Our hearts go out to our Pacific community

Following the devastation of Cyclone Evan there is now the risk of disease in Samoa as they struggle to recover.
David Wilson is a passionate Rotarian who works tirelessly to raise the profile for Emergency Response  Kits which are being used to help the pacific island families return to some form of normality.  He writes:

"This Emergency Response Kit Project our RC of Eastern Hutt started as the Emergency Box way back in 1983 is still very much alive, needed & appreciated by the many recipients after disasters in the Pacific Islands as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade through NZ Aid who has been a major sponsor.

You will be pleased to learn that our RC of Eastern Hutt has now donated a total of $ 4800 for 8 ERK's this Rotary year to date.. 

As well to help those who have just been effected with "Cyclone Evan" in Samoa & Fiji the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade have announced today December 18, 2012 transfer of $ 100,000 to RNZWCS Ltd for replenishment of Emergency Response Kit Stocks. "

Visit www.rnzwcs.org for more details and to donate towards the relief effort in Samoa and Fiji

Endorsement from our leader here in New Zealand

Rotary International the greatest change organisation in the world, renews and refreshes itself every year with leadership changing at club, District and International levels.

Immediate Past District Governor Alan Eyes,
Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key
joins the incoming DG Ron Seeto celebrating
Rotary International's new theme
"PEACE through SERVICE"

530 Rotary District Governors worldwide are part of this transition. Sunday 1 July at the Howick Club the largest maritime Rotary District, with 49 clubs in Auckland and 7 other pacific island nations District 9920 celebrated the transition of District Governor from Alan Eyes of the Rotary Club of Pukeokohe to Ron Seeto of  the Rotary Club of Newmarket.

This annual changeover also includes a theme for the year to focus humanitarian efforts for Rotarians in the new Rotary Year. This theme is set by the Rotary International President. For 2012-2013 Rotary International President from Japan, Sakuji Tanaka’s theme is Peace Through Service.

District Governor  Ron Seeto in his address asked Rotarians in District 9920 to work together to Unleash Your Potential building Peace Through Service.

The 250 Rotary attendees included family and guests of District Governors Alan & Ron. 

Among the friends there to help Sharon Seeto celebrate Ron’s inauguration were Bronagh and Prime Minister John Key. John is an honorary Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Kumeu in District 9910 and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Newmarket.

District 9920  covers a geographical area encompassing east and south Auckland with 29 clubs and 20 clubs scattered through Fiji, Western Samoa. American Samoa, Tonga, Rarotonga, Kiribati and French Polynesia.

Our message must say what we do!

Audiences want what Rotary offers. We just need to help them understand.

        Siegel+Gale’s research with donors showed 19 shared global motivators. Thing like “transparency” and “attracting people of the highest ethical standards.” Things like “helping me feel like part of something meaningful” and a “long track record of success.” Things we’re good at and some things we could do better.

        Understanding however is a hurdle.

        With every organization there is a gap between what internal audiences know and what external audiences know. Research shows that Rotary’s gap is two to three times larger than average. Obviously, this is not a good position and underscores the importance of clarity and focus as critical components of our future success.