Ngā mihi o te Kirimete me te Tau Hou. Seasons Greetings for Christmas and the New Year. It has been a challenging year for everyone on many fronts. Like all of you I am looking forward to taking a break, recharging, and coming back for another busy year in 2022.

As I wrap up the year, I want to take the opportunity to wish you all a very happy holiday and that you get the opportunity to relax and enjoy time with family and friends.

My thoughts are with those of you who are experiencing health issues or who have lost loved ones during the year.

It is with sadness that I note the immediate resignation of Ken Booth from his district role as our District Administrator due to health issues, as noted elsewhere in this newsletter. I will miss the unwavering quiet support and knowledge I have received from Ken. He has asked for privacy at this time and I ask that his wish is respected.

Thank you all for your support during this challenging year, it has had its ups and downs, however as life goes on, we need to remember how fortunate we are to be part of Rotary, a team that gives us the opportunity to help others.

I have been heartened by the collaboration between clubs working together on projects and causes throughout the district. I am aware of a number of projects planned for the new year where this will continue. This collaboration strengthens our clubs and the impact we make.

I have enjoyed meeting and working together with many of you through the challenges and opportunities this year has brought. I look forward to meeting more of you and working together again in 2022.

Club visits
I have met informally with a number of clubs and assisted with projects. I spent two days in the Nelson region where I took the opportunity to attend the club meetings of the Nelson and Whakatu Clubs. During that visit AG Karen Stade and Presidents Martin from Whakatu, Rob from Nelson West, and Diana from Richmond guided me through several of their projects which they are working on collaboratively; the Male Room, the proposed Rotary 100 project at Tahunanui, Kai rescue and Helping Families Nelson.

I congratulate the Nelson/Marlborough clubs in that region who are working so well together, meeting my goal of collaboration between clubs, expanding Rotary’s reach.

I was a guest at Ferrymead for their very successful community awards evening. This is a model of community engagement that other clubs could do well to follow.

I will be concentrating my visits with the Canterbury clubs in the new year and look forward to meeting and working on projects with you.

New District Award
In consultation with PDG Peter Smale from our District Awards committee, I have instituted a new District Award to be presented at District Changeover. I discussed this with Sean and Sue Thomas when I met with them while on my Nelson visit. It will be known as the Sean Thomas Innovation Award, and while the details and design of the trophy will be worked through with Sean’s family it will be presented annually to clubs or individuals who demonstrate a progressive and innovative approach in Rotary.

Assistant Governors
I am continuing to attend club President cluster meetings with the AG groups where possible.

I take this opportunity to thank the Assistant Governors for the work they are undertaking with their cluster Presidents and clubs and the connections they are encouraging between clubs.

Westport
PDG Liz and I again visited Westport in mid-November to meet with PDG Gary Hopkinson, President Peter Campbell, and members from the supporting Nelson/Marlborough and Greymouth clubs to view the situation at first hand and to strategize Rotary involvement going forward.

Fund raising is continuing and the Marlborough Rotary initiative “Wet Your Whistle for Westport” has raised over $8K towards the Rotary Recovery Appeal.

We met with The Buller District Council Recovery Manager and after viewing some affected housing suitable for Rotary input into repairs, as well as transitional relocatable housing, and with input from Neville White and John Berwick both from Blenheim South, and Malcolm Currie from Motueka a plan for DIY volunteer opportunities in late January/ early February has now been developed.

Details for this project were distributed in the Friday mailout last week and will be circulated with this newsletter. This is a great opportunity for Rotarian volunteers and others to assist. There is an opportunity to assist with simple repairs, painting and soft landscaping.

I wish to personally thank Diana Wilkins and all the volunteers from Rotary clubs across Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and Westland who participated in a major organization of Shop Zero in November. The camaraderie and fellowship generated a positive atmosphere which I am sure will be repeated in late January. It is an opportunity to meet other Rotarians and volunteers from around the wider district and have fun while helping the community.

Again, I acknowledge the input of PDG Gary Hopkinson, Westport Rotary, the AG.’s and cluster clubs as well as Greymouth Rotary in supporting/ managing this project on the ground.

District Member Numbers and new club model initiatives
According to RI Membership Reports we have to date had a net increase of 11 members this year. 1067 as of 30 November. However, the new year report often shows a loss of members after club invoicing.

I have asked AG John Wanty to add the Provisional Canterbury Passport group to his cluster and AG Rae Hopkinson to assist Sheri Gatehouse with facilitating the proposed Rotaract group. The next meeting for this latter group will take place at an information meeting Sheri has set up at the beginning of RYLA in January.

Provisional Passport Club
The Provisional Canterbury Passport Group is likely to result in a net gain of 12-13 new members when it charters, but importantly I have been informed, is ensuring the retention of members who had signaled their intention to leave their current clubs.

This is a common factor in most Passport clubs worldwide where about 40% of the new club is made up of existing Rotarians who want a different, and for them, a more fulfilling experience.

The provisional group have been actively involved in projects both on their own and with other clubs including fundraising. They were intending to charter before the end of the year however are now planning to do so in the new year.

RYLA Alumni – Rotaract initiative
As noted above President Sheri Gatehouse of the Lincoln Rotary has arranged an information morning at the beginning of RYLA in January. I am hopeful that this initiative can be expanded to include other groups other than just RYLA Alumni.

If you know of someone, not necessarily a “Rylarian”, who may be interested in this Rotary volunteering experience rather than that of the traditional model, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Sheri Gatehouse directly.

Other Initiatives
The District Growing Rotary committee is meeting in late January to develop the next level of detail for other Rotary models or initiatives. Following this input will be sought from Clubs who may wish to support these ventures.

Re-Districting D9999
The new Constitution was approved in the recent Club voting process and progress is now being directed to having the Board and Team structure in place for the new Rotary year in July 2022. There will be continuing communication directly to clubs and members as this develops.

I would like to thank our District Administrator Ken Booth for his input into this process as well as his extra time and contribution in the overall redistricting process. Ken’s invaluable knowledge has ensured that there has been a smooth well researched progress to date.

RYLA 2022
This is taking place during the week of 16th – 21st January 2022. The committee is intending to change some of the format to meet COVID 19 protocols.

Apart from double vaccination and proof it may mean that the informal drop-in by interested Rotarians may not be possible during the week and the larger meetings cannot take place. Please check with the team closer to the event.

Covid-19
This is a developing space and is affecting us all in different ways both in our Rotary world and our daily lives. For Rotary it is requiring adaptation to meet requirements for meetings, events and projects. Responses can vary but I ask that there is tolerance and respect for others while we practice the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

In closing, Liz and I wish you all a relaxing break. Stay safe, enjoy a happy Christmas and look forward to what 2022 brings.