Our Information evening for interested invited guests was held at the new Village Community Centre last Thursday night. It was a very good social evening and an opportunity to see the new building where once St. Giles church and hall stood in our local area. We met there post -earthquake for several months so it was good to re visit and celebrate a new building in Papanui.
After a few unscheduled technical hitches, not of our making, we got underway. Nick Courtney was the MC on the night and after President Lois Flanagan had warmly welcomed everyone she continued with a short introduction about our Papanui group, what we consider important as Rotarians, our values and commitment to our local community.
PDG Arie Geerlof relayed his personal experiences about the internationality of Rotary while travelling overseas and highlighting the connections we have and can make with other Rotarians from all parts of the world. The emphasis was on the benefits of making friends and connections.
Verdi van Beek spoke of the Rotary Papanui involvement we have with local partnerships through our fundraising efforts, our service projects and what we have planned for events and projects ahead. Verdi’s presentation outlined our achievements and what opportunities lie within our local area for our group to become involved in. We gave over $ 45,000 to our local community last year and have given over $ 100,0000 in the last 9 years through the Northlands Mall Gift Wrapping Project.
Rotary Public Image Coordinator, Liz Courtney gave a short overview of Rotary history, our six areas of focus and stories relating to each of these areas. Liz emphasised that there are many projects within our area and District for people to be involved and with more people we can do more.
Liz gave us a recent example of the “Knickers for Squatters Camps” project where through the kickstart from Papanui Club she told a story about the squatters camp pre schoolers in Fiji. Through using social media she managed to collect about 3 thousand pairs of underwear which have been sent to Fiji. It was all about opportunity, connecting with the right people and having the resources to action the plan.
As a result of the Membership and Public Image team efforts we now have several very interested people who are keen to join us.
Good team work all round and a most enjoyable social time for our members, various partners and guests.