Here we are almost two weeks into the new Rotary year and the lower North Island District 9940 is as busy as ever. I enjoyed the Changeovers with reflections on the year past and new Presidents detailing their plans for their year.
Which brings me to the priorities for the District this year. We have management restructuring with redistricting and the ongoing implementation with the pilot under the guidance of Rotary South Pacific. But our two biggest challenges are supporting the Rotary Foundation and Membership.
The Rotary Foundation is our charity of choice. By supporting the Foundation, we can fund the multitude of programmes in our District, in New Zealand, the Pacific and around the world. Through the Foundation we can continue to fund our District and Global Grants. Programmes like the Timor Leste early childhood education, Lifting the Lid and Life Flight Trust support. We can push on with the End Polio Now campaign and finish the job. We must continue to support our Foundation.
To that end…Save the Date!
An evening with Rotary International Past President Gordon McInally on the 2nd November – details to come.
As the Trustee Chair-Elect for the Rotary Foundation, Gordon is keen to visit us and remind us of our focus on the Foundation and all the good it does in our world. He is a very keen supporter of mental health initiatives and many other health-based initiatives.
Membership is still a challenge for us and while we are looking to bolster clubs with mergers and work closer together within our Rotary Community Groups, we will need to work even harder to create the club experience that attracts and retains new members. Our Membership Lead, Tony Heyward, will be working with us all to come up with strategies and tactics to generate enquiries and interest in joining us – like minded people who want to give back to our communities.
Our new Rotary International President Yinka Babalola challenges us to look at our best year from the last 5 years, whether it be membership, a great project, fundraising – whatever it is - and better it. Be better than your best and use that to Create a Lasting Impact.
Yesterday my lasting impact was to join with the Friends of Tawa and have some fun, planting trees in the Caribbean Reserve in Granada North, Wellington.
With an enthusiastic group of Rotarians and Interactors led by Lisa King from the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson, we enjoyed the best day of the Matariki long weekend to plant 900 trees. This is an annual event, and we have planted thousands of trees in the Tawa area over the last six or seven years.
Thanks to IPDG Carol and husband Nigel for representing the District at the opening of Balgownie Avenue Alleway Art Installation, Wanganui– and thanks to Wanganui North’s Barry Bailey for coming up with the brilliant idea!
Thanks also to Chris Tchernegovski for his years of service as the End Polio Chair - very much appreciated. Thanks to Lyn Connor - Kapiti Club for picking up this important role.
I hope the next couple of weeks for you are filled with fun, fellowship and fulfillment as we embrace Rotary’s Matariki period. I look forward to the year ahead with you all.
We are incredibly proud of our Global Grant project, directed at Early Childhood Education project in Timor-Leste. By working hand-in-hand with UNICEF and the local community, we will change lives by providing Timor-Leste children the access to education they deserve, which will strengthen their communities and fledgling independent pacific nation.
The sponsor club is my own, Rotary Club of Mana Tangata, with my own interest stemming from being a NZ Army Peacekeeper deployed to East Timor in 1999-2000 as part of the initial Australian & New Zealand stabilising force. There is a part of my heart that belongs to Timor-Leste, and her people.
We are now looking toward the future with Stage II project planning. This next phase is all about sustainability. Our goal is to ensure that the early learning programs we are initiating become a permanent, community-led success. We are focusing on empowering parents and school committees to own these programs, ensuring that the literacy, numeracy, and play-based learning gains made today last for generations.
The Opportunity - Your pledge…
We are seeking Club & District partners to help us reach our funding goal of USD $74,400. By pledging your support, you are not just funding a project; you are investing in the cognitive, social, and emotional development of the children, families and communities of Timor-Leste.
Would your club be open to supporting this initiative? I have all the project overviews and documentation ready and would love to present this project to your members. Together, we can continue this mission and ensure that every child in Timor-Leste has a fair start.
On Thursday Nigel and Carol represented the District at the opening of the Balgownie Avenue Alleway Art Installation painted by artist Michelle Sigley (pictured).
It is a pictorial history of the area which was dominated by the meat works and the river painted on a wooden fence along the cycle/walkway.
It is well worth a visit if you are in Whanganui. It was the brainchild of Barry Bailey from the Whanganui North Rotary club and supported by the club and the district as well as the Whanganui District Council.
This is my final Newsletter as the District 9940 Chair for End Polio, after having major surgery 2 years ago, and deciding to retire from paid work earlier this year my wife and I have decided to spend more time travelling.
I wont be lost to Rotary or End Polio, but we need to the freedom to be able to do what we want when we want.
I have enjoyed the seven years in the role after taking over from the late Michael Fagg, who was a true champion for the cause, we have been through some difficult times over this period, with COVID boing the major one.
Lyn Connor is taking over and will bring a new perspective to the role, and I wish her well, and will be here to support her, thank you Lyn for picking up this role moving forward.
As we work our way to eradicating Polio as I mentioned last month we only need to look at what is happening with the current Ebola outbreak for inspiration to continue with our task, and lets not forget about Bird Flu which is getting closer to our shores having reached Australia. As part of this newsletter we will compare the Polio Numbers for 2024, 2045 and this year and also reprint some fundraising ideas for the new incoming Boards. If there is any support we can give you to either promote the End Polio programme, or with fund raising do not hesitate to contact Lyn Connor - Kapiti Club - lcealconn@outlook.com.
Finally thank you to everyone for their support over the last seven years, and I look forward to the eradication of Polio in my lifetime.
Have you been thinking about a project that could make a lasting difference in your community? Now is the perfect time to turn that idea into reality.
Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Rotary District Grants, offering clubs the opportunity to expand their impact through projects that strengthen communities and advance Rotary's mission. Applications close on 15 August, so now is the time to start planning.
District Grants provide valuable funding for a wide variety of local and international initiatives. Whether your club is passionate about supporting youth, improving literacy, protecting the environment, enhancing community wellbeing, or addressing another of Rotary's Areas of Focus, this is your opportunity to bring your vision to life.
Key Information
Applications are open now and close on 15 August.
District Grants are matched dollar-for-dollar by the District.
Funding of up to $5,000 is available per project.
Projects should demonstrate sustainable, measurable outcomes and comply with Rotary Foundation guidelines.
Don't leave your application until the last minute. Start the conversation within your club, identify a project that will make a meaningful impact, and begin preparing your application now.
If you're unsure whether your project is eligible or would like assistance with the application process, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm always happy to provide guidance and help you put together a strong application.
Together, let's make the most of every available grant dollar and invest in projects that create positive, lasting change throughout our communities.
When was the last time you reviewed your website? How current is the latest article or update? I ask because I have recently been looking at various clubs to find out when and where they meet, and in some cases that information has been difficult to find.
If it is challenging for someone already connected with Rotary to locate these details, it may be even harder for members of the public, prospective members, or visiting Rotarians to engage with your club.
I do not have all the answers, but there may be practical options to consider. For example, could local colleges assist with website updates as part of a learning opportunity? Could service groups, such as Scouts, support this as a community service project?
The key point is that every club needs a website / Facebook page that is accurate, accessible, and easy to update. Clear, current information helps people connect with us and makes our clubs more welcoming to the wider community. Do not forget if your person who keeps track of emails is away delegate to someone to cover.
Regards DGE Chris
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