Read on to find out what happened at our meeting, what’s
coming up, and who will be doing what at the next meeting.
Sophie & Abby
Lucas
Danika & Kiarna
Guest Speakers
Rangatahi
We Have Recently Supported
What wonderful addresses we received from some of the young people Rotary Paeroa has supported recently.
First up were Sophie, Abby, and Lucas, three of the students who attended RYPEN – the Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment – held at Lakewood Lodge, Rangiriri.
RYPEN is a fun residential weekend designed to build self-worth and confidence. Aimed at Year 10 students who have demonstrated qualities such as decency, courage, persistence, sincerity, leadership and application in everyday life, the programme challenges participants to step outside their comfort zones, try new things and make new friends.
And there was certainly plenty of opportunity to do just that, with activities including archery, the flying fox and pony rides. Participants were encouraged to get involved, have a go and support one another.
Judging by the enthusiastic reports from Sophie, Abby and Lucas, the weekend certainly made an impression. Their enthusiasm echoed around the RSA as they shared their experiences with our members.
Next up were sisters Kiarna and Danika from Hauraki Plains College, who Rotary Paeroa supported with funding towards their cultural exchange trip to South Korea and Japan.
They certainly educated everyone in the room as they spoke about their experiences and the many highlights of their journey. Unfortunately, their presentation was supposed to be accompanied by a PowerPoint display – but an unnamed President (who shall remain nameless!) forgot his laptop.
However, hats off to the sisters. They took control of the audience and kept everyone captivated through their storytelling alone.
Highlights included travelling on high-speed trains in Korea and Japan, with the famous Shinkansen reaching speeds of 320 km/h. And to think Aucklanders get excited about their new rail link! 🤔
They also experienced traditional tea ceremonies – without the obligatory carrot cake – and had the opportunity to dress in traditional Korean hanbok.
It was a wonderful reminder of why Rotary invests in our youth: giving young people opportunities to grow, experience new cultures, build confidence and return to share their stories with us.
🗣️ TWO MINUTE SPEAKER
Reading to Kuri: helping children discover the joy of reading
Marion, Team Leader of Library Services and Senior Librarian, seen here with her new friend Merlot, gave Rotary Paeroa a fascinating insight into a wonderful new programme being introduced across our local libraries.
In just two minutes and 15 seconds, Marion explained how Reading to Kuri uses our canine buddies as the catalyst to encourage children to read. The idea is simple but incredibly effective – children are often more relaxed and confident reading to a friendly dog than they might be reading aloud to an adult.
The fabulous Reading to Kuri programme has now taken off at Waihi, with Connie leading the way, and has also been introduced at our new Hauraki Plains Library, where Merlot is the star attraction.
And, as the Facebook photograph shows, it’s not only the children who enjoy the opportunity to interact with these gorgeous four-legged friends. The dogs themselves seem to love the attention and the company.
Programs such as Reading to Kuri demonstrate the important role our local libraries play in supporting children, families and the wider community. By combining books, reading and a little canine magic, Marion and her team are helping children build confidence, develop literacy skills and, most importantly, discover that reading can be fun.
Bits & Pieces of Interest And importance
At the last Directors meeting it was agreed, subject to ratification by the members to donate to the following:
Purchase of a gazebo for Ngatea Primary School with us having use as and when needed - $1,000
Possible $500 donation towards Eli Fale to attend the Real Madrid Academy Football Camp in October
We have been asked by District 9930 to consider hosting a Youth Exchange student - how do we feel about this? To widen the net of possible host families we will approach Hauraki Plains College to see if they have interest in supporting RYE
Central School is in need of a gardening working bee - Rich “volunteered” as project leader and coordinator, please register your support to help with Rich
Our next meeting is at The Paeroa Bowling Club
This is going to be a very special evening, with a few surprises, inductions, a special guest or two, and, of course, it is our Partners Night. So, please bring your partner along and join us for what promises to be a great evening.
As we are unable to use the RSA, and the kitchen facilities at the Bowling Club are limited, Marie, our friendly caterer, is offering a simple two-course meal of cold cuts and sides, followed by dessert.
The cost is $25 per person, payable in cash to Margarete, who will coordinate payments and tick your name off the “coming” list.
IMPORTANT: This is not a turn-up-and-eat occasion. We need to give Marie confirmed numbers, so please RSVP to Kelvin by Friday at midday with the names of everyone attending and the total number of meals required.
Please also note that if you book a meal and then do not attend, you will still be charged the $25, as we will have committed to the catering numbers.
Let’s make this a great Partners Night and give our guests and partners a warm Rotary Paeroa welcome!
đź“… events, socials, and Vocational Visits
Charity Golf Day - 4 October. Have you registered a team or encouraged a family member, workmate or friend to do so - if not be prepared to be heavily fined!!
Trail Ride - 8 November - volunteers see Walter
Santa Parade - 4 December - working elves needed
Motor Show & Swap Meet - 27 February
Barn Dance - 13 March
🙋 Volunteers still Needed
🏫 Central School Support
See Rich
⛳ Golf Day – Sunday 4 October 🗣️ Voices from the Floor
Margarete called for volunteers for the Swap Meet
🗂️ Meeting Duties – 22 Spetember
Dinner Fee Collector: Ivan
Hospitality: JT
Sergeant: Eugene
2-Minute Talk: Connor
Bowling Club Set-up & Clean-Up: Team Margarete Volunteers
Dinner Thanks: John E
Intro Speaker: Kelvin
Speaker:Special Guest
Thank Speaker: Steve
Stewards: Everyone
Parting Thought: Margaret T
Raffle: Dot
LAUGH TIME
I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.' - Eleanor Roosevelt
Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister and now wish to withdraw that statement. - Mark Twain
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending and to have the two as close together as possible. - George Burns
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year. Victor Borge
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. Mark Twain
By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. - Socrates
I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. Groucho Marx
