October 2021 Newsletter: The Stanford Shout-Out

Welcome to our October issue of the Stanford Shout-Out - an update on recent activities of the Rotary Club of Stanford - with President Annie Ranger at the helm. More about this remarkable woman in the ‘Meet our Members’ section below.

As usual, we’ve been busy, but all enjoy being involved. With lockdown easing up we’ll be able to look at possibilities of new and different projects to make a difference in the lives of our community members.

FOOD KITCHENS

We are always grateful for donations of food items to either add to our pots or hand out to individuals.

Recently we received generous donations from Klein River Cheese which ran for several weeks; a few crates of carrots from Stanford Harvest; and 100 litres of milk from Maryke de Villiers and her husband, which was distributed to 3 of our kitchens as well as Die Bron school - what a treat!

NETBALL

The Stanford Netball Club members were recently given practise and match balls which they are putting to good use.

Coach Anchelle organised a netball tournament recently which by all accounts was a great success. Competing teams came from Stanford, Gansbaai, Caledon, Pearly Beach and Grabouw.

Braais were set up and meals sold in order to raise funds for the Stanford club.

We are also moving forward with building spectator stands.

SUNSET MARKET RAFFLE

Thank you all for your generous support of our raffle at the monthly Sunset Market. This is a monthly fundraiser, and all proceeds go towards our ongoing projects.

We are always in need of items to add to our raffle hampers and would be grateful for any assistance from businesses or individuals. Anything yummy to eat - preserves, cookies, coffee, chocolate, etc - vouchers for restaurants, book or other shops, pamper items and so on would be most welcome.

Donors are acknowledged on social media.

Should you wish to contribute please call Lana on 082 216 4398.

THE ROTARY FOUR WAY TEST EXPLAINED

As Rotarians we are often faced with difficult decisions. During these times our code of ethics, or 4 Way Test as we call it, underpins our values and acts as our roadmap at all times. It is a code we have quietly taken on board and live by. This 4 Way Test is our unique approach for addressing conflicts, solving problems and making decisions to achieve healthy outcomes for all concerned. It is recited at the end of each meeting. Of the things we think, say or do:

Is it The TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

At Stanford Rotary, with the 4 Way Test top of mind, we have developed an honest and trusted relationship with residents in both Stanford North and South through our projects here since our inception in 2008. We are pleased to have achieved that reputation and strive to maintain it.

Rotarians the world over aren’t the only people who have adopted the 4 Way Test - Thuli Madonsela has this on her office wall as a constant guide.

MEET OUR MEMBERS

Our competent, capable and fun President, ANNIE RANGER.

After living and working in Cape Town for many years, the Rangers moved to Stanford in 2005. They wanted to get involved in village life and make a difference, which did not take long! First thing was setting up a self-catering cottage on their property which has kept them extremely busy.

Annie ran the Stanford Garden Club as well as the Wine and Wisdom Quiz for 10 years and met many wonderful people. She also became a member of Stanford Animal Welfare Society and ran this for 14 years.

In addition to this she also mentored children in Grades 1 & 2 at Die Bron Primary children in Afrikaans for 11 years until Covid struck.

She found it very rewarding seeing children blossom and learn to read. Hopefully the Star Literacy Program will return to the school next year.

Annie also runs the Novel Women Book Club in Hermanus, a bit of light relief, as she has a voracious appetite for reading.

Through Toastmasters she has become an accomplished speaker.

Annie has been with Stanford Rotary since 2014 after heeding the call for new members. Her Rotary badge says Community Organizer and she tries never to say no to any request! As President, she knows her club will continue to conduct service projects within the local community and retain their trust. Dogs, gardening, books, current affairs and travel are some of Annie’s interests. She says, ‘Do not tie me down to an office, I like to be out and about meeting new people.”

LOOKING AHEAD TO OUR DECEMBER ISSUE...

THE OKKIE SMUTS KOSHUIS GETS NEW DUVET COVERS

Watch this space for a report and photos.

EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS - OUR LATEST PROJECT

Every Rotary Club in the world has received a request from the Rotary International President, which is that every club in the world do a project around empowering women or girls. What an exciting, challenging and very necessary project - one that we have taken up and will be starting soon. More on this next time.

HAPPY HAMPERS

December is fast approaching and so planning is underway for this year’s Happy Hampers campaign.

Project co-ordinator Lana Coates will be launching the campaign in a few weeks’ time.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT JOINING ROTARY?

Rotary welcomes new members - it’s a way of expanding our talent base as well as having extra willing hands. New members bring new ideas, new perspectives and help us stay fresh. When people join Rotary they do so not with the thought of “what will I get out of it?” but rather “what can I contribute, how can I help and how can I be of service?”

The Rotary Motto “Service Above Self” is an acknowledgment that it’s better to “get stuck in” and get a sense of achievement rather than just letting things stay the same.

You WILL get something out of Rotary - but it won’t be what you expect - it will be better!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

There are many ways, for example, donations of food items for our foodbank, fresh vegetables and fruit.

A list of preferred items can be obtained from Lana Coates or Ansie Reitsma.

Financial assistance is always welcome by way of donations into our bank account.

The Rotary Club of Stanford

FNB Hermanus

Account No.: 623 559 796 95

Branch code: 250655

Ref: Project name, eg Food, Schools, etc and your name

We are a registered Public Benefit Organization: # 930051075

WHO TO CONTACT?

Annie Ranger - Club President (076 130 5531)

Lana Coates - Club Secretary & Treasurer (082 216 4398)

Ansie Reitsma - Soup Kitchens Co-Ordinator (082 320 0982)

Malcolm Bury - Rural Schools and Sports

Margy Wakefield - Newsletter

Sandy Pillans - Scribe

All that remains is to thank you for your time and request that you send this on to friends, especially those who are new in Stanford. Please stay safe and take care.