A Busy Meeting and a Date with Mandela

It'll be a busy meeting this week, although there is no formal speaker.
     The main topic of discussion will be the Bridge Day on Thursday, one of our three main fundraising efforts annually.
     It's important that we raise as much money from it as possible, so put on your thinking caps for the last thrust.
     Remember that the three main ways that members can help is to play or get others to play, to provide prizes for the players and the raffle and to help on the day with setting up, catering, selling raffle tickets and the like.

     It looks like there'll at least be more or less the same number of players as last year.
     Thanks very much to everyone who have already contributed.

Carl Chemaly with Helene Bramwell at a previous meeting

     And then of course we're inducting no fewer than four members, one new and three transferring.
     Helene Bramwell is the new member. Helene has been attending meetings since the beginning of the year and is full of ideas for projects that New Dawn could join.
     She is the owner of The Mask Skin and Body Clinic in Parkview and has already brought Thoko Msibi, one of her senior staff members, along to meetings as a potential New Dawn recruit. She has also brought a friend, Bronwyn Tucker, for the same reason.

Adriaen and Abi, who are also joining New Dawn

     The second and third new members (in no particular order) are Adriaen Sligcher and Abi Barrell, who are about to become proud parents. They're getting married in August, but don't seem to think a baby and married life will stop them from contributing time and effort to Rotary.
     David Marshall, who is already a member, will also be inducted.
     Adriaen is of course the son of PDG Jankees and Judy Sligcher, making it quite a family affair.  
     The bad news on the member front is that two existing members have resigned. Rusty van der Walt recently started working in Krugersdorp and said he can no longer attend meetings.

Greg Smith

     The big loss is Greg Smith, who has also not been able to attend meetings since he stopped working at the Wits sports grounds.
     Greg and Debbie have been members since May 2011 and it's always a pity to lose a club stalwart.
     In his resignation letter Greg pledged to keep on helping with the arrangements for the annual Golf Day and other club activities, for which we are very grateful. Who knows, he might just be able to return one day.

Peta Thomas with the Rotaract contingent, Nadine Mitchley, Monique Marques, Victoria Adekomaya, Minenhle Majola and Renaldy Beyeme

     On Saturday Jankees Sligcher, Graham and Joan Donet, myself and Peta Thomas attended a meeting with the UJ Rotaract club to iron out issues and to establish closer contact between New Dawn and the Rotoracters.
     They have decided to add an extra meeting every month to the two they already have, to be held on a Saturday morning at Twickenham Guest House, where New Dawn members will be free to attend as observers.
     Club members should make a point of trying to be there and we'll give notice of upcoming meetings.
     Rotaract members have already helped out at events such as Winex and the Golf Day last year and are keen to contribute wherever they can.

Mike Cadman

Dates to Diarise
     The speaker next week, 20th March, is Mike Cadman, who visited the club when Wayne Duvenage addressed us.   
     He's a journalist, TV producer and researcher on news, politics, social issues and environment/wildlife matters.
     He is an expert on the Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo on which he has published numerous books.
     Mike will be speaking on  the topic of how poaching has become part of the rampant crime that plagues the country.

The smaller Mandela statue that now stands at Mandela Square

     The week after, on 27th March, we're breaking old habits and meeting at the Tashas restaurant on Nelson Mandela Square.
     Joining us there will be PDG David Grant and members of the yet to be established Rotary Club of Sandton Central.
     David will be the main speaker and will be telling us about the 1 meter high Nelson Mandela Statue that was erected with Rotary's help so that especially the blind could experience the great man.
     The new club's members  have their weekly meetings at the Sandton Library on the eastern side of Sandton Square.

David and Margie Grant

     We'll be trying to get an indication of how many members will be able to attend, so please decide now and let Joan know at the meeting on Wednesday.
     For those who're afraid of the traffic in and around Sandton, the Gautrain from Rosebank is always an option, and of course always a pleasant experience.
     On Monday, 25th March the 5Cees have their annual supporters' supper at the premises in Berea. Please come along, it's good to hear what the home is up to, you'll see the kids in action and as usual there will be a traditional Indian dinner. It's at 6.30 for 7pm and I'll be looking for names of those who can attend to forward to Mike and Sarah Sunker.

Paul with Susan (left) and Felicity at the recent 10th anniversary celebrations

     And finally ... as reported on the WhatsApp group, Paul Kasango's wife Susan lost her father last week. Paul, who had been in Finland, had to cut his visit short to travel to Kenya to be with his family.
     Our condolences go to them is this hour of bereavement.
     A Thought for the Week: Prosperity tries the fortunate, adversity the great. - Rose Kennedy (1890 - 1995)