1 THE DISCON COMMITTEE IS WORKING HARD TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL TIME THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY BOOKED THEIR DISCON PLACE... BOOK EARLY FOR PETS’ TRAINING SEMI- NARS Focus and be Inspired We are nearly at the end of our Club visits – only Northern Botswana left which means we have met with around 83 Clubs. What initially looked like a daunting task turned into the best six months of our lives. If I have to sum up my visits in one word, it is HOPE. During every visit we saw how Rotarians are “Engaging Rotary, Changing Lives” You are accepting the reality of life in Africa and are bringing HOPE to people around you. Thank you my fellow Rotarians. You made me so proud to be associated with you. I have also encountered some Rotarians that have inspired me with their “Thinking out of the Box” and innovative approach to Rotary – the way they approach issues and projects and also their new way of running Rotary meetings / newsletters and social media – Rotary is becoming “Cool” in certain clubs. At the end of January, we launched our District 9400 e-Club with 31 Charter members. For me, this was he greatest happening in our District in the past few years. The excitement of the Rotarians that have joined e-Club is unbelievable – they are even running a Health Day site in April!!! Having personally proposed some ex Rotarians to the e-Club, I found their response very informative – what they told me was that they are all missing Rotary and would love to be part of the Rotary Family again – but their circumstances is such that a) they do not have the time b) they do not know how to connect with Rotary again and this answered their wishes! Please use this opportunity to bring back Rotarians to Rotary – Look at the Rotarians that have left your Club in the past few years and introduce them to our e-Club. For the rest of our Rotary year, let’s focus on membership and forever get rid of this “Boogie” that hangs over our heads. Knowing what I do now and having experienced Rotary in our District – I honestly believe that the potential membership is around 5000 members! Let us make it happen !!! God bless you all. Anneas HOW IT ALL STARTED Rotary International was first started in Chicago by Lawyer Paul Harris and three friends. But for the last 18 years, the membership has remained at 1,22m members worldwide. We have in- creased the number of countries (200) and clubs ( 34000) and district (536) - so why are the numbers static? Many folks are called to higher services; leave for business reasons; leave for personal reasons - but it is the duty of each of us to invite a friend or family member to join our amazing organization. If we don’t water the trees, they will die….if we don’t bring members on board, Rotary will shrink! The biggest losers will be the people that we help! Can we afford this to happen? DG’s NEWSLETTER February 2014 Children’s project: RC Middelburg
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THE DISCON COMMITTEE IS WORKING HARD TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL TIME
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY BOOKED THEIR DISCON PLACE...
BOOK EARLY FOR PETS’ TRAINING SEMI-NARS
Focus and be Inspired We are nearly at the end of our Club visits – only Northern Botswana left which means we have met with around 83 Clubs. What initially looked like a daunting task turned into the best six months of our lives. If I have to sum up my visits in one word, it is HOPE. During every visit we saw how Rotarians are “Engaging Rotary, Changing Lives” You are accepting the reality of life in Africa and are bringing HOPE to people around you. Thank you my fellow Rotarians. You made me so proud to be associated with you. I have also encountered some Rotarians that have inspired me with their “Thinking out of the Box” and innovative approach to Rotary – the way they approach issues and projects and also their new way of running Rotary meetings / newsletters and social media – Rotary is becoming “Cool” in certain clubs. At the end of January, we launched our District 9400 e-Club with 31 Charter members. For me, this was he greatest happening in our District in the past few years. The excitement of the Rotarians that have joined e-Club is unbelievable – they are even running a Health Day site in April!!! Having personally proposed some ex Rotarians to the e-Club, I found their response very informative – what they told me was that they are all missing Rotary and would
love to be part of the Rotary Family again – but their circumstances is such that a) they do not have the time b) they do not know how to connect with Rotary again and this answered their wishes! Please use this opportunity to bring back Rotarians to Rotary – Look at the Rotarians that have left your Club in the past few years and introduce them to our e-Club. For the rest of our Rotary year, let’s focus on membership and forever get rid of this “Boogie” that hangs over our heads. Knowing what I do now and having experienced Rotary in our District – I honestly believe that the potential membership is around 5000 members! Let us make it happen !!! God bless you all. Anneas
HOW IT ALL STARTED Rotary International was first started in Chicago by Lawyer Paul Harris and three friends.
But for the last 18 years, the membership has remained at 1,22m members worldwide. We have in-
creased the number of countries (200) and clubs ( 34000) and district (536) - so why are the numbers
static?
Many folks are called to higher services; leave for business reasons; leave for personal reasons - but
it is the duty of each of us to invite a friend or family member to join our amazing organization. If we
don’t water the trees, they will die….if we don’t bring members on board, Rotary will shrink! The
biggest losers will be the people that we help! Can we afford this to happen?
DG’s NEWSLETTER
February 2014
Children’s project: RC Middelburg
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Dear Rotary Anns and Members of Inner Wheel
DGE Annie Steijn just had her training in the USA. I cannot believe that it
was a year ago that we attended the same training.
Thank you everyone for your well wishes with our new grandson – Liam.
Both Liam and mommy are doing very well.
During our Region 5 weekend of 10 -12 January 2014 we visited various, very exciting community based projects in this area. DGR Chris and DGAR
Enlim offered excellent support and we thank them both and the clubs for
their great hospitality.
AGs Gawie and Moshawa organized everything very well and we appreciate
your support.
I had the pleasure of meeting the amazing Rotary Inner Wheel Club of Waterkloof. President Yolanda is very motivated and
they work together with the RC of Waterkloof.
Yolanda, Ann and Tony took me to visit Beth Shan – which means ‘House of Quiet’. It is mainly a Salvation Army shelter
for woman and their children who come from stormy and very traumatic situations. They restore the dignity of women who
have been hurt by life. They offer women services in counseling, individual sessions for every woman, accommodation,
meals, clothes, toiletries and spiritual guidance.
The Rotary Inner Wheel of Waterkloof will help with the
revamping of rooms and training in computers, handicrafts and
sewing. I was raised in the Salvation Army so this joint project
was very close to my heart.
I seem to have great success in growing Orchards including the
two beautiful orchards I received from Region 5. Anneas and I
enjoyed the super fellowship and thanks for everything.
Unfortunately I could not join Anneas during the Region 1 visit:
Brits and Rustenburg. Thanks to Lyn Doyle for standing in for
me.
Our visit to Region 9 was completed over the weekend of
31 January and 1 February. Thank you to DGR David, DGAR
Margaret and AG Paul
for making this visit so successful.
We enjoyed great fellowship with the clubs on the West Rand and we had a
wonderful evening at our home club.
The Rotary Anns took me to the Rainbow Day Care Centre. This is a centre
looks after approximately 45 disabled children during the day. The centre is very
well run and the Rotary Anns of Krugersdorp have done a lot to make the lives of
the staff and children easier.
I felt spoilt when my home club presented me with a beautiful plant – I will never
forget our home club.
My visits to all the Rotary Anns’ clubs are now concluded. I want to thank everyone for opening your hearts and homes to us. Thank you for your friendship.
May the Rotary Anns of D9400 go from to strength to strength. District 9400
needs you.
Best wishes Krugersdorp Anns Pres. Minnie Pretorius &
DGA Valery
Valery
RC Witbank project
Waterkloof Inner Wheel
Pres Yolanda Human
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DGA Valery Balt asked Rotary Anns to collect and distribute spectacles.
From left to right: George MacDonald (Past District Gov-ernor of the Lions Organisation); Gwenda Gilder (Honorary Secretary of Benoni Aurora Rotary Anns); Pam Carlson (Past President of Benoni Aurora Rotary Anns) ; Sam Grolman (Optometrist and Past President of Benoni Rotary Club, at the Operation Bright Sight hub in Woburn Avenue On Tuesday, 21 January, PP Pam Carlson and Gwenda Gilder, Hon Sec of Benoni Aurora Rotary Anns, visited the Operation Bright Sight hub in Woburn Avenue. We were warmly greeting by Sam Grolman, the Optometrist for the programme, and George MacDonald, the
Administrator. Throughout South Africa people are having their eyes tested on behalf of Operation Bright Sight. These results are sent to the Benoni Branch and the spectacles are made up there. We donated over 123 pairs of spectacles. Many of these had been donated by Alan Woodrow Park Village in Brakpan and by other members of the public. This is an on-going project and used spectacles can always be deposited at Operation Bright Sight on mornings during the week. Eye tests are done on a Tuesday and they are open until 15:00 the other days. Each recipient pays a nominal fee for having their eyes tested and another smaller fee for receiving the glasses. You can find the hub of Operation Bright Sight hub in the Lions cottage on the corner of Woburn and Kimbolton
Streets in Benoni.
It is with sadness that D9400 has lost
several more Rotarians in the last few
months.
Robert Dick (Randburg)
passed away on 11 January. He was
a wonderful Rotarians who had a
humble nature and was liked by all.
Our thoughts are with Margie
his wife, and family.
Ernie Sherratt (Germiston)
passed away after a long illness on
17 February. Our condolences to
his wife Jacqui and the family. Ernie was always willing to work on various projects as well as being a wonderful
volunteer at the Humanitarian centre.
Lothar Eisenberg (Pietersburg 101) passed away on
8 February. Our prayers are with
his wife and family. A special
Rotarian -always willing to assist.
Condolences to the families
and friends of the lost
humanitarians who made a
huge different in the lives of
many.
February in the Rotary Calendar is World
Understanding Month When we see the news on TV or read it in the papers, we are
astonished that so many countries are in a turmoil….. Many cannot
understand this.
But as Rotarians, we can make a difference. We understand the
needs of millions worldwide. Whether we administer polio drops
or feed a family; whether we hand over a wheelchair or a blanket
or whether we send youngsters to other parts of the world - we all understand the humanitarian work of Rotarians and the family of
Rotary. Keep up the great work!
Left to right: back row: AG Ted, DGR Grant, PP Joe -
RC Giyani Project
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D9400 Membership Chair, PP Annemarie Mostert took only four months to
investigate, organize and manage the paperwork to get the e-Club chartered. She
met with members of the e-Club of South Africa One, [www.rotaryeclubsa.org]
PDG Gerald Sieberhagen and President Irene Kotze in D9370 who were re-
sponsible for chartering the first e-Club in Africa three years ago. Annemarie says ‘They offered me exceptional advice and assistance. I appreciate their guidance
and ongoing support. We also received a beautiful congratulatory note from
them.’
The e-Club of Southern Africa D9400 President is PP Kanthan Pillay; the
President Elect is PP Annemarie Mostert; the Vice President is PDG Mark
Doyle; Treasurer is AG Liana van der Walt; the Club Secretary is PP Trevor
Watson-Thomas
and the Sergeant is
PP Rudi Viljoen.
The charter event was attended by DG
Anneas Balt, DGE
Annie Steijn, a
number of PDGs,
PDGAs, AGS, club
presidents,
Rotarians, Rotary
Anns and many
friends and family
of the charter
members.
The club’s official
meeting time is Wednesday at 19:00. Soon, projects will be considered and the 31
members (and many others in the wings) will be able to serve the needs of the
communities.
If you know anyone who would like to become a Rotarian but cannot attend the
usual weekly meetings, refer them to the new D9400 E-Club.
For more information about e-clubs go to
[pdf] What You Need to Know About Rotary E-Clubs
https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/document/648
E-Club Chartered - Another
historic moment in D9400 On 29 January 2014, D9400 celebrated an historic
moment. The first e-Club in D9400
was chartered with 31 members. There were 17
current Rotarians who transferred their
membership and 14 new members.
The new Rotary E-Club of Southern Africa 9400
[www.rotaryeclubsa9400.org] was
sponsored by the Rotary Club of Northcliff.
Members who have joined come from
Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam, Letaba, Swaziland,
Gaborone, Swaziland, Mafikeng , Nelspruit,
Swellendam, the Vaal area, Pretoria and
Johannesburg.
Membership Chairperson and PE of the new
e-Club, Annemarie Mostert and DG Anneas
Left: DGA Valery, PDG/DGR Anton Meerkotter, DG
Anneas, IPDGA Christina and IPDG Martin: ‘The Old
Boys’ Club! Oh and a few ladies too...
Above: We still recognise you even with your doek on
THANK YOU VERY MUCH WE HAND OVER THE WHEEL CHAIR TO THE BOY TODAY.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
AND STAY BLESSED IN JESUS NAME. I WISH YOU WERE HERE TODAY THE BOY WAS HAPPY.
KEEP WELL AND FAMILY
ELSHA MJEKULA
Mogomotsi Seleke! wheels his new chair down
the road for all to see. Friends, family and Rotarians
join in the happy occasion.
The D9400 District Nominee and
District Designate, chaired by
IPDG Martin Forsyth-Thompson
will interview the candidates on
28 February 2014.
D9400 offers best wishes to all
those who have submitted their
names for consideration.
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Meet Romi Brammer our South African Peace Fellow
A friendly, talented girl with a warm smile, a twinkle in her eye and more than a dollop of grey
matter and spirit are the words that best describe Romi Brammer (aged 30), who has been
awarded a flagship Rotary Peace fellowship for 2014.
After an arduous selection process both nationally and internationally, Romi of Pretoria was named one of 50 Rotary Peace Fellows worldwide to study peace building and conflict
resolution in 2014. She is only the third South African to receive this award and it is a great
honour for D9400 and the sponsoring RC of Pretoria Capital to have her represent us in the
USA as part of the International Peace program.
Romi will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill/Duke University USA, one
of six international Rotary Peace Centers where she will obtain a master’s-level degree in
Global Studies.
Romi studied law at University of Pretoria; received two academic bursaries in 2004 and 2005
and received Golden Key membership. She was top student in Private International Law;
received her LLB cum laude and academic honours from the University of Pretoria in 2006 and completed her LLM specializing in International Law in 2009.
In 2013 she undertook an internship at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. During her time at the Institute, Romi has guest
lectured for LLB and LLM students.
Romi achieved her Gauteng colours for soccer. She will join the more than 780 Rotary Peace
Fellow alumni that are now working in high-level positions at prestigious organizations such as
the United Nations.
District 9400 are proud of Romi
and wish her well as she moves
forward as a Rotary Peace Fellow.
DGE Annie Steijn attends the Rotary International Assembly
SAN DIEGO: what an experience! Hennie and I thoroughly enjoyed our training. The
weather was fantastic but could only be viewed early mornings from our bedroom window before we went into our different training sessions… of course with no view to
the outside world.
We had Wednesday afternoon off and we explored the Old Town dating back to the 1800’s. We extended our stay to explore San Diego.
We met incredible people from all over the world and have formed precious friendships.
Before San Diego we spent a week in Vero Beach, Florida, where we were home hosted by PDGs. We were treated - from a cocktail party to a braai to a day on an exclusive
yacht. We also spent a whole day at Cape Canaveral where we joined the Astronauts in
the IMax theatre. Unbelievable!!
We spent the last week with Charlie and Barbara
Clemmons in Houston where
we visited various clubs to do
presentations on the Book Project. Charlie’s district in
Houston gathers all the
books, furniture and wheel chairs that are sent to us in
containers which we in turn
use for humanitarian purposes.
Many questions about the use
of the books were asked. They were quite happy to
know that it is going to a
good cause as most of them are unaware of the poverty in
the rural areas and the need
we have. They were also surprised to see how the
containers are converted into
classrooms, libraries,
kitchens, bathrooms, etc. 25 January 2014 - Home
sweet home! Luckily we
arrived back home before the real cold weather set in in the
USA.
DGE Annie with Barbs and
Charlie Clemmons: Texas
DGE Annie, RIPE Gary Haung
and his wife and Hennie in San
Diego
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RC Kyalami — project visit
Induction of
two new
Rotarians
RCs Kyalami
and
Waterkloof
AG Moshawa - Project
visit Kyalami
DGRA Enlim, DG Anneas, DGR
Chris, Pres & Pres. Wilma Lotter
The two pictures below:
School project - RC
Rustenburg Kloof
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RC Louis Trichardt hand over of equipped ambulance - DG needed
oxygen after meeting with the executive!
Above: DGRA Margi, AG William Lee &
Zoe
Below: RC Rustenburg PE, & Wilma Lig
RC Brits Hartbeespoort: Pres JC, AG Cheryl, DGR Mark and
DGRA Lynn Doyle
Left: RC Krugersdorp PE Gerhard Human, Pres Colin
Steyn & the Principal of Westrand School
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What are the Rotary Interact Clubs doing ?
The Interactors of St Francis College (seen above) invited guests to their “Interact Assembly” where the members preformed an
amusing and thought provoking play to encourage fellow pupils to join Interact and also to promote their project for the
year………. THE UNDERCOVER PROJECT.
As you can see from the attached picture they will be collecting new underwear for those who don’t have. It is so uplifting to see
the younger generation so aware of the plight of others! Interact is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves. It was out of this community that Interact was born and has been sustained through the commitment and dedication of students, teachers and Rotarians alike. Membership of Interact not only ensures that students are becoming involved in a number of community projects, but also assists them in assuming leadership roles on the Interact board, engage in fundraising and the organisation of activities, as well as learning a series of skills that are not taught in the classroom. The Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora has Interact Clubs at St Francis College, Benoni High School, Ashbury School and Kathstan College. We look forward to hearing about all the great achievements of our Interact clubs !
For more information about joining a Rotary Club or an Interact Club, please contact Gail Wilson on Mobile 082 564 7244.
Unlocking Hope for Babies Behind Bars
Babies Behind Bars’ is a Public Benefit Organization and Non Profit Organization based in Johannesburg and Cape Town. They operate in all correctional centres which house mothers and children across the country, as well as in Namibia and Swaziland. Ms Romy Titus is the Founder and Director and started the charity in 2007. Their main purpose is to care for children ages 0-2 years who are born and live in jail with their I incarcerated mothers. The children, who by law have to leave at the age of two years, are subjected to a rather harsh life behind bars. Their basic human needs such as proper nutrition, clothing, diapers, blankets, toys, bottles and toiletries are often not readily available, and the organization has taken the responsibility to ensure that while the babies are behind bars, they are well cared for. The organizations main objective is as their motto goes: ‘Unlocking Hope.’ www.babiesbehindbars.co.za The photo shows Romy Titus of “Babies Behind Bars”, Sylvia Knoop and Pam Carlson, President and Ann President respectively of the Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora. Sylvia and Pam delivered a car load of goodies donated by The Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora to the “Babies Behind Bars” at Kya Sands.
