Last week's address from Graeme Thompson , where he shared anecdotes and photographs from his trip earlier this year to the Antarctic was more than a little special.  We've all seen the books and the documentaries but the little snippets of information and the insights provided by Graeme brought a new perspective for me, particularly about the state of the ice shelves.

This week we will be hosting our (new) local MP, Oamaru based Miles Anderson.  In keeping with Rotary principles, it is not intended to be a political meeting, rather an opportunity for us to hear from Mr Anderson, 10 months in, on things like 'where he's come from', why he was attracted to politics, and insight into what visions he has for Wanaka and more generally Central Otago and Southern New Zealand.  All of this in the hope that should we, the club's members, ever have occasion for direct dealings with Mr Anderson, the ice will have been broken.

One of the least wanted duties of club presidents is that of advising "silent' and late apologising members that they still have to pay for their meal.  At meetings and in previous editions of this Bulletin you will have heard from PP Mike, PP John, PP Marie, others before them and now from me, that: a late apology is a very welcome courtesy, but does not absolve you from the debt incurred to The Albie.  However, not apologising, and not turning up is sadly in my view a sign of a 'life out of control' (can we help) or an arrogant indifference to the club's efforts to maintain a professional relationship with our meeting venue and (delicious) meals provider.  

Apologies must be lodged by midday on the Mondays when we have a meeting  planned for the following day.  Early Monday afternoon, Anne Lindsay, from wherever she is in the world, in a break away from what she would otherwise be doing, looks at the list of apologies and advises The Albie how many are attending the following evening and how many meals will be needed (and bought) - we have a contract!  So when people don't show up, they are forcing a breach of that contract, and inevitably undermining our relationship with The Albie, and their ability to budget with confidence as they plan what they will feed us.

Short of being incarcerated, possibly in an ambulance or an ICU, I cannot understand those that simply don't show up, and make no effort to make a courtesy call no matter how late.  We had 7 of these no-show 'silents' last week plus a couple of late apologies. Good for those who were able to have seconds of the delicious butter chicken, but potentially very embarrassing if there is a pan full of lamb shanks left over tomorrow night.  How does this measure up with Rotary's 4-Way Test?  The Albie is out of pocket if they are not reimbursed.

We will discuss this ongoing issue at the Director's meeting, I think the mentors of new members have a role to play (these are amongst the worst offenders; do they understand our expectations), but I will be proposing that apart from invoicing members, that to help avoid me and future presidents having to keep raising this, we consider some sort of 1 or 2 strike rule leading to naming and shaming!  Or is that a step too far, and we should just find another fundraiser to cover the couple of thousand dollars a year no-shows and late apologies cost us.

See you tomorrow night for lamb shanks and MP.

Thanks in anticipation

Alan R