Ticking towards 100 years
Rotary in New Zealand, Australia, and Oceania is heading rapidly towards our 100th celebrations (1921-2021) and as such some new promotional banners and logos have been put out. One of the new logos is shown above and we have been asked to make use of the logos on our communications over the next year - please get in touch if you need a logo emailed to you or otherwise they are available on line.
A wee reminder of the 2 main fabulous initiatives that are being undertaken to celebrate the centenary.
(abridged from story on Rotary9940.org)
'Mana Tangata: People of Action' is the working title of a coffee table publication being crafted by professional historian Dr Stephen Clarke.
Begun in Chicago in 1905, Rotary was established in New Zealand in 1921 when clubs were set up in both Wellington and Auckland. The idea was that people from a range of vocations would meet together on a non-political and non-religious basis to enjoy fellowship and work for the betterment of their community. The abiding principle was ‘Service Above Self’.
Over the subsequent century Rotary in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands has expanded to over 265 clubs and 8000 members. It has made a huge contribution to the improvement of New Zealand and Pacific Islands society through grants and direct assistance in many fields of social enterprise – the welfare of children, education, public health, the environment, encouraging the local economy. Many voluntary institutions, furthermore, were kick-started by Rotary.
The history will tell this important story.
It will describe the development of Rotary as an institution – its changing composition, its geographical spread, its ways of working – against the wider context of New Zealand and Pacific Islands’ society and culture. Its flax roots story of clubs and members will feature large. It will explore and explain the different forms of service undertaken by Rotary over the years, the impact which Rotary initiatives have had on the communities of New Zealand and the Pacific. Case studies of notable projects will feature. It will also establish what was distinctive about the New Zealand and Pacific contribution to the international Rotary movement.
This book will not only tell the Rotary story, of its service in the community and place in New Zealand and Pacific Island society for 100 years, it will inform future actions for the next 100 years.
Themes
Although the book will obviously be of interest to clubs and members this is an important story for all New Zealanders as it touches on the social, economic and cultural history of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands over the past century. In telling this history three major themes will be explored.
What does the story of Rotary tell us about the changing importance of service in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands?
‘Service’ is at the core of Rotary principles, ethos and actions. Rotary was the first of the American service clubs to land in New Zealand and the Pacific. Service and its social function will be a major focus of this centennial history.
What has been Rotary’s contribution to New Zealand and Pacific Islands society?
Rotary illuminates New Zealand’s welfare state through the significant niches it has filled and also provides an insight into the role of clubs as the foundation of civil society, especially in a settler society. This book will also contribute to our understanding of New Zealand and Pacific Island social history as it relates to men’s and later women’s voluntarism; the history of philanthropy/social enterprise, children’s, health and welfare organisations as well as youth internationalism; and the role of non-governmental organisations in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands place in the world.
What has been New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Rotary’s contribution to the international Rotary movement?
What distinguishes the New Zealand and Pacific Islands experience of Rotary at the edge of its international wheel? What has been the extent of its contribution and influence on Rotary International?
Rotary is rightly proud of its history. This landmark publication will enable clubs and members to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in New Zealand and the Pacific in 2021, and with it the ability to share their story with their community, with the nation, and with fellow Rotarians around the world.
The second huge undertaking is the 'Give Every Child A Future' project in partnership with UNICEF.
The goals of this project are to protect 100,000 children from rotavirus, pneumococcal disease and cervical cancer, across nine Pacific Island Countries: Nauru, Tuvalu, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Kiribati and Tokelau over three years:
- HPV vaccine for girls to prevent cervical cancer in later life
- Rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines for all children to reduce illness and deaths from gastroenteritis, pneumonias, meningitis and bacteraemia
To strengthen the immunisation programs in each country so that these vaccines continue to be delivered to future generations of children.
In partnership with UNICEF, Rotary will develop and implement immunisation programs that will deliver three vaccines to children across nine Pacific Island countries. Working with these countries governments we will ensure the programs are sustainable, protecting families for generations to come.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced in November 2018 that it would provide financing to the governments of Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to introduce these three vaccines. Independently Rotary will fund some regional and other supporting activities in those four countries. It will also fully fund a similar program in the other five countries independently of ADB.
Wow some great things to start thinking about. Big thanks to Jim Rayner who has compiled all our club information for the Mana Tangata project. I will certainly be looking forward to obtaining a copy.
I was gutted to miss Matt's talk last week, and the feedback has been that it was an excellent presentation. Well done Matt, I will have to catch up on it all at some stage.
Thanks Alan, Dylan and co who stepped in for me for the evening.
After hiding from the cold for most of the weekend, the chill out today was a bit rough but envigorating?!?! (Scottish blood)
I hope you all have a lovely week and will catch up at Calix's farewell evening on Thursday
Best wishes,
Sharyn
