AGM: Alex Gatt's apologies were tabled and accepted and in his absence, IPP Allan Smith stepped in to cover off the Annual Financials as well as his own Presidents Report for the year 2018 / 2019.
The highlights from the Balance Sheet was that Fund Raising in the year was up $10,000 year over year and despite income from Subscriptions being down, the club, (via the Trust), donated in excess of $179,000 to various community projects.
As there were no questions from the floor in relation to the Accounts - John Cornaga moved that the Accounts as distributed be accepted. The motion was seconded by Hugh Scott-Russell and passed unanimously.
IPP Allan then proceeded to present the President's Report for the Rotary year 2018 / 2019. Following the presentation of the report, Allan moved that the report be accepted, John Cornaga seconded the move and the report was subsequently accepted unanimously.A copy of Alan's report is inserted below which can be viewed by clicking "Read More".
Highlights as a President 2018/19 year - IPP Allan Smith
When I joined Rotary Anil was President and he certainly encouraged members to be involved in the Board early in order to really understand what Rotary was about. I did this for a number of years and with Ainee, David and Peter it certainly showed me that there is no right or wrong way to be a President as they all had years that they can be proud of and the Club continues to have a major effect within our community.
The theme that I chose for my year was “actions of choice – inspires communities”
Now I sit here and investigate the year we had I am extremely proud of what the Board and Club achieved both Locally and Globally. I was told recently that in this year the Trust invested something like $179k into the projects and community activities that we supported.
Some have asked me on occasion as to why I did not wear the president’s chain. I wore it when I received it and then when I handed it over to Robyn. Why, the club is not about me but about the team within the club. You as members all contributed to the success of the club and should be congratulated.
Although I am proud of many things some highlights could include:
- The development of Onja as a global project that has been recognised internationally and continues to make a difference in its development.
- Our speaker programme managed by Brian and Mark bought to the club many aspects of community and certainly catered for our young associated members.
- The Board and how they just worked with the projects and made them happen. This resulted in the community being supported in many ways.
- To gain a long-term sponsorship of our Golf Tournament gives some continuity to use to gain revenue and continue to utilise these funds.
- And I was inspired by a number of young speakers who came to our club and showed us that not only NZ, but their impact globally allows us to believe that we are in a good space.
My only disappointment over the year is that we did not attract new members to the club that reflects the diversity of our community. This is a challenge not only for St Johns but all Rotary Clubs.
As I highlight several projects that gained recognition and I again congratulated the champions in bringing these projects to life and showing that we are delivering.
Lastly congratulations to both David and Alex in being recognised as Paul Harris Fellows alongside Peter Walsh who was recognised by the district for his fantastic editorial skills in bringing our bulletin to the members on a weekly basis.
On top of this again congratulations to Ainie, Colin and Beryl for being recognised for their contributions to the District 9920.
All the best wishes
Allan
Past President – Rotary St Johns – 2018/2019