Dear Members,

I write to you as the 2011-12 Rotary year closes to thank you for your time in Rotary this past year.

As outgoing Club President I feel happy and proud to have brought the Rotary message to thousands of people in the Papua New Guinea. In many ways it’s been an amazing 12-month journey.

Reflecting briefly on the year, we started with a record breaking fund raiser at the Black Tie Ball which put the Club on a high financially and operationally. Another early accomplishment was the adoption of a well thought out three year club leadership plan.

To my Secretary Rob Schilt – my highest praise goes to you. Despite Rob’s return to Australia in October last year on medical grounds and while setting up and developing his own business down there he continued to work diligently behind the scenes to make this year a wonderful, active and memorable experience through secretarial and webmaster services – my gratitude.

This and other administrative work, including Mark Flewin’s wonderful stock database put structure and systems into our Club operations that will sustain the merged organization well into the future.

On the downside we lost most of our Board of Directors and some other members throughout the year due to work contracts etc. This has highlighted to me the great need to introduce more professional Papua New Guineans to the wonderful world of Rotary.

Despite the struggles, the Club achieved one of its most active years in terms of project delivery outcomes and making positive changes to people’s lives in the Lae community.

There have been 20 medical centres assisted which services tens of thousands of people, help to Angau Hospital, a dozen schools and countless aid-posts assisted. When the Labu people suffered real health stress due to contaminated Markham water, Rotary was immediately on hand to assist. When hundreds of people were displaced after riots in October and November around Lae, the Club was there to help those people. One of the reasons this has been possible is due to the Friends of Rotary network. I strongly recommend that the newly merged Club maintains and strengthens this group. But the main reason is the hard work and planning by you the members.

On another note, it so happens that I will be recorded as the last President of the Rotary Club of Lae. Remember, this Chapter ends but another begins and to put it in the words of my dear friend and Vice President Cesar DeWindt, “the Wheel of Rotary keeps on turning”.

I wish the merger of Lae and Huon Gulf Clubs well and I’m sure the concentration of effort will serve our community well.

To Incoming President Larry Hulo, I wish you and Corrie well with your year as the Inaugural President of the Rotary Club of Lae-Huon Gulf. I look forward to your principled leadership and ask members to give you their willing and active support.

Finally, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the countless and wonderful ways in which Rotary makes a difference in the world. And I have witnessed the tireless, selfless efforts, and dedication of the many Rotarians who are willing to help others in improving their lives. Rotary truly is “Humanity in Motion”. I trust that you might have experienced that too and “Reached within to Embrace (your) Humanity”.

Whatever we have done as a Club in 2011-12, has only been possible because we did it together. Thank you.

Your in Service,

Anthony Whitfield

Afternoon Members,

Many thanks for all involved in today’s community projects drop to the sub-health centre at Situm. The six (6) specialized hospital beds and medical equipment/consumables were gratefully received by Cathy Joe and her staff. A small crowd of locals gathered for a toksave and plenty of kids enjoyed the snacks, cool drinks and balloons (great idea Kylie!).

When you understand that the sisters at the centre have more than 8000 people in there surrounding area to service and have hundreds waiting for attention on a daily basis you realize that the equipment Rotary gives goes a long way to ease the suffering of people seeking medical attention. It is a long Rotary supply chain to ensure beds get to their final destination but we do the very important last step as a Club of ensuring that people in genuine need get help. Having a functioning health centre at Situm takes some burden of Angau Hospital as well, so there is a double benefit to the Lae community. As one of the Rotary logo’s say, Humanity in Motion.

Today’s drop allows us to empty and return containers to their rightful owners. Mark Flewin’s stock control system has been a godsend for the club…..actually Mark Flewin has been a godsend for our club.
So, thanks to all for putting up with the heat and the flies and the dust and sweating a bit to get the job done.

Special thanks to:

1. Rotarian Andrew Falconer who brought a visiting Rotarian Mark Hanlon along from the Rotary Club of Cambridge (New Zealand) for the experience;
2. Larry Hulo and SVS for the loan of their truck and staff for the delivery; and
3. Also, our Club’s best friend Namea Nou and other friends from Mark Flewins work team at Seeto Kui (as well as the snacks provided); and
4. Partners and children of Rotarians who helped along the way!

Please send any pics you can to our diligent webmaster and he’ll upload to our website no doubt. See you all Tuesday night.


Regards,


Anthony Whitfield
President 2011-2012

Good Morning All,

A few items to share with you below:

Morobe Show

I write to ask for your help next weekend (15th & 16th October) at the 50th Annual Morobe Show. As you know, the Club is partnering with RC Huon Gulf and they have asked us to run the Lucky Tickets stall again. Around about 8hrs each day, split into two (2) X 4hr shifts. Minimum of 12 people per shift. Please consider involving your partner or a trusted staff member/(friend of rotary) to make up these needed numbers.

Recall from Hans Mehl’s presentation to our Club meeting last Tuesday night that we have committed to this as a club by buying in on the tickets two years ago (2009/10).

In Year 1 (2009/10 Rotary Year)) the show was canceled due to cholera outbreak.

In Year 2 (2010/11 Rotary Year) the revenue raised covered the cost of the tickets and a few other set up expenses (please see attached financial report).

In Year 3 (2011/12) all money raised will be clear profit, so this is a great opportunity to put some funds into the clubs coffers (smile Mr. Treasurer!).

We are on a 50:50 arrangement with RC Huon Gulf. Based on last years takings, this could represent income between K12,000- K15,000 to our club. This money will go along way to assist us in achieving the goals we’ve set ourselves in the Club Leadership Plan.

Category “C” Schools Project Delivery

Tomorrow Sunday, from 11am at my workplace in Speybank Street we will take the first lot of desks to Haikost Primary school. If you have a spare hour please come and give a hand. There are only about 40 small desks and associated equipment to lift, shift and deliver at school (2 Mile). Please help out our Project Leader Aihi Miria on this important first step if you can.

Website

A few updates are on our website thanks to intrepid webmaster covering recent club activities. Please take the time to check it out and refer anybody interested to the award-winning site: www.rotarylae.org

Apology

Finally, seems I might have misinterpreted an email yesterday relating to Kundiawa Ambulances & Sutherland RC and in doing so sent a stern reply to a fellow I thought was being critical of our club. Have no fear, I will make amends.

Have a great weekend all.

Regards,

Anthony

Fellows,

A quick “toksave” if I may:

Thanks

• To those members continuing to work extremely hard to push through the backlog of donated goods from the DIK program. In a few short months the Club has got a much better handle on what donated goods it has under its control and a system for linking them to recipients. There has been a massive effort put in to ensure that our Club is meeting its governance obligations with stakeholders in this program too. Look at the photo’s on our website and see for yourself the numerous small but meaningful donations completed so far. Most importantly, please get involved where you can and encourage a few of your staff too. Getting hands on with donations is a great way to understand and appreciate the powerful work that Rotary does. Great work by those involved in last Saturday’s Community Chest at Buimo Road Clinic!
• To those members who have identified prospective new members and brought them along to the club meetings as a guest this past month. Please complete the form I handed out on Tuesday night and return to me as soon as you can. The next Board meeting will assess those membership applications. Many hands make light work. Please continue to invite your guests along meanwhile.
• To Treasurer Dennis for sorting out Club bank account, old invoices and the latest financial statement for the Club.
• For the continuing improvement to our website. Despite the “Best Website” award, Rob (with his webmaster hat on) continues to improve our website so it is user friendly and a great platform to promote the club from. Please make it your ‘home page’ and register to keep abreast of activities. I find the Club Calendar very handy. Don’t forget it is easy to link into Rotary e-club 1 from our website if you are on the road and need to do a make up meeting. www.rotarylae.org

Annual Charity Golf Day

Our next fundraiser occurs on Friday the 16th September at the Lae Golf Club – just 2 weeks away TODAY!!! Thanks to the golf day committee (now including PP Chris Wakelin) who are working away behind the scenes to bring this event together. Luckily we have the support of the ‘style council’ (rotary partners) again too. Yes, we lost Digicel as a major sponsor this time around but there is still plenty of support and plenty of interest. Please claim the date and be available to help out just prior and on the day. Please promote the golf day to your friends and colleagues over the coming weekend and or contact Steve, Buddy, Chris Wakelin or myself if you can help.

New Generations

New Generations Service, the fifth Avenue of Service, recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, involvement in community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.

As you know, we have incorporated this into our three year Club Leadership Plan* and a number of 2011-12 our projects. Two examples are – the Category C Schools project and identification of a young person for Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA).

Over the three year course of the Club Leadership Plan we have also committed to:

• developing a schools-based program for educating young people about Rotary; and
• developing a Rotaract Club for 18-30 year olds.

Would the Chairs of the relevant Club Committees and Project Leaders accountable for the abovementioned projects and programs please give focus now and commence actions towards achieving these. Our Paul Harris Fellow Aihi Miria is showing the way with the Category C Schools project and has commenced his planning and communications for this project. Think outside the square and also remember that we may be able to utilize project partners, including with our sister club, Huon Gulf on some of this.

* the Club Leadership Plan was emailed to all members and is also in the members section of our website, under the resources subsection.

Morobe Show – Partnering with RC Huon Gulf

On the subject of partnering with Huon Gulf RC, we have a fundraising project together for the 50th Annual Morobe Show in October. This is about 6 weeks away and no doubt they will be in contact with us shortly for this.

Have a great weekend.

Yours in Rotary,

Anthony Whitfield
President 2011-2012
Rotary Club of Lae Inc

Fellows,

I write to advise that member feedback shows we have an adopted Club Leadership Plan 2011-14. Congratulations all! Great team effort.

A lot of consideration and thought has gone into the plan and even more effort since in ensuring we have a great start to the year, including:

• DIK containers are being dealt with in a professional and efficient manner;
• Friends of Rotary volunteers & community partners are being engaged with on projects;
• 2011/12 Service Project goals being scoped and planned for commencement;
• Terrific levels of Public Awareness in the Post Courier;
• The most successful ball fundraiser the club has ever had;
• Recognition of our website as the best in the whole district;
• Sponsors lining up to partner with us;
• Planning for the Golf Day fundraiser commenced.

Even though that’s an impressive list, there is more. Please keep a balance with work and home life though. Manage your time so everybody is happy, most especially you!

August is Membership and Extension Month for Rotary International and as you know I’ve been emphasizing at our weekly meetings the very great need to bring new members through the doors. Next Tuesday I intend to bring the form work that sets out the clubs process for membership.

Meanwhile, please think to ask the people whom you might have had along as a guest on a couple of occasions (Lyndon Taitare, Major Lindsay Brown, Enoch etc.) and also anybody else that you have approached recently who you think would be a good contributor to the Rotary Club. This is the month to get a few more bodies in the door. Please advise Secretary Rob in advance of the meeting.

Why is it time for new members? Because we have this adopted plan to execute now.

And it makes sense to. For example, we are doing literacy projects at schools but have no teachers/lecturers as members. We are supporting clinics and the hospital but have no doctors or nurses as members. Our Treasurer needs to have the support of some other number crunchers, so we need a CPA or 2! Our webmaster guru must begin the search for others who are IT savvy! Larry has a big burden to share with a willing person….20ft of it at a time. Seeing that picture of Mark Flewin (our DIK coordinator) after emptying that container last weekend I know he needs help!! Rupert has a lot of skills to share with young professionals, Barry and Cesar are eager to develop the ideas we have about vocational projects into something really significant for Lae. And last but definitely not least half the population in Lae are women….but we have no women in the club at present!!

So lets bring other good people in to help us.

If you feel you need information to pass to a prospective member, please use our great website as a reference point www.rotarylae.org or the www.rotary.org website has plenty of resources or contact any of the club executive and we will be happy to email something or provide a hardcopy.

Have a great weekend. Tomorrow morning I am handing over the 3 computers I was granted on Tuesday night to the Liberty Baptist Church toward their youth programs. Give me a call or email if you want to join in the fun of a handover of goods. Mark also has things happening.

Regards,

Anthony