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Officers and Directors for 2008/2009

District 9930

Each Rotary Club is part of a Rotary District. The Rotary Club of Rotorua is in District 9930 that covers that portion of the North Island of New Zealand south of a straight line from Waikorea on the west coast to Miranda on the Firth of Thames coast in the east, and north of a line from the mouth of the Mokau River to Cape Turnagain through Mount Ruapehu. The main cities and town in this region are Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane, and Taupo. For more information about District 9930, go to www.rotary.org.nz and click on 9930.

Who can join?

Membership of the Rotary Club of Rotorua is open to service-minded men and women of good character holding positions of responsibility in their business and profession. If you require more information or are interested in joining our Club, contact the Club Secretary on secretary@rotaryrotorua.org.nz

Address at the Changeover Dinner by
Incoming President Martin Kinder

Good evening everyone.
It seems such a long time ago that I was ambushed by Doug Clemens and Margriet Theron to be asked if I would accept the role of President of The Rotary Club of Rotorua. It was in fact in late 2005 and time seems to have flown by since then. I am delighted to accept this challenge and look forward to a busy year ahead.

I would like to recognise a number of my guests here tonight. One of the fine traditions of the Club is to extend an invitation to the widows of Past Presidents of the Club. I welcome Mrs Una Ewert whose husband Bandy was president in 1968, Mrs Lyla Kai Fong whose husband Colin was president in 1970 and Mrs Helen Stack whose husband Dave was our President in 1994. Ladies, it is our pleasure to have you with us tonight and to continue to 0include you in the family of Rotary.

A number of other late Presidents wives were invited but are not able to attend tonight. I was amused at the response from Mrs Evelyn Trott, wife of the late Tom Trott, who in declining my invitation told me she was 92 and was prone to fall asleep any time after 6pm. I told her she might not be the only one but she none the less decided to stay home tonight.

I would like to introduce you to my mother Margaret who has travelled here from Palmerston North. I am delighted that you have been able to get here Mum and know that my late father John, who was always keenly interested in the exploits of his children and grandchildren would have enjoyed being here too. My son Michael has joined us tonight too and he has scrubbed up as well as his grandmother's seen him in quite a while. His older brother Daniel has his head in his books at Victoria this week and couldn't get away. I also welcome my friends and colleagues Ian and Carol Hulton, and the incoming Presidents of the other Rotorua Rotary Clubs. From Rotorua West - Preston Moorcroft and his partner Teena, from Rotorua Sunrise Lynne Joseph and her husband Chris, the incoming President of Rotorua Lakes, Alan Cubie and his wife Mary from Rotorua North, and last but not least our Assistant Governor Sue Marsh whose job is to guide us along the right path over the next year. I have enjoyed your company at this and the previous four changeovers we have attended together, I am sure the last one scheduled for North Club tomorrow will be another enjoyable night. I look forward to working with you all over the next year.

Tonight is not a night to remind you about Paul Harris, the four way test and the 4 avenues of service but I do want to say something about the organisation that we are all members of. Many people think of Rotary simply as a noun, the name of something, an international service club instantly recognised by the Rotary Wheel. In line with what a wheel does I would like you to think of the word Rotary as a verb, a doing word, a word that encourages you all to be active at whatever level you chose in this marvellous organisation called Rotary. What can you do to support the club in the years ahead? We can all play our part in ensuring the survival of our club by the introduction of new members. So many of our members have never nominated a new member to the Club. We can offer support to the programmes of Rotary and the projects that the Club will undertake in the year ahead. I will continue to promote support for the activities of the Mount Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust, a cause we have supported with both people power and cash in the past few years. We are again hosting an International Youth Exchange student this year. Charlot Mulder arrives from The Netherlands in a few weeks and she will spend the next 12 months in our Club and our community. There is talk again among energetic Rotarians for another tilt at the Rotorua marathon or maybe the Cancer Society 24hr Relay Walk for Life. I also have some enthusiasm for a Rotary Charity Golf Tournament and will be talking to my fellow Presidents to gauge their support for such an initiative. Perhaps a new President's Cup? Combine these with the traditional programmes of Rotary and it will be a busy and exciting year ahead.

Leadership in Rotary comes in many forms starting at the very top with our World President for 2008/2009 Mr D K Lee from South Korea. Mr Lee's theme for the year "Make Dreams Real" is inspired from his recognition of the appalling child mortality rates that still persist around the world. He is leading programmes to reduce child mortality and has the support of all of his District Governors. Our own District Governor Geoff Mathis from Putaruru is encouraging all clubs within our District to support a number of initiatives that he hopes will make a difference to the plight of children, both overseas and in our own community. These projects will be promoted to you over the next few months.

To lead those projects and the regular Rotary programmes I have an outstanding Board of Directors to support me. Vice President Robin Findon will lead the Club Service committee, ensuring the engine room of the club remains finely tuned. I am pleased to have Russell Dale and Deborah McCarthy, both members of that committee and members of the Board returning as Secretary and Treasurer for second year. These are demanding positions requiring a significant time commitment and we are all grateful to you both for your efforts. Director of the Community Committee will be Richard Pryce who will follow Robin as President in 2010. Richard's committee will support the main fundraising activities in the club. Director of the Youth Committee Martin Warren will be managing the varied programmes available to the Youth of our region. Vocational Director will again be the very capable Roger Gordon who I am sure will present another varied programme of activites. 2 new directors will join the Board this year. Bob Allison will take the reins of the international committee. Bob is well travelled, still speaks with an American accent after 33 years in NZ and is ideally placed to promote and develop the activities of this committee. The membership committee will be in the hands of John Powell. John will lead this very important committee charged with membership development and retention, and organising the clubs fellowship activities. I have asked John and his committee to look at increasing the range and type of fellowship activities of the club to encourage more participation from more members. Good fellowship will create a stronger club to enhance our membership position.

2 other important roles are those of Programme manager and bulletin editor. Tom Davies will run the programme this year and already has an exciting array of speakers committed to informing and entertaining us each Monday. The bulletin has under gone a makeover as you will see later this week and is firmly in the hands of Denis Marriner.

There is to be one change to the old order this year. The position of sergeant is to be abolished. Well not quite abolished, perhaps restructured. Order will be maintained by Colonel Don Macfarlane Rtd. Anyone referring to Don as sergeant instead of Colonel or Don will no doubt be put instantly on a charge.

I need to acknowledge Past President Roger Willard for the efforts he has made as our Club president over the past year. Roger I have for you a Past President's pin and certificate and ask that you come forward please.

Roger leaves the role of President with the Club in good heart. Membership has grown, a key qualifier for the Club having earned a Presidential Citation this year, a qualification earned by the Club by achieving a variety of goals in different areas of the club operations. Roger has been on the board for at least the past 4 years and now spends a quieter year as Immediate Past President although he remains on the Board for a further year.

As the 81st person since 1927 to proudly wear this impressive chain of office, my undertaking to you all tonight is follow in the footsteps of all the Past Presidents of this Club and to carry out the roles and preserve all of the traditions that are required of the wearer of this chain, the President of the Rotary Club of Rotorua.

Martin Kinder,
President 2008/09,
Rotary Club of Rotorua
24th June, 2008

Address by Outgoing President Roger Willard at the Changeover Dinner

Copy not su[pplied as of 18th July 2008

Roger Willard,
President 2007/08,
Rotary Club of Rotorua
204th June, 2008

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