Another meeting cycle in lockdown
I am pretty confident in assuming that many members share my desire to be able to get out of lockdown and be back holding meetings in person. As we hone in on that 90% target, that possibility gets ever closer.
 
I have been thinking [always dangerous] about the ideas of Albert Hirschman - The Rhetoric of Reaction. I share the main points as I think in this time of increasing polarisation of ideas and positions you might recognise the points he makes in the arguments that we are often bombarded with. 
 
 
Hirschman argues that debate is often stifled, in particular in areas which look to require social change, by using arguments based on three narratives:  
Futility - no point making a change as it wont make any difference.
Perversity - making a change is likely to only make the problem worse. 
Jeopardy - making a change will endanger some previous accomplishment. 
You might recognise some combinations of those arguments in debate about the issues that confront societies? From major issues such as climate change through to more local issues such as whats the best way forward in terms of the supermarket sector in NZ. 
 
This will be a short bulletin . Remember that your input in terms of articles, jokes or anything else you think members might like to read or view are very welcome. 
Calendar
A month of Giving
Dec 01, 2021 - Dec 31, 2021
 
Rotary Disease Prevention and Treatment Month
Dec 01, 2021 - Dec 31, 2021
 
Christmas Day
Dec 25, 2021
 
Boxing Day
Dec 26, 2021
 
New Year's Day
Jan 01, 2022
 
Day after New Years Day
Jan 02, 2022
 
View entire list
Bruce Kendall
At Mondays Zoom meeting,  members were treated to an interesting and far ranging presentation from his very successful sailing career to the issues he is actively pursuing as a member of the Community Board.
 
Those include the Bucklands Beach Restoration and Upgrade Project, Graingers Reserve and the Tamaki Estuary Environmental Forum.
 
Protection and enhancement of our natural and built environment is vitally important to Bruce. From studying the spread of sea grass as a sign of some environmental improvement, to beach clean ups, to a healthy waters project that monitors water quality in the streams that flow into the Tamaki and not forgetting a possible annual art sculpture trail along the Rotary Walkway, Bruce is certainly a Community Board member who devotes enormous energy to the role. 
 
 
Given our clubs role in the Rotary Walkway members will have been pleased to hear Bruce talk about his desire to see that walkway extended. 
 
A link to a video presentation that Bruce supplied is attached.
 
Sculpture
A recent report from Terry Urbahn who is managing the Councils work with the sculpture notes that  Dion is making good progress with working out the details for attaching the small birds to the large wings.
Providing Covid restrictions allow he will be ready towards the end of the month to host visitors at his workshop to take a look at the sculpture to date.



 
Covid and India
Rotary is strong in India in every way, membership, financially and in its relationship with State and National governments in its service. When the challenge of covid became apparent, there was a Rotary India’s Covid Task Force established and there have been many vaccination camps set up by Rotary clubs and Districts.
 
 
On Thursday October 21, the total number of vaccine doses given in India achieved one billion. It took 19 days to go from 900 million to one billion. The vaccine required is manufactured in Pune and Hyderabad.On that day the figures were that 75% of the population had received at least one dose and 31% were fully vaccinated. The estimate is that 12.2 million doses must be administered on average each day to achieve the goal of having all adults fully vaccinated by December 31.
 
 
Rotary clubs and Districts are being encouraged to keep establishing the vaccination camps and to play their part in achieving the goal. Polio was eventually eradicated in India by focussed Rotary campaigns and now they are challenging covid! 
Bev Handisides
 
On behalf of Ian Handisides and family, it with much regret we wish to advise that Bev Handisides passed away peacefully at 6:30am this morning after a lengthy illness.
 
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family at this time of deep sorrow. Further details of remembrance may be issued in due course.