AUGUST 2021

Club visits summary page 5

District Dashboard page 7

Thought for the month page 7

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Maddy’s WebMaddy’s WebDistrict Governor’s NewsletterDistrict Governor’s Newsletter

District 9370District 9370

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Faced by challenges, disadvantages and negative events, we know one thing for sure: our experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of our biggest advantages. In times like these, we learn who we are and what it is we can do! Rotarians have learnt how to deal with challenges and op-portunities alike. The new-look Rotary has taught us that holding onto Rotary values and protocols whilst implementing change may not always be an easy task, but it promises to be thoroughly exciting. Change is never comfortable. But it IS necessary and inevitable. We have one choice: forward!

But sometimes forward means without someone…My deepest condolences to every member and household who has lost a loved one to the pandemic - the magnitude of which has left us speechless and shattered. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of committed Rotarians whose voices have been quietened and whose places will remain empty. It would be remiss of me to not bid a special farewell to our only Arch Klump Society member, Dries LÖtter, whose quiet smile will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Dries.

Across the country, united in sickness, death of loved ones, rioting and destruction, regardless of race, language or religion, Rotarians continue to work side by side. Our people are connecting in grief for loved ones, and a way of life from ‘before’. And in this all, I am reminded of Nelson Mandela’s words: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

May these words resonate in the heart of every South African and every Rotarian and propel us forward to continue to Serve to Change Lives.

Looking forward page 2

Foundation

District Governor ; Madeleine WebberEmail : admin@rotary9370.org.za | Phone : 082 333 8730 |

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Polio page 3

Empowering girls page 3

Projects page 4

Welcome to the new year - the year of the ‘Change makers’!

District 9370 Established 1 July 2013 Club Runner

You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.

(Michelle Obama)

LOOKING FORWARD

Now that we have all had time to settle and adjust into our new positions let’s explore our exciting journey ahead…

Our Rotary International President, Shekhe Menhte referred in his speech to the slogan: GROW - each one bring one. I invite you to bring yourself to Rotary fully - get excited, become engaged, feel the passion and the pride of being a Rotarian. And for goodness’ sake: have fun! Engage in fun projects and fund raisers. Once we can do that, we will entice people to join Rotary.

Grow more, do more. We need to grow in strength. We need to assess our clubs and invite skilled people to join. The more skills and members, the bigger projects we are able to undertake. But more than that, this also lessens the burden of all our members. Sharing the workload is a goal in itself. Rotary membership offers us much that we do not always utilise. Let me invite you again to exploit all on offer. We have the support. We have the skills. We have the knowledge. We have the passion. It is up to us now to make the year ahead amazing!

I am often privileged to witness the beaming smiles of faces of the beneficiaries of a global or district grant project. I always want to burst with pride at the knowledge that I belong to an organization that achieves extraordinary projects through their funding. I also know that this is only possible and will only continue if donations are received. If donations stop, our ability to continue assisting our communities may very well cease. I would like to encourage ALL clubs to donate to the foundation. As a district, we are providing each club with a resource to raise funds. Currently it is the raffle of a fridge. The funds raised through the raffle will be donated to the foundation. Interact ticket sales may retain 50% of these toward their club funds - and the other 50% will go toward the Club’s Foundation donation.

The district challenge is for every member to donate $26.50 (about $2.65 over the next 10 months) to the foundation. Clubs can challenge members to think out of the box and find fun ways of raising the funds individually or in pairs. For example: host a Bring/Braai & Share; Heads & Tails for wine or an unwanted gift; home produce sales; family raffles; virtual lessons… the opportunity to raise thesefunds is endless!

FOUNDATION

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POLIO

Like Covid, Polio was worldwide.

We cannot contemplate the damage of Polio. Since Rotary started this programme, the wild Polio virus has almost been eradicated. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation partners with Rotary and donates $2 for every $1 we raise toward polio eradication. This is truly remarkable. Hopefully our grandchildren will never know what Polio is and one day soon, it will only exist in Google history.

Our aim is to raise massive awareness about Polio, and to donate to this Rotary initiative.

REMINDER: The district would like to encourage all clubs to host a 5km walk/run event on 24 October, on World Polio Day. PLEASE: promote Polio awareness, live stream the event, share on your face book and donate the funds raised to the Polio fund.

Polio Plus Society: Every Rotarian who donates and pledges to donate $100 annually ($10 every month over 10 months) and continues to do so every year will be recognised with the Society pin.

Passionate about the empowerment of girls, our RIP has formed the Empowering of Girls Committee with regional ambassadors. Our region is headed by PDG Annemarie Mostert from D9400. It is my pleasure to announce that D9370 will be represented by two very confident and committed young ladies:

Congratulations! to Hennah Soorjee, a Rotaractor from East London, and Khanya Marumo, ex-Rotaractor and current Rotarian from Lesotho. I know they will add much value and make a significant difference. We’re behind you all the way, ladies!

FOR INFO

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR..........

ABOUT OUR UPCOMING4-PART VIRTUAL SESSION…

EMPOWERMENT OF GIRLS

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We’re all responsible for creating a polio-free world while we still can.Bill Gates

DISTRICT VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER : ZOOMATHON - 4 SEPTEMBER 2021

We are hosting our first District Virtual Fundraiser to assist small uninsured businesses to become operational. This fundraiser is not a feeding scheme initiative. It is aimed to assist businesses to become operational so they may employ people to look after themselves. We are applying the ‘fishing rod’ rather than the ‘feeding-a-fish’ approach.

You can contribute and participate by sharing the poster far and wide and encouraging people to attend.

By now you would have received Clive Hassell’s email regarding D9370’s forthcoming Zoomathon fundraiser in aid of our KZN disaster relief.

Three things will make this event successful:

• SUBMISSIONS (videos or presentations) from clubs in the area showcasing their assistance

• CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS as per the attached document (Word and PDF versions).

• SPONSORED ADVERTS FROM ABSOLUTELY ANY COMPANY. Rotarians are business people, and this is a commercial exercise. We’re not asking Rotarians to dig into their own pockets yet again. We are however looking for sponsored adverts (videos, presentations or still images) to be run during the Zoomathon. These can be from absolutely any company - local, national or international, and not only those of Rotarians. Stills or short movies are acceptable - prices starting from R25.

Please give these requests your serious and urgent attention. For any questions or suggestions please contact: Clive Hassell: crh@webafrica.org.za

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PROJECTS

We are applying the ‘fishing rod’ rather than the ‘feeding-a-fish’ approach.

RC Hibiscus Coast ACC centre AG Anne Thompson, Rtn Victoria,

President Brian, and Alice

Rotaract President Nadine, DG Maddy, President Tina, President Ann Twiggy and DG Ann Arlene

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RC CHATSWORTH

I had the pleasure of attending the Induction of President Tina of the Chatsworth Rotary Club, and of President Ann, Twiggy, on Sunday 19th August 2021. A truly ‘worthy’ event equally as stylish as the members attending!

RC HIBISCUS COAST

During my visit to RC Hibiscus Coast I had the privilege to meet the most colourful personality, Alice, at the ACC Beading and Sewing Project. Their building was constructed with the assistance of the E-Club One of South Africa and here girls are taught to bead and sew items which will be sold on Saturdays and Sundays at the Hibiscus Coast permanent market.A most inspiring and humbling visit to Tent City, where homeless individuals are housed in tents, was guided by a very proud gentleman named Oupa (as he is fondly referred to by all, even though he is younger than many of the residents). Despite my anticipation to possibly see despair, I was delighted to be met by hope, happiness, and a very caring community of people. The residents follow a work roster and I was told that when people need peace, they work in the well-tended vegetable garden.

PS: SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS are always welcome…AND TENT CITY is totally reliant on DONATIONS OF BEDDING AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS… please contact the Hibiscus Coast club if you can assist.

Lunch at a rather unique Western restaurant was fol-lowed by a scenic tour of the town and informative visits to some fund-raising sites. The superb Induc-tion function the evening was a true Rotary style af-fair attended by enthusiastic members whose evident friendship and fellowship was absolutely infectious.

CLUB VISIT SUMMARY

RC Hibiscus Coast Induction/ DG visit DGE Gavin, DG Maddy, President Brian

RC of Chatsworth Board

A visit to the Flower Foundation

RC Port Shepstone Visit President Shamin, IPP Reggie, Rtn Frank and AG Ann

RC PORT SHEPSTONE

I asked for passion projects and on the Tuesday this was exactly what I witnessed at the Rotary Club of Port Shepstone. President Shamin, IPP Reggie and Rtn Graeme treated me to a tour of the Flower Foundation, a quaint accommodation facility for pensioners. The residents were as charming as their managers, and their affection for the Rotary club members was evident. I was particularly touched by how Flower Foundation allows a surviving partner to stay on in their unit once a spouse has passed. What a special way to honour the memory and space of long lives spent together.

I met ex-Rotarian Dudu and it was heart-warming to see dedication and passion translated into an extremely effective centre for rape victims. Thank you IPP Reggie for a copy of Dudu’s book. The ongoing Hope Park project will in future provide the local community with a wonderful venue for families and the youth.

Notwithstanding the high expectations of the long-term outcome, I am sure the venue will soon be functional, judging by the out-of-the-box ideas of an enthusiastic

President Shamin and team. Many thanks also to President Shamin, IPP Reggie amd Rtn Frank for the lovely peaceful lunch we enjoyed along the riverbank.

The evening club visit was an informal, comfortable, circle of companionship. An unceremonial report-back was followed by a banquet of delectable dishes provided by members in true Rotarian bring-and-share fashion. The delightful cupcakes (complete with Rotary wheel decoration), especially baked by the ‘brand new’ Rotary Ann, were a definite win!

What an honour it was to meet 3 uniquely different individuals who serve their clubs as Presidents, yet united in their commitment, passion and deep desire to serve to change lives. And AG Ann: attentive, knowledgeable and up-to-date about the clubs in her group, but more so, engaged, connected and fully entrenched in her task of service above self.

#heartishappy - until next month…Warm regards,

DG MADDY

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DISTRICT DASHBOARDDISTRICT 9370 1 JULY END JULY GOAL

Membership 1267 1261 1500

Rotary Clubs

Satelite Rotary Clubs

85

1

85

1

90

10

Rotaract clubs

10 10 25

Club Foundation Giving

EREY Members @ $26.50 annually

0 $1412.24

4

$50K

Polio giving

Polio Plus Society

0

0

$1448.65

0

$42K

200

PHF Society

PHF Giving 2021-2022

3

0

3

2

10

20

THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH