Civil Service in Denmark, the Link Literacy Programme, Rotary's 111th Birthday and Next Year's Rotary Theme.

Last Week

Edward James-Smith spoke to us about the role of the Civil Service in Denmark. He also talked about the common questions people ask him about living there, the high rate of income tax, VAT at 25% on everything, all the advantages and disadvantages of living in Denmark.  As he has lived there for nearly 20 years it was interesting from all points of view.  What was particularly interesting was the contrast between his friends' experience of child rearing in South Africa and the Scandinavian experience....much more male involvement on an equal level with female involvement!  Quite a surprise.

This Week
Megan Maynard will be talking to us about The Link Literacy Programme. The Link is a Non Profit Organisation which supports the development of literacy and numeracy for second-language English learners. The link to their website is http://www.thelinkliteracyproject.co.za/ 

Literacy is one of the main foci of Rotary International that clubs are specifically asked to show an interest in.


Discon
By now you will all have received forms or the Rotary Conference at Misty Hills, Muldersdrift in June....the dates are in the Future Events column.  We will be discussing Discon at the Board Meeting.  It is important that we get our bookings in as soon as possible so that we can all stay in Misty Hills and be together as it makes attendance so much simpler.  Please do make an effort  to attend.

Rotary Careers Day
The number of featured careers continues to grow and I will be having another meeting with Holy Family College soon to finalise arrangements.

Special Event
Lyn Collocott has circularised everyone about this.  No doubt it will come up at the Board Meeting.

 DGR  S F Margo Region 2

Join us on TUESDAY 23^RD  FEBRUARY AT 18H30 FOR 19H00

At the        BRYANSTON COUNTRY CLUB

                   To Celebrate

 Rotary’s  111^th  Birthday and

To meet Past President of R I and chairman of Foundation

       Mr Ray Klinginsmith who will give a short talk on Foundation, also to

Meet Mahindra’s CEO who has donated R400,000,00 worth of solar lights

and then to join us in the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship

To avoid having cash on the property please deposit your fee into the 

Rotary Awareness Account / ABSA Bank , Oakdene

Acc no :  38036930290                     Branch no :  632005

And e-mail proof of payment to both :

Peter Soester : peter@mbservices.co.za and Paul Westcott : pwestcott99@gmail.com.

Reference :  your name, your clubs name and  B111

Cost :  R190,00 PER HEAD (All-inclusive gratuity and vat) plus a cash bar

Dress : Formal –Black Tie or dark suit

GERM REVEALS ‘ROTARY SERVING HUMANITY’ AS 2016-17 PRESIDENTIAL THEME

Rotary International President-elect John F. Germ announces his presidential theme 'Rotary Serving Humanity.'

Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, believed that serving humanity is “the most worthwhile thing a person can do,” RI President-elect John F. Germ said, and that being a part of Rotary is a “great opportunity” to make that happen.

Germ unveiled the 2016-17 presidential theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, to incoming district governors on 18 January at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA.

“I believe everyone recognizes the opportunity to serve Rotary for what it truly is: not a small opportunity, but a great one; an opportunity of a lifetime to change the world for the better, forever through Rotary’s service to humanity,” said Germ.

Rotary members around the globe are serving humanity by providing clean water to underdeveloped communities, promoting peace in conflict areas, and strengthening communities through basic education and literacy. But none more important than our work to eradicate polio worldwide, he said.

After a historic year in which transmission of the wild poliovirus was stopped in Nigeria and all of Africa, Germ said we are closer than ever to ending polio.

“We are at a crossroads in Rotary,” he added. “We are looking ahead at a year that may one day be known as the greatest year in Rotary’s history: the year that sees the world’s last case of polio.”

Last year’s milestones leave just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the virus still circulates. Polio would be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated.

When that moment arrives, it’s “tremendously important” that Rotary is ready for it, said Germ. “We need to be sure that we are recognized for that success, and leverage that success into more partnerships, greater growth, and even more ambitious service in the decades to come.”

Germ, a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, encouraged attendees to return to their clubs and communities and spread the word about Rotary’s role in the fight for a polio-free world.

“People who want to do good will see that Rotary is a place where they can change the world. Every Rotary club needs to be ready to give them that opportunity,” Germ said.

Enhancing Rotary’s image isn’t the only way to boost membership. “We need clubs that are flexible, so our service will be more attractive to younger members, recent retirees, and working people.”

He added: “We need more willing hands, more caring hearts, and more bright minds to move our work forward.”