Doing More To Do More Good

Rotary can be a demanding mistress, as Linda and I are finding out (and Jankees and Steve already know), in our case with the arrangements for the Zone 20A Institute meeting in September.
     While Jankees and Judy are trying to complete their DG club visits before the end of the year and Steve continues trying, amongst many other jobs, to get the district computer wise, Linda and I have been organising the registration for the Institute.

The board meets for breakfast ... Linda and I, Paul and Carol were at the first board meeting. Absent were Debbie Smith (secretary), Steve du Plessis (IT officer) and Jankees Sligcher  

     But enough of our problems! After a week off to celebrate Women's Day, the club met again last week for a business meeting and a very interesting change in dynamics.
     The business meeting followed the first board meeting of the new Rotary year at Carol's lovely home in Parkview.

Damian Lahoud with President Carol Stier. Damian is president of the Midrand NexGen Rotary club. His wife, Tabitha, is the club Foundation officer and is expecting their first baby in October.     

     The board meeting was followed the next day by the meeting where Damian Lahoud of the new Midrand NexGen club spoke about membership and how much easier life in the clouds makes things; or loosely translated, how clubs should embrace technology to enable a smoother running of the club.
The NexGen club boasts with an average age of 31, a unique achievement in Rotary.

Henk van Buuren, Palesa Shepeng, a guest, and Frayne Mathijs at the meeting. Although Henk was there as a guest, his CV has been circulated and he should be inducted into the club shortly.

Debbie de Vries seems happy enough that husband Henk is joining New Dawn. They'll be the fifth married couple (with Du Plessis/Coetzer, Sligchers, Smiths and Vinks) in the club!

     When President Carol announced that she was going to focus on fundraising this year, she meant business. And with the help of the likes of Julian Nagy, Ian Widdop, Steve du Plessis, Linda Vink and others, we've jumped in boots and all.
     The business meeting last week concentrated on four aspects of this new drive following the report back from the club assembly, where many fundraising ideas were put forward.

The fundraising committee of Julian Nagy, Ian Widdop and Mike MacDonald hard at work! Joking aside, this effort looks likely to change the club dynamic for the better. There are many needy people out there and as a club we need to maximise our efforts to help them.

     Of the ideas, four have emerged as distinct possibilities, although that doesn't mean any of the others won't get an airing at a later stage.
     It is important to note that having a champion is critical to the success of any fundraising plans or projects.
     The first is the explorative talks that have been held with the good people at Arts on Main in the Maboneng district in town about a possible annual arts fair.
     Ian Widdop, Julian Nagy and Carol Stier have been involved and there have been promising signs.  It is not going to be an easy one, but could potentially be the biggest fundraiser we've had.
     The second fundraising idea is the cycle tour, probably on mountain bikes this time around, that Steve du Plessis is working on with Andre Brandmuller of the Middelburg Rotary club.
     The third is Linda's bridge drive, slated for March next year, which she will organise and get off the ground. Funds, expected to be about R30 000 to R40 000, will be for The Link. Club members have already said they'll help sponsor and prepare the lunch (with drinks) and tea/coffee that goes with such a drive.
     We'll also be looking to do a raffle there.
     The fourth is part fundraising, part club project, namely sponsoring a community based Rotaract club aligned to the School for Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg. In return for raising funds for bursaries, scholarships and other student financing, Rotary will be able to help direct post-graduate students towards research topics that can benefit the organisation. This in turn can help leverage corporate sponsorship. The cycle tour funds will be earmarked for this project.

Rotary International Director Elect Yinka Babalola, Host Organising Committee chair David Grant and Institute chair Nick Phillips at the Misty Hills entrance, where the Zone 20A Johannesburg Institute will be held from 14 to 17 September. Good fellowship, fun and stimulating discussion await there.

    The registration for the Institute has not been an easy task and is about to get infinitely more difficult. About 500 people have already registered, with close to 70% of them being from Nigeria. Apparently Nigerians like too travel!
     Therein, of course, lies the rub; the vetting for visas for Nigerians traveling to South Africa seems to be very strict; it's also difficult for them to pay for anything outside of Nigeria and when they can, it is very expensive.
     All this activity means of course that there is going to be pressure on club members to help where we can. The registration at Misty Hills will require many hands, even if it is just for a morning (or two); the upcoming golf day and Christmas dinner will also need volunteers, so please do what you can, when you can.
     The meeting this week: In keeping with our new work ethic, Megan Maynard from The Link will be back to talk to us about progress that they have made and how members can help. This is a showcase project for which we are applying for a Global Grant from Rotary International, so be there if you can.
     Dates to diarise: The Jozi Book Fair is being held from 30 August to 3 September and Frayne Mathijs has asked for volunteers to help man the stall.
     It's at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown (in front of the Market Theatre) this year.
     A Thought for the Week: I need the applause. - Jerry Lewis (1926 -2017).