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28 April 2015 No 21 OUTA SPACE OUTA SPACE OUTA SPACE OUTA SPACE NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE www.rotaryeclubsa.org PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5 th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB Until this Rotary Year, the month of May has not had any specific Rotary recognition. However, from next year May has been designated YOUTH SERVICES MONTH. Previously the youth were recognised during September when it was known as NEW GENERATIONS MONTH. Let’s fast forward to next year then and discuss Youth Services. This embraces Rotaract [18 to 30 year olds] Interact [12 to 18 year olds] Youth Exchange and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards [RYLA] and EarlyAct which has still to obtain official Rotary International recognition. Our club is involved in Youth Exchange, EarlyAct and Interact. Our Youth Exchange activities are aimed at the Short Term Exchange Programme [STEP] and these family to family exchanges are with countries in Europe. We have sponsored 2 EarlyAct clubs, one at Our Lady of Fatima and the other at Ekuthuleni Primary School and both are doing well. The Interact Club of Ekuthuleni was chartered on 2 nd March 2015 and the official charter ceremony took place on 24 th April 2015. This is a community based Interact club and draws its members, aged 12 to 18 from Ekuthuleni Primary School and the adjacent JG Zuma High School. These are all good news activities amidst all the man-made disasters taking place throughout most of the world, but especially in Africa at this time in history. Added to that, are the disasters like earthquakes, floods and droughts that contribute to the misery of mankind. Desperate people will go to extremes to improve their lives like the people fleeing Africa for a better life in Europe and taking to the sea in overcrowded inflatable crafts, mostly unseaworthy, only to drown at sea. Then there are those who have entered South Africa, seeking a better future, only to be the victims of xenophobic attacks. Will the Youth of today be able to make a difference? You be the judge! Gerald Sieberhagen Gerald Sieberhagen Gerald Sieberhagen Gerald Sieberhagen - Editor Editor Editor Editor
Transcript
Page 1: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

28 April 2015

No 21

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE NEWSLETTER

ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE

www.rotaryeclubsa.org PBO 930039682

GoToMeeting on

5th May at 19h00

DG ANDREW JAEGER

VISIT to our E-CLUB →

Until this Rotary Year, the month of

May has not had any specific

Rotary recognition. However, from

next year May has been

designated YOUTH SERVICES

MONTH. Previously the youth were

recognised during September

when it was known as NEW

GENERATIONS MONTH.

Let’s fast forward to next year then

and discuss Youth Services.

This embraces Rotaract [18 to 30

year olds] Interact [12 to 18 year

olds] Youth Exchange and Rotary

Youth Leadership Awards [RYLA]

and EarlyAct which has still to

obtain official Rotary International

recognition.

Our club is involved in Youth

Exchange, EarlyAct and Interact.

Our Youth Exchange activities are

aimed at the Short Term Exchange

Programme [STEP] and these family

to family exchanges are with

countries in Europe.

We have sponsored 2 EarlyAct

clubs, one at Our Lady of Fatima

and the other at Ekuthuleni Primary

School and both are doing well.

The Interact Club of Ekuthuleni was

chartered on 2nd March 2015 and the

official charter ceremony took place

on 24th April 2015. This is a community

based Interact club and draws its

members, aged 12 to 18 from

Ekuthuleni Primary School and the

adjacent JG Zuma High School.

These are all good news activities

amidst all the man-made disasters

taking place throughout most of the

world, but especially in Africa at this

time in history. Added to that, are the

disasters like earthquakes, floods and

droughts that contribute to the misery

of mankind.

Desperate people will go to extremes

to improve their lives like the people

fleeing Africa for a better life in Europe

and taking to the sea in overcrowded

inflatable crafts, mostly unseaworthy,

only to drown at sea.

Then there are those who have

entered South Africa, seeking a better

future, only to be the victims of

xenophobic attacks.

Will the Youth of today be able to

make a difference?

You be the judge!

Gerald Sieberhagen Gerald Sieberhagen Gerald Sieberhagen Gerald Sieberhagen ---- EditorEditorEditorEditor

Page 2: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 2

ROB LINDEGGER reports:

On arrival in Cape Town, I contacted Retha Gardiner, President of the Rotary Club of

Gordon's Bay. She invited us to the meeting on the day Jacqui arrived. We were both

knackered (I had not slept the night before). I gave a very brief introduction of myself

and the ride - but it was not a good one at all.

We have been invited back for the meeting on 28th.

The accommodation Retha has arranged for us is way above expectations and it is for

the full period that Jacqui is here and until I leave - around the 10th May.

Jayne Martin did a LOT of ground work in getting us accommodation as well.

However, I had committed to Retha, before I had a confirmed response from Jayne.

Jayne has gone to Namibia for a few days and offered us the use of her beautiful

home in Constantia. We took this up for two days last week as it cut down on travel to

places in Cape Town that we needed to go to.

I have managed to get things moving on renewing my Swiss passport. That might take

a couple of weeks, but knowing the Swiss and their efficiency that might be sooner.

In the meantime I will possibly return to Betty's Bay and sit out the period - some work

to be done on internet.

Good having Jacqui here and experiencing the domesticity of face to face talk and

strong discussion!

Please make every effort to attend the

GoToMeeting on 5th May 2015 which is

the DG’s Official Visit to our club.

The District Governor

The Official Visit

The governor’s official visit is the personal visit of the governor to each Rotary

club in the district, individually or in groups, for the purpose of:

• Focusing attention on important Rotary issues

• Providing special attention to weak or struggling clubs

• Motivating Rotarians to participate in service activities

• Ensuring that the constitution and bylaws of the clubs comply with the

constitutional documents

• Personally recognizing the outstanding contributions of Rotarians in the district

The governor or assistant governor should review the progress of the club

toward its goals during the official visit. To maximize the impact of the

governor’s presence, visits should coincide with events such as charter nights,

induction ceremonies, new member orientation programs, citation or award

presentations, special programmes, Rotary Foundation events, or intercity

meetings. Multi-club or intercity meetings should emphasize strong attendance

from all participating clubs, not just the host club. Governors should also use this

time to hear from clubs about how the district could better support them.

Page 3: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 3

ROTARY - CALENDAR 2015/16

The Rotary Months designations and other useful dates in the 2015-16 calendar are shown below. Use them at regular meetings to promote Rotary's involvement in these activities.

JULY No special designation 1 July — Start of new Rotary officers' year of service Members’ subscriptions for half year are due

AUGUST Membership and Extension Month

SEPTEMBER Basic Education and Literacy Month

OCTOBER Economic and Community Development Month

NOVEMBER Rotary Foundation Month 2nd to 7th – World Interact Week Club AGM 23rd - E-Club of South Africa One [#83540] 5th Charter Anniversary

DECEMBER Disease Prevention and Treatment Month

JANUARY Vocational Service Month Members’ subscriptions for half year are due

FEBRUARY Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month 23 February — Rotary's 111th anniversary

MARCH Water and Sanitation Month

APRIL Maternal and Child Health Month District 9370 Conference in Potchefstroom

MAY Youth Service Month 28 May–1 June — RI Convention, Seoul, Korea

JUNE Rotary Fellowships Month Induction of President for 2016-17

Page 4: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 4

BIRTHDAYS

MAY

13th – Candelaria Zapp

15th – Aadila Sabat-St Clair

17th – Gillian Stark

17th – Delia Kleu

20th – P-J Cloete

23rd – Angie Goody

27th – Gerald Sieberhagen

28th – Andisha Maharaj

JUNE

7th – Herman Zapp

11th – Johnny Stark

11th Jacqueline Lindegger

12th – Janet Rouillard

12th – Natasha Morris

13th – June Fannin

ANNIVERSARIES

APRIL

30th – Peter & Sandy Brauteseth

MAY

23rd – EARLYACT CLUB OF OUR LADY OF

FATIMA – 2nd Charter Anniversary

25th – Aadila & Brian St Clair

JUNE

17th – David & Eleni Tilling

DATES TO DIARISE

2015

5th MAY - DG VISIT to our

E-Club on GTM at 19h00

7-8-9TH Oct – Rotary Family Health Days

1st to 7th Nov – World Interact Week

WEEKLY TOPIC - ROSTER FOR MAY to JUNE

4th May – Patrick Kleu

11th May – Gunnar Light

18th May – Rob Lindegger

25th May – Aadila Sabat St Clair

1st June – Suresh Setty

8th June – Maxwell Pomeyie

15th June – Peter Mugisha

22nd June – Irene Kotze

29th June – Jean Singh

Please send your TotW to either President

Irene or Club Admin director Gerald by at

least the THURSDAY preceding the date of

the TotW. It always makes it easier if

Rotarians send their TotW well ahead of

time. Alternatively, if you are unable to

fulfil your duty, please advise us well

ahead of time so that we are able to find

a replacement.

EVENTS AND PROJECTS

GLOBAL GRANT 1418817 Proceeding according to plan

GLOBAL GRANT 1527880 Proposal now ready for submission

GoToMeeting – 19h00 to 20h00

5th May – DG VISIT to our E-Club 19th May

2nd & 23rd June

DURING THE WEEK PRECEDING THE

GTM, the log on code will be sent BY

EMAIL to each member.

ADVERTISING

IN ROTARY AFRICA MAGAZINE Have you ever considered advertising

your products or services in the Rotary

Africa Magazine? Or do you know of

a business that may wish to do so?

You can obtain the 2014 Advertising

rates on the Rotary Africa website @

www.rotaryafrica.com

BUMPER STICKERS WITH ATTITUDE

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OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 5

PRESIDENT IRENE’S PAGE

Dear Fellow Rotarians In my response to TOPIC of the Week of

13 April 2015 I said that I would have to

think about how our EXOTICS* AND

INDIGENOUS** members could contribute

more to our Club. I think I may have

found the answer. But first…………………... *EXOTICS

**INDIGENOUS

These are terms that are given to members

who do not reside in Durban. Those from

South Africa were deemed to be

INDIGENOUS [just like plants] and those that

stayed overseas or beyond our borders in

Africa were deemed to be EXOTICS – once

again like in the plant world BUT none were

deemed to be ALIEN.

We now have 47 members and it is

impossible for the President and/or the

Secretary to communicate individually

with each of them on a regular basis. A

number of members regularly comment

on TOPIC of the Week and/or attend the

fortnightly GoToMeeting but from many

members there is “computer and e-mail

silence”. I ask “Why”? Are they too shy to

leave an opinion or tell us about projects

that they are involved in, or do they

simply not feel part of our E-Club family

because of distance? There are all kinds

of questions that go through my mind in

looking for a solution. Here is a suggestion

that may solve the problem:

You have asked how you can

contribute/be more involved. If you print

the membership list and circle those

names you have not come across on

either TOPIC of the Week or GTM you

could communicate with one or more of

them, individually by e-mail, depending

on how much time you have. (This idea

could be an extension of the

“CONNEXION” Groups).

Follow up on any responses and

encourage the sharing of project news.

We don’t want you to use the so-called

social media for this exercise; that would

completely defeat the object of the

exercise.

Regular contact with members and

harmonious member interaction and

fellowship is the lifeline of any E-Club.

There is an article entitled “Fellowship the

Rotary E-Club Way” in the NEWS Section

on our website, posted in May 2010. It is

worth reading it again to refresh your

memory. As an E-Club we use

technology, but this is purely an enabler,

nothing more.

Members living far away from the Durban

hub might feel they have nothing to

contribute as all our projects they read

about in OUTA SPACE are in South Africa.

This is a misconception as there is nothing

wrong in assisting a Rotary Club in your

home turf with a project and reporting

back to your home club. We are all

members of the big family of Rotary with

the same goals and intentions.

I hope you embrace my suggestion and

at the same time have FUN.

LET’S LET’S LET’S LET’S ALL ALL ALL ALL HAVE FUNHAVE FUNHAVE FUNHAVE FUN!!!!

IreneIreneIreneIrene COMMUNICATECOMMUNICATECOMMUNICATECOMMUNICATE

COMMUNICATE

COMMUNICATECOMMUNICATECOMMUNICATECOMMUNICATE

COMMUNICATECOMMUNICATECOMMUNICATECOMMUNICATE

COMMUNICATECOMMUNICATECOMMUNICATECOMMUNICATE

Page 6: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 6

Big Favour 21-04-15 Interview.mp3

To listen to President Irene

Kotze on East Coast

Radio’s programme, The

Big Favour, double click on

the above link.

If you are unable to access

the interview, let me know

and I will email you the

attachment. Ed

Another successful Camp Quality, hosted by the Rotary Club of

White River has been concluded – thank you to our member, Keith

Kirton, for his hands on involvement with this worthy project

KIDDO READ director Adila Moosa donated a Learning programme for children

aged from 3 years on to prepare them for school. Our Club will implement this

programme at Emoyeni Educare Centre. In the photo taken at the handover

are Damon Beard [ECR] Adila Moosa, Irene Kotze and Mohammad Moosa

Page 7: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 7

Global vaccination targets ‘off-track’ warns WHO News release 22 APRIL 2015 | GENEVA Progress towards global vaccination targets for 2015 is far off-track with 1 in 5 children still missing out on routine life-saving immunizations that could avert 1.5 million deaths each year

from preventable diseases. In the lead-up to World Immunization Week 2015 (24–30 April), WHO is calling for renewed efforts to get progress back on course. In 2013 nearly 22 million infants missed out on the required three doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-containing vaccines (DTP3), many of them living in the world’s poorest countries. WHO is calling for an end to the unnecessary disability and death caused by failure to vaccinate.

“World Immunization Week creates a focused global platform to reinvigorate our collective efforts to ensure vaccination for every child, whoever they are and wherever they live,” said Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General, Family, Women's and Children's Health. “It is critical that the global community now makes a collective and cohesive effort to put progress towards our 6 targets back on track.”

In 2012, all 194 WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), a commitment to ensure that no one misses out on vital immunization. However, a recent independent assessment report on GVAP progress rings an alarm bell, warning that vaccines are not being delivered equitably or reliably and that only 1 of the 6 key vaccination targets for 2015 is currently on track – the introduction of under-utilized vaccines.

Many countries worldwide have experienced large measles outbreaks in the past year, threatening efforts to achieve the GVAP target of eliminating measles in 3 WHO Regions by end-2015. Actions to get back on track A global collaborative drive for immunization, begun in the mid-1970s — with the establishment of the Expanded Programme on Immunization in all countries — achieved

dramatic results, raising vaccination levels from as low as 5% to more than 80% in many countries by 2013. WHO estimates that today immunizations prevent between 2 and 3 million deaths annually and protect many more people from illness and disability. Although progress has stalled in recent years, this early success demonstrates the potential of vaccines, which are increasingly being extended from children to adolescents and adults, providing protection against diseases such as influenza, meningitis and cervical and liver

cancers. The GVAP recommends three key steps for closing the immunization gap:

• integrating immunization with other health services, such as postnatal care for mothers and babies;

• strengthening health systems so that vaccines continue to be given even in times of crisis; and

• ensuring that everyone can access vaccines and afford to pay for them. Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Belé, Director of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO, says the Organization will work to increase its support to all countries that are lagging behind in meeting immunization targets. In May this year, WHO will bring together high-level representatives of 34 countries with routine vaccination (three doses of DTP3) coverage of

less than 80% to discuss the challenges faced by countries and to explore solutions to overcome them. Although many countries are already vaccinating four out of five children with DTP3, a full one-third of countries are still struggling to reach the ‘fifth child’, meaning millions of children remain at risk of illness, disability or death because they are not getting the immunizations they need. CONT ON PAGE 8

A Rotary Area of Focus: Disease prevention and treatment

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OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 8

CONT FROM PAGE 7 “There is no one centralized approach that can ensure vaccines are delivered and

administered to each child. Vaccination plans on the ground need to be adapted not just to

countries, but to districts and communities,” said Dr Okwo-Belé. “What is required is a truly

concerted effort and much stronger accountability so that each one of the key players

involved fulfils its mandate and helps close the immunization gap.”

Critical operational needs to ensure wider vaccination and delivery on the ground include:

• finding ways to simplify vaccination procedures in the field; • improving vaccination delivery to reach every last child, especially those living in

remote and inaccessible areas; • ensuring vaccine affordability and strengthening vaccine supply chains;

• training more health workers, skilled managers and providing supportive supervision; • improving the quality of data collected by countries and using this to improve

immunization operations; • overcoming challenges posed by conflict, natural disasters and other crises; • increasing awareness and demand for immunization by communities;

• greater accountability linked to micro-planning of vaccination operations and clear lines of responsibility.

Earlier this year, donor countries and institutions pledged to meet the funding needs of Gavi,

the Vaccine Alliance that brings together public and private sectors to create equal access

to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.

The Global Vaccine Action Plan envisions a world where everyone lives life free from vaccine

preventable diseases by 2020. It set 6 targets for 2015:

Immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (DTP3)

Target: 90% immunization coverage against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough by

2015.

Gap: 65 countries

Introduction of under-utilized vaccines

Target: At least 90 low or middle income countries to have introduced one or more under-

utilized vaccines by 2015.

ON TRACK

Polio eradication

Target: No new cases after 2014

Gap: 3 countries remain polio endemic

Maternal and neonatal tetanus: Global elimination by end-2015

Target: Eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus

Gap: 24 countries

Measles elimination

Target: Eliminate from three WHO regions by end-2015

Gap: 16% of all children are not being immunized against measles

Rubella elimination

Target: Eliminate rubella from two WHO regions by end-2015

Gap: Half of all children do not receive the rubella vaccine

Do we as Rotarians need to be concerned about these ‘Gaps’?

Do we as parents need to be concerned about these ‘Gaps’?

Do we as concerned citizens need to be concerned about these ‘Gaps’?

And if so, what should we be doing?

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OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 9

Rotarian Action Group updates

Three new groups will support club and district projects Rotarian Action Groups — autonomous, Rotarian-run groups composed of members passionate about a particular field — help clubs and districts plan and implement high-impact projects. Membership is open to Rotarians, their family members, and all Rotary program participants and alumni. Learn about the three newest groups:

• The Disaster Network of Assistance Rotarian Action Group mentors clubs and districts in disaster preparedness, and plans to develop a communication and recovery network to enhance Rotary’s response to disasters.

• The Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species raises awareness about preserving and protecting endangered species and the communities that depend on them. The group assists Rotary and Rotaract clubs with service initiatives related to protecting these vulnerable populations.

• The Rotarian Action Group Healthy Pregnancies / Healthy Children focuses on reducing maternal and child mortality by working with clubs and districts to address common health risks for parents and babies.

Rotarians Rob Lindegger and Alan Pembroke bumped into each other at the South African Nippers Lifesavings

Championships in Gordon’s Bay 2 weeks ago. The last time they

saw each other was around 1967'ish! Alan is a member and Past

President of our sponsor club Durban Bay. Small world indeed!

BEARDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER

Rotarians should always be on the lookout for a Rotarian Action Group that suits

their passions. Here are 3 new RAG’s that may be of some interest.

Page 10: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 10

Spirit of Earth Day: Tree planting project stems from surviving a tsunami Rotary member Gowri Rajan waters a newly planted tree last December in the

Kurunegala district of Sri Lanka. Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Gowri Raja

• As a child, Gowri

Rajan was scared of trees

because of the reptiles and

insects lurking in their

roots, branches, and

leaves. "I wouldn't go

near trees," says Rajan.

"It's ironic that, later in

life, a tree would be the

reason I'm still alive." On the morning of 26 December 2004, a tsunami slammed into Rajan's vacation house on

the Indian Ocean in Sri Lanka, where her family and a few friends were staying for the

holidays. The water violently crashed through the house, destroying everything inside. "I said

my last prayers. I thought this was the end," she recalls.

When the water receded, it swept Rajan with it. But she saved herself by grabbing onto one

of the few trees that hadn't been uprooted.

"For 20 minutes I held on with all my strength. I could feel the ocean pulling my body in," says

Rajan, who lost three of her friends that day.

After the wave receded, she started to swim back to the house through the dark water, to

rejoin her family and friends. A second wave came crashing in. A friend was able to reach

Rajan and help her climb to the top of another tree. "I was saved by two trees," she says. "It's

a miracle I'm still alive."

Now, Rajan is looking for a million people to share their tree stories to raise awareness and

money to restore the island nation's trees.

Rajan is a Rotary member and leader in her region, which started the One Million Tree Stories

project in December, 10 years after the tsunami. One of the region's Rotary clubs, the Rotary

Club of Ibbagamuwa, is playing a prominent role because it had already been working on

reforestation. The Rotary members are partnering with hundreds of local farmers, a bank,

and government agencies. The Sri Lankan army will help plant the first trees. The goal is to

plant 1 million trees this year along the banks of protected reservoirs in the Kurunegala

district, in the country's North Western Province, and another 4 million trees over the next five

years.

Rotary members and the public can sponsor a tree for 100 Sri Lankan rupees (about $.75

cents) and are encouraged to tell their own tree stories on the project's Facebook page.

"Research shows every human being is emotionally connected to a tree in some way or

another," says Rajan. "We want to hear these stories. It will help create a personal connection

to the tree you sponsor."

Rajan says 40 cents of each dollar donated to the project will go to The Rotary Foundation,

while the remaining 60 cents will be used to buy trees and care for them during their first two

years. Every tree will be tagged and entered into a computer system that will enable

sponsors to monitor its growth. CONT ON PAGE 11

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OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 11

CONT FROM PAGE 10

Environmental protection According to the Sri Lankan government, the nation's forest coverage has declined from 53

percent to 29 percent over the last two decades.

Don Nihal Wanigasekara, president of the Ibbagamuwa Rotary club and the originator of its

tree-planting project, says widespread deforestation is contributing to "the destruction of our

planet."

"Although the government has imposed laws to control deforestation, more effort must be

made to help our country's natural habitat," says Wanigasekara, a mechanical and mining

engineer. "Planting one tree has an enormous benefit to the environment," he adds.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, a single tree can absorb a ton of harmful greenhouse gases over its lifetime,

produce enough oxygen for four people every day, cool the air as well as 10 room-size air

conditioners operating 20 hours a day, and provide an estimated $273 of environmental

benefits in every year of its life. Trees also control storm water runoff and reduce the risks of

both flooding and drought.

Wanigasekara estimates that Sri Lanka needs a minimum of 20 million new trees over the next

10 years to be able to counter the effects of the carbon dioxide and other gases released

into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels.

"Our club unanimously accepted to take on this project because we know how crucial it is to

make the environment safer for future generations," says Wanigasekara. "We all have a

personal responsibility to keep this planet green. I hope a million trees is just the beginning."

Due to the irrigation system, funded by the $1,000 given to FDSA by Professor Juan Carlos Balda,

there has been significant growth of all the original trees. According to Bettie, the width of the trunk

is more significant than the height of the trees. The trees are irrigated by ‘grey’ water at no cost.

I’d like to hear from our members whether they have a ‘story’ to tell about

something that happened in their lives that has steered them towards a

particular ‘cause’. Ed

John Fannin & Bettie v d Merwe-Bonnet

reporting from Velddrif, West Coast

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OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 12

RETENTION – PDG Ant Connolly, Editor, The Link - Rotary Club of Durban North Rotary and its member clubs have two market segments from which to sustain

membership – existing members and potential members. Similarities exist, but each

segment must be treated differently. Two issues of prime importance in doing so are

recognizing that:

1. Rotary membership is a niche market; it is not for everyone.

2. Both segments are motivated by personal desires.

For marketing purposes, each primary segment must be separated into four

secondary segments - Behavioural, Demographic, Psychographic, and Geographic.

To improve retention rates, it is vital that Rotary and its member clubs understand

that existing Rotarians, particularly those who have been members for three or more

years, are loyal Rotarians.

Loyalty is a behavioural characteristic and is gained, not because of what Rotary or

clubs do, but because of the satisfaction Rotarians receive by being members of

local clubs. Data indicates that Rotary and its member clubs have between one

and three years for new Rotarians to evolve into loyal Rotarians. Issues like the time

Rotary takes and how being a Rotarian affects their family, business, and/or personal

activities are important.

The recognition, prestige, honours, and other benefits accorded them, particularly in

their local settings, helps them justify to themselves and others the reasons for their

loyalty.

Demographic segmentation addresses members' age, race, religion, gender,

political affiliation, family size, ethnicity, income, and education, all of which closely

tie to members' wants and needs. When clubs focus on members' wants and needs,

it is easier to retain them. It is a serious marketing breach to believe that each

demographic has the same Psychographic profile. They don't.

Demographic differences often affect members' Behaviour. We see evidence of this

in our own Club at Durban North.

Psychographic segmentation addresses members' personality traits, values,

attitudes, interests, and lifestyles. This is perhaps the most difficult of all segments for

Rotary to address. Rotarians (and clubs) participate in activities and attributes

according to their interests and attitudes. Conflicts frequently arise within clubs

because members have different interests, attitudes, traits, and understandings

Geographic segmentation addresses land masses and transportation distances.

Geographic issues are of minimal importance in retaining Rotarians, but are quite

important in creating new Rotarians.

The characteristics of each secondary segment continually interact to some degree

in all Rotarians.

Rotary and its member clubs should tailor their attributes and activities to deliver

value satisfactory to all Rotarians regardless of their years in Rotary. And the only

accurate measure of whether or not clubs are effective at doing so is their ability to

retain and create loyal members!

Membership growth and retention! This is always an interesting area of

discussion especially when the old hum drum discussion is replaced by some

concise and refreshing points. Although this is written from a ‘Terra’ club

perspective it applies equally to an E-Club with the exception of some of the Geographic aspects. Certainly food for thought! Thanks Ant.

Page 13: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 13

The Rotary Club of London – Greater London

Reported on 21st April 2015

The Rotary centennial clock has arrived in London. After

many months of planning the clock should be installed today at Covent Garden Market. WOW!

Page 14: OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE · NEWSLETTER ROTARY E-CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA ONE PBO 930039682 GoToMeeting on 5th May at 19h00 DG ANDREW JAEGER VISIT to our E-CLUB → Until this Rotary Year,

OUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACEOUTA SPACE Page 14

NOKUTHULA FELICIA MVUBU was inducted by Pres- President Irene Kotze handed the

ident Irene Kotze. Nokuthula has been the facilita- Interact Charter to Vice-President

tor of the EarlyAct Club of Ekuthuleni Primary Immaculate Sithole. Nomkhozi

School since its charter 2 years ago and will now Gwiji, the Interact President was be the Advisor to the Interact Club of Ekuthuleni. unable to attend the Charter.

Fifty-two Charter members of the Interact Club of Ekuthuleni were inducted at the Charter event. We expect great things from this enthusiastic group of Rotary Alumni

Services Director, Nolu-

thando Mtiyane was the

MC for the day and did a

splendid job in directing

activities.

Siyavuya Mchunu, the

EarlyAct president, wished

the Interactors well and

said that the EarlyActors

would look to the Interact

Club for guidance and

leadership in the future as

they progressed from the junior club to Interact.

And now we are once again OUTA SPACEAnd now we are once again OUTA SPACEAnd now we are once again OUTA SPACEAnd now we are once again OUTA SPACE

NEW MEMBER INDUCTION AND CHARTER OF INTERACT CLUB


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