A New Dawn with Judy

Judy Sligcher has officially taken over the mantle of president-elect and will serve as president of New Dawn from July 2019 to June 2020.
     This was made necessary because Paul Kasango decided to step down due to anticipated business pressures. He informed the board of his decision at the previous board meeting and repeated his motivation for his decision to the club last Wednesday. Paul explained that there is a big likelihood  he won't have the time to give the presidency his all.

Handing over the presidency ... Paul Kasango and Judy Sligcher share a
moment during the brag last week

     Judy has barely had time to recover from her year as District Governor Anns last year, but has risen to the challenge of leading the club.
     The succession plan remains in place and Ian Widdop will follow Judy as president for 2020/2021.
     Judy announced last week that she plans to keep the board more or less the same as had been decided for Pauls' term.
     Judy becomes the third woman president in succession after Carol Stier and Linda Vink.

President Linda Vink, Siobhan, Carolina and Tony Reddy with Jankees and Judy Sligcher

     Last week also saw the club growing by two when Tony and Carolina Reddy were inducted as members, Tony by PDG Jankees Sligcher and Carolina by PDGA Judy Sligcher.
     It was a festive occasion and the Reddys were joined at the meeting by one of their daughters, Siobhan.

Louise Simpson of the National School of the Arts and Felicity Kasango

     New Dawn has sent schoolchildren to Rotary Youth Leadership Academy weekends almost every year since inception and this year Louise Simpson and Felicity Kasango went and reported back at the meeting.
     The courses are designed to give pupils a sense of their leadership potential and what it requires to take a leading role in society. Neither of the two girls lack in self-confidence and told the club that they'd gained immensely from the weekend course.
     Louise has been instrumental in the attempts to get an Interact club started at the School of the Arts, as reported by Youth Leader Graham Donet.

Julian Nagy with the letter confirming our new tax status

     Julian Nagy has been the author of another milestone for the club on the way to obtaining the status of a Public Benefit Organisation, namely the granting of a tax number, signifying that New Dawn is now registered with the SA Revenue Services. This is a necessary step preceding the next, most important one, namely the granting of tax-exemption status by SARS and, by extension, PBO status
     Julian lodged the application for this with all the documentation last week and we now await the final approval.

Speaker
     The speaker on Wednesday is Pieter du Toit, an assistant editor at News24, the highly rated Internet news service of Media24.
     His theme will be: who should I vote for in the election on 8 May? Note that this is not a party political talk, rather an analysis of the upcoming election.
     As with previous controversial speakers, we expect a big turnout, so get there early and invite your friends along.

New friends ... both Bronwyn Tucker and Thoko Msibi were visitors last week and have expressed and interest in becoming members

Remember
     Please remember to bring Easter Eggs on Wednesday. Judy Symons is collecting and will deliver them in time to spread a bit of Easter cheer to the 5Cees and Woodside Sanctuary. If you can't make it to the shops, bring a little extra cash and Judy will buy Easter eggs.
     Please also don't forget the Club Assembly on Saturday, 11th May, where we will be discussing new projects.
     Please follow the correspondence about the proposals, as the discussion will concentrate on concrete proposals (what is the project; who does it benefit; is it sustainable; how much will it cost and where will the money come from; and does it fit into the broad club theme of educating children) rather than on blue sky thinking.
     The assembly will be at 9am on 11 May at Twickenham Guest House.
     A(n introspective) Thought for the Week: The wisdom of the wise and the experience of the ages are perpetuated by quotations. - Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)