Spring Brings Fresh Energy

Spring sprung upon us quite unexpectedly this past week and the weather seemed to turn with little or no ceremony.
     We seem to vacillate between the sorry political state of the country and the optimism that spring normally brings.
     The club meeting last Wednesday was a quiet one with only seven members attending, quite unusual at the moment, as attendance has been relatively high over the past months.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, to quote Shakespeare; from left Ian, Judy, Greg, Frayne, Paul, myself and with Linda manning the camera, used the meeting productively.

     The meeting became a debate and a discussion about what we should aim for at the next Club Assembly, slated for November 23rd This turned into a very productive and positive session and Ian Widdop has promised to gather his thoughts on what the club can and should expect from members in terms of leadership first of all, but also in terms of mentorship and integrating new members into the club ethos.

DGE Wally Jacobs (District 9370), DGELynette Stassen (9350), DGE Larry Mapani (9210) and our very own DGE Jankees Sligcher (9400) made up the South and Southern Africa contingent

     Speaking of leadership, last week saw a gathering of District Governors Elect in Accra, Ghana, for a training session ahead of their year as District Governors. The issue of leadership is critical in Rotary, first of all within the clubs, but of course also in District and beyond. While DGE Jankees Sligcher is blazing the way as the next District Governor, his year is going to place demands on the club that we will have to face up to.
     New Dawn is a resilient club and there is no doubt that we'll be prepared for it.

Val Morris and Frayne Mathijs with Dr Maria Van Driel of Khanya College, one of the principal sponsors of the Jozi Book Fair, and Paul Kasango 

Val Morris (left) of Books in Homes joined Frayne Mathijs (right) at the Jozi Book Fair while some members took time off to go and help man the stall. Linda and I were there on Friday morning

    Spring also meant it was time for the Jozi Book Fair at Wits this past weekend. This was the first time that New Dawn was a part of the fair. The club used the opportunity for a bit of self-publicity as well as to highlight the work being done at the Humanitarian Centre and by Val Morris, who does the Books in Homes project with the Rotary Club of White River with their range of R5 educational books.

     There was also information on The Link, the project for which New Dawn is applying for an RI grant.

     Joan and Samantha Donet and John Vink were other members who helped out at the stall.

     There were quite a few leads, mainly for free books from the Humanitarian Centre, but also from people interested in the doings of Rotary. They'll all be followed up.

Megan Maynard of The Link Literacy Project was one of the people who turned up at the Jozi Book Fair stall. Here she is posing in front of their red posters with Linda and Mike Vink

     The club owes Frayne a very big Thank You for all the effort she put into the book fair and hopefully she'll want to do the same again next year.
     It fits in very well with the New Dawn theme of helping children in need.

Down Under
     Rotary is full of surprises and one came in the form of a contact note from the Rotary Club of Central Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, saying that the club would "acknowledge the Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn at our meeting tonight. We wish you well and continued success". (The contact note was sent to Carol Stier on 31 August).
     After receiving a reply from New Dawn, Ava Edin, who was the original correspondent, wrote: "When I was researching the hundreds of Rotary clubs which have useful and interesting web sites, I came across this interesting club committed to helping children and their parents in practical ways - The Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn.
     "Congratulations to only on what you do but on your wise management in not spreading yourselves too thinly.
     "When I introduced you to the members of of Central Blue Mountains they all applauded what you are doing and I wonder whether there is a chance of working together in some way. Something to think about. Regards to all your members and all the best for a successful year."
     I resisted the temptation to say that keeping all the members focused on one or two goals is a bit like herding cats, but what a pleasant surprise it was!
     It is also a great way to start a partnership with a club in Australia. Any practical suggestions?
     Speaker: The speaker at Wednesday's meeting is Nikiwe Bam, who is studying for a Masters of Science in Science Education at Wits University. Her chief interest is in teacher development aimed at motivating both teachers and pupils in rural areas. She is also a member of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) and the Contralesa Youth Wing.
     It promises to be an interesting session. Be there.
     And finally ... Remember to bring a few bottles of the good stuff for the Barrow of Booze for the Golf Day raffle.
     Dates to Remember: Golf Day, Friday, 30 September; Health Days, 12-14 October; next Club Assembly, Wednesday, 23 November.
     A Thought for the Week, welcoming spring; She turned to the sunlight/And shook her yellow head,/And whispered to her neighbor:/"Winter is dead.” - A.A. Milne (1882-1956)