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West Africa Trust
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 | DG Ron Goodwin Newsletter |
 A big welcome to the new Rotary year - where did last year go to? Time certainly passes quickly and we have so much to do. We need to press on!
I am looking forward to my year as your DG enormously. I look forward to sharing your company and friendship and to working with you all during the next 12 months.
Our new RI President is of course DKLee from the Rotary Club of Seol-Hangang in Korea. DK (as he prefers to be called) has urged us to ‘Make Dreams Real’ I’m confident that we will all be doing our best to do this by giving ‘Service Above Self’ throughout the year.
2008/9 will be a year of opportunity and challenge. I do hope that those of you who attended District Assembly enjoyed the experience. From the feedback that I have received it would seem that Rotarians enjoyed watching the video clips that I brought back from the RI Assembly in San Diego and found them most informative. I was very pleased to hear of the number of requests that have been made for copies to be shown at club meetings.
The address given by the RI Zone Challenge Coordinator PDG Reg Ling was inspirational. The Polio Plus challenge to match the Bill Gates foundation donation will keep us occupied for the next year or so, but what a reward to be had - the fulfilling of that promise that we made to the children of the world, the elimination of that crippling disease forever!
It was refreshing to hear from Annemarie Harte of the changes taking place at RIBI which are in line with the Club Leadership Plan. Now is the time for all of us to reflect on our clubs, our meetings, our strengths, weaknesses and to ask ourselves can we do better? Are we good enough to attract and retain the new members that we need to give service to our community and beyond?
There is no doubt that our District faces a big membership challenge, one that we must meet during the next 12 months and beyond. PR and Membership will be the first item of business on the agenda for all of my meetings during the year. I make no apologies for this. We must focus on this issue if we are to improve the current situation. The address given to the RI Assembly by the Past RI President Cliff Dochterman which was shown at our District Assembly points the way forward. It is reassuring that some of you requested copies of this to be shown at your club meetings.
So there you have it, a flavour of the year ahead. There is a lot to do, peaks to be scaled, targets to be met. However we have prepared well and I am very confident that we will roll our sleeves up and meet the challenges ahead with a smile on our face!
My preferred charities for this year are the Leonard Cheshire International Project ‘School4All’ and the cancer charities. The Leonard Cheshire Project addresses the plight of disabled children in Africa so as to enable these young people to re-establish themselves in their communities and to get back into education. On cancer, I am urging all clubs to donate to a cancer charity of their choice. At Conference in October we will be hearing more from Leonard Cheshire and the Institute for Cancer Research. I am sure that these presentations will inspire us to give them our support.
July is Rotary literacy month. It is pleasing to see that the Rotary project ‘Dictionary 4 Life’ is gathering speed. I am sure that all of our clubs are now aware of this excellent project. Indeed, some 800 or so dictionaries have been distributed to schools throughout the District. There is an excellent website www.dictionary4life .com which gives all of the relevant information, and the District contact is Celia Leach, our Vocation and Community Chairman.
Welcome to the new Rotary Year . . . enjoy!
Yours in Rotary
Ron Goodwin
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:57:03 BST (126 reads)
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| Major Changes for R.N.E. |
This is the last issue of Rotary North East the Howarth family will produce. Our association began 13 years ago, when, with D.G. Jim Suthering it was decided to change from a quarterly to a monthly magazine - the only one in the Rotary world as most are quarterly publications.
Over the years we have seen it increase in size and popularity from an 8 page black and white to a 24 page, full colour publication, all approved by successive District Councils.
The clubs embraced the policy, introduced at the outset, that all copy sent in by clubs would be printed without fear or favour. As a result our District is unique in getting the largest number of clubs contributing copy and photos to its magazine.
This policy unified the clubs in our District as a popular means of communication, carrying news and views from all corners of the North East.
The recently formed Review Committee discussed the production of the magazine without my knowledge, deciding to seek tenders for the printing. This was announced at District Council so I immediately resigned as Honorary Editor and refused to tender for the printing. I have never costed the printing of the magazine on a commercial basis having always subsidised its production costs, and I felt my integrity was being questioned.
Inevitably members will now be paying more and receiving less as a consequence of the actions of the Review committee! Newton Press charged £1310 per issue for 3000 copies of 20 pages in full colour and also provided RNE on a website. Any advertising/sponsorship revenue we secured was returned to District, further reducing the cost.
I have calculated that each copy of the magazine will in future cost 0.80p per copy almost double the charge (0.436p) Newton Press made. District will pay £1600 per issue for only 2000 copies and the printer can keep any advertising revenue gained. Someone will also be needed to update the website at a cost yet to be budgeted.
In the opinion of many the Review Committee handled this matter poorly and District Rotarians will now have to pay for their mistakes. I hope they and my fellow Rotarians accept the difficult position they put me in, leaving me no alternative but to disassociate myself completely from the production of the magazine. This will not affect my membership of Rotary and I will continue to serve in other capacities.
I thank all those Rotarians who supported our journal and contributed to its success. I am alarmed at the decision to reduce the quantity and frequency of the magazine to clubs and other changes being planned. I hope you will question these changes and vigorously reject any proposal which will further diminish our magazine’s effectiveness.
Syd Howarth
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:56:19 BST (102 reads)
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| IPDG - Malcolm Eaton Newsletter |
I write this in June 2008 just as we are preparing to depart to Los Angeles in order to attend the RI Convention. From there we will fly to Canada and then Alaska returning on the 1st of July 2008.
As it is intended to issue this copy at the Handover I shall have ceased to be your District Governor by the time you read it and the new Governor will be in post. Throughout this year I have received tremendous support from the whole of this quite splendid District and I have enjoyed the rare and and exciting privilege of meeting you all and enjoying fellowship.
Early in the year we attended the Disabled Games and saw just what an important event that this is to the competitors. There have been some recent problems which put the future of the games in jeopardy but many Rotarians in the District have worked together to overcome these problems and I am pleased to be able to report that it looks as though the games will continue. A credit to the organisers and thank you to all who are helping.
In May I attended the final of the District Quiz which was won by a team from The Rotary Club of Berwick. This event was organised by Peter Tracey from The Rotary Club of Newcastle and he deserves a big thank you for all the hard work he has put in.
Twelve clubs in the District submitted an application for a Presidential Citation. RI have acknowledged receipt of the applications but have issued only eleven Citation certificates as Tynedale Club (who I supported because they started a new Interact Club) did not get a new club member and were deemed therefore, not to have met the Citation criteria.
Two Rotarians from The Rotary Club of Darlington, each with a medical background, are supporting the West Africa Trust by collecting unused medical equipment from the local NHS. One container full has been sent to West Africa this year and a second container is rapidly filling up (which is the third sent by the West Africa Trust). These containers cost £2000 to transport to West Africa and support to cover the transport is being requested by the Darlington Club. Please contact the club President if you are able to assist.
This issue of Rotary North East will be the last issue, for some time at least, that is edited and printed by Syd and/or Paul Howarth from Newton Press. The contract for editing, printing and distribution has now been awarded to a company where one of the partners is Carole Prichard, the Secretary of the Rotary Club of Birtley. Carole has been given an editorial brief by the Communications Committee and all comments on the new magazine should be referred to them. However, it would be very wrong of me not to acknowledge the work done by Paul and Syd Howarth over many years producing the magazine which I know many of you have enjoyed reading.
So, as I said at the start, by the time that you read this I shall have moved on to become a Past District Governor. Ron Goodwin will have taken over and I am absolutely confident that District will be in a safe pair of hands. Good luck Ron and best wishes for the coming year.
Malcolm Eaton, District Governor 2007/2008
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:55:45 BST (99 reads)
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| Will You be a “Friend” |
The Charity West Africa Trust (Rotarian based) are offering the opportunity to fellow Rotarians in District 1030 (and beyond) to become “FRIENDS OF WAT”.
This exclusive club is FREE to join and trust members will keep you up to date with details of ongoing, as well as future projects. We would also value your input and suggestions on the projects we undertake.
If this appeals to you, please get in touch with Trust Chairman Jacqui Molynuex on 07966 003591 or email jmoly56@aol.com
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:54:57 BST (89 reads)
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| Souvenir Presentation to Retiring Editor |
Both retiring editor Syd Howarth and his predecessor Paul were completely taken by surprise when Vice-President Barbara Connors-Fowler of The Rotary Club of Monkseaton Centenary called at Newton Press to present them with bound volumes of every issue of 1030 News and Rotary North East which they had produced over the last 13 years.
The volumes contained over 120 editions of the District magazine that had all been indexed and cross-referenced.
In presenting the volumes to Syd and Paul, Vice-President Barbara said that her members hoped that they would serve as mementoes of a job brilliantly well done over so many years. “Rotarians throughout District 1030 know that, thanks in large part to your efforts and enthusiasm, our District has had a unique publication of which we all feel truly proud”, she added.
Thanking Vice-President Barbara for such a unique souvenir retiring District Editor Syd said “It is a nice gesture and we thank the club and all other Rotarians who have sent messages of appreciation
Photo: Vice-President Barbara Connors-Fowler of The Rotary Club of Monkseaton Centenary presents the bound volumes to Paul and Syd Howarth.
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:54:24 BST (73 reads)
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| Rtn. Carole Pritchard your New Editor |
Nine years ago I joined the Rotary Club of Birtley and since then have been one of this small but most energetic and active club. I was President – 2003/4 and I am now Secretary. I am always seen working alongside this small band of rotarians who do so much to further the ideals of Rotary.
I started my working life as a civil servant, left to have my children but over 25 years ago went to work for my father, Rotarian Tom Moffat in publishing/print and I now run F.R.O. Print and Images Ltd. with my business partner Robert Laidler.
I am married to Clive, and our family is made up of Craig, Claire, Steven and our two grandchildren Mollie and Daniel.
F.R.O. are your new publishers/printers and we look forward to continuing the professional presentation achieved by the previous editor/printers of Rotary North East, Syd Howarth and his team at Newton Press. We wish him every success as a fellow Rotarian.
As Editor I would ask for any articles to be included in the magazine to be typed in an appropriate document and emailed to me, along with any photographs. Photographs must be high resolution, as I will not include anything of a low resolution, as this detracts from the quality of the magazine we are producing. Save as a jpg/tif/eps or pdf format. If you are unable to scan/save to disc you could send the hardcopy to my home address.
Contact details are:
Email contact: district1030.editor@googlemail.com
0191 370 2811 (Home)
0191 410 5556 (Office)
07946 464 361 (Mobile)
18 Provident Street
Pelton Lane Ends
Chester-le-Street
Co. Durham DH2 1NS
Next issue deadline: 18th July 2008
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:53:23 BST (93 reads)
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| West Africa Trust School Boats Project |
There are 7 major villages, mostly on stilts, in the 218 square kilometre lake district of SO AVA, North of Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin. The village, most famous internationally, due to its accessibility and tourism, is Ganvie.
Schools have been built on firm land and islands in this district and the students have to access these schools by boats (or by swimming) from some common makeshift piers. Many accidents of drowning occur and lack of boats is the cause of abandoning school by many who cannot afford the nominal fare of the rowing ferry boats that load more people than safety allows. Students arriving late have to go back swimming or wait for other rowing boats to take them back home after having missed class. The project is to provide mass transit motorised boats, commonly used and tested in these waters, so that students are transported safely and fast to school.
Boats will be constructed inside the lake community thus giving work to them, and will be run and maintained by the Mayors office after our handing over. If all the eligible students need to be transported we will require eight to ten boats ultimately, but presently in this phase we intend to supply 3 boats (60 seaters) to satisfy the needs of the villages furthest from the schools.
The education board calculates more than 20,000 eligible students in this district. Some live in areas around the school but more than 16,000 students need to find transport along the waterways and marshes to go to school. Lack of boats, slow speed, necessity to swim to school or trudge along shifting submerged pathways with books on their head, prevents many from attending school.
By providing motorised boats, which will be run by the community (as the Mayor has committed to vote a component in their budget for the drivers, maintenance and fuel), most children would be able to go to school.
Primary education is now been decreed as free so the pecuniary constraints also of parents that stopped them from sending children to school, would no longer be a factor for illiteracy. Boats running on fixed schedules would make sure all the children got to school and back. Girls form a large part of these students, and it is our hope that this will increase the percentage of girls being educated at least from this impoverished district which has given proof of its capacity to learn by contributing a sizeable number of cadres to the nation’s administration.
The existence of a valid transportation system in these waters will encourage organisations and NGOs specialised in constructing schools to go ahead with their expansion plans to accommodate the potentially increased number of students attending school. Presently 16000+ students are enrolled this year and there have been many dropouts after four students drowned in November when their puny overloaded boat capsized.
Rotarian specialists will supervise and certify the durability of the boats and their construction as per prevalent safety standards. They will liaise with the Mayors office and the school boards for the implementation of a viable timetable, enabling all students to attend classes.
We will negotiate with the Education Ministry and NGOs for construction and personnel for more schools required due to now-available accessibility, and ensure the financial and Public Relation participation of the Mayors Office, the community leaders and NGOs operating in the sector culminating in a high profile handing over ceremony with our International Partners present.
If you would like to contribute towards this project, please contact Trust Chairman Jacqui Molyneux on 07968 003591 - jmoly56@aol.com
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:51:29 BST (75 reads)
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| “Lesser Rotarians” |
Dear Editor,
You asked last month why some Rotarians are disinterested in attending district events. Let me give you a few clues.
TRAINING EVENTS
The majority of district trainings are held on Tyneside. I have no great enthusiasm for making a 130 mile round trip at the end of a working day to travel from North Yorkshire to Newcastle or Gateshead. Many of the events exist only because they exist; they do not add to the quality of my Rotary activities. I have felt that often the training is provided mainly because the rule book says it should be provided not because the trainnees need it and also that some trainers are appointed because of their office without regard to their ability to ‘deliver the message’.
CONFERENCE
Why call it conference? No one confers! The audience is spoken at from the stage by people who are there largely because of their position in the organisation, whether or not they have anything of value to say. If it is intended to be a glorious sociable weekend, then say so, don’t pretend that it is anything else. I have far better ways of spending £600 in a weekend for two.
DISTRICT IS REMOTE
District is too remote and the organisation in general is too slow to respond. For example, a District Simplified Grant (DSG) is intended to be just that - simple. But applications are considered only once a year. The application must be lodged in the autumn. The result will be made known in January or February and the successful recipients must wait until the following summer before the funding comes through. This is the SIMPLIFIED system - it takes only eight or ten months!
On the opposite side of the same coin, district expects clubs to jump through hoops when setting up a GSE exchange. We all know that these visits are months in preparation. So why do we get only three or four weeks to identify, select and nominate candidates? It is totally unrealistic. I know that other districts in other countries spend months co ordinating a programme for an incoming GSE team.
DISTRICT DIRECTORY
It is a worthy thought to imagine that every Rotarian will keep it to hand. It is an indispensible reference source for club and district officers but in practice the numerical majority of members NEVER refer to it. It would make good economical sense to supply 15-20 copies to each club for use by officers and committee chairmen with additional copies available on demand. You refer to the ‘right’ of members to have a copy of the Directory. There are many things to which we are entitled but we are not obliged to claim every ‘right’.
INSULAR ROTARIANS?
Because some Rotarians give little time to district matters does not inevitably imply that they are insular in their attitude. No doubt some are quite satisfied with the rewards they get from supporting Rotary activities at club level. But there are others who work at many levels of Rotary, with or without involvement at district level. Syd, you and I are both heavily involved at club and international level. As a PDG your commitment at district level is clear for all to see. I chose to divide my energies between club and international levels, leaving little time in my Rotary life for district matters. I am a lesser Rotarian?
Yours in Rotary service
Peter Sotheran
PP Guisborough & Gt Ayton RC
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:49:55 BST (70 reads)
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| PHF For Alan |
Having announced that the club was going to award a Paul Harris Fellowship, President Michael Gough wandered around the audience, during the recent President’s Night at the Ramside Hotel. Past President Alan Dickenson was very surprised when President Michael stopped by his chair.
Houghton-le-Spring Rotarians and their guests congratulated Alan on receiving his award for many years service to the club as well as the Scouts and several local charities.
Photo: President Mike Gough presenting Alan Dickenson with his Paul Harris Award.
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:49:15 BST (73 reads)
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| SHOPPERS UNDER PRESSURE |
President John Lipscombe signing in two Sunderland shoppers ready to have their blood pressure measured.
Shoppers at the Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland were stopped and asked about pressure on Friday 25th April this year.
They were not being asked whether they found shopping caused pressure, but would they like to have their blood pressure measured.
April 25th was when the Rotary Club of Seaburn mounted their annual Stroke Awareness Day. The Community Matrons, who assisted the Rotarians and actually carried out the tests, measured the blood pressures of 190 shoppers.
Of these, 55 were referrals and 3 were stated as urgent.
The local newspaper, the Sunderland Echo, featured and announced the event and also reported on what was acheived.
President John Lipscombe was quoted as saying “ if the three urgent referrals resulted in timely treatment for the individuals then the Seaburn Club would judge that alone as making the day a success.”
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:48:32 BST (68 reads)
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| “La Lumiere” Launch Buy a Brick Scheme |
The Rotary Club of Seaham has established a charity called La Lumiere Initiative and one of the projects they are currently raising funds for is a Kindergarten Project in Possotomme, in Benin.
The Kindergarten project is the idea of Sister Nadine who is part of a newly established order of Catholic Nuns called La Servantes de la Lumiere du la Christo
(The servants of the Light of Christ) who are currently based in Lokossa and want to develop an educational project in a village called Possotomme. The order of nuns has grown rapidly over the last few years and they now have over 90 nuns in the order so they can expand the work they do in other parts of Benin.
The community of Possotomme has generously given a large piece of land to the nuns so they can develop the facilities for the community. The project has been broken down into several phases. Phase 1 involves the building and equipping of a kindergarten.
Future plans involve building a Primary and Secondary school and a sports ground to provide an all round education for the children of Possotomme.
President Denise and Rotarian Joanne Jones have recently visited the project and can see great potential in the work the nuns would like to do. With our help this can become a reality.
The ‘Buy a Brick’ Scheme is very simple for a donation of £5 or more you can ‘ Buy a Brick’ for the project and in return you will receive a lovely card showing a mother and child and inside details of the project and your donation towards the project.
If you would like to buy a brick please send your donation to The Treasurer, La Lumiere Initiative, 2 Briar Glen, Murton, Seaham Co. Durham SR7 9SQ or see us at the District 1030 Conference
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:47:28 BST (72 reads)
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| Mayday Market Collection in Peterlee |
Rotarians Clive Booth and 89 year old Finlay Harrison, who, with other members of the Easington & Peterlee Rotary Club, collected over £300, which will benefit local charities.
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:46:32 BST (62 reads)
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| £670 in only 3 Hours! |
Eighteen members of the newly formed Interact Club of Ridley Hall, Tynedale raised over £670 in three hours of Bag Packing at their local Tesco store in Hexham.
Proceeds were in aid of the North East Air Ambulance.
Mike Gibbney, President of the Rotary Club of Tynedale, who was instrumental in setting up the new club, says it is encouraging to see what can be achieved with a bit of youthful enthusiasm, and was an example to us all.
Well Done
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:45:50 BST (76 reads)
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| Blyth Presidents’ Night |
The Rotary Club of Blyth held its annual Presidents’ Night Dinner at the Spartan Hotel, Blyth on Tuesday, 3rd March.
President Mike Jackson’s main speakers were his Best Man from many years ago, Donald Carson, who is also a Past District Governor, and Jim Wrightson.
The photograph in the right shows Mike central with Jim on the Left and Donald on the right.
Other top table guests are shown in the top photograph from left to right: Junior Vice President Charlie Grigg, Senior Vice Chairman George Robson, P.D.G. Donald Carson, Presideant Bob Knoles Wansbeck; President Mike Jackson, Bedlington; Stan Thompson; President Jim Wrightson, Cramlington; Robert Nixon and representing Morpeth, Brian Gott.
The evening was a huge success with over 90 guests enjoying good food and excellent fellowship.
Assistant Govenor, Les Fay did not miss out on the action and could be seen extracting money from President Mike for the raffle (below).
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:45:16 BST (76 reads)
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| P.H.F. for President Nitin |
Assistant Governor Les Faye presented President Nitin with the Paul Harris Award. It was an extremely proud moment for President Nitin to be recognised by his fellow Rotarians at Newcastle West and he paid tribute to all their hard work and support over the years.
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Posted by sonywiz on Tuesday, July 01 @ 13:43:42 BST (90 reads)
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