Kia ora fellow Rotarians and friends
As I write my last Presidents' message for this bulletin, I am reflecting on all of the good work that Rotary and our members have done for the community over the past 12 months and the challenges that Rotary as an organisation has ahead of it.
I am proud of how our club has stepped up and participated in our own projects, community events and fundraisers and my thanks goes out to all of our members and associates who have contributed and supported our club to help make our community a better place.
At our last meeting Vicki Henry was our guest and she spoke on the history of the H&J Smith family and how this iconic Southland brand grew and became established as a thriving retail business back in the early 1900s.
The old historical photographs were amazing and the Smiths were certainly ahead of their time in terms of sales and marketing strategies, gender inclusion, fostering workplace loyalty and set a precedent for other businesses at that time to follow.
Thankyou Vicki for your presentation and sharing lunch with our group, it was appreciated.
At our next lunch meeting on the 16th June (which will be my last formal meeting as President) our guest speaker is Stéphane Fabre, the manager from Windsor wines and I look forward to Stéphanes presentations and possibly a taster or two🙂.
Thank You to Helen McCurdy and Richard Russell for accepting the role as dual club Presidents for the year ahead and with your combined experience the Rotary Club of Invercargill is in good hands.
Thank You everyone and have a fabulous week ahead.
All the best and take care.
Michael
Duties - 16th June
Reception - Paul Goffin
Grace - Cheryl Hardy
Introduce and thank speaker - Alice Pottinger
Parting thought - Michael