ROTARY CLUB OF PIETERSBURG 100
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2020
Newsletters are by nature
ostensibly carriers of news and this one will hopefully follow that pattern of
education for the reader.
But, and allow me to add
another but…the Rotary Club of Pietersburg100 does not merely provide news. It
is a vibrant buzzing group of Rotarians generating ACTION pretty much 24/7.
Your newsletter writer is
somewhat of a newbie. Wet behind the ears and as oft as not being called to
order, even chastised for not following possible protocol, by the old guard.
And growing in the wisdom and understanding through the honing process where
the rough non- Rotarian edges are carefully (and with kindness) slowly shaved
off. Inducted in the midst of the Covid lockdown a mere two months back (a
fascinating experience being inducted online with President Horst feeling his
way along the path of digital inductions and soon to be President Naas along
with the rest of the team offering sage advice) it has been something of a
whirlwind, one online meeting following another, finding what on earth an
avenue was and being prodded and guided into joining where the wisdom had
decided I should go. But enough! This missive is not about me. It is about a
group of men and women who epitomize the essence of being Rotary.
Was the word ACTION emphasized
earlier? Well if it was it still needs to be re-emphasised. Covid 19 has given
the world a stark reminder of the failings of society where the gap between the
haves and the have nots is growing daily. Pietersburg 100 Rotarians have
embraced the challenges brought about by Covid and the immense number of
families in dire need. Daily the list of poverty stricken, hungry people grow
and whilst many welfare organisations have found themselves in difficulty
trying to cope with the handling of food parcels, and/or managing soup kitchens
or even sourcing beds, blankets and clothing for the needy, the Rotary Lockdown
Support Group under the efficient and mindful leadership of such Rotarians as
Richard, John D, Horst, Naas, Barry and many other volunteers and Anns such as
Marlene, Charlie, Larah and Sarina simply up the ante as it were and meet the
challenge of collecting literally tonnes of vegetables, fruit and meat as well
as packaged foodstuffs and distributing same each day. It would be remiss of
the writer though to give the impression that the other Rotarians are not
involved. Indeed they are in the midst, driving sometimes 100s of kilometers to
collect provisions and loading and packing parcels for distribution or
providing their vehicles to collect and deliver at locations as far as 150 kms
away.
In between, the camaraderie
continues with the occasional pith being squeezed in according to Covid
regulations and a myriad of fun messages rolling their way through the members
“non official” site on WhatsApp.
Let us though spend a few
moments on the intricacies of managing a Rotary Club within the context of
Covid19.
July being the time when the
reins of leadership change hands, Pietersburg 100 duly went ahead and carefully
planned the induction of the new president. This occurred via a hybrid mix of
online members and a smaller group of Anns and members stationed on a farm
outside Pietersburg or as it is better known these days, Polokwane. This did not
go without a few hiccups, with Master of Ceremonies, Klaus also handling the
digital world and being faced with the delight of a slow internet and the
gremlin of a silent connection. Nonetheless with assistance from fellow
Rotarians the show went ahead and new President Naas was duly inducted along
with the formal induction of Rotary Ann President Charlie. An unofficial pith
followed into the wee hours of the next day. Names of those involved shall
remain anonymous.
The Rotary Club of Pietersburg
100 situated in the centre of Polokwane has been active for over 34 years and
with a membership of 31 along with the veritable force that is the Anns is an
integral part of the Polokwane world. At present as can be understood from the
actions being taken to assist the needy, Pietersburg 100 is of needs be focused
in this area and the various avenues tend at present to be gearing their action
towards assisting in this immense task. President Naas, whilst only in office
for a few weeks has already had two meetings and seamlessly taken over the
excellent work that Past President Horst and his Board had headed up over the
past year. The future is in not just good hands, but hands that do not shy away
from getting involved in the nitty gritty of what Rotary is all about- Service
above Self!
BRUCE PHILLIPS
Recently inducted Rotarian and
immediately roped in as Newsletter Editor.
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