President david started the proceedings at 7.34.
There were 14 members present
Apologies Ingrid, Max (SKIing in various places) Greg (off to places north) Phil and Peter B. (Many on grandparent duty during the school holidays)
Guest: Mike a motorcycling mate of Malcolm's
Announcements
District 9920 ids having a "Blood Drive" encouraging members to donate blood on Thursday 11th May . This is a worthwhile activity - you never know when you might need a top up!
The Community Theatre are putting on the musical 42nd Street at Selwyn College between 5th & 13th May.
Don C announced that another Rotary Club is coming on board to fill the roster of clubs supporting the Epsom Lodge.
Sargent:
Sargent David quoted the thought provoking idea that the most dangerous weapon was typewriter (and, presumably, now a computer keyboard).
He reminded fellow that next Tuesday in ANZAC and expected members to be there for the Dawn Parade!
David announced that he would be away for the next couple of weeks so he had arranged the replacement sargents to by Stephen then Wendy.
NB Revisit the Duties list - it's been altered significantly to cope with absences.
Three minute speaker
Your Humble Correspondent (YHC) encouraged fellows to write letters - not abbreviated tweets real letters. He also advocated that members explore the new essay/ letter writing software program ChatGPT just to see what AI can do! (Just put ChatGPT into Google and you're there! )
Guest Speakers
Ian Letele updated us on the work and successes of the Grace Foundation. It is now supporting about 500 people, mainly ex-prisoners; assisting them to rejoin society. The Foundation provides a wrap around service in an endeavour to break the intergenerational poverty cycle that some families are on.
The Foundation seems to be going from strength to strength. It now has 35 employees, many of them going through training programmes, to equip them to contribute in the community.
He particularly commented on the care pack of toothbrush, shampoo, razor and soap, provided by our club, that was given to newly released prisoners who often only had the clothes on their backs. (The next 'collection day' will be Weds 3rd May, the first Weds in the month)
He also thanked the help of our "Little Power Pack" also known as Avis who had been a lot of assistance in providing stuff.
His especial thanks were to Ted who had given him his first straight job and had been his mentor over the succeeding decades.
The meeting concluded at 8.31
