Linking up with Rotary International

It was all business this week with a board meeting on Monday, following on Jankees, Ian and Frayne's meeting with the good people from The Link Literary Project on Friday.
     Jankees rolled out the heavy artillery, inviting District Foundation chair Francis Callard along to the meeting with Tim Bashell, chairman of the board of The Link, and his team. Tim's wife, Margie, founded the project, but died of cancer last year.
     The idea is to explore ways in which the club can access funds from Foundation in the form of an RI grant to help The Link roll out their literacy and maths programs to more and more schools.
     Although it is early days Ian, who is taking the lead on the project, and Jankees are very upbeat. They are working with Francis Callard on an application for the RI funds.
     For this project to work, the club will have to make a long-term commitment. Don't hesitate to ask questions while the details are still being thrashed out.
     There was a lively debate at the board meeting after Ian, who was there by invitation, gave a report back on the Friday meeting. He will  be addressing the club tomorrow again.
     It wasn't all just boring though.

Katinka flying solo

Who said anything about Greg's balls?

      There we a couple of notable Welcome Back's! The first was to Katinka, who finally managed to tear herself away from her newly minted kid to enjoy some good old-fashioned Rotary fellowship.
     It was good to see you there, Katinka!
     We also welcomed Greg Smith back from his annual trip to the USA where, by his own account, he got to talk a lot of balls! Greg and co are working with a revolutionary new golf ball, and we wish him every success.
     The Schuler family have been on a two week holiday in South Africa and it is almost time to say farewell. By all accounts they've loved their stay and are aiming to come back in about a year's time.  Details to follow!

Greta and her mom, Martha, in the Magaliesberg

Greta, Martha and dad Kevin enjoy the mountains before
hitting the Pilanesberg game reserve

This was the first sight that greeted the Schulers from St Louis,
 Missouri, when they got to KwaMaritane in the Pilanesberg!

     A date to remember: On Tuesday night, 16th February, Ray Klinginsmith, a past president of Rotary International and current Foundation chair, will be the guest of honor at the Bryanston Country Club. An email has been sent out to everyone with the details, and we'll discuss the gala dinner at the meeting tomorrow. There has been a proposal that we try to fill at least one table (at R190 a head), and also that we attend in lieu of the regular meeting the following morning. Please come to the meeting so that we can discuss it!
     The Rotary Foundation is the heartbeat of Rotary and New Dawn is one of only a handful of clubs in the district who pay their dues on time and contribute regularly to the fund, as well as to the Polio fund. It is something we can be proud of. This is an opportunity to meet one of the people who control the hundreds of millions of dollars that make up the fund.
     A thought for the week: When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix, musician, singer, and songwriter (1942-1970)