ROTARY IN LONDON
July/August 2017
The Online Magazine
ROTARY MAKING A DIFFERENCE INSIDE THIS ISSUE Celebrating 100 years of the Rotary’s ‘End of Polio’ Campaign The New Rotary Club of Mayfair Rotary International – Gun Control Bye Law 2.100 Helivan Air Ambulance Fundraiser 100 Bulbs Planted for the Floral display at Canons Park The Online Journal for the Rotary Clubs of London, District 1130 of Rotary International www.rotaryinlondon.org
CONTENTS ROTARY IN LONDON NEW YEAR 2017/18 Editor’s Note RI President Ian HS Riseley Helivan Air Ambulance Handover Farewell from IPDG Helen Antoniou All aboard with DG Mike Hodge
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DISTRICT EVENTS Rotary Foundation Dinner: 100th Birthday New Mayfair Rotary Club Charter
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RIBI Champions of Change at Lords
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INTERNATIONAL RI Board Decision: Arms Byelaw 2.100. The World Greatest Meal: Susanne Rea & Mukesh Malhotra Rotary Wheel Chair Relay
COMMUNITY Planting: Guinness World Record Attempt Enfield Club Chase Donation Grenfell Tower Inferno
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IN FOCUS Mish Mosh (Anonymous) Rotary Moment Being Rotarian Media Focus Hansali Dental Pain Relief Clinic The 55th Annual Sports Dinner Award Rotary in Pictures
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Information is published in good faith, but does not necessarily represent the views of the Editor of Rotary in London or of London District 1130. No liability is accepted for the actions of advertisers, as advertisements are accepted at face value. The Editor welcomes news items, articles, photographs and letters, but is not obliged to publish unsolicited material, reserving the right to edit for clarity and length. Contributors must ensure that material submitted never breaches copyright and must obtain necessary permission in writing for reproduction No responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage to material submitted to Rotary in London magazine.
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EDITOR’S NOTE Mike Hodge on Page 7 concentrates our minds on his envisioned, clearly defined goals of (3 Ps); “people (membership), projects and publicity”, neatly fitting in with Rotary International “Strategic Plan” of: support and strengthen clubs, focus and increase humanitarian services and making a difference in the world. In a Rotary world of dwindling membership the RI President Ian Riseley and DG Mike Hodge have a similar support for the 2016 Council on legislation decisions that “give Clubs more flexibility in Membership and Meetings”, which augurs well for membership recruitment. On the DG’s card is also a rigorous pursuit of “Every Club a Memory Cafe” to deal with the bane of dementia/ Alzheimer plaguing our elderly in the community. A project, which has already taken off in many clubs. Franklin Roosevelt once said: “we cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can always build our youth for the future”. How true! The District enthusiastically welcomes it’s newly Chartered Rotary Club of Mayfair; a mostly dynamic young membership Club, now led by President Andrey Kirikhin, who had done so much to build a “sound structure for continuity and growth” in the Club. In line with President Roosevelt thinking, this magazine reached out to Rotaract member PP Chike Eduputa (Westminster), Rotarian Loubna Afghazi (Mayfair RC) and Arunan Jenanachandran (Barkingside RC) for involvement in the magazine. The emperor was not all naked, but for once Rotary Board stepped out of it’s “apolitical clothes” to reach out to concerned Rotarians across the pond on the question of ‘gun Control’. The question is if this is a future trend for Rotary? The grisly ‘stand alone’, charred and blackened remains of the Grenfell Tower which happened on the 14th June, reminds us all about one of a series of horrific tragedies the nation suffered recently. The country had barely had time to make sense of senseless terrorists carnage of youngsters at the Arianna Grande concert in Manchester arena on the 22nd May, 2017,
A NOTE FROM YOUR NEW EDITOR… I am Margaret James-Cooper, your new editor from The Rotary Club of Barkingside. I have been a Rotarian for eight years; and Assistant Editor for that time duration. With a lifetime career in the Communications/ marketing professions, I feel ideally suited to the role. "Jane Hammond (our ex editor) is going to be a hard act to follow, but I have made a life's career out of following 'hard acts'. Those are the jobs that make for a real challenge, and Rotarians in London can be rest assured that I will do my very best to live up to their expectations. I know that I will get their support for our new editorial team. "There had been problems for Clubs getting their stories into the previous printed editions. With the magazine going on line, those problems are now behind us." You don’t have to be a David Bailey, but good quality photos will be welcomed. I hope that I can count on the support of all the Rotarians in London.
This maiden issue of Rotary In London Online magazine is packed with Rotary matters that will inspire and motivate us all to more involvement and achievements in what Rotary does best: “Service Above Self”. A new Rotary year like New Year resolutions is a time for well-intentioned project proposals by clubs or individual Rotarians. However, our real time contribution often times fall short of our efforts in spite of our best intentions, as MISH MOSH reflects on human frailties on page 24. District Governor
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and then came the Grenfell inferno, which claimed eighty innocent lives, and still counting. The prompt response of the District and RIBI Rotarians to the tragic 14th June Grenfell Tower disaster helped to reinforce Rotary ‘s involvement in Community matters, locally, nationally and internationally, an action exemplified by ‘Shelter Box’, Rotary rapid response partners in world disasters. *The video link and text about the “Helivan” handover to “Air Ambulance” London by the IPDG Helen Antoniou on page 5 says much about the runaway success of her Charity/fundraising project that surpassed itself in expectation. The magic of ‘making it happen’ was left to PDG Trevor Johnson who did not disappoint; in his own words, made London Rotarians rise to the occasion. It would seem the IPDG has found a winning formula in minibuses for her Rotary charities. Who will forget the IPDG’s long drive with District Secretary, PDG Dick Nathan to deliver another ‘fundraised’ minivan to the Chernigov Chernobyl affected Orphanage in Ukraine.
RIP SAM FROBISHER. OWORI R I President Elect 2018-19
Sam Frobisher Owori. Photo Courtesy of Rotary International Evanston, Illinois, United States
Best wishes for the future to the IPDG from all at D1130.
Rotary International President-elect Sam F. Owori died unexpectedly on July 13 due to complications from surgery. Owori ‘s term as Rotary’s 108th president would have begun on 1 July 2018, according the Rotary International website www.rotary.org. Owori was a member of the Rotary Club Kampala, D9200 Uganda, for 38 years. “Rotary has become a way of life for me – with the intrinsic value and core belief in mutual responsibility and concern for one another as a cornerstone,” Owori said, when he was nominated last year. “I feel immense satisfaction knowing that through Rotary, I’ve helped someone live better.” Under Owori ’s leadership, the number of clubs in Uganda rose from nine to 89 over the course of 29 years. His passing is a huge loss and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Thoughts are with his family and friends around the world.
Editor's Photo Courtesy of Duke Ingram Editorial Thanks: Technical Assistance, Sue Jessel
FORTHCOMING EVENTS District Conference: Friday 20 October 2017 Crown Plaza Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon. To book hotel 01789 279 988. Quote ‘Rotary’ as booking reference. 11th MCW, hosted by RC of Paddington: Saturday 9 September 2017 For further enquires contact Mac Purcell https://www.rotary-mcw.com Deadline For Article Submission – Rotary In London Online Autumn Issue: Friday 27 October 2017 Contact: Margaret J. Cooper - Editor Email: ma_grooper@yahoo.co.uk
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IAN H.S. RISELEY Rotary International President 2017 – 2018
we serve and that will continue to develop knowledgeable leaders for generations to come. For many years, one idea has stood at the heart of all our service: sustainability. Sustainable service means our work continues to have a positive impact long after Rotary’s direct involvement has ended. We don’t dig wells and walk away; we make sure communities can maintain and repair those wells. If we build a clinic, we make sure that clinic has a way to keep running without on going support from us. And when it comes to polio, we aren’t working to contain it; we’re working to end it. Eradicating polio is the ultimate in sustainable service. It is an investment that will yield not just a long lasting but also a permanent benefit, on a global scale. It is and must remain our No. 1 priority until the job is done. For 112 years, Rotary has made a difference to more lives, in more ways, than we can ever count or will ever know. Today, each of us bears a torch, its flame lit by Paul Harris, that has been passed forward from generation to generation, in Rotary: Making a Difference.
Dear Fellow Rotarian's, There are as many reasons to come to Rotary, as there are Rotarian's – maybe even a few more. But each of us has stayed in Rotary because it adds something to our own lives. Through Rotary, we are Making a Difference in the world; and the more involved we become, the more of a difference Rotary makes to each of us. Rotary challenges us to become better people: to become ambitious in the ways that matter, to strive for higher goals, and to incorporate Service Above Self into our daily lives. What kind of difference Rotary clubs and individual Rotarian's make through their service will always be their own decision. As an organization, we are guided by the three strategic priorities our Board has set in our strategic plan: to support and strengthen our clubs, to focus and increase our humanitarian service, and to enhance Rotary’s public image and awareness. In the year ahead, our clubs will have the support of a greatly augmented array of online tools, including a refreshed Rotary.org, a simplified Rotary Foundation grant application process, an improved My Rotary experience, and a rebuilt Rotary Club Central. As we look to strengthen our clubs, two specific challenges stand out in our membership: our gender balance and our average age. To keep our clubs strong, we need to build a membership that reflects the communities
Watch the 2017-18 Theme Announcement by Ian H.S. Riseley, Rotary President-elect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU0cxARlFfw
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IPDG HELIVAN PROJECT: SAVING LIVES WITH LONDON AIR AMBULANCE The Rotary in London Helivan was handed over on 23 June 2017, as the Rotary Year was coming to a close. After a year of hard work fundraising, with Past District Governor Trevor Johnson acting as Project Manager, the London District Governor Helen Antoniou had the privilege of handing over the ‘Helivan’ purchased for London’s Air Ambulance (LAA) with funds raised by the Rotary Clubs in London. District Governor Helen said, “The total funds raised of £38,000 for this high profile project is a wonderful achievement, and demonstrates just how effective Rotary is in the 21st Century for our capital city. After this, we will continue to move forward to a bright future for the Rotary
Clubs in London”. The Helivan will be used to promote the work of London’s Air Ambulance, and to encourage children and students to move towards a career in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM subjects). At the same time it will promote all the Rotary Clubs in London and their work in the community. In the photo below are (left to right) Sara Jane Woods – LAA Head of Community Fundraising and Outreach, Mark Wingett – Actor and TV Star, Mark Davies – LAA Director of Development, District Governor Helen Antoniou, and Doctor Michael Kim wearing his LAA uniform.
Watch the video of the Helivan Handover to Air Ambulance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjphZf5eMyo Photo by Adrian Faiers
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A FAREWELL FROM DISTRICT GOVERNOR HELEN ANTONIOU HELEN ANTONIOU 2016 - 2017
Rotarians maintain their concentration and progress on the eradication project Rotary's Number One priority. The role of women in Rotary has also received it's just emphasis, and for that reason I have decided to include this video in my final column in the Rotary in London Magazine Online. None of this would have been achieved without your hard work. And my final words must be to express my deep personal thanks to you all for creating a year that I will never forget.
It barely seems like 12 months since I became your District Governor at the Watford Hilton Hotel, and it seems appropriate that we should cross the road for the handover to Mike Hodge for the year 2017-2018. We have had a momentous year with our Guinness World Record for planting allium bulbs at Canon's Park in North West London, and with the commissioning of the London's Air Ambulance 'Helivan'. The fact that we had a Rotary International President with a personal connection to the eradication of Polio has been an enormous strength for the whole world, and has helped the London
Photo above: Courtesy of IPDG Helen Antoniou. Below left to right: Courtesy of RIL Blog & Helivan/Ambulance by Adrian Faiers.
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A ROTARY DAWN WITH MIKE HODGE DISTRICT GOVERNOR 2017 - 2018 It really is a very great honour to have been elected your District Governor for the Rotary Year 2017-2018. I want you to know that I shall do everything that I can to be worthy of that honour and your trust in me. Our goals in the coming year are clear, and are measurable - as you would expect from an Accountant coming to the office of President of Rotary International. Ian H. S. Riseley comes from Sandringham, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria in Australia. His experience as a Rotarian extends back to the Ukranian nuclear disaster in 1986, and that forms a strong link with the work that our District has done dealing with the long term consequences of that. Ian Riseley is asking us to support the Rotary International Strategic Plan, and I will be making that high-level document a series of simple tasks that Rotarians in London Clubs can work on. It comes down to what I call "The Three Ps" - People, Projects and Publicity. We need more People or Rotarians in Rotary. We understand the difficulties in achieving this and we now know a lot that does not work. But with the inauguration of the Rotary Club of Mayfair we have a model that we can copy. More People will enable us to do more Projects in and around London, and it is those projects that will support finding yet more people. And it is only when we work on Publicity that the non-Rotarians hear about our work. With the exciting Helivan project, and the world record attempt from the planting project last year, we can now concentrate on publicising those achievements, along with the many Club initiated local community projects. We will continue to work on Eradicating Polio, and we need this story also to gain its rightful place in front of the public. These are wonderful achievements, and only when we get the publicity machine running flat out will they deliver the extra people we deserve. In the coming year I will be in London to undertake practical projects in the local community. With a generally aging
Population in the country, most of us will know someone suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s, and the challenges of encouraging members of Rotary and the carers who do a splendid job looking after these vulnerable members of our Communities will be my goal. Memory Cafes or Dementia Clubs provide stimulating activities for carers and people with dementia, which can help, and prevent boredom and aid relaxation. To be most effective, these need to be in close proximity and consequently, I hope all Clubs will consider starting one in their locality to create a network that is readily accessible to a wide population. You can gain further information, guidance and support from appropriate organisations by contacting Bobbie Segal, Chair of the District Community Service committee. Enjoy the coming year and lets all pull together to add our personal contribution to Rotary Making a Difference.
Photo Top: Rotary International Evanston. Below: Margaret James-Cooper
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HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY TRF! Rotary Foundation: 100 Years of Doing Good The incoming President Elect of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI), Debbie Hodge, spoke about the work of the Rotary Foundation both at the Global level as well as at the individual level. Her talk spanned from the famine in East Africa to the decision children in the region have to make of War or Work. The Six Areas of Focus were also covered through individual cases with The Rotary Foundation being the difference. The polio eradication campaign was dealt with in detail too. Debbie finished with a challenge and a call to action so that the Rotarians of today ensure that in another 100 years, The Rotary Foundation is even more effective than it is today. The microphone was then passed to Rotarian Geoff Mackey of the Rotary Club of Cheadle Hulme who used his broad sense of humour and his Northern Ireland accent to great effect in entertaining the audience. His humorous photos had many of us in stitches, including the signs warning of a bull that could outrun most of those crossing his pasture, and his road signs written in Yorkshire dialect. Many were entertained by the pickup truck being chased by inflatable missiles. Being able to celebrate 100 years of The Rotary Foundation was a treat for our generation, but that treat must be preserved and enhanced for the future Rotarians.
The evening started in excellent fashion with music from Rtn Ron Burton, a selection of hot and cold canapĂŠs and a glass of bubbly! Well, how many centenary birthdays are you planning to celebrate! The meal was good value, even though the vegetarian option disappointed some, and the fish option seemed to take forever to be served. The staff did their best however, with fresh hot vegetables being served whenever the main course was presented. With a straightforward dessert we were soon back into the swing of things and our District Governor Elect at that date, Mike Hodge proposed the loyal toast. It has been the custom and practice in our District to celebrate the life and work of Paul Harris at a dinner specially organised for that purpose by the Rotary Club of Barking. This year, The Robert Hunter Founder's Dinner - it was the late Robert Hunter who got the event going - was combined with the birthday celebrations. Dennis Bloomfield spoke movingly about the memories he and the Rotary Club of Barking had of Robert Hunter. Robert has served as Club President twice, and had served as District Governor in 2003-2004. Robert had been a powerful force for good in Rotary, and had also served as an officer in the Salvation Army and on the board of Mencap. Dennis did an excellent job, but was too modest to mention that he had now served in Rotary for more than 50 years.
Photo top Left –Rotarians at the Centennial Dinner. Below: Debbie Hodge, RIBI President Elect 2018-19 and DG Helen Antoniou.
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Cont… photos from The Rotary Foundation Dinner
All Foundation Dinner Photos on Flickr by: PDG Dick Nathan
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A BRAND NEW ROTARY CLUB FOR LONDON: THE MAYFAIR Text and photos by Past District Governor, Dick Nathan- Northwick Park RC. At the Imperial Hotel in Central London on Tuesday 16th May 2017, a large number of Rotarians from London Rotary Clubs assembled to celebrate the presentation of the Charter to the new Rotary Club of Mayfair, UK. DG Helen (pictured above) congratulated all the members of the District Team that had supported the embryo club over several years, and presented the Founder President of the Club, Christoph von Luttitz with the Charter Certificate. Each of the members of the new Club was presented with a "Founder Member" Rotary pin. Membership Chairman PDG David Palmer played an important part in the proceedings and it was the work of his team that kept the provisional Rotarians on track. Also thanked was the President Elect of the new Club, Andrey Kirikhin, who had done so much to build a sound structure for continuity and growth in the Club. As is often the way these days, several members of the Club were away on business on the evening - even as far away as Australia. But by coincidence the London Rotarians were joined by a Past District Governor John Campbell from Adelaide, South Australia who was visiting London and presented the new club with the Rotary Club of Adelaide Light's club banner - one of the first to be presented to the new Club.
Photos by PDG Dick Nathan on Flickr: Top to bottom: DG Helen Antoniou looks on as Club founder Christoph von Luttitz displayed the Charter ‘Certificate. 2, Club members, l-r PDG David Palmer, DG Nominee Mike Wren, IPDG Helen Antoniou and DG Mike Hodge, 2017Bottom- PDG David Palmer on mic and IPDG Helen Antoniou.
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CHAMPION OF CHANGE AWARDS Rotarians at the House of Lords
Basildon’s Florence Nightingale… On top of this, Peju has demonstrated an on-going commitment to improving the living conditions of those in rural Zimbabwe, Uganda and Sri Lanka, showing an international heart for show charity. She has frequently gone beyond her call of duty as a full time palliative nurse, charity advocate, mother, wife, church leader and fundraiser. New for 2017, the Community Champion awards are an extension of Rotary GBI’s Champions of Change awards, as a way of celebrating, the incredible community work of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others in the community. At the House of Commons, Lord Hague of Richmond congratulated each recipient in presenting the awards. He said
Basildon local dedicates life to supporting the elderly. In a world competing for volunteers and volunteer hours, it is more important than ever to recognise unsung heroes. Rotarians work tirelessly to champion change, do good and enhance lives by their initiatives. There are many who do just that — the quiet ones, the industrious ones and the imaginative ones — many of whom go unrecognised. Local Basildon resident, Peju Oluyomi, has been honoured at the House of Lords with Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland’s Community Champion award, for her dedication to supporting local elderly people. Working for Haven of Rest UK, Peju has devoted much of her time to the empowerment and improvement of the lives of the elderly in the Basildon area.
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Rotarians should be extremely proud of their work. Having met the previous week with Bill Gates he said he was aware of the work his Foundation did with Rotary to help towards the eradication of polio. “Together you have contributed more to the health of the people of the world than many nations,” he added. President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Eve Conway, who has been championing polio fund-raising during her year, thanked the Rotarians for all they had done to boost the End Game and praised all the Awardees for their voluntary work. For more information about Rotary’s Champions of Change awards visit: http://www.rotarygbi.org.
Photos: Top: Peju Oluyomi receives her award from Lord Hague of Richmond and Rotary GBI President Eve Conway. Below: DG IPDG Helen Antoniou with Peju Oluyomi and D1130 Rotarians Credit: Chris Woods Photography, London
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RI BOARD DECISION ON FIREARMS BYELAW 2.100. John Borst, PP, RC Dryden Ontario, an ardent fan of Simon & Garfunkel wrote a piece for the “5550opinions” blog called: Rotary, Peace Through Service, Families and Guns in America. Inspired by the twin American tragedies of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, December, 2012, plus the savage massacre at San Bernardino, and encouraged by the aftermath plea for sensible ‘gun-owning’ / “Gun Control Initiatives” of President Barack Obama; he asked: “ What can Rotarians do to help President Obama achieve common sense Gun Control”? He urged Rotarians worldwide; especially Rotarians in USA to rise up as one voice and condemn this “violence within their own house”. He blogged Rotary International inaction, in spite of his persistent, almost perennial calls for action in the following terms: “Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again, Because a vision softly creeping, Left its seeds while I was sleeping, And the vision that was planted in my brain, Still remains, Within the sound of silence”. His Campaign has since paid off in Rotary International ByeLaw 2.100; in accordance with Rotary’s “4-Way Test”. (See symbol “we the four” above). Below is his homage to the Rotary Leaders who made his call to action happen. “Kudos to our fellow Rotarians: John Germ, Ian Riseley, Jennifer Jones, Lin, Ahlberg, Alloneau, Aufranc, Desai, Dinca, Howard, Mulkerrin, Offer, Rattanavich, Rohrs, Carreno, Siva, Trevaskis, Wentz and John Hewko for being the “prophets” who wrote on Rotary’s wall; that Clubs and Districts will no longer glorify “guns, weapons and other armaments”. “It is indeed a “whisper” but it is a start. Now let’s make it a chorus and shout it out and break the “Sound of Silence”.
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THE WORLD’S GREATEST MEAL TO HELP END POLIO A Rotary International Initiative by Susanne Rea and Mukesh Malhotra
MAKING A MEAL OUT OF POLIO Susanne Rea has got a goal – and it is so close, that by the time you read this article, the target will have probably been surpassed. In three years, the World’s Greatest Meal has raised millions of pounds in the fight against polio. Cofounder Susanne Rea explains how. This likeable Australian is one half of the brainchild behind the hugely successful Rotary fund-raiser, “The World’s Greatest Meal; (to help #EndPollio). A polio survivor herself, Susanne is hoping that by the time her countryman, Ian Riseley, becomes Rotary International President at the end of June, the dinner party project will have raised a staggering $7.5 million (£6 million). “The most important thing we are talking about is lives,” explained Suzanne. “Twelve million children have been vaccinated through funding from the World’s Greatest Meal, money which otherwise would not have been there.” Susanne was four-years-old when she woke up one morning and couldn’t get out of bed. Living in Birmingham at the time, she was one of thousands of children in the 1940s who contracted polio and, as a result, spent plenty of time in hospital. “12 million children have been vaccinated through funding from the World’s Greatest Meal, money which otherwise would not have been there.” Since then the battle against polio has become personal, and after joining Rotary at the age of 50, Susanne set about to make a difference to Rotary’s End Polio Now Campaign. Working in partnership with friend Mukesh Malhotra, from the Rotary Club of Hounslow, the pair reached across the
miles in 2014. They harnessed the power of social media to encourage Rotarians to hold their own culinary fund-raisers and donate the proceeds to End Polio Now. The response has been staggering over the past three years, with more than 3,600 events staged in 73 countries across five continents, with 210,000 Rotarians taking part. “Some meals are worth $10, one was worth $67,000. It doesn’t matter, all events are valued and we would love to have you on board. Even if you are having a cup of tea with a friend, you will be helping End Polio,” reflected Susanne when she spoke at the Rotary Conference in Manchester in April, 2017. As a result of spearheading the World’s Greatest Meal Project, Susanne has travelled globally, and extensively to spread her message about Rotary and the fight against Polio. “It is amazing how people from the other side of the world can join together and this is all due, of course, to that wonderful medium Facebook,” said Susanne. There have been 3,738 events in 74 countries, with over 211,000 participants
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raising £1.93 million. “We are such a visual project through social media, we are a sort of public image machine with Rotarians sending in photographs of their events. “I have learnt so much since being a Rotarian. I think those of you in Rotary know what I mean, because you are given so many opportunities to do things and be part of a wonderful organisation.” But even though the end is tangible in the battle against polio, Susanne, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Cairns Sunrise in Queensland, Australia, sounded a cautionary note that Rotarians should not relent in their struggle. Little girls and boys everywhere are still in danger,” she warned. “Polio is still a threat, and where there is one case of polio in the world, then we cannot relax.” Susanne has since been awarded “The Medal of the Order of Australia” in the Queen’s Birthday List of ‘Honour on 12th June, 2017.
SWEET FRUITS OF ATLANTA 2017 A LIST OF PLEDGES TO RI FOR POLIO •$450 million Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • $154.7 million Pakistan • $150 million Rotary International • $134.6 million Nigeria • $75 million Canada • $61.4 million European Commission • $55 million Japan • $30 million United Arab Emirates • $30 million Dalio Foundation • $25 million Bloomberg Philanthropies • $15 million Anonymous donor • $11.2 million - $5 million EasyJet • $5 million Italy Germany • $4 million Korea • $2 million Korea Foundation for International Healthcare/Community Chest of Korea • $1.7 million United Nations Foundation/Shot@Life • $1.03 million Switzerland • $500,000 Luxembourg • $514,000 UNICEF USA • $330,000 Monaco • $130,000 New Era Educational and Charitable Foundation • $60,000 Turkey • $30,000 Malta • $20,000 Spain • $20,000 Accenture Interactive, USA
Article written by: RTN Mintu Ibrahim, Country Co-ordinator; WGMeal. Chittagong RC – Bangladesh.
Watch the video message for the World’s Greatest Meal To Help End Polio Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K2unztfMxs WGM Website: www.wgmeal.com Facebook: @Meal2endpolio
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ROTARY WHEEL CHAIR RELAY TEAM AT STANMORE The Relay that started in Manchester at the Great Britain and Ireland Rotary Conference, under the supervision of Ade Adepitan (on the left) visited Stanmore on 21 April 2017 on its way to the Stoke Mandeville Games. The wheelchair has visited all the Spinal Units in Great Britain and Ireland in partnership with Wheel Power, who were present in strength at Stanmore. District Governor Helen Antoniou took to the wheelchair for the final 200 yards, and commented that being in the chair gave her a different outlook on the event and on the world. Firstly she found it difficult to control – “much harder than I was expecting” – but also, she commented on the fact that it is difficult to look at people eye-to-eye. That was not something she had expected. She added, “This experience has given me much more respect for those that are using
“Disabled people can be heroes too.” Ade Adepitan
Members of Rotary Club Northwick Park were out in a full force. Guests for the event also included the Mayoress of Barnet, and the Deputy Mayor of Harrow.
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ROTARY IN LONDON: GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ALIUM PLANTING ATTEMPT Many Rotarians came to Canon's Park, Stanmore in North West London to support District Governor Helen Antoniou and Foundation Chairman Tom Hunt at the Allium Planting Event, aimed at claiming a Guinness World Record for Rotary for simultaneous planting. The main purposes of the event were to celebrate the Centenary of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, and to celebrate the excellent achievements of Rotary International in working towards the eradication of Polio in the world. District Public Image Chairman, Danielle Benson and her team of other Rotarians worked hard to organise this event. The media were there in force too. We will have to wait and see if the Guinness World Records organisation ratifies our attempt, but it was a very well supported event by the public that brought out a large crowd for the actual planting. For more about www.rotary.org
Rotary
check
View video by Francesca Albini https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCF4s-iLImY
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DO U B L E TWO IC O NIC B R ITIS H S HIR T MA K E R S
Th e Wa ke fie ld s h irt c o m p a ny e s ta b lis h e d in 1940, o ne o f th e big g e s t a nd o ld e s t U K s hirt m a nufac tu re rs is s till m a na g e d b y th e o rig inal fa mily. Th e C o m p a n y s e lls 4 millio n s h irts a ye a r, a s we ll a s c as ua l we ar, tro u s e rs , tie s , a nd a ls o la die s c lo th ing , e x p o rting to 40 c o u ntrie s . Th e ir b ra nd nam e " D o u b le Two " is wo rld fam o u s . Th e y we re awa rd e d th e " Q u e e n's Awa rd fo r Inte rna tio na l Tra d e . " Th e c o m p a n y h a s a g re e d to o ffe r a ny R o ta ry m e m b e r a 10% dis c o unt o ff th e p ric e o f all th eir pro d uc ts , wh e n th e y m e ntio n th e ir R o ta ry c o nne c tio n. In a d ditio n th e y g e t fre e d e live ry in th e U K o n m u ltiple u nits p urc h a s e d. Do ub le Two pro mis e s a fu rth e r 10% o n a ll o rd e rs re c eive d fro m R o ta ry C h a ritie s . “ I u rg e yo u to ta ke a dva nta g e o f th is o ffe r, a s it g ive s yo u a to p c la s s pro du c t, g re at va lu e a nd it raises money for Rotary charities”. Pe te r G e rm a n , C h airm a n P ro je c ts a nd F und R a is ing . Th e R o ta ry C lu b o f S t Ma ryle b o ne .
The Wakefield Shirt Company: The Wakefield Shirt Company Limited is a 2013 Queen's Awards Winner. Fo u nde d: 04 June 1940 C E O : Richard John Donner (Since 1995) Fo u nd e rs : Isaac Donner · Frank Myers
O utle t & C o nta c t: E -m a il –info @ th e o u tle t. c o . u k Te le ph o ne : +44 (0) 2840625151
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ENFIELD CHASE ROTARY CLUB: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY ENFIELD CHASE RC - D1130 DONATE ‘SENSORY EQUIPMENT’ TO AUTISTIC “ZEBRA CHILDREN’S CLUB”.
It was wonderful to see how quickly the children were enjoying the den, and how valuable the sessions are to children and parents alike.”
“Zebra Children’s Club” for autistic children is reflecting on the kindness of Enfield Chase Rotary Club, after being given some new sensory equipment by the club. ‘The Mirror Den’ designed to aid play and exploration, was an “instant hit” with the children, who go there fortnightly. Zebra Children’s Club said that things were “really on the up” and thanked Enfield Chase Rotary Club, who funded the £500 den. Jamie Ashton, of Zebras, said: “The new equipment is fantastic. It was delivered on Saturday, and the children were straight in there”. It can be built in three different ways and it is all about exploring – feel, touch and senses.” Hailed as a “lifeline” by parents, the Zebra Children’s Club was founded two years ago by Jamie and his partner Harriet Piercy, who were struggling to find somewhere for their ten year old autistic son, Joshua Ashton to socialise. The Club, based at Boleyn Community Hall, in St Martin’s Close, Enfield, also has a ball pond, music and arts and crafts facilities, and above all, is a safe social setting where “children can attend without judgment and prejudice”. Last year, dwindling donations and a failed sponsorship deal left the club with unpaid rent, and facing closure; but fortunes have turned. In January, it was granted charity status and is hoping that will open all kinds of doors for future projects, and funding streams. Enfield Chase Rotary Club raised £250, and with a matching grant from The Rotary Foundation, was able to buy this much needed equipment.
Photos by Sue Jessel
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GRENFELL TOWER INFERNO (Culled from Rotary in London Blog: PDG Dick Nathan, (D1130 District secretary). Firstly, we offer a sincere “thank you” to those who have offered support after the Grenfell Tower Fire disaster on 14 June 2017. This is a dreadful tragedy that has devastated so many families, and the scars will take many years to heal. The response from Rotarians and others across Great Britain and Ireland wanting to help has been truly inspirational and shows how strongly we support our communities. Rotary in London (District 1130) is coordinating Rotary’s response locally. If you would like to contribute funds to help support victims and their families you can do so in the following ways: A) Make out a cheque payable to “Rotary Charity Fund (D-1130)” and send it to: Rotary Charity Fund (D-1130) 14 Briar Road, Harrow, HA3 0DR, England Or B) Arrange a bank transfer to: Sort Code: 30-90-39 Account Number: 01368570 Account Name: Rotary Charity Fund (D-1130) Please add “RGF” in the reference if you are a Rotary Club or District. The funds will be applied to programmes that will be long lasting in the community, rather than attempting to provide an immediate response.
The Grenfell Tower Fire occurred in North Kensington, London, England. 14 June 2017.
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MISH MOSH ANONYMOUS
Even after a thousand years as a person I always feel, deep down, a little twinge of excitement on January 1st. I even make New Year resolutions! I will try to eat more healthily, walk more, be kinder to people, be more helpful in the house, etc.... Sadly, like most people, by the end of January all these resolutions are history as I slip back to my old degenerate ways. Even after a thousand years as a Rotarian I always feel, deep down, a little twinge of excitement on July 1st. A new Rotary year is starting: New RI President, New RIBI President, and New Club President. New Theme, New Objectives, New Ideas, New Projects, New ways of doing things, New Service Opportunities... I even make New Year Resolutions! I will attend more regularly, I will volunteer more frequently, I will really try to find at least one new member, I will dig a bit deeper when making charitable donations, I will sit next to that fellow member whom I never seem to sit next to. I will be supportive of new initiatives from my fellow members, I will not dampen someone else’s initiative by saying “we tried that 10 years ago and it didn’t work,” I shall read all the communications from RI, RIBI, and District, I shall reply promptly to all Rotary emails that require a response etc., etc.... I really do intend to do all this but, but sadly, I suspect that by the end of July most of these resolutions will be history as I slip back to my old degenerate ways. I am only human. Sorry
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A ROTARY MOMENT: (Tales of a ‘newbie’ Rotarian) Impressions of a new Rotarian - by Francesca Albini Last summer, at a garden party, I met a beautiful, smiling lady. Her name was Vasi Daniel. She told me she was a Rotarian, past president of her club, and invited me to go to one of their lunches. At the time, my knowledge of Rotary was minimal, and rather inexact. I vaguely remembered that my sister, a scientist, was a Rotarian, and that my dad, an academic, had given talks at Rotary many years ago. I thought that Rotary was a club of highly successful professionals, meeting to socialize and do business together. I thought that they only accepted one member for each profession, and that, therefore, to be a Rotarian was a major sign of distinction. I was intrigued, and honoured to be invited. At the first meeting of the Rotary Club of London, I felt almost intimidated by the elegance of the participants, the formal protocol, with the President’s table, the bell, the standing, sitting, saying grace and toasting at the right time. I also felt very excited by the presence of so many Rotarian and non-Rotarian visitors from all over the world. It seemed like a very powerful, yet harmonious, organization. What I did not expect was how welcoming and amenable everyone was. Vasi told me she was happy to propose me as a candidate and suggested that I come as a guest to their Monday lunches a few times to learn more and to see whether Rotary was right for me, and vice versa. During that time, I talked to many of the members, and learnt that there was much more to Rotary than I had originally thought. There is a spiritual, humanitarian, calling at the heart of Rotary, it is a service club, where people put their skills, energy, time, creativity, give and raise money, to make the world a better place, promote peace, eradicate polio (nearly there), fight other diseases, and combat poverty. Although I was totally ignorant of the charity side of Rotary before, it was a happy discovery, a way to feel that I could contribute to do good in the world, that what I learnt in life could actually be employed for a higher cause. Service Above Self. This is their motto. After going through the membership procedure, being proposed, sending my CV, being interviewed, I finally had my induction in February, and became a full-fledged Rotarian. Since that day, I have done a lot of exploring and learning about this gigantic organization, with over a million members worldwide, and I am more and more fascinated. The first thing I did was to go and visit different clubs. And they really are different. Some are very formal, like my club, others very informal, like the Rotary Club of Pall Mall, who meet in a pub and wear jeans. But when it comes to hard work, and dedication, they are all pretty much the same, the form is different, and the spirit is the same. What is great, also, is the good balance between humanitarian and social, the one reinforcing the other, and both creating a bond that makes us really feel like an international family. I went to Basingstoke for the President’s Weekend, and had a lot of fun. As to my original idea that Rotary was a good organization for business contacts and opportunities, I don’t know that yet, I haven’t really witnessed a lot of business discussions so far. But I was really happy that the skills I offered were immediately accepted and encouraged. I am a creative person with a background in the media and publishing, so I started making short videos for the activities of Rotary in London District that were appreciated, and was asked to join the Public Image team. And this only after three months of life as a Rotarian! It’s a great opportunity for me to hone my skills, and learn new ones, to work for a good cause, and to contribute to widen and strengthen the Rotary membership, by reaching out to wider audiences, and make them aware of this extraordinary, multifaceted, organization.
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BEING ROTARIAN AVENUES OF SERVICE The term " Avenues of Service" is frequently used in Rotary literature and information. The "Avenues" refer to the elements of the Object of Rotary: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service and the Fifth Avenue of New Generations. Although the Avenues of Service are not found in any formal part of the constitutional documents of Rotary, the concept has been accepted as a means to describe the primary areas of Rotary activity. 1."#ClubService" involves all of the activities necessary for Rotarians to perform to make their club function successfully. 2." #Vocational Service" is a description of the opportunity each Rotarian has to represent the dignity and utility of one's vocation to the other members of the club. 3." #Community Service" pertains to those activities which Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their community. It frequently involves assistance to youth, the aged, handicapped and others who look to Rotary as a source of hope for a better life. 4." #International Service" describes the many programs and activities which Rotarians undertake to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace. International Service projects are designed to meet humanitarian needs of people in many lands. 5.The Fifth Avenue, "#Youth Service" recognises the positive change implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership development activities, community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding. Programs include Debating Competition, Rotaract, and Rotary
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Youth Leadership Awards, Summer Science Schools, Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment, Model United Nations Assembly. When a Rotarian understands and travels down the " Avenues of Service," the Object of Rotary takes on even greater meaning.
What is Rotary? Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, the main objective of Rotary is service in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.
MEDIA FOCUS: PERILS ON PAKISTAN POLIO VACCINATORS
Click on the link below for the full article: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/mar/15/polio-in-pakistan-the-frantic-effort-to-eradicate-the-countrys-badge-of-shame
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THE HANSALI PAIN RELIEF DENTAL PROJECT CELEBRATES ITS GLORIOUS 18TH YEAR The Hansali Dental Clinic based in Punjab in India, is a joint project founded in 1999 by Dr Hardev Cooner, PP of Mill Hill Rotary Club, and the Rotary Club of Sirhind; India. Our autumn 2013 and summer 2014 issues covered the activities of the clinic, and had by then, treated, and given free dentures to 129,000 patients in rural Punjab. Sadly, in 2015, the Club lost its chief benefactor, Paul Harris Fellow, Sant Baba Ajit Singh. On the 18th anniversary of the clinic’s existence, and in recognition of it’s extensive Community work. District Governor Helen Antoniou sent both clubs a letter of appreciation.
Photo from left to right shows Dr Hardev Cooner, PP RC Mill Hill presenting DG Helen Antoniou’s letter of congratulations to President RC Sirhind; with General Sehajpal looking on.
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55TH ANNUAL SPORTS DINNER AND AWARDS EPPING ROTARY CLUB: DONE IT AGAIN!!
Hero Award; 5 year RNVR reservist, and former National League basketball player and coach. It was however, a modest “Speaker who centered his talk on “Sports Traider”, a charity he founded to “provide sports kits and support to young people regardless of background of health problems, to enable them fulfill their sporting ambitions and potentials. The Fellowship Cup was lifted by Epping Club for the third consecutive year! Barkingside came second. As Alan Coleman of Barkingside RC will say: ”Bridemaid again as Epping triumph”.
This Fellowship Cup Sports Awards Dinner Evening took place at the prestigious Imperial Hotel, Russell Square in London on the 7th June 2017. Not surprising, it was a male dominated affair, organized by District Sports Chairman Paul Ziles, Barkingside Rotary Club, and his ‘almost’ all male ‘testosterone fuelled, sports-mad team. Surely there must be ‘sporting’ ladies in the District…. I must own up that this Editor is just as guilty!!! This shortfall was made up for by the excellent food consumed, good fellowship, and with a more than excellent Guest Speaker in the person of Lance Haggith. He is winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010 Unsung
Congratulations Epping RC!
Photos by: Margaret Cooper Video Link Below: 55th Rotary Annual Sports Dinner Guest Speaker BBC Unsung Hero Lance Haggith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCYIrJMJTac&feature=youtu.be&a
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ROTARY IN PICTURES
Jan Long and Rotarian Friends completing the O2 Climb for ‘End Polio Now’; Rotarians Adrian Brewer and Mukesh Malhotra @UK Parliament for United Nations Refugee; DG Mike Hodge and DG Nominee Tony Sharma; Helivan Fundraiser @Biennale Art Show, Kensington Town Hall
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