DG's September Newsletter 2014

1. DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER
Rotary too has Heritage….
DG ANNIE STEIJN
Volume , Issue
Awesome visits! Fantastic people!
It feels as if Hennie and I are constantly on holiday. What a shock to
the system when I have to go back to the office.
September is seen as the beginning of Spring and what lovely weather we are experiencing. Leo Tolstoy says: “Spring is the time of plans and projects.”
Our past visits included Giyani, Phalaborwa, Tzaneen and Haenertsburg. We were taken to some excellent projects.
Giyani- Seedlings project: they took Og Mandino’s words to heart. “Always do your best.
What you plant now, you will harvest later.”
Phalaborwa- They manage an ongoing school project and they are in the process of building a house for a destitute family.
Tzaneen- Tzaneen and Letaba clubs merged and are in the planning phase of their project.
Haenertsburg- has a mountain walk project and the Ebenezer Dam One Mile swimming competition. If I say mountain I really mean it. Vehicles had difficulty in driving there, let alone how people partaking manage to walk or run there. Finishing must be a very empowering experience.
We visited the RYLA camp in Magoebaskloof.
What an experience! It is held at one of the most beautiful areas in our district and the kids, apart from learning certain skills, also thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Clubs that are not sponsoring one or two children to RYLA should sincerely consider it. I am sure that it really changes their lives to partake in this wonderful experience.
I had the privilege of attending the working breakfast meeting of the 10 Clubs in the Region on the 20 September 2014. They were addressed by Megan Mc Clean, Editor-in-Chief of Caxton Newspapers.
DG Annie with President Thuku Mkhabele and Rotarians and one ANN of the Rotary club of Phalaborwa
RYLA YOUNGSTERS HAVING FUN
Pres Jack Holloway & DG Annie with newly inducted Rtn John Lategan

2. According to Megan, (E-in-C) they will not publish our press release setting out what Rotary is all about. However, if we have a story for the paper one can add a bit about Rotary and what we do. Also who can be contacted if interested parties want to know more or want to join. Always good to have the press and especially the local press on your side.
Across the border we visited Selebi Phikwe in Botswana with DGR Mark Doyle and DGRA Lynn. If you complain about potholes in South Africa you have not seen the potholes from the border post at Martin’s drift up to Selebi Phikwe!
Duck and dive does not even apply! However the Train Race was well supported although the train broke down and never pitched.
The youngest competitor was 18 months old and the eldest 78, being our own DGR Mark Doyle (seen above). Well Done Mark!!
Youngest participant of the train race - Gabriella –18 months old
The sweet sixteen team who completed the train race
President Rose of Selebi Phikwe, DG Annie and some of the winners with their medals
DG Annie inducted President Moira Smith of the Rotary Club of Francistown

3. On a sad note we attended a memorial service for Rotarian, Jannie Brink, who tragically passed away. You will be missed by all!
We attended the induction of the newly elected President at Francistown Rotary Club. What a drive back -740km non-stop. Thank you Hennie for driving us safely. We got home at 00:30 Monday morning! 10 hours later—but our visits made it worth every kilometre.
As membership is our main goal for the year, remember Mark Twain said: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started” Past Rotarian John Lategan was re-inducted into the Rotary club of Haenertsburg! Welcome back into the Rotary family - enjoy your Rotary journey.
I inducted another member at the Rotary Club of Carltonville. On the same night they had their main fundraiser. Congratulations to everyone. Within the first 10 minutes they raised an awesome R81,000.
Further good news about membership is that the Selebi Phikwe club is thinking of chartering a club in Maun in Botswana and the Rotary Club of Haenertsburg, a club in Hoedspruit.
In the words of Thomas Edison “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
Thank you to every club for persevering and carrying on building our district on all levels to becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Enjoy our Heritage month. I am sure that many of you had a braai and celebrated in true South African style.
As October is Vocational month, thank you for supporting the Book project in Bedfordview. Close to35 000 books are collected monthly by schools, old age homes, orphanages, the Department of Education, the Nelson Mandela Foundation NGO and so forth. Many clubs do educational and vocational/career days—and what is offered will make a huge difference in the lives of many.
Best wishes
Annie
Seen above: President Moira and fellow Rotarians of the Rotary club of Francistown
DG Annie inducting Marius as a new member at the Rotary club of Carletonville
DG Annie inducted Pres Marie- ta Venter—RC Carletonville

4. Above: Meeting with President Neels vd Merwe, DGR Grant Daly, AG Bernard vd Dool and executive members of the Rotary club of Tzaneen
Left: Mountain hike project of Rotary club of Haenertsburg …. Tough!
In front of Club House of the Rotary club of Haenertsburg with president Jack Holloway (centre) & DGND Grant Daly

5. President Ian Williams (Rotary club of Benoni), his wife Charmaine (being inducted as a Rotarian by DG Annie) and Gwendoline
Below: DG Annie, DGA Elaine, Aide PDG Greg with the Presidents, AG’s and DGR of the Region
Visit to a building site in Phalaborwa. The club’s project is to rebuild a burnt house for a family
DG Annie and DGA Elaine Stathacopoulos with many of the DGRs, AGs and partners.

6. Spring has arrived and I am happy once again to feel the sunshine on my face. This month as always has been a busy one with Rotary and it has been my pleasure and privilege to have visited several of our clubs in our district.
Along with Benoni, Benoni Aurora and Benoni van Ryn. I met with the Rotary Anns Club of Vereeniging. All these ladies work hard in their communities, The list is endless with their grocery collections, knitting, sewing, and care giving. The Benoni Anns’ club solar lights project is definitely the highlight of my year so far. (if you will excuse the pun) Along with the $1500 District grant, we have other exciting ideas, and pretty soon the Anns will be able to light up lives in more ways than one.
I was pleased to be invited together with Greg (Chair of Youth Services) to the RYLA camp in Magoebaskloof by Rudi Viljoen. This is a youth leadership camp.
The students are given tasks that strengthen their intelligence, logic and adaptability.
Love and warm wishes
Elaine
The Anns from Benoni Aurora Benoni van Ryn and Benoni
Whose company are we enjoying this month
The official opening of the kitchen at Thembelakubaba Crèche—A joint project between the Rotarians and the Anns of Benoni Aurora

7. I have experienced many rewarding moments visiting the various Anns’ club and their projects. We shared concepts, visions and heard about their future plans.
May they all grow and share their generosity of spirit.
Happy days!
Regards
Elaine
DGA
The Key to success is education, and these three students from Zama Care Centre Based in Putfontein are being taught to read music.
Boksburg Lake Rotary Anns hand out solar lamps to the students at Balmoral College. “No words can describe how emotional this handover was.” says President Ann Claire Fox .

8. Rotary Club of Springs springs into action and gets ready for Spring!
Early Learning Project
One of the educational projects that the Springs Rotary Anns is most proud of, is the Early Learning courses which they have run for many years.
The course is aimed at informal pre-school teachers and child minders. The conveners, Willy & John Shackleton, have many years’ experience in teaching and educating informal pre-school teachers.
Basic Skills Course for ECD Practitioners:
o The Role of the Teacher Health & Hygiene
o Creating a Place for Learning Management Skills
o Planning and Goal Setting Creative Art
o Child Development Working in Grade R
o Lesson Ideas
On completion of the course, each delegate is presented with a certificate.
They held the Early Learning course over 3 Saturdays during August. The course aims to equip informal pre-school teachers with the skills and confidence to shape young minds. They keep the enrolment cost to a minimum - currently R80 per delegate, to ensure accessibility of women who are currently unemployed. Their next course is scheduled to take place during March 2015.
Computer Classes
For some years now the RC of Springs has been running basic computer literacy classes at the Springscare Community Centre.
The need was first identified by the members of the Senior Citizens Club who wanted to be able to email their friends and family.
Bill Aver originally started the project and has since handed it over to Bill Makepeace, assisted by Dean Landsberg. The classes are held every Saturday morning from 10:00 to 12:00 and offer a basic understanding of how a computer works. Skills are achieved through practical examples in Word, Excel and MS Outlook.
The aim of the project is to provide skills that can empower people who are computer illiterate, and offer them a chance at employment thus improving their lives. The cost is kept to a bare minimum of R50 per class, which is used to maintain and provide the computer equipment and classes are open to anyone wanting to attend.
Anns serving tea at the Early Learning course 16 Aug (Springscare Community Centre) - left to right: Maude Makepeace, Wendy Davies, Blodwyn Fourie, Shirley Hunt
Eric Fookes demonstrates the Heinlich manoeuvre during the first aid training.
Dean Landsberg (Rotarian), Sara Hooseira (student enrolled in the computer class), Michelle Lourens ( Rotaractor assisting)

9. RLI Director /PDG Beth Thomas and PP Angela van Pletzen
Pres. Shabe Mofokeng (RC Three Rivers), PDG Beth and PP Elsa Venter
Winning team at the RLI training session.
PDG Beth Thomas handing the certificate t PRID Tony Serrano who completed the course levels.
Congratulations Tony
The RLI training seminar was held at the Rotary Centre in Bedfordview a few weeks ago. 28 people attended the various course levels offered.
Quite a number of people have qualified and completed all the levels. Todate just over 500 people have attended the courses.
Attendees have mentioned that the content has contributed very successfully to their careers outside of Rotary and that because they understand more about Rotary, they are very keen to become involved at different levels….so why not book your seat at the next session which will be on 18 October in Krugersdorp. Thereafter the course will b in Manzini, Swaziland on 2 November.
In March this year, D9350 agreed to start doing the training sessions in their district and PDG Beth Thomas (RLI Director) will be doing the first session in Cape Town in November.
Look out for the announcements and book your seat!

10. Literacy Month — stats shown for the month of August 2014 only.
The Second Wind Foundation (Houston, Texas), who sends D9400 the containers filled with books has crossed the 200 container mark and their country distribution is extensive.
The Humanitarian Centre in Bedfordview received four containers in October 2013; four in April this year and seven will be arriving in a few weeks time.
Since April, the SWF has agreed to contribute towards the costs of sending the containers directly to Bedfordview. However, we still need to raise funds for the clearing agent and other related fees.
We thank Rtn Jeremy Webb (RC Bedfordview) for his contribution in April and again towards the containers coming in soon. In addition, a few companies have offered donations for large numbers of books.
Rtn Chris Couchman (Jhb North Central) worked for ABI for 28 years and when he attended the PR Seminar in 2013 and heard about the centre’s achievements, he offered to assist us to obtain funding from ABI. Chris and I visited ABI in February together. I have since seen them four times. Thanks to Chris for his involvement. Much appreciated.
Funding from ABI, The Second Wind Foundation, Jeremy Webb and other donations has allowed us to bring seven containers in. I thank everyone involved for your generosity. ABI will receive two containers for the R 100,000 donation they offered us and we look forward to working with them in the years to come.
In Houston, the Books for the World celebrated their 2 000 000lbs book distribution and they also unveiled their new board on their dedicated building (picture above). Congratulations to everyone in- volved. We truly appreciate what you have done to change many lives in Southern Africa and other companies. There was also extensive media coverage to showcase the success of this amazing programme.
The centre is managed by a supportive and loyal group of volunteers and without them, this large project would not be successful. I thank each and everyone for their dedicated hours and passion to ensure that the community receives much needed books and other items. The RC of Jhb New Dawn also man the centre during the first Saturday of every month...thanks to all who spend a few hours their every month.
The centre is open to the collectors on Tuesdays till Fridays (9,30am-2:30pm). Please encourage community folks to collect books. A letter from the host Rotary club and the association that the books are for is required and we encourage the recipients to send a ‘Thank you’ letter and pictures.
PDG Shirley Downie (HDCSA Chairman)
Volunteers at the Houston warehouse—packing and sorting

11. AUGUST 2014 STATS
Pre Primary School 4.53% 839
NGO 4.41% 818
Community Centre 2.92% 542
Church 2.21% 409
Other 1.93% 357
Personal/Home School 1.64% 304
Retirement Homes 1.40% 260
Special School 0.71% 131
Orphanage 0.43% 80
Choir 0.13% 24
Municipality 0.10% 18
Primary School 32.39% 6005
Rotary Clubs 27.13% 5030
Secondary School 7.28% 1349
Library 7.00% 1298
School Comb 5.80% 1075
Pre Primary School 4.53% 839
NGO 4.41% 818
Community Centre 2.92% 542
Church 2.21% 409
Other 1.93% 357
Personal/Home School 1.64% 304
Retirement Homes 1.40% 260
Special School 0.71% 131
Orphanage 0.43% 80
Choir 0.13% 24
Municipality 0.10% 18
Linen and many other items at the centre.
Thanks to PDGA Sylvia Knoop (for all her negotiations and collections) and the linen ‘ladies’ PDGA Joyce Hogg and Rotary Ann, Gail Abel for their dedication in managing the linen. These ladies continue to collect and sort and clubs are very welcome to collect linen, toys, clothes, toiletries and slippers….and much more!
If they are not collecting carloads full, then the trucks from Mervyn Abel‘s company and ex-Rotarians Bob and Jackie Gillies do the fetching and carting…..
PICTIONARIES
Some clubs have not yet collected the pictionaries that they ordered from PDG Michael Johnson in Cape Town.
Please make arrangements to collect these as soon as possible.
CARPETS
Rtn Liana (RC eClub) advised that she has plenty of carpets for your project. Please call her on 082 446 3918 for more information.
The Rate of Exchange for the Rotary Foundation for October is R 11.05/US$
Please remember to pay your contribution to the Foundation. The more you pay, the more you gain for your projects.
Please remember to pay your contribution into the new bank accounts...details are in the directory.
Stats kindly prepared by Brenda Burlage
19 hotels supply linen and goodies to the Humanitarian Centre and the value runs into millions of Rands.
We are very grateful to all the companies for their contribution.
Linen basket

12. Jannie Brink 1944-2014
On Tuesday 2nd September Rotarian Jannie Brink passed away in Johannesburg.
Jannie, a quiet unassuming and shy man, had his home in Selebi Phikwe where he was well known and a respected member of the surrounding farming and town community. He was a charter member of the Selebi Phikwe Rotary Club which was chartered in 1984.
As a Rotarian he was generous and steadfast as each year he preferred to hold the office of Sargent at Arms. Jannie will be sorely missed not only by fellow Rotarians but all who knew him and his quiet steady ways.
Our heartfelt condolences are offered to his wife Jeanette and all the family.
Rtn Linda Vink (Jhb New Dawn): Linda’s mum (85) passed away a few weeks ago. Our thoughts with Linda and her family. May your mum rest in peace.
AG Prof. Gawie Lotter (Waterkloof) lost his father too a few weeks ago. You, Wilma and your family are in our prayers and thoughts.
George Havercheck – RC Orange Grove
George was President (1995 – 1996). He came from the USA to manage the Brenthurst Clinic and was introduced to Rotary by the late Norman Weinberg.
He has two daughters in America. George with his second wife, Norma (Ann) served Rotary with distinc- tion. Norma although twenty years younger, passed on a few years ago and George was devastat- ed. He soon moved to Rantjieslagte old age home where he died at the age of 90. The club made him an Honorary Rotarian which honour he kindly accepted. A memorial service will be held on 19 September 10H00 at Randtjieslagte in the Rest Haven chapel.
The two Past Presidents of Three Rivers Rotary passed away in August 2014 and their names are:
Peter Waetzel – President 1985/1986
Charles McNulty – President 1989/1990
Both were founding members of the club. Charles was responsible for starting the Probus Club in Veree- niging.
Abel Chongo from Maputo Club passed away in Maputo on 28 September. He will be sadly missed by his family and the club members. He will be sadly missed by all.
D9400’s members offer condolences to all the family members and friends who have lost loved ones.
Recovery: President Dr Wilma Lotter (Waterkloof) received a dual chamber pacemaker last week on 24 September. She is home and on the mend. You are a very brave lady and we all wish you the best and a speedy recovery.

13. On Heritage Day 30 youngsters had the opportunity to attend the classic ballet, La Bayadère, at the Joburg Theatre. These tickets were donated to the Benoni Aurora Rotaract club by the Joburg Theatre. Students and the dance teacher from the Zama Montessori School, Kids Haven, community volunteers, and members of the Benoni Aurora Rotaract club excitedly watched this classical ballet in two acts
Applauded as one of the greatest of the 19th century ballet classics, on a par with Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère is a saga of love, betrayal and revenge played out against the splendours of the palaces and temples of Ancient India. Not seen in South Africa since the 1990s, Joburg Theatre Ballet’s glittering new production of La Bayadère, marking a first for the company, will be staged by international ballet producer, Mario Gallizzi from Argentina.
A big thank you to all that made this evening possible: Dirk Badenhorst, CEO of the JHB Ballet; Lindsay McDonald, JHB Ballet Public Relations; Richard Thompson, the photographer; Monique Camacho, a doctor who donated all the sweet snack hampers for the children for the evening and the Benoni Aurora Rotaract club who transported and hosted the children for the evening.
For more information on the Benoni Aurora Rotaract club please visit and like their facebook site www.facebook.com/BenoniAuroraRotaract . The website for the Joburg Ballet is www.joburgballet.com.