Bulletin No. 1 - 6 July 2010

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Bulletin No. 1  - 6 July 2010

Attendance - Alf Levinthal

Make-Ups

John Rauch, Gianna Doubell, Gary Woodhead, Nick Wilmot, Les Kirkland,  Trevor Wells, Glenn Harris, Peggy Saunders, Philip Shaw at the Board Meeting 5 July

David Browne                                                    Plettenberg Bay                                                               ?

Ross Kobus and Anthony Oshry  at the P.E. Club Induction                                            ?

Attendance with Make-Ups 84%

Visiting Rotarians

Nil

Non-Rotarian Visitors

Doc, Carol and Simone de Kock supported our two speakers Sebastian Davis and Grant Ross

The following Anns accompanied their husbands: Wendy Long, Shereen Howell and Lindsay Kobus.

Allison Doe accompanied Marcus Oshry

Keith Bayland was Ed Goetsche’s guest

President John’s Announcements

a)       The following were welcomed back to regular lunchtime meetings:-

a) Michele Brown from the World Cup

b) Danie Theron from an extended leave of absence

c) Les Kirkland from his overseas trip and

d) Cameron Scott from his recent stint in hospital. Cameron sincerely thanked the club members for their prayers, SMS’s, calls and general support over this difficult period.

b)      Others who have undergone successful operations are Wendy Long, Denise Long and Bev Radue, all of whom are recovering well and are grateful for the support they have received

c)       There is a possibility that the D.G. would attend next week’s lunch, but confirmation is awaited

d)      Danie Theron will be finalising last year’s Attendance Record over the weekend. Any member who has Make-ups outstanding need to inform Danie a.s.a.p.

Our Speakers - Grant Ross and Sebastian Davis

These two ex-St Andrews students are intrepid cyclists that have travelled from John O’Groats in Scotland  (departing in July 2009)  and are on their way to Cape Town, which they plan to reach towards the end of the month

By the end of the journey they will have travelled about 15 000 kms and crossed through some 24 countries on 2 continents

Rotarians found their photos and description of the trip through Europe (the U.K., Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, Greece) and then down the length of Africa (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ruwanda, Malawi, Mozambique and into SA at Kosi Bay) fascinating.

After working in the U.K. for 6 months to finance the trip, they cycled through the above countries camping at night and befriending the locals on the way. Besides two hairy incidents in North Africa they have met with nothing but kindness and co-operation throughout the trip.

The funds they have raised will help provide vegetable gardens and boreholes at the Kitemba Primary school in Uganda and Mchere Primary school in Malawi

A refreshingly different story that was extremely well received by their audience.

Their plans for the future………………… choose another LONG cycle trip!

Monthly Draw - Vaughan Giles

The following were drawn from the hat:-

Attendance - George Tzemis

3^rd - Denzil Stickells

2^nd - Randall Prins

1^st - Vaughan Giles

Sergeant - Natalie Stear

Natalie announced that the following celebrate birthdays during the next week:  Fred Roberts on the 10^th, and Diet Mulckhuyse and Ken Munro on the 12^th.

Wedding Anniversaries: John and Adele Allen celebrate their 30^th anniversary on the 10^th and Fred and Melanie Roberts their 25^th (Silver) Anniversary on the same date.

All the above were warmly congratulated on reaching the relevant milestones

It was inevitable that the World Cup would feature in the proceedings somewhere. Birgit and Richard have offered to donate R100 to the Rotary Foundation for every goal scored by Germany in tomorrow night’s critically important match.

They have challenged Leen Mulckhuyse to emulate the offer for every goal scored by the Dutch in tonight’s game.

Hopefully the Foundation will benefit hugely after these two games!

Natalie then described what is known as the Triple Filter Test

In ancient Greece Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day an acquaintance ran up to him and said, “Socrates, do you know what I heard about one of your students…”

“Wait a moment,” said Socrates. “Before you tell me I’d like you to pass the Triple Filter Test”

“Triple Filter Test?”

“That’s correct,” said Socrates

“Before you talk to me about one of my students take a moment to test what you are going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is the truth?”

“No”, the man replied, “I have only just heard it”

“All right,” said Socrates. “So you do don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?

“No, on the contrary……..”

“So,” said Socrates, “you want to tell me something bad about him even though you’re not sure that it is the truth?”

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, “You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student useful to me or not?”

“No, not really…….”

“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither True not Good nor Useful, why tell me at all?

The man was defeated and ashamed and left saying no more.

This was the reason why Socrates was a great philosopher and was held in such high esteem

(It also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was shagging his wife!)

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

13 July                   D.G./ Arthur Ahlschlager                                              Tortoises                             Lunch venue

19 July                   Ayanda Bambiso              Head: Protocol Nelson Mandela Stadium             Lunch venue

26 July                   Dr Littleton/Meschack Mpotu          First Stem cell transplant in PE              Lunch venue

14 October          Annual Golf Day                                                                                                               Humewood Golf Club

Duty Roster

Malcom Andrew (standing in for Ian Pringle)