A Visit by the DG

This week sees the visit of District Governor Grant Daly to the club. DG Grant has decided to visit each club in D9400 individually, and will be joining us for breakfast.
     He will also be the speaker for the day.

District Governor Grant Daly of Polokwane

The theme logo for 2016-17

     DG Grant shares the year theme of Rotary Serving Humanity with current Rotary International President John F Germ. It is an auspicious year for Rotary, marking the centennial of The Rotary Foundation.
     His visit gives members the opportunity to meet personally with the District Governor, where this has not always been possible in the past. Make use of the opportunity and be there!
     Judging by his first monthly newsletter the club visits have kept DG Grant and DGA Nadine Daly busy during the past month and a bit, so give them a warm welcome on what promises to be a fresh Highveld morning tomorrow!
     The agenda, after kicking off, saying grace, ordering breakfast and welcoming the guests, will go as follows:
7.10: Address by the DG and questions
7.45: 30 second slots (Golf Day)
7.50: Brag
7.55: Four Way Test and meeting ends
8.05: DG meets with New Dawn Board. Myself, Carol, Joan and Paul have to be there, Jankees will be there as DGN and for Frayne and Debbie attendance is optional. Let me know if you can't make it.
9.30: Leave for 5Cees in Berea. Everyone is welcome to join us.
9.50: Arrive at 5Cees and meet with Pastor Mike Sunker or representative.
11.30: Return to Parkview Golf Club
     DG Grant will be joined for his visit by Christopher Thompson, the District Governor's Representative for Zone 2, under which Johannesburg New Dawn falls, Lyn Collocott, Assistant Governor for the club, and of course our very own District Governor Elect and DGAE Jankees and Judy Sligcher.
     Matters which he will discuss with the club and board include the club report to Rotary International, setting out the club aims for the year. These include membership (we've pledged to grow to 25) and to pay all required payments to Rotary International and Foundation. They also include becoming IT compliant (PLEASE REGISTER ON MyRotary on rotary.org); to operate financially responsibly; and many other aims to include the full range of Rotary activities.

The publicity poster for A Night with the Stars

     At last week's meeting Paul Kasango and friends added another very important date to our Dates to Remember: Friday, 16th September.
     The occasion will be A Night with the Stars, a major fundraiser for the Woodside Sanctuary. I don't know about you, but I'm about to book tickets for myself and Linda. Come on everyone, let's all join forces and support Paul and his team in this fantastic effort.
     For just R320 (book at Computicket) you get to see stars such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Vicky Sampson and Lillian Dube and dinner will be served as well!.
     The concert starts at 8pm and is at the new Theatre on the Track at the Kyalami race track.

Paul and the Woodside team, from left Lone Botha, marketing and fundraising co-ordinator and Gugulethu Mthethwa, fundraising manager

     "I need your support. I would like to see as many Rotarians as possible at the show, said Paul, who also chairs the Woodside Sanctuary board.
     This is the first time Woodside is holding the event, and Paul hopes it will become a regular fixture on the social calendar.

Lone Botha with blankets, jackets and sweaters from Jenine Coetzer and the E-club of Southern Africa

     Speaking of Woodside, big thanks to Jenine Coetzer for hijacking a consignment of blankets and clothes from Shirley Downey of the E-club, and handing them over. We all know that Jenine is passionate about Woodside and the work they do there and it's great to see her put that passion into action.
     And speaking of DGR Christopher Thompson, he is spearheading an attempt to start a new Rotary club in the Fourways area, an area within Zone 2 that has no club. It is a timely effort, given that August is Membership and New Club Development month.
     A meeting will be held at the Bryanston Sports Club on 31 August and we've been asked to advertise this in any way we can using contacts in the newspapers, radio, local business forums, friends, etc.
     A copy of the letter detailing the meeting will be sent to all members for circulation.
     There is also a lot of activity on the Public Relations front and Carol, as club PR representative, attended a meeting held by Steve Margo this past weekend. Steve is aiming for maximum co-ordinated publicity for the district and will need all the help he can get.
     One of the tools he has advocated is for members to have a Rotary business card with their contact details. It would be useful to have a card to hand to potential new members or people looking  to becoming donors.
     Contact Steve on steve_margo@global.co.za to have the cards printed.
     And finally: When ordering breakfast, please make sure your payment is correct. We're working very much on an honor system and rely on members to know what their breakfast costs, and then to add R15 for coffee or tea, and 10-12% extra for a tip. Carol will add the price of the various dishes to the list that goes to the kitchen each Wednesday morning.
     More dates to remember: The first club assembly is on Saturday, 27 August at 8.30 for 9.00 am. The Golf Day is on Friday, 30 September.
     A Thought for the Week: Friendship was the foundation rock on which Rotary was built and tolerance is the element which holds it together. - Paul Harris, founder of Rotary (1868-1947)