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The <strong>Ashburton</strong><br />
RotaryClub<br />
Founded in 1937, the <strong>Ashburton</strong> RotaryClub has been an integral part of ourcommunity for87years. Inthattime,ithas<br />
undertaken avastarray of projects with numerousdonations giventovarious worthy community causes. These includethe iconic<br />
annual Bookarama eventwhich has raised morethan $1 million sincethe year it wasfirstheld in 1980.<br />
TheClub fully appreciatesthe support and dedication from allour volunteers who makeour communityprojects like Bookarama<br />
possible. Wecould notmanagetocontinue withour involvementinmanyofthese projects withouttheir support.<br />
Having said that, unfortunately we find ourselves currentlyinthe position of having to ask formoreclub members and volunteers<br />
to ensure thesefundraising activities cancontinue.<br />
So,ifyou care aboutyourcommunity andwanttobeinvolved with like minded people who share your commitmenttoserving<br />
their communityinsome way, then let’stalk!<br />
Rotaryisahighly regarded international organisation that makesthings happen–<br />
locally, nationally and internationally.But,nothinghappens without theeffortsofpeople like you!<br />
OURCLUBNEEDS<br />
YOU!<br />
Ijoined Rotaryabout 12 monthsago.Ihad seen Rotaryout in thecommunity,<br />
specifically the Bookarama andatChildren’s Day, and my friend Kayla had<br />
joinedand would talk aboutit. She finally convinced me to come along as<br />
therewas an guest speaker she knew Iwould be interested in. Iwas also keen<br />
to get involved with acommunity group butwas notsurehow to go about<br />
that.<br />
Ienjoythe week to week meetings and attend most weeks if Ican, and I’ll help<br />
outwith events if I’mfree. If there’saninteresting speaker,that’sabonus.But<br />
it’s really nice to catchupwith everyone,haveameal and agoodchat, glass of<br />
wine or beer.<br />
Forme, being aRotarian means good company, and it’s nicetobeable to<br />
help out the communityinaunique way. Iampartofthe Projects Committee<br />
which is greatasIget to be involved withplanning projects.The members<br />
aresoaccommodating with me and my personality! Ienjoythe companyof<br />
others so thatissuch abonus. No matter age or gender,Iam down to have a<br />
good chat. Ifeel like Ihavegained manycaring family members!<br />
Iwould 100% recommend Rotarytoothers.Though they’reperceived as<br />
being apredominantly male club,they have womenmembers and arevery<br />
open to having morejoin. Ihavedeveloped friendships thatIwouldn’t have<br />
outside of Rotary. Ievenget to give advice through my job; like paint colours,<br />
howtofixdrapesand so on! Ididn’t honestly expect it to be so welcoming.<br />
Everyone wassoinviting, Inever left. They arestuck with me now!<br />
AriarneSettle<br />
I’ve been in Rotarynow for22years.After my farming career ended in 1998, I<br />
realisedIneeded to get involved in something to meet people and socialise<br />
so waslooking foranorganisation or similar. Afterbeing approached by an<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong>RotaryClub member and attending several meetings,Idecided I<br />
would like to join the Club.Ifound thatIliked the work they were doing in the<br />
local communityand at an international level.<br />
Iwas Club President in 2009-2010 and helped with projects theClub ran<br />
such as the iconic annual Bookarama and have been involved in thatmost<br />
years.Being presidentofferedanopportunitytoreally understand howthe<br />
club ticked and the programmesand projects it wasinvolvedin, i.e. funding<br />
students to outdoor programmes, Meals on Wheels,treeplanting,providing<br />
books forbabies and newentrantsinthe district,planting the Arboretum at<br />
Tinwald Domain etc.<br />
Aftermyrole as District Governor, Ibecame involved as District Grants coordinator,then<br />
District Foundation Chair and laterFoundation Coordinator<br />
with the zone (Australia and NZ and the Pacific Islands). Iamstillinvolved as<br />
the End Polio programme coordinatorfor the district.<br />
Rotaryfor me,means friendship,socialising,volunteeringand being activein<br />
the communitythrough localprojects. It’s agreat wayfor anyone looking to<br />
get involved in their communitytobepartofanorganisationthatisdoing<br />
good in the districtand the world.<br />
John Driscoll<br />
Ifirstheard aboutRotarywhen my boss,(who wasalready amember), and our<br />
companywereworking on aRotaryprojectfor Samoa. My boss then invited<br />
metocome along and see whatitwas all about.Ienjoyeditand decided to<br />
joinabout three years ago.<br />
Normally,Iattendthe weekly meeting; and enjoythe casual drinksand<br />
chats beforethe meetings,and howwelcoming everyone is.Itrytohelp out<br />
with as manyeventsasIcan, mostly weekend or evening events.There’sso<br />
much knowledge amongst the members thatIfeel like Iamalwayslearning<br />
something new.I’vebeen surprised with the interesting guest speakers,<br />
with whathappens in andaround our community, both professionally and<br />
personally.<br />
I’mproud thatRotarysupportscommunityeventsbyoffering volunteers; i.e.<br />
Children’s Day, Glow in the Park,toname acouple. We also raise money and<br />
donate to manygroupsinour community, and offer donations forschool<br />
awards.Our RotaryClub has abig focusonreading and donatesbooks to the<br />
MaternityWard-Books forBabes -and also donatesbooks to schools to give<br />
to each new entrantwhen they startschool. Rotaryclubsare also apartof<br />
RotaryInternational who support bigger projects like the EndPolio campaign.<br />
Without volunteers,some of these things wouldn’t run.<br />
When I’masked whyIlike to go to Rotary, Ilike to answer with“whereelse can<br />
Igofor agood conversation, good meal,aglass of wine and still be home in<br />
bed by 8pm?<br />
Karla Wiggins<br />
Ijoined the RotaryClub June 1st 1989, so have been amember for35years.<br />
Obviously I’ve been awareofRotaryand its activities in our communityfor a<br />
long time. In fact, manyyears ago my Grandfather wasamemberofthis club.<br />
Theclubmeets weekly whichisn’t the bind youmay think as youcan choose<br />
howregularly youcan attend.Time wisewemeet socially from 5:30ish, with<br />
dinner,abrief meeting,then guest speaker and we’renormally finished by<br />
7:30pm. Ourweekly meetings arevaried and interesting.<br />
Ourmajor fundraiser is our well knownBookarama, which commences<br />
Monday 23rdSeptember,onceagain in the <strong>Ashburton</strong>Sports Hall.Sonow is<br />
the time to clean out those old books foragood cause.<br />
On the worldstage,RotaryInternational partner with the GatesFoundation<br />
to raise millions of dollarsinanattempt to eradicate Polio. Atruly fantastic<br />
project.<br />
So whyjoin aRotaryClub? To me,it’senjoying the social contactwithpeople<br />
youwouldn’t normally come in contactwithinyour everyday activities.That<br />
is enhanced by working with theteam on the various projects during the year<br />
thatbenefit our community as awhole.<br />
So would Iencourage aperson to join Rotary? YesIwould! .Giveitago!<br />
We meet everyTuesdayatthe RSA.<br />
Tony Todd<br />
Our mission<br />
We provide servicetoothers, promoteintegrity,and advanceworld<br />
understanding,goodwill,and peacethrough our fellowship of<br />
business,professional,and communityleaders.<br />
Visionstatement<br />
Together,wesee aworld wherepeople uniteand take action to<br />
create lasting change —acrossthe globe,inour communities,<br />
and in ourselves.<br />
Formoreinformation on joiningour Club,and ourcommunityprojects,<br />
please contactDavid Mead 027 471 6661 or John Driscoll 027 5383816<br />
2690031
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