Rotary Club of Port Nicholson Inc.

Club's Strategic Plan
Club's Constitution

The programme for a typical morning meeting includes:

For more information about Hotel Intercontinental

The Rotary Club of Port Nicholson

 The Rotary Club of Port Nicholson was chartered in 1989 as one of the first morning breakfast clubs in Wellington. The Club has a membership that is a balance of women and men from a range of different professions. Members live in various parts of the Wellington region and choose to belong to Port Nicholson Rotary Club because of its central location.

The Port Nicholson Story

 In 1826 Captain James Herd, commander of a preliminary expedition for the first New Zealand Company, chartered the beautiful Wellington Harbour.
He named the harbour Port Nicholson, in honour of his friend John Nicholson, the harbour master of Port Jackson, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The area of the harbour or bay and surrounding district, called 'Wanga-nui-atera' by the Maori people, encompassed more than 200,000 acres and was sold by 16 Maori Chiefs on 27 September 1839, to William Wakefield of the New Zealand Company of London. One tenth of the land was to be reserved and held in trust for the future benefit of the Maori people of that area and their heirs.
Settlers landed on the harbour's Petone Beach on 22 January, 1840.
Wellington City, sited on the shores and surrounding hills of the harbour, is the New Zealands capital and second largest city. Historic buildings, a modern business centre and the Parliament Building, the 'Beehive', together with the many wooden houses perched on the hillsides around the water combine to provide a vibrant back drop to the world's most beautiful harbour.

The History of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson

 The Club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wellington and chartered on Sunday 18 June 1989. Most of the twenty five charter members were new to Rotary.
President David Denton was appointed to lead the Club in its first year.

Background of our Club

 Originally met at the Port Nicholson Yacht Club but moved to the Park Royal when it opened in 1989/90. This has now changed to the Hotel Inter Continental where we meet for breakfast at 7am every Wednesday, apart from a short break over the Christmas period. Meetings aim to be finished by 8:15am each week. The major costs are breakfast at $20 and our annual subscription of $190.

Idiosyncrasies

 "Buying the Box" Each week we have a short "Sergeants" session where members are fined for a variety of misdemeanours. A gold coin is an acceptable fee and the money raised goes towards a variety of projects. The term “buying the box” is unique to our club when members pay for the privilege (usually) $20 to announce some significant event in their lives. These can range from anniversaries, family or business success, winning awards or a new project or venture.

"The Pig"

 This is a porcelain figurine that dates back to a former Minister of Finance and PM who was known for his taxes. It gets passed around each week and small shrapnel is placed in it. It raises approximately $1,000 a year for special projects.

Blind Dines

 The club holds 3 or 4 blind dines a year. It involves a member hosting a dinner party in their own home and the names of the guests remain a mystery till the night. A great way to meet 3-4 members and their partners over a meal.

Goal Setter's Breakfast

 Every year the club hosts a breakfast where normally the Prime Minister addresses Wellington's business community. We obtain sponsorship and sell tickets with up to 350 people attending. We also hold a Goal Setter awards breakfast where high achievers who have overcome significant hurdles in their pursuit of their goals are recognised (usually cash $1,500).

Other Activities

 We support a wide variety of charities including Water for Survival. In the past we have supported achievers like Melissa Moon, World Mountain Running Champion and sportswoman of the year. Another is Ben Baker an outstanding young violinist who continues to enthrall audiences in London.

Speakers

 Each week we have a guest speaker many of whom are outstanding and would not normally be available to the majority of our members. Truly a privilege.

Why our club

 This club is a diverse group of interesting people who like the relaxed atmosphere that has evolved. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and participate in projects (we do not cut firewood) that contribute to the greater Wellington community, in addition to the social activities, like the hiring of a railway carriage to get members and friends to Toast Martinborough each year.

The Origin of Rotary

 The first Rotary Club was organised in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris, a young lawyer. He sought to form a club that enabled business and professional people to join together for fellowship and to collectively help others. Rotary is a world-wide fellowship of business and professional people who enjoy each others’ company and accept the ideal of service, individually and collectively, as the basis for success and happiness in business and community life.

Membership

 Rotarians are men and women of good character who possess excellent business or professional reputations. Membership in Rotary is by invitation. An occupation classification system ensures that membership reflects the diversity of our community.

Benefits

 The benefits of Rotary membership include:
  • Fun and fellowship with a widened circle of friends and contacts.
  • The opportunity to associate with like minded people of character and integrity.
  • The chance to participate in activities that positively impact our local community and communities in other countries.
This information is intended to provide a brief understanding of Rotary.
New members are welcomed for the contribution they can bring and the fellowship we can enjoy with them.

Rotarians believe in Service Above Self; it is richly rewarding.