 |
|
Rotary
Club of Whakatane Sunrise Charter President Tony Bonne, Rotary Whakatane West
President Kevin Richardson, and District 9930 Governor Paul Wright handing over
the Charter
|
It
started with a vision. Sunrise clubs are increasing in popularity and meeting a
need for people who want to join Rotary, but for whom evenings and lunchtimes
are unsuitable. In the 1990s, Whakatane had two Rotary Clubs, and both still
met in the evenings.
In
2011 Tony Bonne was President of the Rotary Club of Whakatane West and he,
along with District 9930 then Governor Raewyn Kirkman, re-visited the sunrise
idea. On October 11 this year, their vision became a reality when the Rotary
Club of Whakatane Sunrise was chartered alongside the Interact Club of
Whakatane High School.
The
2014 journey for both new clubs has been swift, professional, and managed
efficiently by their sponsoring club, the Rotary Club of Whakatane West, with
five very experienced Rotarians as the core of the new Rotary club: Tony Bonne,
Linda Bonne, Roger Angell, Douglas McLean all previously from the Rotary Club
of Whakatane West, and Peter Watt a very sound Rotarian who has recently
retired to Ohope Beach. Whilst these experienced Rotarians, who have well over
one hundred years of Rotary service between them and two Paul Harris Fellows,
have taken the lead role in the Board for the first year, they will all stand
aside in the 2015-2016 year to mentor new Board members taking on leadership
roles.
The
charter dinner was the culmination of many hours work, searching for
merchandise, asking for donations that were willingly given after a
wedding-type register sent to clubs to help supply what was needed, getting the
constitution correct, and most importantly, attracting suitable members. 33
people became charter members of the Rotary club, plus more are eager to join.
The
new Rotary Club of Whakatane Sunrise has already had a successful fundraiser,
raising $1500 for Whakatane Coastguard.
The
establishment of the Sunrise club has had a positive effect on the other Rotary
clubs in Whakatane as they have been increasing their memberships too.
The
Whakatane High School Interact Club President Annalees Craig and their Vice
President attended the charter dinner. The remaining 25 students received their
charter pins at the school assembly for more appropriate recognition amongst
their peers. Trident High School and John Paul College in Rotorua had two
members each attend the dinner, along with District 9930 Interact Chair Deb
Bell. Both schools’ Interact clubs work well together and they have begun
fundraising for a Rotary ShelterBox with $800 already in the bank.
