Vultures and the Induction in the 'Berg

It was certainly an induction with a difference in the Magaliesberg on Saturday but it is safe to say it was a day out in the open that everyone enjoyed, despite the cold and windy conditions.
     With that, we can now officially declare Judy Sligcher as the new club president until the end of June next year.

Presidents past, present and future ... IPP Linda Vink, President Judy Sligcher and President-Elect Ian Widdop at the Nyoka Vulture Feeding Scheme in the Magaliesberg

    After Linda Vink's farewell remarks, Judy said she is looking forward to leading the club and asked for support to take it to the next level.
     "After all, we have four really worthy projects that we want to get going on. As much as the work we do is serious, and there is so much work to do, I want to emphasise that we must enjoy ourselves. We must have fun."
     "My main objectives are to continue with our present projects such as The Link, Woodside, the 5Cs and the Humanitarian Centre and to launch our new exciting projects: Donate-a-Loo, Realema, Meriting and the Legacy Fund."

The new board with many familiar faces. From left are Jankees Sligcher (Membership) Mike Vink (Foundation). Carl Chemaly (Projects), Julian Nagy (Treasurer), Judy, Joan Donet (Secretary), Linda Vink (IPP), Ian Widdop (PE), Carol Stier (Executive Secretary) and Graham Donet (Youth)

     She introduced her new board and thanked all the members for agreeing to serve on the board. Their portfolios are as above.
     Rotary, she said, is all about leadership, fellowship, integrity, service and diversity.
     "I feel it is my duty to make our community, the place where we live, shop and entertain aware of The Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn."

The vultures we're circling, but fortunately not for our braai

     "I would like more collaboration, not only with the Rotary clubs in the area like Johannesburg, Johannesburg Central, Rosebank and Northcliff, but also with Round Table, we need to meet them, Lions Clubs and Toastmasters who I believe also meet at the Parkview Golf Club. By connecting with these groups we could all benefit enormously."

Members and guests follow the proceedings before lunch was served

     She said she wants to organise more outings and activities for the club.

     "This outing is very much in line with my thoughts," she said in reference to the induction event being held in the open air.
     "I'm hoping to have more picnics, dinner parties, bus rides and museum visits together with families and friends."
     "None of these would be obligatory but all of them just fun and therefore build our connections with one another so that we get to know each other better."

Julian Nagy and Carol Stier were both made Paul Harris Fellows

Jankees reading out the commendation for Julian Nagy's Paul Harris

I read out the commendation for Carol Stier's Paul Harris.

     During the proceedings two members, Julian Nagy and Carol Stier, were made Paul Harris Fellows. Both are thoroughly deserved.
     This brings to 15 the number of Paul Harris members in the club. Carin Homes is a Paul Harris Sapphire Fellow while David Marshall has 4 and Jankees Sligcher 7.
     A Rotarian becomes a Paul Harris Fellow by donating $1000 to the Rotary Foundation, or when the club transfers points gained to individual members.

Peta Thomas hangs the Rotaract chain of office around the neck of incoming Rotaract president Minenhle Majola Looking on is President Grace van Zyl of the Rotary Club of Johannesburg

     Also part of the proceedings was the handing over of the Rotaract chain to Minenhle Majola, who was inducted as president of the Rotaract Club of Johannesburg, jointly sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Johannesburg New Dawn and of Johannesburg, at the Johannesburg club's induction last week.
     This was done by Peta Thomas, who was instrumental in the formation of the Rotaract club through her office at the University of Johannesburg.

John Wesson of the Rotary Club of Brits-Hartbeespoort

     The speaker was John Wesson of the Rotary Club of Brits-Hartbeespoort, who run the Nyoka Vulture Feeding Scheme.
     He spoke about how endangered the Cape Vulture and other vulture species all over the world are and of the efforts being made to save them from extinction.

Graham Donet, MC on the day

     As he has done so often before, Graham Donet was Master of Ceremonies on the day and, as usual, he did a great job of it.
     We had three photographers taking photos, apart from all the cellphone photographs, selfies, etc. Thanks to Jenine Coetzer, Carolina Reddy and Carol Stier for sharing them with us.

Peta Thomas with Paul Kasango, now recuperating from foot surgery

Jenine in front of the lens for a change

Ex-member Steve du Plessis with Jankees, Ian and Julian

Tony and Carolina Reddy

The braaimasters ... Graham and I show Ronnie Kasrils and Amina Frense how it's done

Karlien Kruger show me how it's done!

Linda, Joan Donet and Judy share a laugh

Carl Chemaly in a serious moment

Ronnie Kasrils with Paul, myself and Linda

Three past district governors, Francis Callard, Jankees and David Grant

     Last week saw a number of Rotary activities apart from the normal meeting, where Carrie Pratt was the speaker. Carrie is an American who has lived in South Africa for about twenty years and proved to be an inspiring speaker.
     She's a consultant on issues such as leadership, learning and social justice and teaches social development at Gibs, the business school of the University of Pretoria.

The New Dawn table at Mike MacDonald's Pro-Am Golf Day at the Wanderers

     There was also a chance to socialise after the Pro-Am golf day at the Wanderers, organised by Mike MacDonald. He pledged R10000 from the proceeds to the club, plus an extra R1350 that he raised on the evening.
     On Friday night PDG David Grant and the Rotary Sattelite Club of Sandton Central raised more than R30000 for the End Polio Now fund with a fundraising dinner and show at the Balalaika Hotel in Sandton. R2000 of that goes in the name of New Dawn, R1000 each for the club table and R1000 for Helene Bramwell's table.

Julie Fourie, assistant manager of The Link centre at the Panorama Primary School, which opened this week

     Of course through all of this the Rotary work goes on and we can all feel justifiably proud of the work that The Link Trust, now our signature project, is doing. With the help of the Global Grant a new centre was opened this week at the Panorama Primary School.
     Remember: Judy Sligcher has her first board meeting at their home at 9 Sutherland Ave, Craighall Park at 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday). The meeting on Wednesday will be a business meeting.
     That will be the last meeting for the month as Wednesday, 31st is a fifth Wednesday. The meeting will be replaced with a pizza evening at the Parkview Golf Club that same evening.
     A Thought for the Week: Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. - T.S. Eliot (1888 - 1965)