Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist, Rotary, join for week of service to Celebrate CommunityEVANSTON, ILL.: October 7, 2021 – Celebrate Community, a joint initiative of the four major volunteer service organizations, will launch
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President's Blog
Jason Climo
Hello everyone
I trust you've been able to enjoy the long weekend and nice weather. Jodie, Teghan and I have managed to get away caravaning for a few days and we highly recommend Camp Hawea. Please see the article and offer from the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce re: the ‘Domes’ at the camp. We also highly recommend the Lake Hawea to Albert Town Trails and the Kabuki Trail from Albert Town to the Beacon Point outlet motor camp. Great easy trails.
Another busy couple of weeks past. Great to have Monica leading our diversity and inclusion and another excellent members night with Colin Macnicol and Stuart Maclean relating their lives and work experiences.
I have also managed to make a bit of progress for our Rotary brand, in particular signage into Queenstown from both the Cromwell and Invercargill entrances. Waka Kotahi is generally supportive and it looks like I have the right contact there and we can move this initiative along without too much red tape.
Don't forget our Club AGM on Tuesday 26 October. See you there.
Last Saturday a small team prepared our current adopted plot at Feehly’s Hill (Arrowtown) for further weed control. Consideration is now being given to planting additional native trees next year to fill a few gaps.
The trees on this site are growing well and won’t need too much further Rotary attention.
Hamish appears to possess practiced ‘selfie’ photographic skills.
‘Unconscious Bias’ - Monica’s Presentation 12 October
Monica was our Guest Speaker 2 weeks ago on the topic of ‘Unconscious Bias’ and Rotary’s approach to countering this. Unconscious bias can be learned at an early age. It can be difficult to counter.
In 2018, a worldwide Rotary LGBT + Fellowship group was formed and sanctioned by the Board of Rotary International. There are currently 150 members worldwide. Monica is the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’) Educational Director as well as our District 9980 DEI Officer.
In 2019, Rotary International approved a Rotary DEI statement:
“At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all background across age, ethnicity, race, colour, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, ideas, values and beliefs”.
Monica explained unconscious bias, what it is and examples of bias types and how we should counter such as individuals. She covered examples such as stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination as well as examples of the consequential effects on individuals unconsciously targeted and affected.
Monica encouraged us all to reflect on our interactions on a daily basis looking inwardly for ‘areas of discomfort’ regarding others.
Last Tuesday night’s meeting, Colin Macnicol and Start Maclean related their life’s stories including their family and work experiences. Longer serving Rotarians are often sources of experiences, knowledge and wisdom that other members can benefit from, hence the ‘Members Night’ concept.
Colin spoke about his upbringing at Dacre, just east of Invercargill, on the family farm and his education at Woodland’s School and Southland Technical College. He spoke of his commencing work on the family farm and their farming expansion, utilising debt for development, including substantial farm improvements (fencing plus shelter belts to protect new stock) and his later dissatisfaction with the sheep meat processing industry that led he and Jean to diversify into deer farming. Colin and Jean raised 3 children on the farm - 2 daughters and a son.
Colin related a role of Jean’s, then a member of the then Country Girl’s Institute, in working to merge their association with the Young Farmers Association (Kerry Dunlop was also involved), the first province in NZ to do so. These organisations helped develop young farming people with their public peaking, debating and meeting procedure focus as well as filling a social need.
Colin and Jean retired from the farm to Arrowtown in 2006 and built their new home in 2007.
Stuart spoke of his upbringing, predominantly in Invercargill and of his sporting interests at school and beyond, predominantly in motor sport where he was the Southland Club champion 4 times. He is currently the longest serving steward in the Motor Sport Association of NZ.
Leaving Southland Boys’ High School Stuart joined the insurance industry as a rep for NZI. He related a period where he provided insurance to the licensed premises industry throughout the South Island. He was also a member of the Jaycees organisation and was actively involved in public speaking.
Stuart and Pam moved to Queenstown in 1969 and Stuart opened his own business working with NZI. He moved to the travel industry at a time when international visitors were just starting to come to Queenstown and when Rotorua dominated the international tourist market in NZ. Stuart was involved in forming the Queenstown Promotion Board serving as its first President. He helped build a necessary relationship with inbound tourist operators at the time when American and Japanese tourists were their target market.
Stuart also served in the Queenstown-Lakes District Council for 2 terms as well as serving 4 years as a Planning Commissioner.
Stuart and Pam’s 3 children, all girls, were born and raised in Queenstown. They built their current Brisbane Street home in 1987.
Thanks to the members who have offered to volunteer on the Pink Ribbon Appeal on 29th October. Our stand is outside Mitre10, so pop over to visit them during the day.
Derek Bulman has had his knee surgery on 12 October. He's doing well and will be racing around and out on his E-Bike in no time.
AGM – will be held on October 26th. If you have anything you wish to raise or have any nominations for any club positions, please email these to the secretary before the meeting taites@gmail.com
The WHS newsletter is filled with lots of info about what is happening at our one and only High School. It provides a good insight in to how students and teachers are coping with COVID19, all their sporting successes and all the activities and learning they do.
'Days for Girls' is an international project to help combat period poverty by providing reusable menstrual pads. Click on the link to be taken to the website for more info - https://www.daysforgirls.org/
Next working bee to be held on - Tuesday 16th November between 1 – 5pm. To be held in the smaller meeting/function room at the Queenstown Events Centre.Afternoon tea will be provided. We really hope you can make it. 😊
Please bring with you what you can. If you have – a sewing machine, an overlocker, Ironing Board and/or an Iron, Sharp scissors, Extension cord.
Please confirm if you can make it before November 5th to Lee-Ann Lines, ph 021 343 506, Days for Girls Coordinator.
Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta says that polio eradication can be achieved if Rotary members stay committed. He calls on every club to offer support this World Polio Day. Watch and share President Mehta’s World Polio Day video message.
IPP Lee-Ann is looking after the programme, duties, meetings and attendance. If you have any suggestions/ideas for the programme please let her know. If you have a duty and can’t attend, please make sure you find a replacement.
The 3 Minute Talk - to make sure we run to time, please keep to between 3-5 minutes, unless pre-arranged with President Jason.
Apologies - Must be received to queenstownrotary@gmail.com before 12pm Tuesday at the latest. Please be aware that you will be invoiced for your meal if no apology is received. If you are unsure if you can make it each week, you can put in a permanent apology and let us know when you do come. It is easier to inform the restaurant of an extra meal than the Club having to pay for meals not claimed.
DUTIES ROSTER
26 October
2 November
9 November
Setup 5.20 pm Meet & Greet
Keith McIntosh
OFF-SITE
Lee-Ann Lines
Cashier
Ross Beal
NA
Nigel Hawke
Introduce Speaker & Parting Thought
AGM - NA
NA
Keith McIntosh
Sergeant
Stuart Maclean
NA
Joan Kiernan
Toast to Rotary Project OR
3 min Talk
Steve McLean
NA
Richard Bowman
Thank Speaker
AGM - NA
NA
Alex Hogg-Bolton
PLEASE NOTE: Person rostered to Introduce Speaker please forward notes of their presentation to Keith McIntosh, Bulletin Editor, for inclusion in the Bulletin.
If you will be away, or for some other reason you cannot do your duty on the nominated day, it is your responsibility as soon as possible, and certainly no later than the Monday night before the meeting, to arrange a substitute. A swap with the person who has the duty the next week is suggested.
Please be there by 5.25 pm if you are on Reception or Meet & Greet.
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