Welcome back to post Xmas Rotary updates. Hopefully most people have managed to get in a break from the norm and enjoy some time away – or just do nothing and recover from Xmas and New Year in the sunshine. Got to admit though, a decent amount of rain wouldn’t go astray.

 

I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Baz Bemrose’s wife Diane. Baz, I know you will have the sympathies and Best Wishes from all Club Members.

It is not my custom to talk about what has been - I prefer to be looking ahead – however I am going to break from tradition.

 

Our first meeting following the Xmas break, I thought, was very successful. Full marks to Richard for coming up with a wine tasting to add a bit of spice to the night, and with the opportunity to move away from the format of a “normal” meeting we were able to enjoy another tasty “Jean” meal, stretch it out a bit longer than normal, and sample some interesting wines – like I know so much about wines, prefer a Speights myself, though I have to admit Te Kano’s Blanc de Noir was an interesting wine. In the words of wine maker Dave Sutton “This fresh, mineral wine is made entirely from Pinot Noir. Handpicked fruit and minimal skin contact ensures a brilliantly pale and clear wine with intense aromas of nectarine, pears and spice. The palate shows fresh stone fruit and defined minerality.” Totally agree!

 

Richard had suggested to Dave Sutton that probably 25 would take the opportunity to partake in the tasting. Any surplus bottles would be auctioned off.

Well, 41 members were present, which was a great turn out. It was even better to have Baz Bemrose and Michael and Bernie with us as well. Great to see you guys.

We didn’t have time to auction off any surplus bottles – I don’t even know if there were any – but Nev took a tally and we can deal to whatever there may have been left at the next meeting.

Or, it can be sold at the bar.

 

Covid continues to be the major talking point across the country, and it seems we are going to have to start living with it. I notice some complacency around town, but with Omicron seemingly on the spread, I don’t believe now is the time to let our guard down – or maybe it is. Perhaps it should be left to spread its wings. Across the world, infection rates are high, but hospitalisations and deaths are at a much lower percentage than initial outbreaks. I guess we have to put our trust in those who are qualified to know and advise – which is not necessarily the government.

 

Interestingly, I had a message from my daughter – who I have previously told you is teaching in China. They live in the Binjiang District of Hangzhou, a city with a population of 8 million. One case of Covid was detected in Binjiang, so the whole population of Binjiang was tested overnight. Where else but in China could that happen?

 

The club’s 2 major fund raisers have come and gone for the year – and continue to be amazingly successful with something just under $50,000 raised between the two. There is a touch of friendly rivalry developing between the two to see who can generate the most revenue. Far be it for me to give you the individual numbers. Let’s just say it was close and the book sale gets the cigar. Two projects, with excellent leadership and great back up support from club members.

 

District has reopened limited applications for surplus funds now available for District Grants. We had put in an application to assist with work at Poplar Grove, but had to withdraw it in preference for the Dictionaries for Schools project. I will now re-submit it.

 

Treasurer Graham produced a club operating budget at the beginning of this Rotary year. We are now half way through the year, and Graham reviewed it with Directors at the Board Meeting on Tuesday night. We are pretty much right on budget.

 

Honorary Membership is a topic that has come up for discussion at least the last 2 AGMs – the question being what is the time limit for an Honorary membership? It cannot be forever, as that is a Life Membership. Following the last AGM, it was left to the Board to discuss this and come up with a proposal. The Board has recommended that an Honorary membership be bestowed for a period of 3 years. After that time, club records will always show that a person has received that recognition, but there will be a finite time. I will seek ratification from members at the next club meeting.

 

Another issue that has created some controversy within the club is the procedure for the appointment of Paul Harris Fellowships within the club. It was left to the Board to come up with a suitable procedure that gives all members the opportunity to nominate a person for a Paul Harris Fellowship. Following is the procedure that will apply henceforth:

 

All suggestions for nominating a person for a PHF are to come through the Board of Directors, and be ratified by Directors at a regular Board meeting.

Suggestions are to be accompanied by a written proposal with a full explanation of why that person should be considered.

 

1. Community Nomination

Members accept that this process remains in house, and is not discussed outside of Rotary until after the presentation.

 

2. Club Nomination

 

It is accepted that it is traditional for the presentation of a PHF to a Club member to be a surprise, and that tradition should continue. Therefore:

(a) Club member not on the Board of Directors.

(b) If the proposed nominee is on the Board, the proposal goes to the President, who will then work through the process with other Board members.

(c) If the proposed nominee is the President, the proposal goes to the President Elect, who will then work through the process with other Board members.

 

 

On the 8 October we shifted our books from Ngapara St to our sorting shed at the back of Pioneer Energy.

Our sorting team of 6 regulars worked every Monday afternoon from 1 to 3pm with help from some casuals. Our collection team picked up books 3 mornings a week We moved into Memorial Hall on Monday 27 December and spent the next few days getting ready for the 4-day sale from 1-4 January.

 

This year the weather was very hot but we raised $26,585. We cleaned up on Thursday 5 January, kept 5 crates of books and the rest went by truck to Stu’s recycled area.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

 

-We continue for 2023 to have a 4 day sale with half price on the last day.

-We discard books on Health, Religion, and Readers Digest which don’t sell.

-We continue using the same sorting room if available.

-We put our $8 books up to $10, price the latest Cooking Books to $5 , best Children’s Books go to $5 and popular magazines $8 for 10 or $1 each.

-We make big labels to go on tables and revise our older labels.

-We repaint our blue collection boxes.

-We look at replacing some of the lids on our book crates.

-We decide and advertise who we are going to help with the money raised.

-We rebook the Hall 1-4 January 2023 for next year and ask all club members to help with this major project in some way.