District Governor's Newsletter June 2017

By the time you receive this message, we will be into the final month of this Rotary year. 
 
As they say, time flys when you’re having fun. 
 
For us, the last eleven months have passed by just so fast with the journey being a real pleasure and honour as governor of this great Rotary District.
 
As in past months, many things happen and you can only comment on a cross section of them. 
 
Highlights in the last month include:
 
  • The Edgecumbe Flood Recovery Task – Our District has identified the ‘Liveable Homes Project’ as a very worthy recipient for funds raised by Rotary clubs throughout New Zealand (yes, in and outside our District) as well as givings from individuals.  It was an honour to hand over $24,000 on behalf of you with the following photo showing Whakatane Mayor and Rotarian Tony Bonne receiving the payment and standing alongside is project leader and Rotarian John Pullar.
 
 
Things don’t stop here.The appeal remains open and more money has since been received.A big thanks to all for this amazing support to people suffering severe hardship – a clear display of Rotary Serving Humanity.Fuller details are in the accompanying item headed ‘Rotary Whakatane gets Edgecumbe Flood Update.
 
  • The Rotary Foundation – A challenge from this year’s Rotary International President John Germ was for each District to increase its giving to the Foundation so its 100th anniversary would be celebrated with record-breaking contributions.  We set a District target of USD200,000, being quite a challenge on the achievements of recent years.  The great news is we have not only met this target but are sitting at over USD219,000 with one month to go.  A BIG thanks to everyone!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The Tauranga Area clubs had reason to celebrate early in May.  A combined club project was launched to celebrate the centenary of Rotary in 2005.  This involved the planting of natives in the wetlands alongside the entry motorwa y into Tauranga.  This project has come a long way over the years and is now a popular cycleway area.  During the last month 2 bridges were opened which is another major step towards completing the project.  The accompanying photos show Rotarians Mark Dean (Project leader) helping Greg Brownless (who also just happens to be Mayor of Tauranga) cutting the opening ribbon and some of the days attendees.
An enjoyable Governor actvity has been attending several Rotary club organised business and community award evenings.  A recent such evening was on Monday 29 May when Rotary Lake Taupo recognised individuals with Workmanship Awards and Community Service Awards.  The evening was combined with some meaningful funding gifts to worthy organisations from profits raised at a recent golf tournament and the annual Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.  Congratulations to Rotary Lake Taupo.
 
A very successful day of the Rotary Learning & Information programme took place in Matamata on Saturday 13 May.  We have a new and enthusiastic RLI organiser Roberta Budvietas (from Rotary Tauranga Sunrise) who reports there were 27 attendees of which 7 completed the final stage of the programme and are now graduates.  Wow and congratulations!
 
Applications are still being invited for the Australian New Zealand Student Exchange. Click here for more details https://portal.clubrunner.ca/101379/Page/about-us
 
The District Membership Incentive scheme has just finished with it too early yet to announce the successful clubs.  Some excellent results were flowing through and based on data to the end of April we expect around 8 clubs will qualify.  Many thanks to the club leadership teams who are focussing on that important component to a successful Rotary organisation – membership.
 
District Changeover is on Saturday 1 July in Matamata.  I encourage you to attend this gathering and welcome in Leonie Tisch as our Governor for the next Rotary year.  Changeover details have been circulated.
 
Being District Governor is a team effort and no more so than having the support of your partner.  Elaine joined me and has given great support on the journey and together we have enjoyed a high level of support from all the clubs in our District, along with club and District leadership teams.  As I sign off on my final monthly newsletter, I thank you all very much for making this such an enjoyable experience and convey our best wishes for the future.
Many thanks for making 2016/17 a year of Rotary Serving Humanity
 
Regards       
 
Keith Owens
Governor 2016/17
Rotary District 9930