February 17 (Feb 17, 2025)

I have included an article from Rotary On the Move.

In what feels to many like a time of uncertainty, a changing world order and seemingly a breakdown in traditional alliances and understanding the article deals with Rotary Peace Fellows and our latest Peace Centre. Some members might not be aware off Past World President, Bill's significant involvement in the creation of and advocacy for, the Rotary Peace Centres.

Much of what they do is based on the knowledge that peoples' who understand each other and who respect the needs and motivations of others are much more likely to create lasting peace.

In what seems to be an increasingly transactional approach to global relations such understandings are more important than ever.

Meeting - 24 February 2025
Howick Club
Feb 24, 2025 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Meeting - 10 March 2025
Howick Club
Mar 10, 2025 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM

Meeting - 24 March 2025
Howick Club
Mar 24, 2025 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM

View entire list

Scribes Report

Well-designed hospital gardens not only provide restorative and pleasant nature views, but also can reduce stress and improve clinical outcomes. They tend to reduce complications, pain medication and the length of stays. Views of plants and greenery lower blood pressure, muscle tension and reduce depression. A garden also offers healthcare employees a pleasant escape from workstress and clinical spaces. So when the new four-story, $320M surgical and medical hospital building, called Tōtara Haumaru was being planned for North Shore Hospital, Rotary combined with the Well Foundation and other sponsors to transform the 450 m2 central space, overlooked by three levels of wards, into a beautiful green space of more than 500 plants some of which will grow to 10 metres.

PDG Peter Garnett outlined to our last meeting the journey Rotary took in raising its $100k contribution towards the project and the partnerships involved. Opened last year, the concept is expected to last for 30-40 years. Staff have a secluded area at the back of the area to enjoy and the plants are professionally maintained.

The North Shore Hospital picks up overload from the wider Auckland and Northland areas and the atmosphere and aesthetics created are of huge benefit to patients, visitors and staff alike. See https://fb.watch/xEYX0OB3cu/ A great example of Rotary in action.

Peter was introduced and thanked by Linda Agnew.

Giving our exchange student a great time.

Our club has hosted many exchange students from a wide range of countries. It's an exchange that changes lives. The student has the opportunity to experience a new country and culture in a setting where they have to make more decisions for them selves. Often host families form enduring relationships with the students they host. A real win- win.

As our membership has aged its become much more difficult [nearly impossible] to find members who can host but I am ever hopeful that between members and your families and contacts we can come up with some great things for Matilda to visit, see and do in the remaining months she is here.

If you have a suggestion, can provide some contacts or introductions or can assist in some way please let me know. She has just completed the Tongariro Crossing which has rekindled a love of tramping so perhaps thats a start. She also loves boating, concerts and is really happy being out and about.

A night at the Theatre

Our member Joan has organised a night at the theatre. Thursday 27th of February with start time of 8.00.

It's a comedy:

"Newly arrived to the City and keen to make new friends, Shayna and Grant Perkins invite their neighbors around to their half-finished home for dinner.
Former showbiz couple the Faltermans are a seemingly idyllic pairing, while the psychiatrist Veronica Dunn-Dudet and her engineering turned novelist husband appear anything but.
In between multiple drinks and slightly burnt spring rolls, things quickly become awkward as hilariously unexpected truths emerge."

To book, make a payment of $35 to Rotary Club of Pakuranga 02 account 02 0223 0017811 002

For any additional details you can contact Joan +64 21 172 1877 or by email at jb.swift@xtra.co.nz

It will be a great way to get together as a club and support a good cause.

If you cant make it how about buying a ticket or two for family members or give a ticket to a friend.

We want to make this a success and need everyone's support to achieve that.

Peace in a Divided World

HEALING IN A DIVIDED WORLD

DENNIS SHORE TRUSTEE, THE ROTARY FOUNDATION 2023-27 — FEBRUARY 7, 2025

The month of February in the Rotary calendar is 'Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month'. Of course, it is also the month of Rotary’s 120th birthday anniversary and the connection is entirely appropriate.

Article by Dennis Shore Trustee, The Rotary Foundation 2023-27

Peace building is in Rotary’s DNA and is enshrined in the mission statement of both Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace

To underscore this commitment, RI President Stephanie Urchick is convening a Presidential Peace Conference in Türkiye on February 20-22, 2025. The event will coincide with the first cohort of Rotary Peace Fellows studying in Rotary’s newest Peace Centre, Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Centre, in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, located at Bahçeşehir University (BAU) in Istanbul, Türkiye. The crucial need for skilled peace builders with specialised knowledge in this region is starkly evident.

Through The Rotary Foundation, for more than two decades Rotary has invested heavily in our Rotary Peace Centres to develop a cohort of skilled peace workers to help nations and individuals to dial down the causes of conflict. There are now more than 1,800 Peace Fellows committed to peace building who are making a difference in a world that is beset by conflict. These fellows work in more than 140 countries, serving as leaders in governments, NGOs, and other significant organisations.

The Rotary Foundation is pushing ahead to grow the number of Rotary Peace Fellows and will shortly announce the establishment of another Peace Centre, in the Asia region, to expand the opportunities to grow the cohort of Peace Fellows working to mitigate the factors working against peace in the world.

The Presidential peace conference through its theme of healing in a divided world will be a catalyst for Rotary members to build on and reinforce the work of Peace Fellows through the sharing of knowledge, suggestions, and considerations for peacebuilding projects, programs, and initiatives to help translate our mission statement into action.

Bookings for the conference have been sold out and there is a very long waiting list of Rotary members hoping to be part of this important forum. Whether we are able to participate in the conference or not we can all be part of Rotary’s army for peace and do our bit to conjure the magic of Rotary to do desperately needed good in the world.