Picnic in the Park, What are our members getting up to, Club 100 winners, and our Club gets a mention in the media......

 From the Pen of the President...

President Costa welcomes the attendees

The picnic breakfast we had at Delta Park last Saturday was attended by 24 people including friends, spouses and Anns. It really was great having a face-to-face in person function and I realise just how much we have missed by having Zoom meetings because of Covid restrictions. We intend to have physical Rotary meetings at least twice a month going forward but with a Zoom link so that our overseas members can participate. I am sure that it is everyone’s prayer for the Covid pandemic and related restrictions to end as soon as possible. I trust that everyone who intends coming to physical meetings will have been vaccinated.

Costa Qually
President

Tailpiece

The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new  (Socrates)

Last Friday.....

...was Heritage Day, and what better way to celebrate the day than having a picnic breakfast in the Delta Park. It was the perfect setting to introduce our proposed environment project to the club members and the Anns and their families.

Next to Environmental Centre you find the Sasol sponsored Sensory Garden as well as the Rand Water water wise garden. It is a beautiful spot which has been sadly neglected, but with a bit of effort and water we can hopefully restore it back to its former glory.

The breakfast was a veritable feast with fruit salad and yoghurt, homemade muffins and scones, sandwiches and chipolatas, brownies and John Symons even shared his birthday cake with us.

The fellowship was priceless and everyone agreed that this was just what the doctor ordered.

Meanwhile.....what are our members getting up to?

The Namaqualand flowers have been particularly spectacular this year and David Bradshaw and his family have had the rare privilege of enjoying the splendour at its very best.

The Rotary Club of Rosebank is commended by the Media....

A few months ago the Rosebank Killarney Gazette ran an article showcasing the delivery of the JoJo tank which was to store the very precious water needed for the community vegetable garden in the Durban Deep informal settlement.

Last week the Gazette ran a follow-up piece. 

This Friday.....

....we welcome guest speaker Professor Andrew Thatcher who will be giving us insights into green grey water treatment in informal settlements.

A business meeting, Fellowship in the Park, Skittles Challenge, have you booked your quiz table? and lots of training opportunities....

 From the Pen of the President...

Concern for our environment and the impact it has on everyone and our future is becoming an increasingly important topic that is receiving more attention and focus by influential and pressure groups. For example, a greater emphasis is being placed on “ESG” by investment funds and managers. This acronym stands for environmental, social and governance. How well companies and groups score on an assessment of their ESG ratings will impact on their ability to attract investments in future.

Pressure is building on banks and financial institutions to withhold or reduce their financing of projects that are detrimental to the environment and that contribute to global warming. For example, several banks are being requested to reduce or terminate the financing of coal burning electricity generating power stations.

That is why an emphasis on the seventh avenue of service by Rotary and the formation of an environmental committee within the club is a very welcome development. It is pleasing to note the response of many of our members who will be attending a breakfast and consideration of what we can do for the environment at Delta Park on Friday. I am sure that this committee’s activities will play an increasingly important role in our club going forward.

Costa Qually

President

Tailpiece

Definition of negligent: An adjective that describes a condition in which you absent-mindedly answer the door in your nightgown

Last Friday....

was our monthly business meeting.

Brief report backs:

• Attendance: Pam had excused herself for Friday's meeting but had sent in her report via President Costa. Attendance was slightly down in August, with an average of 23 members taking part in meetings via Zoom.                                                                                                               
• It was agreed that many of us are a little Zoomed out and  now that we are back at level 2 lockdown we will slowly start returning to Wanderers, the first in person meeting taking place on the 8th of October when we plan on honouring our Vocational Services Award recipients, and then again when we meet socially on the 29th. All meetings will however remain hybrid because of all our e-members and those members that work far afield.
• Finance: John Symons reported back that most members had opted to pay their annual subs in full, only a couple of members were paying in two instalments. John has paid across RI dues and the funds we as a club had committed to Polio Plus. 
• Membership: David attended all the way from Stellenbosch. He was happy to report that Tayla Burger will be inducted as our newest member on Friday the 8th of October at Wanderers.  There are a few potential members that David is communicating with, so watch this space.
• International: Richard Moloney has a number of projects that he and his team would like to explore: play-pumps, cervical cancer project and the compostable sanitary pad project.           
• And James shared the good news that we will be handing over the Palliative Care container that Jerry and John Hope Bailie had so caringly refurbished and installed on Friday the 15th of October. 
• Youth: As Jean was visiting with her family in Botswana  Ann Hope-Bailie was asked to report back. Sadly, due to factors beyond our control, the Senior Youth Leadership course will again not be taking place this year. But all efforts will be made to organize a really successful Careers Day at the beginning of 2022.  Ann has asked for club input as to which careers to showcase.         
• Ann would like to develop a website that school leavers can access to obtain information on careers, bursaries, job applications, how to write a CV and much, much more.
• Publicity: Club activity is mainly reported on in the weekly Ramble, and Ann updates our Facebook page at least two or three times a week. She urges everyone to please like and follow our page.  We will ensure that the unveiling of the Palliative Care Container receives adequate press coverage.
• Vocational & Community Services: Sybille had techno-troubles and was unfortunately on permanent mute, so had to rely on Costa to report back.                                                           
• The Vocational Service Award recipients have been invited to the ceremony on the 8th, and will be receiving R1 500 towards a charity of their choice. As this award is specifically for persons using their vocation to do exceptional work, it is felt that we should also introduce a Community Service Award for persons doing good work within their community.                                        
• The annual Norwood Spar Food Drive is to take place over two weekends at the end of October (30th/31st) and again at the end of November (27th/28th). We will shortly be asking members to volunteer their time to assist with these collections.
• Environment: Lyn and Ann met with Geoff Lockwood at the Environmental Centre in Delta Park and we are exploring the possibility of reviving the water-wise and sensory garden.           
• To celebrate Heritage Day and our environment we have invited members, Anns and their families to join us for a picnic on Friday the 24th. The response has been resounding and promises to be wonderful day of fellowship.
• 
  
  
  
  
• Fundraising: It is all systems go for our quiz evening on Wednesday 20th of October and so far we have already had over 50 bookings. Please do not leave your booking till the last minute.
• Even if you cannot attend the function we urge everyone to buy raffle tickets, you will go into the draw for some really wonderful prizes like a mid-week getaway at the luxurious 5 star Elephant Point on the banks of the Sabi River, a stay at the Cavern in the Drakensberg, Astral Chickens has donated a hamper worth R1 000, a Suunto sports watch and many many more.

Interclub Fellowship...

Everyone who took part in last year's skittle challenge between  the Rotary clubs of Kyalami, Centurion and Rosebank will remember what fun we had.

We have been invited for a rematch taking place next Thursday the 30th of September, so Team Rosebank - bring on your A game!

District Training...

The District Public Image Committee has put together a four-part course on Reputation Management. The course will be held via Zoom and is open to all Rotarians, Anns and Rotaract members. This educational opportunity will teach skills that will benefit us in our lives, our vocations and our volunteer service.

 

Please register for the training sessions and encourage your members, particularly your Public Image Chair, to join these interesting and relevant sessions.

 

Part 1 – What is reputation management? 18 Sep 2021    8:30- 10:00

Part 2 – What are the market expectations of a brand? 16 Oct 2021    8:30-10:00

Part 3 – How do you grow your reputation? 06 Nov 2021   8:30-10:00

Part 4 – What do you do when it goes wrong? 09 Nov 2021   19:00-20:30

 

Part 1 will look at the following: Managing a brand's persona, Highlighting the brand's strength, legacy, transparency and its promise. What is your ‘Brand Sense’ measurement?

 

Details of various District training sessions can be found on the District Webpage - Training 

 

Foundation Training....

 

Training Dates for 2021-2022 - All Training starts at 9 am 

 

 

25 September – Permanent Fund (PHF Society, Benefactors, Major Donors)

Time: 1 hr. (40 min presentation and 20 min questions)

 

09 October – Grants (Global Grants and District Grants)

Time: 1.5 hrs. (1 hour presentation and 30 min case study and questions)

 

16 October – Polio and VTT

Time:  70 min. 20 min each presentation, 20 min into 2 breakout sessions and 10 min plenary report back)

 

23 October – Peace Scholarship  and GG Scholarship

Time:  70 min. 20 min each presentation, 20 min into 2 breakout sessions and 10 min plenary report back)

 

30 October – The Rotary Foundation and Challenge Webinar

Time:  1 hr.

And some more District Training...

 

THE ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (RLI) provides quality education on Rotary Knowledge and Leadership Skills to Rotarians, Anns and Rotaract members.

 

These educational opportunities will teach skills that will benefit the members in their lives and in their volunteer service.

 

RLI is a recommended program of Rotary International, is not compulsory and RLI is open to all Rotarians, Anns and Rotaracts.

 

We offer six (6) in-person, facilitated and small group courses. The Certificate course 1,2 and 3 and the Graduate course A, B and C

 

These courses include the following topics:

• Rotary Basics
• Leadership
• Service, Foundation & Public Image
• Membership & Volunteers
• Diversity
• Effective Public Speaking

 

These are the upcoming courses:

 

• Sat 9 Oct 2021 -     RLI Certificate part 1 and RLI Certificate part 3 (2 separate venues)

• Sun 10 Oct 2021 -  RLI Certificate part 2 and RLI Graduate part A (2 separate venues)

 

Time:  8:00 - 15:00

 

Cost:  R250 per person per course/day

This fee will include fun, fellowship, refreshments, lunch and the training manual.

 

Bank details for RLI courses: Rotary 9400 E-commerce, Standard Bank, Fourways Crossing Branch 009953, Account No 242 609 473. REF: RLI + Your Name. Please send the proof of payment to Wendy Damons on wendylindsay12@gmail.com

 

Venue: Ducks Country House – Henley on Klip

We will be adhering to Covid-19 regulations and the venues are well ventilated rooms

 

Accommodation is for your own account. You can contact the venue to book your accommodation.

DG Stella visits with us remotely, The Anns at Woodford Sanctuary, Book your Quiz team and let's celebrate Heritage Day.....

From the Pen of our President.... 

The unexpected reactions to two events in the recent past have indicated how much more we are impacted by what happens to others in similar circumstances than by the events themselves. The first was a pretty positive event but the person involved was upset because he learned that several others who experienced the same event had received a greater financial benefit.  The second  event was the loss / destruction of valuable assets. The person concerned was fairly positive, indicating that many others had suffered far greater losses and faced a more challenging future than he did, so he had much to be thankful for.  It made me wonder what the reactions would have been if there had been no knowledge of similar events experienced by others.

I suspect that I too may well be influenced by knowing what has happened to others who have experienced similar circumstances – rather than making an objective and independent decision.

Costa Qually
President

Tailpiece

To find yourself, think for yourself  -  Socrates

Last Friday...

... the Rotary Club of Rosebank was  graced by the presence of our District Governor Dr Stella Anyangwe and her successor Koekie Makunyane-Quashie.

DG Stella  has been in her position for two months and she has certainly hit the road running. To her it feels as though she has been at it for two years already. 

Stella is a Cameroonian by birth and studied to become a medical doctor. She decided that it would be better to prevent than treat, and therefore obtained a PhD in Epidemiology. She became a Global Health expert and served the WHO for 17 years, eventually retiring in 2013.

She is married to a Professor at Law, and they have two children, both living abroad. She has one grandchild, who she sadly has not been able to meet yet because of lockdown.

Stella has been a Rotarian since 1995 and her husband also recently joined the ranks.

She is presently a member of the Rotary Club of Pretoria West, but in the past had been a Rotarian in Zambia, the Congo,Nigeria, Seychelles an Mali.

Before meeting with us she had already familiarized herself with our club goals and projects, and in her words had not taken so many notes with any other club.

She felt that our club goal of growing our membership by 5 new members was very pedestrian, and it was very evident in her address to us, that she was aligning her district goal of growing membership from 1160 to 1300 to that of RI President Shekhar Mehta, who coined the phrase "Each One bring One". His ambitious goal is by the end of his tenure in June 2022 to have grown the worldwide membership by 100 000. 

She did however concede that it is also important to attract the right person into the Rotary fold.

She is passionate about diversity, equality and inclusion.

DG Stella commended our club for our commitment to "giving" -  towards Polio eradication and the "Every Rotarian, Every Year" initiative, and also for giving of our valuable time.

Stella urged us to dream big and try and come up with a long lasting and sustainable service project of scale. She told us of a  $2million Global Grant that had recently been awarded for a cross border project involving Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana in the eradication of malaria. 

She would like our club to plan and host at least one practical and action-oriented Rotary Day of Service during the 2021-22 Rotary year. The event should address a challenge facing our community that fits in one or more of Rotary’s areas of focus and bring together volunteers from within and outside of Rotary.

DG Stella left us with one last overarching thought: ENJOY ROTARY!!

Have you booked your Quiz Team??

It is official. Now that we have gone down to level 2 lockdown restrictions we are allowed to accept all table bookings and we urge you to put together your dream team of up to six people and come and enjoy what will surely go down as a highlight in your social calendar.

Please pay your entrance fee into:

Rosebank Rotary Project account

Nedbank

Account number: 1145-9993-36

Branch Code: 198-765

Swift Code: NEDSZAJJ

Reference: Quiz + surname

 

 Heritage Picnic in the Park....

Spring is in the air and we invite our Rotarian family and friends to join us for a picnic in the Park.

Where?  Delta Park (Exact location TBC)

When? Friday the 24th of September

Time? 9 a.m. (or thereabouts)

Please let Pam Donaldson know (cell  083 320 8689)  if you would to be part of what promises to be a fun, fun, fun day.

This Friday...

... A business meeting.

 

The Peace Pipe Project, Alex fire victims need our help, Join our Heritage Day Picnic and save the date for our annual Quiz fundraiser....

 From the Pen of our President....

The powerful message from the presentation of Yogi and Tony  at our meeting on Friday on the “Peace Pipe Project” brought to mind the various WhatApp groups of which  I am a member. So often, a positive or encouraging message on the group triggers similar responses from other members and so helps build goodwill and better friendship.  We all have the power to be the spark that ignites the fire of positivity. I am reminded of a quote by John Wesley:

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

It is pleasing and encouraging to observe that many members of our club demonstrate these attributes. Bless you all!

Costa Qually
President

Tailpiece

WRINKLES: Something other people have, similar to my character lines

Last Friday....

The first time we heard about the Keokuk Peace Pipe letters was when PP Grace van Zyl, from the Rotary Club of Johannesburg addressed us a few months ago. David, who organizes our Friday programmes subsequently approached the two men, who are the driving force behind the project to speak to us: Tony Conn, all the way from across the Big Pond and Yogi Reppmann from his home town of Flensburg, Germany.

Now that is the power of technology. Would we have ever dreamed of something so ambitious had we not been forced to embrace new ways of communication.

In 2016 a loosely bound dusty book was discovered in a bank vault in Keokuk and it contained 196 letters from all over the world which had been sent in response to a letter that had been penned in 1931 by the Chairman of the Rotary Club of Keokuk, Jewett Fulton and sent to 496 non-English speaking Rotary Clubs all over the World.

“In 1931 the Rotarians in the city of Keokuk, Iowa must have sensed that dark clouds were brewing in the world, and especially in Europe. They thought about the namesake of their city, Chief Keokuk, and his peace pipe. Their invitation to other Rotary Clubs to join them in smoking the peace pipe was more than a symbolic gesture.“

The result is a 330 page glossy publication which can be purchased for $30, the profits of the sales will go to various peace building and conflict resolution  projects.

The story is intriguing and  if you missed the presentation on Friday or would like to listen/watch it again you are welcome to click into the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL5kZI7ODfIKeokuk Peace Pipe Letters

Starved of fellowship a few of us once again descended on Ann's home to attend the Zoom meeting and also celebrate Melodene's birthday.

​

An impassioned letter from Linda Twala....

If anyone would like to donate or assist in any small way, please contact Sybille Essmann (082 601 0180) or David Bradshaw (083 461 6830) to arrange drop off or collection.

Heritage Day Picnic Invitation...

Last Saturday a few of us ventured into the Delta to have look-see, and came up with the wonderful idea of having a Spring Picnic on the Friday the 24th of September to celebrate Heritage Day and share fellowship, fresh air and fun in the sun.

All Rotarians, Ann's, their families and friends of Rotary are invited. Would this not be the perfect occasion to invite a potential member to experience the power of  our Rotary family?

Please let Pam Donaldson know if you and your family would like to attend (083 320 8689 or e-mail pmmdonaldson@gmail.com)

Save the date for our annual Quiz Fundraiser.....

Bookings are now open. Please circulate this invitation to friends and family and let's make this a fundraiser to remember.

We would be very grateful if you could assist with prizes for our Raffle. 

This Friday....

DG Stella Anyangwe will grace us with her presence. It will be a Zoom meeting, and it would be great if as many of us as possible can show her our Rosebank hospitality.

A well attended social meeting, Rosebank Rotary receives a Citation, Winners of this month's Club 100, Environmental Training and a site visit to the Durban Deep vegetable garden...

 From the Pen of the President....

Tomorrow marks the end of women’s month. However, the reports of women being murdered, attacked and sexually abused continue at an alarming and unacceptable level. It makes me and many other men ashamed of how many of the male species act and how they regard women as objects to be exploited and controlled. We all need to speak out against this appalling situation and the all too often inadequate response of the police and others within the justice system. Saying we oppose gender-based violence but doing nothing about it is not sufficient. Laughing at and forwarding jokes that demean women and their dignity helps to perpetuate an environment of patriarchy and oppressive behaviour. I believe we can all play a positive part in remedying the situation - this may have limited impact to start but, with enough people doing so, will snowball and begin to change the attitude and perception of those who need to behave in an acceptable manner.

Costa Qually

President

Tailpiece

I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

Last Friday....

...we met for our monthly social meeting and it is heartwarming that even though we are still unable to meet in person attendance remains high; 21 attendees plus a guest is pretty good going.

Well, there were 5 of us that did gather at PP Ann's to have tea and cake in honour of Lenore's birthday and shoot the breeze with our fellow members on Ann's TV screen.

Social meetings give us an opportunity to tell some funny stories and Melodene had a hysterical joke up her sleeve which is worth sharing in the Ramble:

A fleeing Taliban, desperate for water, was plodding through the Afghan desert when he saw something far off in the distance. Hoping to find water, he hurried toward the oasis only to find a British soldier selling regimental ties.

The Taliban asked, "Do you have water?"

The soldier replied, "There is no water, the well is dry. Would you like to buy a tie instead? They are only £5."

 The Taliban shouted, "You idiot infidel! I do not need an over-priced tie. I need water! I should kill you, but I must find water first!"

 "OK," said the soldier, "It does not matter that you do not want to buy a tie and that you hate me. I will show you that I am bigger than that, and that I am a much better human being than you. If you continue over that hill to the east for about two miles, you will find our Sergeant's Mess. It has all the ice cold water you need. Inshallah."

 Cursing him, the Taliban staggered away over the hill.

 Several hours later he staggered back, collapsed with dehydration & rasped:

 "They won't let me in without a  #^@* tie!”

President Costa has made enquiries at Wanderers and they would be happy to welcome us back for meetings and pizza, but in the meantime, if you are in need for fellowship Ann is inviting anyone to join the Friday meetings at her home.

The Rotary Club of Rosebank is awarded a Citation....

Despite all the challenges thrown at PP Ann Hope-Bailie during her tenure, she steered a steady ship and hats off to her and a committed club for achieving this prestigious recognition.

Dear President Costa

Congratulations!  Your club has earned the Rotary Citation, the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve, for 2020-21. During a year that was challenging for many Rotarians around the world, your club demonstrated a commitment to achieve your goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future.

Sincerely,

 

Annemarie Mostert

Immediate Past District Governor

Rotary International District 9400

Rotary E Club of Southern Africa 9400

Building 1, The House, Constantia Office Park,

Cnr 14th  Avenue & Hendrik Potgieter Street,

Weltevreden Park, 1709.

P O Box 6782, Cresta, 2118.

Tel: +27 11 475 3372 Fax: 086 623 2515

Cell: +27 82 457 4558

E Mail:  annemarie@rotary9400.org.za

 

Foundation Training Morning...

Lyn Collocott, our Environment Chair shares her notes and thoughts:

A number of us attended the recent Foundation Training Session on Environment.

 

It was an hour well spent with many ideas coming out of it.

 

Please all put on your thinking caps and try to come up with ideas of projects we may be able to get involved with.

 

If we were to consider  applying for a Global Grant, any of the following may qualify:

 

REFORESTATION

*Protecting and restoring land.

*Remove invasive plants

*Coastal or freshwater resources

*Protecting and planting  indigenous  species.

  

PEACEBUILDING

*Human-Animal Conflict  An example is People versus the Cape Town baboons in the nature reserves.

*Training communities in conservation.

  

SUSTAINABLE AGROECOLOGY

*Sustainable aquaculture and regenerative Agriculture.

*Community Development

*Improving Food Security

 

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

Examples

*Renewable energy  Solar or Windpower

*Eliminating fuels like coal

* Electric vehicles.

 

 WORKING WITH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

Examples

*Plastic Pollution

*Air pollution.... may  cause respiratory illnesses

*Water contamination from chemicals.

 

 COMMUNITY BASED EDUCATION

*Aligning the school curriculum  (Speak to Government)

Youth is our future.

* More Interact and Earlyact Clubs with emphasis on Environment.

Consider scholarship possibilities  and  helping  with career plans related to the environment.

 

 SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

*Composting

*Recycling

*Solid Waste Management

*Recycling of Food Waste

* Glass , Paper, Cans, Plastic

How do we get these ideas through to the population?

 

SOME THINGS WE CAN DO>

*Education

*Outreach

*Advocacy

*Eliminating and reducing environmental toxins

* Equitable  access to organic healthy foods.

*Vegetable Gardens

 

 

WHAT WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR A GLOBAL GRANT.

But, in my opinion, is still important.

 

*Single Event  Beautification

*Tree planting unless large scale

*Food Distribution

*Outdoor Rec activities

*Purchasing equipment for building infrastructure.

*Single event clean up.

 

Any bigger project we may get involved with in time , should consider the following:

*Sustainability

*Measureable

*Community Driven... What are their needs.

 

 

Lots to think about.

A Site Visit to the Durban Deep vegetable garden...

You will remember that at the end of summer our club donated a 4 700 liter JoJo tank to an informal settlement in the Durban Deep area to enable the women who had painstakingly planted a vegetable garden to water their fledglings during the winter months and then come the summer months to harness the rain water.

Every Saturday Stephan Ferreira of Charity begins with Me feeds between 400 and sometimes 1000 children with food items donated by generous sponsors.

It was bitter last Saturday, and thus the kids were encouraged to bring their backpacks and take their food parcels home.

Stephan makes use of an abandoned community hall, where he is able to store his provisions. 

It is behind this community hall that the vegetable garden has been established. Stephan has shown the women how to plant and nurture the seeds in egg containers and little yoghurt tubs.

Most of the women have decided to plant spinach, as it is fairly easy to rear, once harvested it re-grows and they are able to sell a bunch for R7.

The JoJo tank has been a godsend and it has made a huge difference to the sustainability of the vegetable garden, particularly during this long, cold and dry winter.

The children are being encouraged to deposit their food waste into old tyres which is being composted and then used in the garden.

During the cold winter months the women protected their fledgling plants by covering them with the plastic bottoms of cool drink bottles and old CDs have been tied on to sticks, and the reflections seems to keep the birds and rats at bay.

It is still early days but it was encouraging to see how proud the women are of their handiwork, and no doubt in a few months time they will reap the benefits.

They would be very grateful if we could supply them with egg containers and little yoghurt tubs and any discarded seedling trays you might have.

This Friday.....

Do not miss...

 

Dr. Joachim "Yogi" Reppmann was born in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, in 1957.  He attended the Altes Gymnasium and matriculated at the University of Kiel, where he studied history, American literature, and philosophy.  In 1978 and fueled by his fascination with America from reading wild west fiction novels he traveled to the United States to learn everything he could about our country.  In 1984, he completed his masters thesis entitled Transplanted Ideas:  The Concept of Freedom and Democracy of the Schleswig-Holstein Forty-Eighters — Origins and Effects 1846-1856.  He has written several books on notable Schleswig-Holstein emigrants and the mass migration to the United States; served as a professor of German at St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges in Northfield, Minnesota; and chaired several conferences on topics ranging from the Low German language to Forty-Eighter Hans Reimer Claussen. The Steuben Society of America’s History Award, 2014, has been presented to him for his research on the 1848 movement’s democratic impact in Germany, and the USA.  

A brief outline of the Peace Pipe Proposal. The year is 1931. The results of the global economic crisis have an impact everywhere. Nationalism and ideologies that violate human dignity are on the rise. In the midst of this, the Rotary Club of Keokuk, Iowa sends out 496 letters in late December. On the model of the peace pipe ritual practiced by Indian tribes for dealing with conflict, the Rotarians of this small city on the Mississippi extend their hand to their Rotarian friends around the world.

The year is 2019. In view of its bonds across the Atlantic, this same Rotary Club repeats the gesture, sending out letters specifically to the German Rotarians who responded to its mailing of eighty-eight years before. The Iowa club feels that this is its duty. After all, the city of Keokuk is named after the Indian chief who chose not to take up the battle axe during times of conflict. The peace pipe letters of 1931-32 and 2019 symbolize international friendship and understanding.

The Environment takes Centre Stage, a Business Meeting, "Each One, bring One" and the Anns get acknowledged......

 From the Pen of the President....

As you are no doubt all aware, the seventh avenue of service in Rotary is the environment.  Lyn has set up a committee that is considering what we as a club can do in this regard. On Saturday morning, District had a webinar on this topic and it was pleasing to note that 7 of our members participated - far more than any other club. Various initiatives and possibilities were discussed. It is possible that a global grant could be obtained for a suitable project, which could well include a number of Rotary clubs. To qualify, the project will have to be sustainable, measurable and preferably community driven.  Please put on your thinking caps and let Lyn have any suggestions you feel should be considered.

Our quizzes are continuing and are a super way of interacting with Rotary clubs in other countries and districts. Please consider participating if you have not yet done so. I can assure you that you will enjoy the experience.

Enjoy the warmer weather and keep safe!

Costa Qually
President

Tailpiece

I count them braver who overcome their desires than them who conquer their enemies, for the hardest victory is over self  (Aristotle)

Last Friday....

....was our monthly business meeting.

Report back in brief:

• In less than three weeks time District Governor Stella Anyangwe will be paying our club a visit and the various committee chairs are preparing and refining their activity and project reports. 
• Pam Donaldson was happy to report that the average attendance had improved and that in July we had two meetings where we nearly had full-house. Please let her know of make-up 
• Club Treasurer John Symons reported back that we are on track with annual Rotary subs. Various donations that were made in lieu of the President's induction dinner will be channelled to the Boikanyo (Dion Herson) Foundation to assist Marilyn Bassin in her charitable endeavours.
• Richard Maloney, our International Chair is very keen to resurrect the Cervical Cancer Project and has been doing quite a bit of research. He has hit a bit of a roadblock when it comes to the Department of Health involvement but Richard would like to investigate the possibility of getting buy-in from Transpharm, which is part of Shoprite Holdings.
• David Bradshaw has been hard at work recruiting potential members and he is hoping that we will soon exceed the target we set ourselves for this year. Please read what his Membership vision is below.
• As club almoner he keeps contact with people like Carol Lawrence, who had a bit of a fall the other day, but has recovered. Hugh Rix is back from Cape Town, he's been in touch with Elaine Margolius to see how she is bearing up, and she has decided to stay put and not move right now. Judy Powell also seems to be doing well.
• The Youth committee had a quiet month;  unfortunately the Covid restrictions have not eased up, and there is talk that the Spring school holidays would be scrapped this year, and with these uncertainties it has made it impossible to plan a Senior Youth Leadership course this year.
• Head of publicity, Ann, hopes that everyone has read the latest edition of Rotary Africa that has all our club's  award winners in it.
• Les Short reported that Foundation was holding it's first Environment training session on Saturday the 21st, and it was encouraging to see how much interest this course had evoked.
• Sonja Hood, our fundraising queen, was thrilled to report that the Clem Sunter presentation had netted R12 500 for the Alexandra Education Committee. A big thank you for all the support!!   
• It is now full steam ahead for our annual Quiz fundraiser on Wednesday the 20th of October at the Parkview Golf Club. We are still in need of prizes for the Raffle.
•  Besides that Sonja has a few other fundraising ideas up her sleeve.
• As Sybille, who chairs the Vocational & Community Services committee, was unable to attend this week's meeting, Lyn Collocott volunteered to report back on her behalf.                           
• The committee has identified 5 worthy recipients for an Vocational Services award and the award ceremony is to take place on Friday the 8th of October; venue to be confirmed.  The Board has approved that each award winner is to receive an amount of R1 500 towards a charity of their choice.                                                                                                                                     
• The committee is still crystallizing a sustainable project, and to that end Sybille had made an exploratory trip to Limpopo to discuss a potential project with Dr Coenie Louw, the CEO of the NGO Gateway Health Institute, a man with an impressive CV, who is researching the development of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable sanitary pads made from natural fibers. These pads are 100% compostable - breaking down to soil in less than 180 days. The project is entering a clinical trial phase, awaiting approval from SAHPRA.
• Lyn Collocott has surrounded herself with an enthusiastic committee and was looking forward to attending the environmental training session on Saturday.                                          
• Unfortunately she was facing headwinds with her attempts to reach out to the powers that be at City Parks to try and find out how we as a club could get involved in the upcoming Arbor week at the beginning of September.

A letter from the Membership Chair....Grow membership “Each one bring one”.

 

Improve service “Grow more to do more”.

 We have the power and the magic to change lives, good new members bring new life to our club, new ideas, new energy.

The majority of new members did not ask to join us, they were invited either by family members, work colleagues or friends.

We are all proud to be members of such a wonderful organization, but how many of us have ever spoken to non-Rotarians about Rotary, especially about possibly becoming a member.

 As Chairman of the Club’s Membership Committee, I sincerely encourage you to think more about this and do your bit to introduce new members.

Let us not keep Rotary as the best kept secret.

 

Thanking you

 

David.

This Friday....

Let's socialize!! Hope to see you all on Zoom.