Stories World Polio Day World Polio Day   Jim Hudson   October 24th was World Polio Day.  It is a time to reflect on the scars the disease has left on countless children over the years but for us as Rotarians to be aware of our commitment to the total eradication of the disease and to promote the significance of the Global Polio Eradication Campaign to our community.   Quite a few of you will not be aware of Rotary’s involvement and commitment to take on this mammoth task.  It all started in 1985 when Rotary initiated and undertook the vaccination of young children in the Philippines.    It was so successful that in 1988 a global project, in association with WHO, UNICEF and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention was initiated.  I can only marvel at the vision of those that said ‘if we can do it in one country, we can do it worldwide.”   That was when the world was getting 350,000 new cases of polio a year or nearly 1000 cases a day.  You might think that’s nothing compared to our current Covid-19 pandemic.  Well, it affects children almost exclusively and the effects are life-long.    Then there is the cost factor – a polio-free world will save the global economy US$40-50 billion in health costs within the next 20 years.  And we have a vaccine.  Covid has badly interrupted immunization programs with a spike in case numbers, one more challenge among many which include waring factions and religious beliefs preventing or denying the administration of vaccines.   Polio is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under 5.  It spreads person to person, typically through contaminated water and it attacks the spinal cord and nervous system which may lead to paralysis.    There is no cure but we do have a vaccine which is safe and effective, which Rotary and its partners are using and have immunized over 2.5 billion children to date.   Why end polio?  WE must stop the transmission of the virus where it remains endemic, and we are now down to 2 countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  There are up to 60 countries still rated high-risk where large scale immunization campaigns still operate to provide much needed protection.    There is no place on earth that is safe until the disease is eradicated everywhere, which is why low immunization rates are recipe for an outbreak.  A country needs to have had no new cases for 3 years before classified as polio-free.   So how do we fund this campaign?  Rotary has already provided over US$2 billion towards the programme set up in 1988.  You may recall that funds for The Rotary Foundation are channelled into one of 3 funds, the Accumulated Fund, or if specified, into the Endowment or Polio funds.    This year, thanks to Covid, fundraising is even more challenging.  End Polio Now goals have been set, requesting a club donation of US$1,500.  If half our club members became Centurion supporters and specify the Polio Fund then we will meet our target.  For Rotary needs to again raise a minimum of US$50 million this year to qualify for the Gates Foundation 2-for-1 subsidy.   I referred earlier about waring factions.  A story in the latest RDU is worth sharing.  In the 1990’s the Tamil insurgents in Sri Lanka were making the vaccinating programme for 1/3 of the country’s children virtually impossible.    Rotary stepped in with  UNICEF to engineer a ceasefire, they had to negotiate with one of the world’s most feared and elusive rebel leaders of the day.    Eventually, the Rotarian negotiator received a letter from the rebel leader, which read, “Dear Mr Ravindran (who was Chair of the Sri Lankan Polio Committee) if you can persuade your government to stop the war for 2 days, then we are willing to lay down our guns for 2 days too, for our war is not with children”.   Soon the NID (national immunization day) was on and vehicles bearing the Rotary emblem were heading for the vaccination booths set up in areas occupied by the insurgents.   This just goes to show that Rotary does have clout on the World stage.  It is essential that we don’t lose sight of the end goal of the programme we help initiate, because if we fall behind now we go back to square one.   Jim urged us to all become a Centurion and help rid the world of this terrible disease.     Rotary 35th Anniversary   Rotary NZ World Community Service 35th Anniversary - 28 October 2020     Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS), initially Rotary Overseas Aid Projects (ROAP), celebrates 35 years of service to the Rotary Districts of New Zealand and Pacific Countries and their partner Rotary organisations and communities worldwide.   This milestone is due only to the tenacity, positive spirit and dedicated service of Rotarians past and present. The inaugural District Directors were CT Field 9910, Brian Meadowcroft 9920, Jack Ridley 9930, Gerry Fox – Chairman 9940, Keith Rollo 9970 and Lou Robinson 9980.   RNZWCS was registered as RNZWCS Limited, a not for profit limited charity CC26860 on 11 December 2003. Prior to and more significantly since, RNZWCS has partnered with the NZ Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs obtaining grants from various partnerships in New Zealand, in addition to bilateral and multilateral funding. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative benefitting to date from in excess of NZ $12 million from MFAT.   In 1995 and on three occasions since RNZWCS has undergone a rigorous re accreditation process with MFAT to enable it to continue to receive funding. The latest in recent weeks conducted by independent consultants in the form of due diligence.   The 15 standards set by MFAT covered 5 key areas: governance, associates, finance, good practice and safeguarding. The exercise having been completed to MFAT’s satisfaction, RNZWCS has entered into the Design phase for a $1.5 million activity partnering with Rotary Pacific Water for Life in Fiji.   Since 2003, RNZWCS has witnessed Rotary receiving approx. $35 million from external funders.   In addition to funding support RNZWCS manages the Emergency Response Kit (ERKs) programme, first introduced into New Zealand in 1985 as EMBOX by Eastern Hutt Rotary. Since 2007 when records have been kept, some 10,000 kits have been purchased and packed.   Rotary volunteers at warehouses in Auckland and Christchurch have undertaken the task. RNZWCS is indebted to the Auckland Rotary Clubs who recently packed 1,000 kits to supplement those prepositioned in Pacific countries in preparation for the forthcoming cyclone season.   RNZWCS values the financial and strategic support from MFAT in addition to the support of Rotary in Pacific countries along with other International and local NGO’s who provide storage and logistical support when the need arises.   RNZWCS continues to support Rotary Clubs in Christchurch with their Donations in Kind programme. They have consigned 22 Containers of goods to Pacific countries in the past few years with one at sea currently between New Zealand and Tonga.   Donations in Kind are a valued commodity and only items specifically requested are sourced. The newly established Passport Club in Rotorua has taken up the challenge following the Christchurch example.   RNZWCS responds to the Humanitarian needs of people as they arise undertaking appeals to Rotary, the private and public sectors. Most notably included the Christchurch earthquakes when in excess of $2 million was received and more recently significant responses were made to the Australian Bushfire and Samoa Measles Epidemic Appeals.   Since 1985, RNZWCS has worked collaboratively with its Australian counterpart RAWCS and in the early years issued a quarterly project booklet to clubs in both countries. In 2014 RNZWCS and RAWCS entered into a formal MOU. From 2018 a Working Group meets quarterly by zoom. Details Page 41 Oct 2020 RDU.   RNZWCS acknowledges the support and valuable assistance given by past and present New Zealand Rotary District Governors and from every Rotarian in addition to MFAT and external donors both public and private.       Snippets     An Update from our Foundation & International Director     Stuart Batty was part of inaugural New Zealand PolioPlus meeting in 1985. Of the initial completion budget worth US$ 1 million, Rotary’s contribution was US $250,000.   The Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (formerly Rotary Overseas Aid Project) was established 35 years ago on the 28th October 1985.  The first committee member for 9970 was Rotarian Keith Rollo from Nelson.   That same year the first Emergency Response Kit ERK (formerly called the Emergency Box EMBOX) was packed in New Zealand for distribution following cyclones in Pacific.   EMBOX was first established in England in 1975. In the early days, Rotary Clubs bought a kitset box and members brought items (usually second hand) to be placed in the box. Today all items are purchased and packed by Rotary volunteers.   Rotary leased a warehouse in Auckland until recently for $1 for four months. 1,000 kits have been packed and now on the way to Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. Forecast for this cyclone season which starts in November.   8 to 10 tropical cyclones are predicted across the SW Pacific, which is near or slightly below normal. Specific risk factors are:   ·       Elevated risk: New Caledonia and northern New Zealand ·       Normal risk: Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tokelau ·       Normal or reduced risk: Tonga, Wallis & Futuna, and Samoa ·       Reduced risk: Tuvalu, Tutuila/ American Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands   Three tropical cyclones are expected to reach severe strength.   A container is to be packed in Christchurch for Fiji in coming weeks. Included in items requested is linen. Euan and Stuart are also approaching schools for desks and chairs.   Covid is affecting Pacific countries. Whilst Fiji is the only country to have had cases, it is estimated 150,000 Fijians are now unemployed due to collapse of the tourist industry. Rotary is supporting Pacific communities particular around food security.   Rotary continues to actively support these efforts to support our Pacific neighbours.       We are still looking for a few more people to join the Wednesday Lotto. All profits will go to Usa River Rotary Club, our Sister club in Tanzania, to be used for Development and Training for disadvantaged youth.   This runs for 20 weeks, and costs just $3 per week, a total of $60. $50 goes to the holder of the Wednesday Lotto Bonus Number and $10 each to the holders of the numbers either side of the winning number.   Take a punt, you might win all of your money back, and if not, you will be contributing to a worthwhile project. We have twenty-two numbers taken already, but need a few more before we can begin again. Any number not taken will be allotted to Usa River, as we did last time, but we need to raise the prize money first, before we can give away any profits.   Please call Deryn on (021) 161 5861 or email her at datregurtha@gmail.com to join this fun fundraiser.   Many thanks: Deryn     The President’s Blurb   Seven of us attended the charter event of the new Rolleston Rotary Club last Thursday night. It was an excellent night where we were able to catch up with other Rotarians who were involved with Rolleston in the past year, celebrate with the Rolleston group and enjoy the evening.   Grant was able to lead the Club meeting back in town with the emphasis being on Polio. Thank you to Grant and also to Stuart and Jim for their presentations.   The BBQ Hut at Mitre 10 was very busy on Sunday. The weather was good and the store was very busy. Thank you to Gary Denhard and his team of volunteers for making this happen. We will do it again on 13 December.   This week we have a number of events on. The District Shooting Tournament is on tomorrow night with 13 teams participating, there is the District Polio movie night on Wednesday and on Thursday many of us are visiting the Christchurch Rotary Breastmilk bank.    Liz still needs volunteers at the Ray White/Rotary Halloween night at St James Park on Friday night. If you can spare some time please contact her.   Arie has his team of volunteers for the Halloween event at the Hanmer Springs Forest Camp on Saturday night.    There will be plenty to report back on when we next meet at the Club.   Cheers    Janice     Food for Thought   ” I woke up this morning and forgot which side the sun rises from, then it dawned on me.”

Upcoming Events you are welcome to attend   District Target Shooting competition Oct 27, 2020   District Movie night for Polio Plus to be advised Oct 28, 2020   Visit to Christchurch Breast Milk Bank Breast Milk Bank Oct 29, 2020 5:55 PM – 7:30 PM   Halloween celebration St James Park Oct 30, 2020   Hanmer Halloween function Hanmer Springs Oct 31, 2020   View entire list Meeting Responsibilities Duty Roster 22nd October 2020   Reception Skiba, Larry   Speakers Host Bond, Mark   Vote of Thanks Taylor, Tony   Visitors Host Archbold, Doug   Sergeant Thomson, Rob   Meeting Setup McMurtrie, Denis   Banner Setup & Room Tidyup Sedgley, Ron   Duty Roster November 5th 2020   Reception Shields, Gordon   Speakers Host Thomson, Evan   Vote of Thanks Stringer, John   Visitors Host Wright, Max   Sergeant Geerlofs, Arie   Meeting Set Up McMurtrie, Denis   Banner Setup & Room Tidyup Sedgley, Ron   Duty Roster 19th November 2020   Reception Nicholl, Rob   Speakers Host Taylor, Tony   Vote of Thanks Spicer, Anne   Visitors Host Van Beek, Verdi   Sergeant Tizzard, Tony   Meeting Setup McMurtrie, Denis   Banner Setup & Room Tidyup Sedgley, Ron