Rotary Programs and a New Zealand Experience

Bob Morrow and Ralph Montesanto used their recent trip to New Zealand to highlight the value of one of Rotary's nine structured programs. Using the Oreo cookie model they sandwiched the New Zealand trip between information on Rotary programs. The club's past experience with a Rotary Friendship Exchange in 2009 between New Zealand and District 7090 lead to a personal house exchange between Barbara and Fergus Cumming of Rotorua and Ralph and Barb Montesanto. Bob and Lynne Morrow who met the Cummings in 2009 and 2010 hosted them on either side of the house exchange and spent a month in New Zealand with the Montesantos.

Using photos taken during their trip, New Zealand's geography, geology, products and culture were highlighted - from plate movement that causes earthquakes, volcanoes and geothermal landscape, to sheep, dairy and deer farms, to logging, vineyards and kiwi production. Of course, Maori culture and All blacks rugby were part of the story.

The dormant volcano below was snow covered even though it was late spring in New Zealand.

The presentation closed with a review of another Rotary program called Rotary Fellowships with several fellowships highlighted that might interest specific club members.