BULLETIN 21st August 2026

Editor: Rhonda Wisbey

Sub Editor: Kathy Webb

Conner Bell - Olympian Discus and motivating speaker

President

Stephen Dorrington

Past President

Shiv Thammalla

President Elect

Henry Kayser

Treasurer

Graham Beswick

Secretary

Kathy Webb

Director Community Service

Ross Mosley

Director Membership and Club Services

Shiv Thammalla

Director New Generation

Chris Dever

Director Environment

Michele Beaton

Bulletin Editor

Kathy Webb

Rotary Foundation

Pat Taylor

If you wish to apologise or register a Leave of Absence Request, please use the links below. Any problems please use contact form and emails will be forwarded. Remember absences need to be submitted before 6 pm on WEDNESDAY to be credited. LOAs require board approval

Apologies

Leave of Absence

Meeting Information

Fridays at 7:00 a.m.

Hotel on Devonport

Tauranga Club
72 Devonport Road
Tauranga, 3110
New Zealand

Send Email to Club

District Site

Visitors: Theo Banks, Huru and Erin, Tom Robbins, Conner Bell, Steve Bell, and John Carlson

Welcome–from President Steve welcomed us warmly and thanked those that attended and hosted – Guess who is coming to dinner”. This has raised about $700 for RYDA

Guest Speaker

Connor Bell – Olympian – Discus Paris 2024

Connor is a very impressive speaker. Very engaging and discussed his journey to become an Olympian – From a tiny lifestyle block in rural Auckland and a school of 60 pupils to secondary schools in Auckland’s North Shore. Connor described the drive, the dream and the necessary support from family and mentors to achieve the Olympic dream. Bell is an Olympian, a two-time world championships finalist and 14-time national senior and age-group champion. Tom holds the NZ record throw at 69.51m set in Oklahoma in April 2025 which gained Connor Olympic selection.

Connor described how after the Olympics were over, he reflected on the excitement of the games and professional sport, but what really meant most to Connor was the human connection made in the sport, the empathy and support of those around him.

Connor is now a fulltime Psychology Student using his experience as a platform for education, storytelling and mentorship working parttime in schools and the wider athletic community.

Notices & Announcements

20.9.2026 K Valley Planting 5000 trees in the Marshall Ave area.
5.9.2026 Dementia collection at Fraser cove.
AI course for Volunteers is available – See detail below.
4.9.2026 Rock and Roll Bash – Omokoroa Rotary Club at Omokoroa.

Raffle:.

No one claimed the ticket so we gave the bottle of Sav to Connor.

Sergeant at Arms

Phil Mangos – who was welcomed by President Steve . Steve reflected on Phil’s previous sergeants’ session where he spoke of the demise of the hedgehog. Steve then advised us that he learnt as a 15-year-old that hedgehogs ate snails that fed on Marijuana plants in forests, stoned hedgehogs were then brave enough to cross the road. Sometimes not successfully.

The real sergeant’s session from Phil today compared the Kenny Rodgers song “the Gambler “to Rotary behaviour.

Know when to hold’em - a member who wont let an idea die

Know when to fold’em – agrees to do something then folds at the last minute and lets you down

Know when to walk away – when someone approaches say “ have you got a minute”

Know when to run – A member stands up “we are looking for volunteers”.

And the one Kenny forgot

Know when to shut up. – May have been the most useful advice of all.

Parting Thought from : Dan Allen Gordon

Banias from Gaza speaking at her destroyed school graduation

“School is more than a building, it’s a place where we learn hope is stronger than fear, a place where dreams are born and the future begins.”

Next Week’s Duties:

Attendance this week:

Today's attendance
Attendees Members	18
Apologies	8
LOA	5
Silent	3
TOTAL	34
Guests	7

Course: Introduction to AI

When: Monday 12^th October

Time: 5-7pm or 6pm-8pm (to miss peak hour traffic)

Location: Omokoroa Sports Pavilion (unless someone has a better location in town)

Cost: $25 pp

Content: to be refined but this is what the facilitator wrote:

I'd love to do a practical, jargon-free session for the community and I like the idea of helping demystify AI for people who aren't tech-first, with a real focus on volunteers, community groups and local organisations. No hype, no overwhelm, only useful tips and tools people can take home and use.

Here's what I'd cover in roughly 90 minutes, with 30 minutes for questions:

- What AI actually is, in plain English, and the difference between tools and models
- How to ask it the right way so you get genuinely useful answers back
- Real volunteer and community use cases: drafting your meeting minutes for you, writing a funding application, pulling together a newsletter or comms plan, even reviewing a budget
- Fun local examples, like a one-pager a group could make in minutes (a "birds spotted this month" sheet, or a "what's on at the library this week" flyer)

More info soon….

Board meeting summary ---(new item! for monthly inclusion)

Our last Board meeting was on Wednesday 19 August and it was a race to finish the discussions within an hour. Here is a very summarised summary.

Politicians: May attend Rotary events and meetings, but must not campaign
Subs are due - discussed how credits are managed
Public Rescue Equipment: Proceed, subject to grant; Rotary contribution currently $2,100.
Setting up a Fundraising Centre of Excellence
Establish a mechanism for an annual Rotary Exchange Student
Membership: Erin and Huru applications proceed; David Hill remains pending.
Environmental Trust: Reinstate $500 annual contribution. Community Planting day and establishing a community care group - 22 November - guided walk around K Valley
Youth programmes: Apply to TECT/Bay Trust for funding, including RYPEN.
Preventing Domestic/family violence regional project: Support in principle; details to be confirmed.
GST registration: Not required at this stage.
Future meeting venue: Consider Lakes relocation noted for future strategic discussion.

Important notice for all Rotarians.

All documentation mentioned is on this link

District 9910, District 9920, and District 9930 will come together to form the new Rotary District 9995 from 1 July 2028.

This is an exciting and significant opportunity for Rotary in our region bringing together clubs and members across the North Island and the South Pacific which will create new opportunities for collaboration, leadership, friendship, and outcomes for greater community impact.

We are pleased to invite nominations for the position of District Governor (DG) 9995 2028-2029. Nominations are now open and will close on 11^th September

The successful candidate will play an important role in shaping the future of our new district and helping guide Rotary through this significant period of transition.

Please refer to the attached Guide to the Role of District Governor 2026-2029 which provides further information about the position, including the proposed duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

This is a new approach to district leadership

The District Governor role within District 9995 will be supported by a strong District Board and leadership team comprising skilled, experienced, and dedicated Rotarians and Rotaractors who will work closely with Rotary Community Groups and clubs across this new district. Changes to the District Governor role are also being explored as part of the Rotary South Pacific Regionalisation Pilot.

The pilot is currently scheduled to conclude in June 2028.

Candidates should be aware that the responsibilities of the District Governor for 2028–2029 are expected to be different from the current District Governor role as defined under Article 16.030 of the Rotary International Bylaws. Work is in progress to consider the future structure for Rotary South Pacific, including responsibilities of district leadership.

An opportunity to shape our future and Future leadership opportunities

This is much more than an opportunity to take on a district leadership position. It is an opportunity to help shape the culture, direction, and future of a brand-new Rotary District.

We recognise that the creation of District 9995 will provide a range of new leadership opportunities for Rotarians.

The person appointed will have the opportunity to bring people together, encourage new ideas, strengthen relationships between clubs and help establish a leadership model that reflects the changing needs of Rotary and our communities. We encourage Rotarians who are passionate about Rotary, enjoy working with people, embrace new ideas and believe in the potential of our new district to consider putting themselves forward.

The successful DGN will be required to attend Governor Nominee Leadership Training in Melbourne during the last week of October 2026.

Forms included in the attachment

District Governor Nominee form. This must be filled out and signed from your club Secretary and yourself and returned to Convenor District 9930 PDG Ross Pinkham rotaryd9995@gmail.com. Question and Answer template is provided if you require the template to complete the nominee form
A guide to the role of District Governor 2026-2029 is for your information only. Any questions, please refer back to DG 9910 Mitch Brown, DG 9920 Joyti Singh or DG 9930 Janine Branson
Matrix to describe duties and responsibilities of a District Governor
Rotary South Pacific DGN Letter 2028-2029. The candidate statement must be filled out and signed by yourself and returned to Convenor District 9930 PDG Ross Pinkham rotaryd9995@gmail.com