Tawa Rotary is connected and generous

Tony Heyward, DG Martin, IPDG Simon, President Andrew Watson

It was a real pleasure for Denise and I to visit our home Club of Tawa.  We decided to visit Tawa Rotary early in our Club visit schedule so our fellow members could hear the messaging we are giving this year - about our challenges and opportunities and what we have achieved and are capable of achieving as Rotarians.
Tawa Rotary has several members who serve on various District Committees and this allows the Club to remain up-to-date with new initiatives, changes and opportunities.  It is a real privilege to be the second District Governor from Tawa Rotary.  PDG Pat Waite is still heavily involved in District matters, providing specialist advice to Clubs and of course chairing the District Conference in April 2017 in New Plymouth.
There was still a definite Taranaki flavour to our visit as both Pat and Melva Waite and Wellington 3 Cluster's Assistant Governor Lee Wilkinson are, like me, all originally from Taranaki.
Tawa Rotary is one of 16 Clubs in our District who have given more than NZ$100 per member to The Rotary Foundation and were awarded a Centurion Club certificate.  It would be great if DGE Mitchell Brown is able to award many more than 16 certificates next year as a result of Club's celebrating 100 years of The Rotary Foundation doing good in the world through Rotarians like you.

AG Lee Wilkinson, Helena Sader, DG Martin

On a sad note, this was the last meeting for Rotary International Youth Exchange student Helena Sader from Brazil.  Helena returns home this weekend and we are sure she has a great future ahead of her.  Our RIYE students really add vitality to our Clubs and Tawa Rotary has decided to accept another RIYE student for the 2016-17 year.              
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a District PHF Sapphire pin by Immediate Past District Governor Simon Manning to Tony Heyward.  Tony was recognised for the visioning sessions he has carried out for numerous Clubs over the years helping them to develop a strategic focus and vision that increases their vibrancy, membership and service to their communities.