Bulletin

Bulletin No. 44 - 1 June 2010

Attendance at Today’s meeting - Richard Stephenson

Make-ups

Lindsay Pearson, Ian Pringle, Glenn Harris, Michelle Lehy, Malcom Andrew, Christopher Holmes, Trevor Wells, John Rauch, Nick Wilmot, Les Kirkland and Gary Woodhead at the Board Meeting last night

Attendance with Make-ups 89%

Visiting Rotarians

Nil

Non-Rotarian Guests

Gianna Doubell brought Polo Mavela

President Ian’s Announcements

a)      The Induction dinner will be a formal (black tie) function held on 29^th June (NOT 22^nd a stated in the Gold Book) at the P.E. Golf Club. Cost R125 per person. Members are required to indicate their intention to attend by signing the list being circulated at lunch (and Anthony Oshry indicated that Rotarians are to either pay him personally or deposit the necessary funds into the Club’s account. No payment will be accepted at the Dinner.)

b)      He wished Denise Long a successful operation in Johannesburg on Monday next week, and a full recovery thereafter.

c)       Gianna Doubell and Michele Lehy will be travelling overseas with their children to attend the Passion Play at Oberammergau, followed by a two week tour of Italy. We look forward to hearing of their experiences after they return.

d)      Mogan Lehy has been selected as a Rotary Exchange Scholar next year. This is an outstanding achievement by a Grade 10 student who has selected Australia, Brazil and Denmark in that order as the countries where she wishes to spend her year. After she has returned she will complete her Grade 11 and 12 at Collegiate. Congratulations Morgan!

e)      The Project Committee is reminded of their meeting at 5.30pm at Tracker on Thursday 3^rd June.

Director’s Reports

1.       Project Committee. Les Kirkland asked Peter Long, because of his long association with this home for street children, to report on Khayalethu.

Starting with providing bunk beds and mattresses for the children some 5 years ago, Peter reported that the Club furnished the second house at a cost of about R100 000. He then started a hands-on project where a number of members upgraded the bathrooms earlier this year. Recently an area has been roofed and upgraded by Peter with a R10 000 investment from the club, a matching amount from Kayalethu and R50 000 discounted by local building suppliers.

Now Peter is looking for Rotarians with painting skills to get involved in completing the bathrooms!

2.       Fund-Raising. Michele Lehy reported that the arrangements for our two majors fund-raising events, the Golf Day and the Big Draw, are under control. Details will be provided later.

3.       Vocational Service. Although Vocational Service Month is only in October Glenn Harris requested Rotarians to look around for worthy recipients of this prestigious award.

4.       Membership. In the absence of Gary Woodhead, Pres Ian pointed out that our membership has dropped slightly and we need to look around for some committed candidates to fill the vacancies.

5.       The Trust Fund. John Rauch reported a) that the Club will be receiving a refund of R38 000 from the Trust Fund in the near future and b) that with the resignation of George Tzemis as a Trustee Mike Howell has been appointed in his place.

6.       History of the Club. Arthur Ahlschlager requests that anything to do with the history of the club needs to be passed onto him, including old and current newspaper reports, menus, photographs etc etc for cataloguing and filing.

Council for Legislation - Trevor Long

Trevor represented the District (one of 527 delegates from around the world) at the recent meeting of the above body, which is the parliament of Rotary that meets every 3 years.

Enactments from this meeting include:

a)      The 4 Avenues of Service have been increased to 5 (New Generations is the new one, aka “Youth”)

b)      85ers must be 65 years of age to qualify

c)       PETS will be held earlier in the year etc etc

Sergeant -  Trevor Wells

After establishing that Bernhard Rupp has the Fellowship Box (and encouraging him to move it along) Trevor congratulated Peter Long, Alf Levinthal and Arthur Ahlschlager on their birthdays all celebrated today. (He also thanked them all very much for the wine which they omitted to provide and the ice cream that they did!)

He also congratulated Bev Radue on his forthcoming birthday on 6^th.

Anthony and Christine Oshry celebrate their 45^th wedding anniversary on 5^th June. This is a signal achievement for which you both are congratulated.

A man walked into the produce section of his local supermarket and asked for half a lettuce. The boy working in that section of the store told him that they only sold whole heads of lettuce. The man was insistent that the boy ask the manager about the matter.

Walking to the office the boy said to the manager, “Some old bastard wants to buy a half a head of lettuce”

As he finished the sentence he turned around to find that the man was standing directly behind him so he quickly added, “and this gentlemen kindly offered to buy the other half”

The manager approved the deal and the man went on his way.

Later the manager said to the boy, ” I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier. We like people who can think on their feet here. Where do you come from son?”

“New Zealand, sir,” said the boy

“Why did you leave New Zealand?, ” the manager asked.

The boy answered, “Sir, there is nothing there but whores and rugby players!”

“Is that right?, replied the manager. “My wife is from New Zealand!”

“Really,” replied the boy. “Who did she play for?”

The Draw - Vaughan Giles

The following were successfull:-

Attendance - David Browne

3^rd place - Peter Long (the birthday boy!)

2^nd place - Vernon Naidoo

1^st place - Peggy Saunders

From Nick Wilmot, our finance man.  He asks that we all move into the 21^st Century and make electronic payments for the Induction Dinner. He quite rightly points out that cash is risky and the bank charges when they handle cash ridiculously expensive.

For all electronic payments and cheque/cash deposits use:-

ABSA Bank.  Branch Code 632005

Savings account No. 9147171028 in the name of Algoa Bay Rotary Club BUT PLEASE ENSURE YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE REFERENCE SPACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other Matters

a)      Michele Brown arrived at lunch in her very impressive informal corporate FIFA uniform. Most exciting!

b)      Anne Stickells has recently undergone one successful cataract operation and will return on Thursday for an operation on the other eye. She will then be able to fully appreciate how good-looking Denzil actually is!

c)       Because the infection has been eliminated Bev Radue’s very long wait for the next knee replacement operation will end on 22 June. He is very grateful for the support he has received from his Rotary friends.

Vocational Reading - Mel Levitan

Mel provided us with 2 readings:-

a)      A life spent in making mistakes is not only more honourable but also more useful that a life spent doing nothing.                                                                                                                George Bernard Shaw

b)      Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxis.                                 George Burns

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

3 June                   Project Committee Meeting                                                                                          5.30 Tracker

8 June                   Vidah Mayana                                   the book “Witney’s Kiss”                                 Lunch venue

15 June                 Barry Upton and Mike Howell    The Ironman                                                          Lunch venue

22 June               Kevin Mills: The Camino de Santiago de Compostela.The way of St James     Lunch venue

29 June                Induction Dinner                                                                                                                    Port Elizabeth Golf Club

14 October          Annual Golf Day                                                                                                                   Humewood Golf

Duty Roster

Malcom Andrew