Paul for President!

Paul Kasango addressed the club last week on the theme of compassion, love and laughter ... and how these three laudable Rotary themes can be teamed up with business principes to make fundraising a more profitable undertaking.

     Paul said these themes have been preoccupying him for a while now. In his entire working life he has spent no more than five years working for a salary. The rest of the time he has been his own boss.

    He has been a Rotarian since the early 90s, has been president twice and secretary once. And of course he has been Foundation officer for Johannesburg New Dawn for quite a few terms.

Paul Kasango addresses the club

     He said it is often difficult to generate compassion, love and laughter because there is often no compensation involved. The sacrifice in time and money is often too great for most people. Business, he said, operates on three principles: time, capital and expenses or overheads. It takes time to generate profits, while the fruits of compassion are often needed urgently.

Joan and Linda enjoy a lighter moment

     Without immediate "profits" it is difficult for a group like a Rotary club to attract capital in the form of permanent funding and of course without either of the first two, it is impossible to incur expenses, which are needed to set the cycle going, because if you don't spend money, you won't earn it! You have to spend money to make money.

Bob Wahl, our newest member, and Amina listen attentively.It's Amina and Ronnie's 5th wedding anniversary this weekend. 

Marissa Capkovic, a friend and colleague of Sam Donet, and Judy Symons

     As usual Paul had quite a number of thought-provoking ideas and possible solutions u his sleeve The kind of ideas, one could say, that he would be able to implement as president!

Cycle Race

We're still a few marshals short of the 12 the club pledged for the Fast One cycle race at Henley on Klip on Sunday morning.

     So far 9 people have confirmed: Linda and I, Sam and Rob, Debbie and Henk, Carol, Paul and Judy Symons. Neither Linda or I could remember if Bob had committed, and Jenine said she'd come, but only if we're really desperate. Even then we're still a little short, so if you can make it, please let Linda know.

Marshaling is easy. If you're communicating to cyclists, hold the flag in the
 air and indicate with your free hand to stop, turn left, turn right etc

Thank you, marshal. When directing traffic, you hold the flag below shoulder level and indicate with your free hand

     Arrangements: I'm still waiting for the final documents, as the emergency numbers weren't available at the briefing last weekend, but the arrangements are that we'll meet at the Total Garage The Village in Henley on Klip at 6 am on Sunday and then go to our posts a short way away.

     The easiest is to take the R59, exit at the Henley turnoff and the garage is about 2-3km along Henley Drive. The garage comes up on Google Maps, but I'll send detailed instructions later on.

     Although we're at the end of the races, we've always been back home in time for lunch in previous years. It's about 45 minutes from Johannesburg.

Visitor

     I have received correspondence from a Rotarian from India, who says he and his wife, Ritu, will be visiting us at the meeting tomorrow morning.

     He is Dipesh Mehta, who is in Johannesburg for a few days. Dipesh is a member of the Rotary Club of Ahmedabad.

Speaker

    The speaker this week is Gretchen Wilson Prangley, founder and CEO of Play Africa.

Rumor has it that Jankees was trying to recruit Taiwanese members to New Dawn! 

Jankees with Jackson Hsieh, not also known as Jack the Ripper, even though he will be the RIPPR (Rotary International Presidents' Personal Representative) at the upcoming District Conference

Welcome back: Jankees and Judy Sligcher landed back in sunny SA on Sunday after their trip to San Diego to meet all the incoming District Governors and to learn a bit more about how it's done.

Dates to Remember: Valentine's Day, 14th September, is also the date of our Valentine's dinner at Twickenham Guest House. Invitations will be going out soon.

Spare a Thought for the Americans: If ever the time should come when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin. - Samuel Adams (1722-1803)