Introducing a New President

It was a night to remember Friday night at the Parkview Golf Club when Linda Vink was inducted as president of the club, our 10th president.

     At the same time both she and Ian Widdop became Paul Harris Fellows and Linda introduced her board for the year.
     It was also an opportunity for Carol Stier to reflect on her year of service.

The new board for the new Rotary year

     The board is quite a bit bigger than in the past few years and is a sign of inclusivity as an underlying theme for the year.
     On the photograph above are, from left:

• Joan Donet (Secretary)
• Jankees Sligcher (as PDG and District Membership Chair)
• Paul Kasango (President-elect)
• Debbie Smith (Membership)
• Ian Widdop (Foundation)
• Carol Stier (Immediate Past President)
• Carin Holmes (Projects)
• Steve du Plessis (Executive Secretary and IT)
• Julian Nagy (Fundraising)
• Mike Vink (Treasurer)
• Linda Vink (President

President Linda Vink

Welcome back ... PP Graham Donet is rejoining the club

   Another great plus for the evening was that Graham Donet, who was Master of Ceremonies for the evening, decided he'll rejoin the club.
     By the beginning of next year New Dawn will be 10 years old and there'll be more celebrating to do, but at the same time it will be an opportunity to reflect on whether this is becoming an old and established club set in its ways, or one that is always ready for modernisation through new ideas, new projects and new ventures.

The kitchen gang ... Paul Kasango and Ian Widdop will follow in Carol Stier
 and Linda Vink's footsteps as President

     To carry New Dawn into that future there is an impressive lineup of leaders; Paul Kasango is President-elect this year and Ian Widdop will be taking up the reins after him. It's a very good sign that quite a few names of other members come to mind who can in turn follow them.

Ian Widdop, Carol Stier and Jankees Sligcher 

     We welcomed a number of guests at the induction and no fewer than 8 other Rotary clubs were represented. They were:

Frank Odenthal and Oliver Quambusch enjoying some Rotarian fellowship

• Fourways Main Reef: John and Brenda McCallum, who were Discon committee members
• Johannesburg: Incoming president Alastair Billing, who attended with his fiancé, Rosalye
• Kyalami: Rita Millan, who served on the Zone 20A organising committee
• Morningside; Glenray Goodell
• Northcliff: PDG Francis Callard, who has become a good friend of New Dawn, with wife Janet
• Soweto: President Lebo Ntoane
• Waterkloof: Peter Oudhof, chairman of the Discon and committee members Tony Roberts and his wife, Ann.

Esteemed guests ... Paul Kasango welcoming Francis and Janet Callard

    Other guests were Oliver Quambusch of Hotel Hope Ministries, who found a fellow countryman in Frank Odenthal, who has pledged to become a member very soon; and Sarah Tabane, who with a group of friends are hoping to establish a Rotary club in Brixton.

Lebo Ntoane, Paul, Judy Symons, Carol Bland (a friend) and Julian and Debby Nagy

     Hosting other clubs is a step in a new direction for New Dawn and there are a number of co-operative efforts on the boil and in the pipeline, amongst which are the new Rotaract club with the Rotary Club of Johannesburg.

Me and Carol with flowers!

Steve du Plessis accepting his merit award

Carol handing over Julian's merit award

     As one of her last tasks as president, Carol handed out merit awards to a number of members for their efforts over the past year.

Joan Donet reading out the commendation for Linda's Paul Harris, with Carol

Carol hands over the reins of the club to Linda

     The best part of the evening was saved till the end when Paul did the brag and managed to squeeze  R3610 out of members and guests by joking, cajoling and even shaming a number of them! Well done, Paul, it was a fitting and very hilarious end to a fine evening.

Brenda and John McCallum enjoying the evening

Greta and John Vink. Greta is of course carrying the latest potential Rotarian!

Alastair Billing, the youngest president ever of the Rotary Club of Johannesburg, with his fiancé, Rosalye

Judy Sligcher raises a glass to the club and no doubt to the end of their
 year as DG

Paul Kasango conducting his reign of terror during the brag!

     Speaker: We're hoping that Linn Jarte will be the speaker on Wednesday, although her programme might make it impossible.
     Board meeting: There is no board meeting tomorrow. Linda will be talking about possible dates and a venue change on Wednesday.
     DG visit: District Governor Charles Deiner will be visiting the club for his official visit on Wednesday, 1st August and on that same morning we will be inducting the new Rotaract club in partnership with the Rotary Club of Johannesburg.
     A Thought for the Week: There is nothing permanent except change. - Heraclitus (c. 535 - 475 BC)