Our Weekly Meeting

“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

We meet every Friday from 1:00 to 2:00pm at Wanderers Club, Illovo, Johannesburg. You can also join us on Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86496040522.

Monday, 23 November 2020

A monthly business meeting, the Norwood Spar Food Drive, and Environmental Initiatives...

 From the Pen of President Ann.....


Today I have written 4 letters to potential students, dashing their hopes of getting funding for their studies abroad. It is not easy. My own son has been searching and applying for months to achieve his dream of studying overseas. It is tough – not their fault that this year has been such a stinker!!

 It can get quite exhausting – we either talk of the virus in terms of getting sick or in terms of money and the lack of it!!

 Roll on December – time for a welcome break for many.

 Let’s all make a decision about Christmas – keep it simple, full of meaning, keep it local and full of love!!

 Hope to see you here on the 4th Dec.

 Ann



Last Week...


A Business Meeting in a Nutshell


  • President Ann has sent an e-mail to every member with a member satisfaction survey attached to it, and would like the results to be forwarded to her either by e-mail or otherwise as a hard copy; the deadline is Friday the 27th of November.
  • As we no longer have a hard copy member information booklet it is imperative for each member to keep his or her personal information updated on ClubRunner.
  • As Mark Franklin had been a member of Wanderers, President Ann will investigate whether they will still allow us to hold our weekly meetings there (once we are back to physical meetings)
  • We will also explore the feasibility of hybrid meetings.
  • Pam Donaldson - Club Administrator - reported that in the last month the Zoom attendance had dropped off to an average of 20 members per meeting. 
  • John Symons - Treasurer - All subs are up to date (bar 1),
  •  A net amount of R22 350 was raised at our Quiz evening in October.
  • R5 000 will go towards Polio Plus (this was raised at the Rob Caskie fundraiser)
  • Some members have donated their lunch monies which will go to Foundation
  • $50  (+/- R800 depending on the forex rate) per member will go to Rotary Foundation (reduced from $100) made up from donations and funds raised; the balance will come from the Commemoration Fund.
  • David Bradshaw - Membership - our target of 9 new members has increased to 10 due to the sad loss off Mark Franklin. Anne Padmore and Charmaine Leesman will hopefully be inducted in the new year, and David has quite a few potential members that he is working on at the moment.
  • David has also been keeping in touch with members that are unable to join the Zoom meetings, and for that we are very grateful.
  • James Croswell - International -  The container, which is now at its final destination at Baragwanath is close to completion. Only a ramp needs to still go in.
  • There is renewed international Rotary activity in the fight against cervical cancer and James anticipates that we will be able to mobilize our involvement in the next year.
  • Jean Bernardo - Youth - The Highlands North Interact Club has elected a President and a Vice.
  • A plaque in honour of Cesare is in progress
  • The RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) online seminar was very successful
  • Masego, our Youth Exchange Student, arrives back from Thailand on the 30th of November
  • Jean also is in charge of Publicity - for those who have read the latest Rotary Africa publication will have seen a whole page dedicated to the activities in our club with a picture of Costa and Jerry who refurbished 25 Madiba buggies, and our exchange student Momo presenting our club banner to her host club in Thailand. Jeanette Horner's mammoth achievement of sewing 3000 masks and 100 dozen rusks, and endless liters of soup also received an honourable mention. 
  • 2021 Careers Day, which is a joint Youth & Community Services project - will be coordinated by Lyn Collocott in the new year.
  • Sybille Essmann - Community Services & Vocational - 



  • N.B.  final project for the year: 
  • "Festive Cheer" food hamper collection will take place on Saturday 28th/Sunday 29th November and Saturday 5th/Sunday 6th December at the Norwood Spar in Grant Avenue. Three shifts of 2 hours on Saturdays and two shifts on Sundays, 2 volunteers per shift needed. Please liaise with Tutty Faber on fabertutty@gmail.com which shifts you would be able to help with.

       So far the roster looks like this:






  • Melodene will be in charge of the 2021 Lester Connock Awards.
  • Sybille and Lyn will coordinate the 2021 Vocational Awards, which will be presented in March. Please forward your nominations to them for consideration.
  • Sonja Hood - Fundraising -  
Many of us already support the My School, My Village, My Planet initiative and in the new year Sonja will motivate for The Rotary Club of Rosebank to become a beneficiary. For our Club to become a recipient we would have nominate them as a beneficiary.
Watch this space, it could be very exciting!






  • Environmental  Sustainability -  We are looking for a Champion who will step into Mark Franklin's shoes to take over this new Area of Focus.

This is what the Rotary Club of Newlands is up to with regards to Environmental Sustainability.




This Friday.....





Chrispin Mattieu-Kyungu has agreed to share his story with his fellow Rotarians and no doubt he has an interesting tale to tell.






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