date. When it is ready the 9940 Team will let you know.

Report on Visit to Rarotonga Tuesday 3rd August to Tues 10th Aug 2021

Purpose
 
To check on the condition, usage and future of the Mobile Medical Health Unit three years after its delivery to the Cook Islands Ministry of Health, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Rotary Club of Masterton South and the Cook Islands Ministry of Health.
 
Background
 
The Rotary Club of Masterton South became involved in a major project to provide Rarotonga with a mobile health clinic towards the end of 2016. This was to purchase a used, middle sized bus, renovate and fit it out with medical equipment so that it could be used for public health services around Rarotonga. The necessary finances were raised from Rotary Clubs in District 9940, Charitable Trusts and the Rotary Foundation allowing the project to proceed. Over 2017 and the beginning of 2018 the project lit up resulting in a unique Mobile Health Unit which was delivered to Rarotonga by a sponsored voyage from Auckland. The MMHU was handed over to the Ministry of Health at a colourful ceremony in June 2018. As the majority of finances were raised through a Global Grant from the Rotary Foundation, it was necessary to provide annual reports to TRF for three years. This meant a visit to Rarotonga by me in 2019 and a report at that time suggested some changes to the way the MMHU was being used, and an understanding of the cultural and physical difficulties in the way Public Health, Child and Maternal Services were being provided. The final report to the Rotary Foundation has been provided and accepted this year.
 
COVID-19
 
Like the rest of the world, the global pandemic severely affected the Cook Islands. The economy suffered as 80% of GDP comes from tourism, many jobs were lost and many workers left for New Zealand. The MMHU is being used as a screening post for travellers arriving from overseas, and has been for the past year.
 
The Rotary Club of Rarotonga
 
Paul and his daughter Jenna, Rob and wife Margaret attended the regular club’s Rotary meeting on Wed 4th Aug. Here we met new President Steve Lyon and learnt that the Club has just 12 members, however they are plugging on and concentrating on attracting new people. I was asked to report on our Masterton South Club and was able to inform them of our exciting new business venture the WRVE. Also I handed over the $500 promised for new library shelving on Atiu, one of the multiple Cook Islands. Steve seemed a strong leader and he was able to facilitate our next meeting with the Secretary of Health.
Cook’s Island Passenger Bus Company Thurs 5th April
 
Paul, Jenna and I visited the workshop and met owner Kevin Cook and wife, Rachel. The MMHU had recently been in for its WOF and had done relatively few kilometres, less than 500 since last service. A kingpin in the left front wheel has a little play, but doesn’t need fixing yet due to the low mileage. The workshop is able to do the rust and paint work, but not till next year. Paul suggested it could be done in stages and would like the Government to hold an annual budget for the work.
(Left: Some of the Rarotonga Bus Fleet at Cook’s Buses | Upper Left: $500 to President Steve for Atiu Library Shelving)
 
Breakfast with Pim Borren (Past CE Masterton District Council) Friday 6th April
 
Pim has just taken up a 3 year job with the Cook Islands Government as Director Economic Planning so he was a valuable contact. We enjoyed a breakfast with him at Beluga Café, learning a lot about his job, and more importantly, sowed the seed of an annual repair budget for the MMHU.
Meeting Paul, Rob, Steve Lyon (Pres Rarotonga Rotary) and Bob Williams (Sec of Health) Fri 2pm
 
This meeting was set up to go through the discussion paper I had produced prior to the visit. The paper set out the shortfalls in the MoU, particularly the lack of communication between all parties and the lack of annual reporting. We also had to decide whether to set a new MoU or not, and to decide whether the project had been a failure and then how to dispose of the MMHU. It was reassuring to learn that the MMHU had been accepted into the culture of Rarotonga thanks to a disaster that had not been considered, the Covid-19 pandemic. The MMHU now has a part time designated driver, is taken to the airport to meet all incoming international flights and is used to screen any passenger with suspicious symptoms, or who had been in contact with Covid. It was fantastic to learn that 96% of the Cook Islands population have now had the Pfizer vaccine! We quickly agreed that the MMHU was a success and that it will be expected to serve at least another 5 or 6 years in its role. By this time Rarotonga will have about 5 upgraded multipurpose clinics that the MMHU can park up to around the Island. Bob had taken over from Dr Josephine Herman as Secretary since my last visit in 2019, he agreed that there should be better communications and reporting and was considering monthly or quarterly health reports.  We could see no need to change the MoU and he seemed amenable to a budget for rust work and painting.
Meeting with the Team and Check Drive 10am Monday 9th Aug
 
We gathered at the MoH building where the MMHU is stationed and met Tangata Vaeau the new man in charge, also the main driver, Ina and 2 other drivers, including District Nurse Tanya. The 5 originally trained drivers are still on Rarotonga. Tanya said the Child and Maternal Health Clinics have been closed since the onset of Covid and a decision is to be made soon as to when they will reopen.
I reacquainted myself with Ruffina, the Public Health chief nurse who took me to each of the 26 clinics when last in Rarotonga. Paul drove to the Airport and Ina drove back. The alternator will need looking at and a suspension airbag may need replacement, otherwise the bus behaved well. In particular the expensive deep cell batteries seemed OK. I checked the medical equipment and was pleased to see it was all still on the bus, the ECG and Centrifuge had had little use. Once again the air conditioning was giving trouble and will need assessment.
(Upper Photo: Steve Lyon, President Rarotonga Rotary, Bob Williams, Secretary of Health, Paul and Rob | Lower Photo: Driver Ina, Paul, Tata (Tangata Vaeau) Health Protection Manager, another Driver, Rob)
 
Summary
 
A pleasing and constructive visit to Rarotonga where we were reassured that the MMHU is serving a necessary role in health for Rarotonga.
 
Rob Irwin & Paul Snelgrove
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