Visitors: Sanjana France, Nick Barfoot, Phil Paikea (guest speaker)
Birthdays of members and partners & Anniversaries – nil
Guest Speaker Phil Paikea
Buddy introduced Phil, an inspiring guest speaker who had spoken at the White Ribbon Dinner the previous evening.
Phil asked about the Rotary wheel and what it stood for? Kathy came to the rescue and answered including a version of the Rotary four way test.
Born in the Kaipara area, Phil grew up in the era of the six o’clock closing swill. His father didn’t do drugs, but he did do jugs and whenever he got drunk he became violent. Phil’s mother and siblings were often subject to severe violence. He asked if members had seen Once Were Warriors more than once.
Phil ran away from home to escape the encounters with his father, and worked for the Forest Service. He went to parties and drank lots of alcohol and eventually drugs, and became violent himself. He became a founding member of Black Power. His wonderful partner threatened to leave him unless he mended his ways and his first thoughts were to sort her out. However he was dealt with by Judge Rutherford Paul who gave him a break, and he decided to find his partner and reconcile.
Now Phil has been married 43 years and has fostered over 240 kids. Many of the kids had suffered extreme trauma, even including being hit on the head with a hammer. He also works visiting men in prison. These men almost all had poor relationships with their father, but good rapport with their mother.
When Judge Paul died, Phil attended his funeral and thanked him for giving him a break. The judge had seen potential in Phil at a time when Phil didn’t even know what potential meant. Some years later the judge’s son knocked at his door and asked Phil to be patron of his own work with violent men. Then the judge’s wife visited, bringing jars of homemade pickles, a banana cake and a donation towards his work. Very specially, she also gave Phil Judge Paul’s fishing and hunting jacket. This has become his korowai.
Phil ended his presentation by saying that it’s a matter of birth to be a male, but it’s a matter of choice to be a man.
After a standing ovation, Kathy thanked Phil for his story and his ongoing work to prevent violence.
Michele Beaton
Michele is preparing a roster for baitline care in the K Valley. Training will be given.
Rena Documentary Film
Rosalie is working on this project which will be seeking crowd funding to see it come to fruition. Any inquiries to Rosalie. Further information will be emailed to members.
Vaccine Passport
This will now be required for entry to the Tauranga Club. Entrants are required to be double vaccinated and to prove this with the passport either printed or on their phone. These requirements are in order to comply with the traffic light system. Whilst in the club, we should be wearing masks unless seated.
Christmas Tree in foyer
Donations appreciated to help with treatment for ill children.
Sergeant Session: Ken White
Ken noted that he is now in his seventh decade and things are changing with his body. He’s losing hair on his legs but gaining hair on his eyebrows. He’s collected spider veins and lumps and nodules. Ken made some wry observations including:
You eventually stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Beautiful old people are works of art.
You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.
Once over the hill you begin to pick up speed.
The afternoon knows what the morning suspects.
Old age is not bad when you consider the alternative.
Leading into this Mary gave a quick breakdown on her year as President.
Looking for a Ham for Christmas this year, order one through Graeme Dingle Foundation. Not only get the best but it will help support the Foundation.
Due to concerns raised about recent meetings by a number of members of our club, the Board has considered their comments , and we would like to remind everyone that Rotary is an international organisation that exists to provide community service, fellowship, and networking. Rotary’s members are from diverse backgrounds and cultures and as a club we must respect and acknowledge this, recognising that others in our club will have opinions that differ from ours.
Members need to be respectful of others' views. We need to ensure that although we may have strong views on religion, politics, moral and other issues, that we maintain respect for our fellow members and their views.
Members should take care that, when they are addressing the club, that they do not offend others by promoting their own political, cultural or religious views. The odd political ‘jab’ may be acceptable, but these are light-hearted slots - not platforms to convince others of your views or to cause offence to others with different views, beliefs, and values. It is about respect for fellow members.
The Four Way Test sums it up perfectly,
- Will it build goodwill and better Fellowship (Friendship)?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned (Empathy)?
- Is it fair to all concerned (Accountability)?
- Is it the Truth (Trust)?
Let’s go forward into Christmas with a renewed focus, ensuring that we ‘make a difference’ over the rest of the year.
