Something has to change if Rotary is going to survive. At a recent District Assembly there was a vote taken to adopt a Budget for the District 9980 year ending 2021. This had been hotly debated with the Queenstown Rotary Club challenging the construct of the budget, the basis for the levels of expenditure included, and requesting that District utilises the significant Reserves of members funds that they have built up, by reducing the levy proposed.
Disappointing to note that this discussion and vote was put to President Elects at a District Assembly, where only President Elects were granted speaking rights, and not at an AGM where the member Clubs should have an opportunity for full and frank debate. Disappointing to, is the notion that a financial liability can be imposed on our club by a vote that was representative of less than 50% of the clubs in the District, all of whom are now impacted by this dispassionately applied additional member subscription cost. So for the record – of the 31 Clubs in the District, 17 Clubs were not represented, 14 Clubs were represented. 13 Clubs voted for the motion put, 1 Club voted against and 17 Clubs remained silent. That could have been 18 votes against, 13 votes for, however we will never know.
The problem for me is that this District Levy, that is being imposed on you the members, is unnecessary. It is not being utilised for the purpose that the constitution provides and it is enabling our District Committee to amass financial reserves to a level that can only be described as stupid.
The current District Governor described the Queenstown Rotary Club as being a “non performing club”, on the basis of our requests for justification of this year’s levy, our delay in remitting our payment and our payment being made under protest. However nothing is learnt, and so we wonder why, when we may have more people leaving Rotary than joining, that our leadership is not standing down on the obvious nepotism and undertaking a serious self examination. Rotary leadership should not be a role for the purpose of advancing a career, or massaging a CV, or obtaining free trips on our dime. We are a volunteer organisation when all said and done.
I do enjoy being a Rotarian, I enjoy and appreciate you the members, I have enjoyed the privilege bestowed of being your President, however I do not enjoy seeing your subscriptions being utilised to perpetuate the importance of a failed District Committee. This cannot go on and the notion that the foundations of a new South Island District being formed on this basis, will be to the detriment of Rotary and of our Club. The camaraderie, the fundraising, the service above self and the significant horsepower of Rotary resides with the Clubs. The sooner that District Governors understand this premise the better. In the meantime the question, “is it beneficial to all concerned?” resonates in my head.
First Rotary Meeting Post Covid Lockdown:
Welcome back. Our first meeting post Lockdown was held last Tuesday with an excellent turnout with 32 in attendance including 4 Guests. It was an enjoyable social evening and it was clear that you, the members, enjoyed being able to socialise again. I did enjoy hearing the war stories of life in lockdown as the microphone was passed around the room. There was clearly good conversation and lots to catch up on.
The evening was topped off nicely with an issue of free home baked cupcakes presented by Jennifer Belmont from the Wakatipu Community Foundation. Jennifer was keen to thank the Club for our donation to the Greatest Need Fund. Thanks Jennifer and thanks Ron for making it happen.
The Members also adopted the recommendation to appoint Rotarian Jason Climo as President Elect Nominee for the 2020-2021 year. (Moved R Mackersy, Seconded K Dunlop, and Carried with acclamation) Thanks to the members for your support of this recommendation and of Jason. He will serve in this capacity as PE under the leadership of President Lee-Ann, effective from 23 June this year. Well done Jason, watch the Duties Roster, you will be down for a talk in the next few weeks.
So meet Jason Climo. He is married to Jodi, also a Queenstown Rotary Club member, has two children, Liam and Teghan. He has spent his working career in environmental services and construction. Jason worked for Downers NZ (5 years) and now with Veolia (20 years) where he has a managerial role and leads a team of 60 staff. Jason is a keen outdoors man.
My Question for the Week
How come there is only one Monopolies Commission??
The Eagle has Landed!!:
Hanna, our courageous RYE Student, completed her Skydive. On Monday 1 June, on a perfect clear blue sky afternoon, she launched herself out of a plane at 12000 feet, to experience the joy of freefall. The pics below attest to the fact that she gained her wings.
My Dad said not to do it, maybe he was right.
Here we go, smile, only 12000 feet until touch down
We can report that she made a perfect landing, undamaged (pity your landing off the trampoline the week before wasn’t as classy.) Well done Hanna the smile on your face on touchdown was priceless.
Then on the back of leaping out of a perfectly operational aeroplane, she has then decided that jumping off bridges could also be an enjoyable pastime. So on Thursday she completed a Bungy Jump off the historic Kawarau bridge. No pics available. Thanks to Mayor Jim Boult for assisting her with this opportunity.
And while on the topic of Hanna, and as previously reported, our favourite and much loved Exchange Student has decided that she has had enough of us and is heading home. She has her flight schedule confirmed and so departs Queenstown on 12th June. Hanna will speak at the Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday night Come and support her. This will also be an opportunity for us to say goodbye as she embarks on her flights back to Sweden.
The blue is symbolic of truth, vigilance, perseverance, loyalty and justice; while the yellow is representative of generosity. The colours of the flag are considered to have been inspired by the Swedish Coat of Arms, which is blue and gold. All Scandinavian countries have the Scandinavian cross on their national flags.
Golfing Prowess:
It was noted that Bruce Boivin had a not too bad game of golf last Wednesday at the Arrowtown Golf course, completing his round with 38 Stableford points. He was followed closely behind by Chris Taylor with 31 Stableford points. Well done Bruce and Chris. As they say “the more you practice the better your luck”.
Thought for the Week.
“Before you criticize someone you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you do criticize them you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
In with the New out with the Old:
The Queenstown Rotary Club Annual Changeover night is scheduled for Tuesday night 23 June. Venue is the Dining Room at the Holiday Inn starting with gathering at 5.30pm and with the meeting commencing at 6.00 pm. The menu will be 2 course (might even shout you a wine) and the cost will be $45.00 per person.
This will be an evening with an open invitation for your partners, so glam up and we look forward to seeing you all ready to welcome in our new President Lee-Ann.
Speak with your partners now and put this evening in your diaries. Further advice will follow.
PS: Russell - hope you have polished up the Presidential Chains in anticipation of this evening.
Joint Board Meeting:
The next Board meeting will be held on Monday 8th and is a joint Board meeting for the Directors of the current Board, who have served during this year, and the incoming Board who will provide the support and governance under President Lee-Ann’s leadership.
We will report back to the members on the key issues arising from this meeting.
So moving forward:
I look forward to seeing you all again on Tuesday night. Don’t forget to advise your apology to queenstownrotary@gmail.com We will hopefully have Angus Forrest speaking about his experience at the Science Forum, and of course we will have time for Hanna to address the Club as her RYE term comes to a close.
So until then, look after yourselves take care, and as always let me know if there is any support required during the week, we are as always only too willing to assist.
“I asked God for a bike, but I understand God doesn’t work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.”
Kia Kaha
Nga mihi mahana
Ross
mmm Decisions Decisions Decisions, What would Winston do?
Will I or will I not let them go to Alert Level 1?
They will just have to wait until tomorrow.
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