The Winter Solstice
The shortest day signals the middle of winter. Also known as the Winter Solstice, the Shortest Day signals an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest daylight hours and the longest nighttime hours of the year. This is caused by the Earth's axis being the furthest away from the sun for the entire year. We have to wait till 22 December to see the longest day of the year. 
 
Presidents Time
President John welcomed all present and announced that the “Guest Speaker” is one of ours.
John advised that Jerry Ford and Morgan Hodgson have advised the Directors that they will step back from Active Membership and wish to continue as Honorary Members.
Andy Ross has advised the Directors that he is unable to continue the Rotary Membership as his work and family commitments are taking up all the time he has.
John thanked Jerry and Morgan for their commitment to Rotary over the years and hoped to see them attending our meetings and social events in the future.
John acknowledged the time constraints young people in business are experiencing these days, wished Andy all the best and assured him that The Door is always open.
 
Changeover
Change over next Thursday 30th June. Please log in by using the Bulletin Link to advise your attendance. Include your partner and other extras.
 
Lost and found
A vest was left and found after Bookarama clean-up. Colour brown, Farmer, Shepherd type look. Ask John or Gavin for more details.
 
Foundation for Rotary International
John talked about the Foundation of Rotary International. Rotary Clubs worldwide are expected or certainly encouraged to make annual contributions to The Foundation. Rotary Clubs and Rotary Districts can apply to The Foundation to get money back for local or overseas projects. The Dictionaries for Schools has been supported in that way. The Gates Foundation matched donations towards Polio Eradication. The Rotary Foundation applies funds to Health, Food, Clean Water projects, Refugee Programs, etc.
 
The Charitable Trust of the Rotary Club of Timaru North
John then mentioned the Charitable Trust of the Rotary Club Timaru North, which was set up a few years ago to keep monies from fundraising separate and receiving and maintaining funds donated by Timaru North Members in Trust. Our own Trust has received substantial funds from present and past members over the last few years, and The Trustees are hopeful that this trend may continue. More capital can generate more income, which would help and take pressure off our Fundraising efforts.
 
3-Minute Talk
Jeremy Hogan talked about a whole collection of World Events. Anything from the first meetings that later led to Parliamentary Systems and democracy, the Brexit vote in the UK, Olympic Movement that led to the Modern Olympic Games that we know now and Cricket Scoring Rules!
 
The taking…
David Hewson and Corporal Jerry Ford found good reasons to fine all present.
 
The giving…
Weekly Club-Raffle won by Paul Hewitson with Ticket Green 93.
 
Chairman Terry Stagg
Surprise – as Terry introduced himself as our “Guest Speaker” and talked to us about Carbon Emissions, and mentioned the EU’s plan to stop production of Combustion Engines by 2035. Transport in Europe is causing 23% of carbon emissions. But combustion engines are not only cars and trucks. Where does all the rest come from? Oil fired central heating, gas for cooking, Industrial boilers and so on. These rules they plan to introduce are unlikely to stop carbon emissions altogether. Even if industrialised countries have the money to do something about it and do their best, many countries simply cannot afford to do anything about it. Terry mentioned Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology that can most likely make a real difference, provided the electricity needed to produce it can be generated without coal or gas. To finish, Terry added that a Traction Engine fired up with wood to produce steam would score pretty well.
Bill Weir thanks Terry for an interesting address that had sparked much discussion from the floor.
 
Closure
President John then started to close the meeting with This Day in History, which is the day the French decided to do their Nuclear Bomb Tests in the Pacific underground instead of in the Atmosphere.
 
 
 
...and for a quick laugh.
 
I thought the dryer was shrinking my clothes. Turns out it was the refrigerator all along.
Singing in the shower is fun until you get soap in your mouth. Then it's a soap opera.
Why do golfers take an extra pair of socks when they go golfing? In case they get a hole in one!