Rotary Club of Port Nicholson Bulletin
Wednesday 27
March, 2019
 
Want to Live Life a Little More? 
COME TO OUR CHARITY AUCTION, QUIZ and DINNER
Friday 3 May 2019 InterContinental Hotel, 6.30pm for 7.00pm
  President's Message

 

 

Last week’s meeting was a busy one with 36 present at The Wellington Club.
 
It was great to welcome visiting Rotarians Alex Strassl and husband Heiko from the Rotary Club of Stuttgart Wildpark, Germany.  They had opportunity to present during the meeting.  They had just concluded the walking the length of the South Island on the Te Araroa trail.  Alex enthusiastically explained their drive to travel to New Zealand in their sabbatical year to raise awareness to the situation in Haiti. She explained that 42% of the people there do not have access to clean water and their goal to raise $45,000 to ensure clean water for three communities. Their project of "Hiking4haiti_1600 miles for Rotary" started with 800 miles walkng the length of the South Island.  To contribute to their project and to find out more, visit www.hiking4haiti.com. 
 
Peter reported on the large group of club members who completed the 'Round the Vines' 2 weeks ago.  Nicholas gave a great report on their more recent adventure completing the Kepler Trail.
 
Much is happening in the Club.  Want to Live Life a Little More?  The Charity Auction planning is in full swing.  Paula has encouraged all members to contribute to the items for mystery bags and other items to contribute to the evening.  Tables are available for members to attend and don't leave this too late and many table s have already been sold!    The flyer for the Charity Auction Dinner and Quiz on Friday 3 May has been circulated to members.
 
A request for Zealandia Volunteers – 13 April 9-12noon – check out our Club website for more details or contact Paula.
 
The Dementia collection has a group collecting this Saturday at Chaffers New World, supported by Interact members. 
 
Joy spoke briefly about Entertainment Books and also encouraged more members to consider travelling to the District Conference in Whanganui 17-19 May.
 
Due to a vigorous sergeant we were able to collect a good amount for the Christchurch appeal.  Lindsay reports that we raised over $300. The Club sends their best wishes to President Bev as she recovers.  Plans are in place to rotate the running of the weekly meetings. 
 
We look forward to a good attendance this week as we induct Sue Walbran  and Heather Lucas.  It was good to have Judith Bothma again and have Lisa’s guest, Saia Mataene, join our meeting.
 
Howard Tong - acting president
 
 
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wellington, Tuakana Teina
 
 
One hour. Once a week. One Life.
We were privileged to have two representatives from the non-profit organisation Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wellington – Tuakana Teina. Hannah McCaleb, programme coordinator and Adithi Pandit, Board member.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a global organisation which has a long history of making a positive difference in the lives of tamariki (young people) through strong and enduring mentoring relationships. It was established over 100 years ago by a lawyer and is the world’s largest mentoring programme; helping over 280,000 children around the world reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships.
 
BBBS started in New Zealand in 1997 as a non-government funded organisation. In 2018 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Aotearoa (New Zealand) provided over 700 tamariki with a trained mentor through its 13 programme locations across the country.​
 
BBBS launched their life-changing programme in Wellington in 2018, where an estimated 9,400 children are at risk. To date they have trained 19 mentors and have made five matches ie. pairing a mentor and child. The vision is to be able to provide a mentor for every child who wants one. 90% of the children in need come from single-family homes and are mostly boys.
 
Research highlights the powerful, positive and lasting impact that mentors have on children’s lives. Each time Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs a child with a mentor – after a rigorous vetting and training process - they start something incredible: a one-to-one relationship built on trust and a friendship that can blossom into a future of unlimited potential. Mentored boys are 2X less likely to develop negative conducts like bullying, fighting, lying, cheating, or losing their temper.
 
It costs:
$100K per year to keep someone in prison
$18K per year to fund a match.
A promotional video accompanying their talk shared the case-study of Sean Thomas who has been mentored through BBBS for 15 years. He was classified as ‘at risk’ in his youth, and with the help and support of his mentor has flourished. Sean’s story endorses the importance of relationships outside the family.
 
It is critical that mentored children feel part of a family unit, that they are given the opportunity to learn and share in the simple pleasures of family life, for example cooking, gardening, fishing … activities that are either no cost or low coat. The mentors through BBBS are defenders of potential. Its not about being saviours, but protecting and defending, fostering new relationships, new interests, new connections, providing new directions and ambition. BBS have found that where this is working most effectively, there is a ripple effect.
Volunteers for the programme are police vetted and undergo BBBS training courses. BBBS also provides ongoing support for mentors and matched pairs.
 
In closing, Hannah and Adithi shared a few words from a grateful parent:
“I am so happy that you are my daughter’s mentor because she is excited to have you in her life. Each time before you come to pick her up, she counts down the hours and minutes which makes me happy that someone meaning you, has put a spark back in that little girl’s eyes.”
Feedback from the children is the best reward … “I have a real friend who will listen to me”
More male mentors are needed.
One hour. Once a week. One life.
 
Rosalene Fogel
Club Reporter

 

Speakers
Apr 10, 2019 7:00 AM
Fake News
Apr 17, 2019 7:00 AM
Prevention Management
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Port Nicholson Rotary Board Meeting
1/2 Hood Street
Apr 09, 2019
5:15 PM – 7:15 PM
 
Rotary Meeting 10 April
The Wellington Club
Apr 10, 2019
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
 
Zealandia Working Bee
Apr 13, 2019
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Charity Auction, Quiz & Dinner
InterContinental Hotel
May 03, 2019
6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
 
Port Nicholson Rotary Board Meeting
1/2 Hood Street
May 14, 2019
5:15 PM – 7:15 PM
 
Zealandia Volunteers required:
Click: on the event heading above to register or 
Email: paula.mcknight@ppmck.co.nz
13 April, 9.00am - 12 noon
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AUCTION Friday 3 April
 
MYSTERY BOX IDEAS
Live a Little More
Cashed in HOT POINTS/FLY BUYS gifts
 
RE-GIFTING – those gifts you know you’ll never use!
             VOUCHERS….Coffee…Chocolate…Other
 
GOURMET FOOD
Treats
MOVIE Tickets/Vouchers
Live a Little More
MENS and WOMENS Gift Vouchers
HAIRDRESSING accessories/vouchers
 
COSMETICS…..BATHROOM ….ideas        
Bring to Rotary over next few weeks or contact
Paula 021 398 145 
Live a Little More
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Arjuna Oaks
Playing at the Underground Market on Saturday 6 April
Multi-talented Arjuna Oakes was in Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand’s National Shakespeare Schools Production week in 2016.  Arjuna played the roles of Mark Antony and Lucius in Julius Caesar. 
Playing music since a young age, this 20-year-old Singer-Songwriter and Jazz Pianist already has more than 13 years under his belt as a performer. He has played at Auckland's Music in the Park series in the Domain, performed live on RNZ radio with Jesse Mulligan, played corporate gigs in Auckland’s Spark Arena, and recently has toured as the Keyboardist for The Shambles. Being inspired by many different music genres, Arjuna hopes to create and perform music that is both enjoyable and unique.
District Conference – Wanganui
17-19 May 2019
 
A great weekend opportunity for Club members in a beautiful city.  Register interest with joy@prosperity.co.nz  We will have a fabulous experience of it.
 
On Saturday a group of Port Nicholson Rotarians and Interactors collected at Chaffers New World for Dementia
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This Week's Caption Competition:
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Entries to: paula.mcknight@ppmck.co.nz
Funnies
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I bought my brother an elephant for his room.
He said "thank you".
I said "Please don't mention it".
 
 
Want to Live Life a Little More? 
COME TO OUR CHARITY AUCTION, QUIZ and DINNER
Friday 3 May 2019 InterContinental Hotel, 6.30pm for 7.00pm
Amazing Auction items - watch this space each week for examples 
of the exclusive prizes
2 Nights at the J W Marriott, including breakfast, Bangkok
2 Nights at the InterContinental Melbourne, the Rialto, including breakfast 
Visitors and prospective members always welcome.  We meet on Wednesdays for breakfast at 7am at the Wellington Club, Level 5, 88 The Terrace, Wellington