President "Resilient Robyn" welcomed a small crowd of only 24 members. Both Robyn and Hugh updated the gathering on some highlights from last weeks Board Meeting and the very successful Board Strategy Meeting held last weekend. Members look forward to learning more over the next few weeks and next weeks "Committee" Meetings will be the perfect opportunity to start learning..
Unfortunately our Guest Speaker Janine Ewan, from Dove Hospice, had to attend to a personal incident overnight and was unable to join the meeting. However, President "Resilient Robyn" slipped into ad lib mode and immediately launched Plan B, seamlessly. Simon was coerced into stepping-up in Janine's absence, but more on that shortly.
Also scheduled to speak this morning, in the Snap Chat spot, was David Hartstone to update us all on the status of our upcoming Golf Tournament". It is now only 3 and a half weeks until the Tournament Tees off and to date we only have sponsors for four holes, out of 18 and 3 teams registered to play, way way short of the numbers needed to make this close to a successful fundraiser. Lesley is in the process of securing the volunteers needed to run the event on the day, but the need for more sponsors, teams and prizes is starting to reach a critical stage. If any members have business contacts, friends or family who would like to play and/or sponsor in some way - please contact David asap!
David has also just returned from a three week golf tour of Cambodia and Vietnam. David found the tour astounding, beautiful people, great food, great scenery and fantastic golf on immaculate manicured golf courses. He also saw unbelievable poverty in many places and he was reminded on numerous occasions of just how lucky we are to call New Zealand home! David's next trip is another golf tour - this time to the Canadian Rockies.
Simon was then invited to share some thoughts on Dove Hospice, the work they do in the community and the relationship with St. Johns Rotary. Dove has three full-time staffed beds within the St Andrews Hospital and Village complex. The Hospice employs 65 paid medical and admin staff and 450+ volunteers, who are mainly required to operate the six Hospice Shops across the Eastern Suburbs.Apart from offering care and treatment to terminally ill patients, Dove is also offering more and more services to caregivers and families of the patients. All services are funded without one dollar from the Government, with funding coming from revenue from the shops, bequests and donations.
St. Johns Rotary has had an association with Dove Hospital since we were established and we can be very proud of the ongoing association in the following way; Isabella has been the patron for 30 years, Gary Key recently stepped down from the Board, after 10 years service, Graham Fabian is currently the Chairman of the Board and Simon is a Board Member. Over the years our club has also been involved in other ways and the Board are keen to see this relationship, not only retained, but grown - watch this space.
A huge thank you to Simon who stepped at the last minute to make the Presentation which was excellently presented with passion and enthusiasm.