Spring Sheep Milking – vocational visit to Monovale Farm
50 Rotarians, partners and guests had an enjoyable and informative visit to Monovale the Spring Sheep Milking farm. We first went to view the milking process. 48 sheep are milked in batches taking approximately 4 minutes. The quantity of milk per sheep taken each milking session is recorded via computer and certain operations are managed by air compression. Minimal staff are required with two people working in the pit to manage the milking process. Thomas, General Manager of Spring Sheep then took us to the barn and gave a very informative and well-presented account of the establishment and on-going management of the farms. Currently there are three farms with 4 more to come on board. Markets for infant formula include Taiwan and Malaysia. Spring Sheep have a small domestic market at the present time but recently New World commenced selling their product and there is powdered infant formula available at the International Airport.
We were impressed with the attention to the wellbeing of the sheep, care for the environment and sustainability and economic measures. Sheep spend a percentage of the year in the barn but a lot of time in the field.
Meal at Irresistible
Following the visit all travelled to the café Irresistiblue for a social time and dinner. A delicious meal had been prepared which was enjoyed by all.
Welcome and thanks
Before the meal President Robyn welcomed all those present particularly the team from Spring Sheep who were our guests, and partners and family members of Rotarians. Robyn thanked Thomas for his presentation and tour which had given us a good insight into this industry and farming practice.
A special thanks to John Bishop for organizing the vocational visit and for being a very friendly “host” and a well-organised co-ordinator.
NOTICES
Some upcoming events - reminder
Weekend Away (Matakana) – 27-29 March
Race to Raise Funds – 23 April
Bereavement Seminar – 28 April
Dementia Appeal – end of May
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (back by popular demand) – more information to come from co-ordinators David Blewden and Brian Palmer
Bookarama – book sorting
Book sorting takes place on Wednesdays at Achievement House. All welcome to help with this.
Cambridge Rotary Adventure Club
Please note that the Timber Trail Bike Ride originally scheduled for Sunday 1 March has been postponed. It will occur on a date in the future.
9930 District Conference – 22 – 24 May, Rotorua
Members are encouraged to register for District Conference in Rotorua from 24 – 26 May. This is being held at the Distinction Hotel. Information and a link to the conference website where you can register and learn about the programme and speakers is shown under “District News” below. This is a great opportunity for longstanding and newer members to enjoy fellowship, get to know other Rotarians and renew old friendships, as well as to learn what Rotary is doing internationally and throughout our District and in other New Zealand districts. Saturday night is a fun night and don’t forget our own Bruised Brothers are the feature band. Get in quickly to register and also secure your accommodation (which is limited) at the Distinction Hotel.
Rotary Youth Exchange
District Selection Day for Rotary Youth Exchange is 9 May 2020. Applications close on 10 April 2020. Let’s see if we can sponsor a student to participate in what is an amazing experience for them. Also if we can home host an incoming student.
Waipa District Council Community BBQ Events and feedback on Long Term Plan revision – a message to Rotarians
Please note the community BBQ event Waipa District Council are going to be hosting in Cambridge on from 11am-2pm at Lake Te Koo Utu is on Saturday, 7 March.
Tool Drive for the Solomons - DONATE TODAY
The Toolshed along with other sponsors and organisations (including the Rotary Club of Frankton/Te Rapa) have identified a serious lack of tools in the Solomon Islands. To help improve the living conditions and lifestyle of those living there, people are being asked to donate surplus tools for transport to the Solomons.
Donated tools will be shipped and distributed to Rural Training Centres and used to teach carpentry, mechanics, agriculture and textiles. Toolshed stores throughout New Zealand are collection points for unwanted, surplus, new, used and repairable tools. Tools required include hand tools, power tools, garden equipment, workshop machinery, accessories and consumables. Refer to the email from District sent to all Rotarians.
District news
Rotary D9930 Conference – 22-24 May 2020 – Rotorua
- Registrations now open. Early Bird registrations close on 20 March 11.59pm at the reduced fee of $275 - be in a draw to win a bottle of French Champagne; (first-time conference attendees also go in a draw for a bottle of French Champagne)
- After 20 March the full fee is $325. All registrations close on 15 May 2020 at 11.59pm
- Full Registration includes all conference sessions, morning teas, lunches, Friday Welcome Function and Saturday Night Dinner
- Partner Full Registration includes all conference sessions, morning teas, lunches, Friday Welcome Functions and Saturday Night Dinner
- Accommodation is at the Distinction Hotel at an excellent conference rate.
- Rates only available if your booking is made through the online Conference Registration
- Full payment must accompany bookings
- Accommodation allocated on a first come first served basis
- After 21 February 2020 there is no guarantee of availability as unallocated rooms will be released back to the hotel.
Saturday night’s theme “Rotary Connects the World” gives us plenty of costume options.
For new Rotarians or those who have not attended a conference, this is an opportunity to network with Rotarians from other clubs and build on friendships with our own club members. It also enables us to expand our learning about the internationality of Rotary through interesting speakers and what other clubs are doing - an inspiring weekend of fun, fellowship and information sharing and learning.
You will see that our own “Bruised Brothers” are the feature band for Saturday night – let’s have a great attendance from Cambridge to support them.
President-Elect Bev Maul-Rogers is our Club’s Champion for the conference and the liaison person with District.
DGE Grant Spackman and Wendy at International Assembly
District Governor Elect Grant Spackman and Wendy attended the 2020 International Assembly in San Diego, California, last month.
Grant represented our District as one of 539 Governors Elect from around the world.
Along with partners and Rotary International staff, there were 1500 people participating in an intense week of learning that also involved sessions for partners.
Grant and Wendy found the Assembly was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and connect with Rotarians from 189 countries.
The general sessions included inspirational speeches from Rotary and global leaders, while the breakout sessions provided an opportunity to better understand Rotary’s new Vision Statement and Action Plan.
Grant is excited by International President-Elect Holger Knaack’s theme “Rotary Opens Opportunities” which will encourage Clubs to develop initiatives for projects, increasing membership and personal leadership development.
An INVITATION To Participate
Discover More about ROTARY, Your Club and YOU!
When: 28th and 29th March 2020
Where: Senior Citizens Hall in Morrinsville 45 Canada Street Morrinsville, 3340
Days start at 9 am and finish around 4 pm.
Lunch, Morning tea provided – special meals may be possible
You can attend the entire weekend or only Day 1 or Day 2 (providing you have completed Day 1)
Repeating the weekend is encouraged.
Or call Roberta on 0276854229 for assistance.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND
- You get an overview of MOST aspects of Rotary including opportunities, ideas and options relating to your Rotary experience
- It’s fun, informative and a great way to exchange ideas with others.
- To discover ways to be of Service to your club, community and the wider world. Rotary makes a real difference in the world we live in. Find out how and what you can do.
Will You Join US?
International news
Incoming RI president announces 2020-21 presidential theme
Rotary International President-elect Holger Knaack is encouraging Rotarians to seize the many opportunities Rotary offers to enrich their lives and the communities they serve.
Knaack, a member of the Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany, revealed the 2020-21 presidential theme, Rotary Opens Opportunities, to incoming district governors at the Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, on 20 January.
Rotary isn’t just a club for people to join, but rather “an invitation to endless opportunities,” said Knaack, who becomes president on 1 July. He emphasized that Rotary creates pathways for members to improve their lives and the lives of those they help through service projects.
“We believe that our acts of service, big and small, create opportunities for people who need our help,” Knaack said. He added that Rotary creates leadership opportunities and gives members the chance to travel the world to put their service ideas into action and make lifelong connections. “Everything we do opens another opportunity for someone, somewhere,” said Knaack.
Changing for the future
Knaack also urged members to embrace change so Rotary can expand and thrive. Rather than setting a specific target for increasing the number of members, Knaack said he’s asking clubs and districts to think about how to grow in a sustainable and organic way. He wants clubs to focus on keeping current members engaged and adding new members who are the right fit for their club.
“We will capture this moment to grow Rotary, making it stronger, more adaptable, and even more aligned with our core values.
“We need to stop thinking of new members as people we can mark down as statistics and then forget about,” Knaack said. “Every new member changes us a little bit. That person brings a new perspective, new experiences. We need to embrace this constant renewal. We will grow stronger as we learn from new members.”
Knaack pointed to Rotary’s Action Plan as a compass that can guide clubs as they evolve. He recommended that every club have a strategic plan meeting at least once a year. At that meeting, clubs should ask where they want to be in five years and how they can bring more value to their members.
Knaack also wants to see more women in leadership roles and see Rotaractors play an integral role in how new clubs are formed and run. He encouraged district leaders to create new club models and rethink what it means to be in Rotary, and allow young people to be the architects of these new clubs.
“We have to be open to new approaches, and creating unique clubs for younger people is just part of the solution,” said Knaack. “Let Rotaractors decide what kind of Rotary experience works best for them. These young people are bright, energetic, and they get things done.”
In stressing the need for Rotary members to embrace change, Knaack noted that time won’t slow down for Rotary: “We will not let rapid change defeat us. We will capture this moment to grow Rotary, making it stronger, more adaptable, and even more aligned with our core values.”
