Events Programme
The programme for 2011 - 2012 took shape in an environment difficult for all community associations, especially those involved in raising funds for charity such as Rotary. The difficulty was compounded for our Club as its long term money spinner, an annual auction and fund rasing dinner had run its course and our alternatives were lower returns or find something big enough to replace the funding and with a long term future. Fortunately, Takapuna North Club was in a similar position, and keeping our nerves under control as well as we could, the two Clubs invested in the establishment of a Night Market each Thursday during summer time at Takapuna Green. The entrepreneurs behind the scheme, notably Barry Larsen, must be given great credit for what has turned out to be a success story.
The culmination was a Beach Party sponsored by BNZ and the Takapuna Business Association on 1st December which was a hugely successful event for many families. An attractive feature of the project has been its ability to involve almost everyone in the Club, whether setting up or taking down stalls, selling booth space or dealing with the local Council and its planning legislation, not to mention acting in such roles as Sponge Bob Square Pants at the Beach Party.
Helping with the finances has been Lloyd's initiative in keeping the auction alive in the form of trading members goods on Trade Me while the golf tournament returned a record $7000 this year.
One reason for our success has been the emphasis on fun. Our social activities will be expanded through a "Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner" programme. We are determined to keep meetings light hearted. The "happy dollars" of members at meetings remain a time to celebrate and be family. The Club has always attracted top speakers and this is certain to continue through Joan and her many contacts. At the date of writing (early January) we have already listened to an unparralled selection of speakers from the Young New Zealander of the Year for 2010 (Dr Divya Dahr) and the weather ambassador (Bob McDavitt) to the engineer in charge of the Victoria Tunnel and a Council presentation on the future of Takapuna business centre.
The Club's focus on youth continues with no less than four students being sponsored in part or exclusively by the Club, Rotary Foundation Scholar (Stephanie), Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar (Rhea), outbound International Exchange Student (Christina) and inbound International Exchange Student (Ariane).
We miss the members who have recently left or are in poor health and hope that David, Morrin and Ted will keep in touch.
The immediate future program includes:
Christiaan Moss is the Deputy Harbourmaster at Ports of Auckland. His speech on port operations would be of interest at any time but the current life and death industrial dispute and the grounding of the Rena will also make it topical.
The topic at our breakfast meeting will be "Walking and Cycling in France and Italy". The presenter, Jill Grant, is a Director of A Walker's World and we can expect total enthusiasm and a plethora of wonderful pictures.
Our first Sunset Club meeting - see below for details.
An update on Auckland Zoo will be presented by Vivien Street - more details to come.
Our 2012 District Conference will be held at Orewa, a very convenient location compared with those of recent years. For many Club members this will be the first realistic opportunity of attending the mix of fun and serious discussion which makes up a District Conference.
Recurring Events on our programme include:
|
Activity |
Date |
Other |
| Sunset Club | Monthly* | A relaxing evening without any formalities |
| Online Auction | Ongoing | Intended to replace some of the funds previously raised via the Charity Auction |
| Night Market | Thursday Evenings | Set up and take down teams support our new major fund raising initiative at the Green in Takapuna. |
| Working Parties | Frequently - the current live project is that of returning the original flora and fauna to Tuff Crater with Owen as organiser. | |
| Our Charities eg Positive Parenting | Continual but low profile. |
Where: Takapuna Squash Club Lounge, Shea Terrace, Takapuna
Who: Rotary members, partners, family & friends
What: Cash bar, counter meals approx $10-$15
