ROTARACT UoA.

Date: 11th August 2010

Time: 6.10pm

1.       Guest speaker – Amanda Ayes and Kelly from RMS Refugee Resettlement's in Mangere.

·         Non-profit, non-governmental organisation

·         Refugee=

1.       True fear of being persecuted for reasons of: race, religion, nationality, membership of particular social group or political opinion.

2.       Outside their own country

3.       Their own country is unable to protect them

·         NZ refugees over the years have come from places of conflict

·         The resettlement experience is usually the last resort. This only takes place when there is no other option due to the difficulty of starting new in a foreign country i.e. learning a new language.

·         Experience usually begins with the flight phase where individuals/families flee their country. This usually usually sudden, dangerous and risky. Once they reach their 2nd country they enter a stage of asylum. Here they are stateless and very vulnerable. Once in NZ, refugees spend 6 weeks in Mangere where they undergo tests and obtain documentation. They take part in basic lessons also. Following the 6 week period they are integrated into society.

·         Amanda and Kelly train volunteers to help make this integration smoother for refugees. The aim is to provide hands on practical help and support e.g. taking them shopping or showing them how to use and ATM

·         The goal is to help families move form an inevitable measure of “on arrival dependence” towards greater and greater independence.

·         Amanda also spent sometime in the refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. The project was called “children on the edge” where they helped with establishing school programmes.

·         Getting involved doesn’t require a huge time commitment. Volunteers attend training every Wednesday night for 6 weeks where they learn practical skills of how to help. During the first week of integration into society, volunteers are asked to commit approximately 6-8 hours and then following that, it can merely be a social commitment e.g. taking them shopping over the weekend.

2.       Aritra went through project ideas that we came up with during our meeting on the 21st of July. We then asked members to put forward the ones they would most like to take part in and possible coordinators of those projects were noted. Below is a list of those projects and co-ordinators. We will be in touch with coordinators and help you through what to do next.

If you weren’t at the meeting and would like to get involved with any of these projects please send us an email.

Note also that we have not decided on the specifics of any projects. That is the job of the co-ordinator, so if you have any ideas, don’t be afraid to put them forward!

•       St Vincent de Paul                                                                          

•       City Mission - (Nico)

•       Adopt a Child (World Vision) - (Sheena/Nico)                                                                      

•       Aged care/disadvantaged children – (Kuljeet/Bobbie)                                                     

–      leukaemia, blind foundation, physical disabilities

•       SPCA dog walking -  (Beatrice)                                                                                    

•       Island child – home for homeless & medical aid to Vanuatu -  (Aritra)                      

•       Resthomes

•       Youthline - (Dan)                                                                                                        

•       Shelter box/Phoenix Rotary project - (Marc/Adilya)                                                       

•       Gardening at Cancer Society

•       More tree planting – such as Motuihe and Motutapu - (David)                    

3.       Auckland City Mission project (Nico)

-          Nico talked to us about a project that he is willing to facilitate. It involves general maintenance around Auckland city mission. Tasks like gardening, general cleaning, help with the food bank etc.

-          This will take place over a day during the 2nd week of semester break. He needs a group of ~ 10 rotaractors.

-           If you are interested please email the club and we will get back to you

4.       Blood drive

-          Megan is looking to organise a blood drive. If you are interested, once again please email the club and we will get back to you. We will organise a day and go down as a whole group

5.       Rotary club meeting

-          Bryce is organising a night for us to attend one of our sponsor clubs weekly meetings (Rotary club of Auckland East). This is usually a good night. We will keep you updated as to when that will be.

  6.       Projects completed

-          Motutapu weekend away was a success. We left on Saturday morning. Walked Rangitoto summit + visited other historical sites across the two islands. We stayed overnight in a cottage on Motutapu and planted trees on the Sunday. We all had a great time and this is definitely something we will do again.

-          Polio fun run was also a great success. Our runners, William, Aritra and Marc did a fantastic job and raised a lot of money for polio. Great job boys!

-          Circus Quirkus which is a yearly event is always a fun weekend. Positive feedback from everyone. Make sure you get involved next year!

-          Alcohol/drug project. This project is aimed at assisting St John’s and the police at dance raves/parties. We will set out to provide food and water for those who have had too much alcohol or have taken drugs. It’s all about providing a safe environment rather than telling them what not to do. This should be underway in September. We would like a core of 10-15 people and we have a few spaces left so if you are interested, let us know   NEXT MEETING ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25TH IN ENG 4501

WELCOME ALSO TO ALL OUR NEW MEMBERS

  Meeting concluded: 7:10pm