Waikato Sunrise volunteers co-ordinator, Gary Robertson, presenting a cheque to one of the partner organisations in November 2011.

 Contributing $100,000 to the community

During 2010/11 Rotary year (July to June), Waikato Sunrise contributed over $100,000 in to community through direct donations and sponsorships, joint ventures, and third party fund raising.   In addition, a number of members contributed their time and talents – Rotary vocational service – to various projects and causes.   These efforts touched local, national and international communities, supporting projects that fulfill the vision of Rotary International.

Stewart Gibson

Unfortunately,  I have been quite sick recently  but I’ve finally come right now just in time for the  International Exchange Student orientation weekend in Huerta Grande.  I have learned that the climate is very difficult here because of the extreme heat during the day and the cold at night.  This is why a lot of people get sick during this time, but my host grandmo there was amazing,  forcing me to stay in bed for a week or two until I was perfect.  So,  in good health,  I was off to Córdoba for the Rotary orientation weekend.  All the new exchange students that recently arrived from the northern hemisphere were there,  along with all the outbounds from Argentina.   It’s sad that some of the outbounds can’t come with us on our trips,  as some of them are now great friends and we realise we’ll probably never see each other again.  But that’s the life of an exchange student.

We met with other exchange students from another province in Córdoba at about 0630 because our buses arrived about the same time.  We left the bus terminal for the centre where we had a coffee and some breakfast,  and sat round talking for about 5 hours until a shopping mall opened. From there we went to the food court and sat and waited some more as all the other exchange students started to trickle in.  By the time it was time to go to the bus,   there were about 50 of us.  The New Zealanders had a rugby ball,  so what else to do but to start playing touch rugby in the middle of the square in the centre of town?   The orientation weekend was amazing –  everyone really got into it and it was put together very well.

There were a lot of games played and we had an excellent time at the dress up party on the Saturday night,  and there was a talent show on the Friday. Of course, we performed the haka and everybody loved it. On the last day we had a traditional Argentine BBQ,  which was a first for some of the new exchange students. All in all it was a fantastic weekend.   I am still loving every minute of my exchange.   Stewart

This Close from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Make No Small Plans EN from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Robbie Francis celebrating completion of her scholarship

It’s hard to sum up the last year in a few words,  however I think that the events surrounding my graduation two days ago, reflect my time here –  a time of extremes,  oxymoron’s and irony.  My flatmates and I were at home preparing for the festivities.  We all had guests arriving for the graduation ceremony so it was a pretty exciting time.  Just as we were putting on our dresses and make up,  we get the news that terrorist activity had escalated just hours from where we live.  Terrorists had entered into Southern Israel through the Egyptian border and opened fire on a public bus with rifles,  grenades and explosives just outside of Eilat –  a holiday spot I visited in June.  When others arrived to help,  a suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt killing himself and the bus driver.  Simultaneously mortars  and qassam rockets were fired from Egypt and Gaza.  In response,  the IDF fired back,  destroying rocket launchers and smuggling tunnels.  Casualties included 8 Israelis,  terrorists,  Egyptian military/police and Gazans,  not to mention a 5 year old Gazan boy (this morning).  Even now –  two days later –  as I write this,   more rockets are falling in the South,  one of which just hit Beer Sheva,  a city my Mother and I visited and I presented to the Rotary there.

So,  we arrived at the graduation venue with mixed emotions.  Here we are celebrating a degree in conflict resolution and hours away people are dying,  violence is escalating and the Egyptian/Israeli peace treaty is being violated,  and we ask ourselves “what good is our degree?   How can we ever help in such a volatile situation?  What is our role in this conflict?”

It quickly became clear,  however,  that asking such questions can be limiting and dangerous,  as was highlighted by the speakers at the ceremony.  It is times like these that the degree of my colleagues and I are more important than ever.  We can and will make a difference.  To doubt ourselves is to discredit a year of hard work and,  even though we are young, we are the workings of a more peaceful future.  This was eloquently put by the students who,  during the graduation,  planted a pomegranate tree on the university campus as a legacy for our cohort.  As my Palestinian classmate said,  while we might not be around to eat it’s fruit or sit in it’s shade,  we are planting a seed for future generations who will.   In much the same way,  while we might not have a direct influence on the tragic terrorist attacks in the South today,  we,  as resolutionists,  mediators and negotiators,  are the workings behind a more peaceful future.

I have grown so much over the last year.  I’ve had my eyes opened to both the horrors of international conflict and violence,  but also to the most beautiful advancements towards international peace.  My heart has broken over the racism and violence,  which plagues the Middle East,  but I have also been encouraged and blessed by some of the most kind hearted,  open and inspiring people I have ever met.

First and foremost my thanks go to God who allowed my life journey to take the course it has.  Then,  had it not been for Rotary –  and all the Rotarians who stood behind me and supported me in both New Zealand and Israel –   I would never have made it to the Middle East.  And finally,  to my whanau and friends,  thank you for all the messages,  facebook comments,  care packages,  letters,  visits,  prayers and love –  you got me through the every day trials,  tests and challenges of living so far from home.

I would like to finish with a story I’ve shared at my Rotary presentations in Israel,  which I feel has come to represent the life lesson I have learned this year (see above).

Once there was an elderly man who awoke at dawn every day to walk along the beach and watch the sun rise.  One day as the man strolled along the sand he noticed a young boy standing on the shoreline throwing something into the sea.  The older man stopped and asked the young boy “What are you doing?”.  The young boy replied “I’m throwing the starfish back into the sea”.   The old man could see that the tide had brought in thousands of tiny starfish onto the sand that would perish as soon as the sun rose.  ”Why would you do that?”  the older man asked,  ”can you not see there are thousands and thousands of star fish all over the beach?  What difference are you ever going to make?”.  The young boy paused,  and with a smile,  leaned over,  picked up a starfish and threw it back into the sea.  ”Well,”  he said,  ”I made a difference in that starfish’s life didn’t I?”

I’m not trying to ‘save the lives of all the starfish on the beach’ –  to attempt to do so would be overwhelming and impossible.  But I will stand on the beach and throw back starfish one at a time.  And you know what,  I truly believe that when we stand together on the beach as Rotarian’s,  family and friends,  there is no telling what difference we can make.

So,  this is me signing out of the Middle East.  Shalom,  salaam,  peace to you all.   Robbie

Receiving 'Home club of the District Governor' banner

A sumptuous Indian buffet,  catered by Indian Aroma Restaurant,  was enjoyed by all,  as was the Roti chef’s expertise kneading,  tossing and cooking Roti bread on a kettle in the centre stage of the buffet.

The afternoon programme started with the formal changeover ceremony.  Before receiving the chains of office,  Raewyn was met at the foot of the stage by the Interactors,  who offered an Indian ceremonial blessing on her role and upcoming year.   Raewyn introduced her team for 2011/12 – 56 Presidents,  plus Assistant Governors,  and the various District chairs,  coordinators,  contacts & champions,  and then concluded the event with a motivational incoming speech.

Waikato Sunrise was proud to host the District changeover event,  which was competently MC’d by member Carmen Jacobsen.  We wish Raewyn  and Geoff all the best for the coming year.

Excerpts from District Governor Raewyn’s incoming speech

On relevance:  “Our purpose –  to do good in the world –  has stayed constant,  but despite the world around us moving on,  many of our practices (established at a point in time to help us achieve our purpose at that point in time),  have not moved on.  It is these outdated practices that make Rotary appear less relevant.  We need to hang on to the essence of Rotary but change some of the ways we experience Rotary.”

On diversity:  “A club of men and woman –  professional and non-professional,  young and old,  kiwi born and immigrants,  people with disabilities and without –  has a much wider  range of talents,  contacts,  insights and ideas,  and in those lie opportunities for the club to engage with its community in different ways.”

On Public Image:   “Public image is about branding.  A brand is a promise that you make and that you keep in everything that you do.  Like the four way test. Raising the public image  -  the brand –  of Rotary,  in my view,  is simple,  and there are two easy things that we can all do that will make a difference.

First,  have a conversation with someone about Rotary every day.  Imagine,  across New Zealand,  9000 or so people talking about Rotary!

And the way we describe Rotary in those conversations will make a difference.  How do you describe Rotary when someone asks?

Do you say:  ‘Rotary’s a club that meets every week and we have dinner and hear a guest speaker,  and usually we have a sergeant who fines everyone and normally I’m home by 8.00?’

Or do you tell them:  ‘Rotary is a worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities?’   This is the new essence statement of Rotary International.  It makes a great elevator speech:  you’re in a lift,  proudly wearing your Rotary pin,  and someone asks you about it.  You have the time it takes the lift to go two or three floors to tell them it’s a Rotary pin,  and explain what Rotary is.  And if it is just one floor?   I tell them that Rotary is about good people doing good.”