The Fiji Rotary Microcredit Project was approved by Rotary International and provides funding to the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD), a well-established microfinance institution operating in Samoa and Tonga.  SPBD makes very small loans to woman in rural communities to establish micro-businesses and get an income they otherwise could not earn.  SPBD audited accounts show very low lending losses. Funding from our Club and the Rotary Club of Downtown Auckland, totalled FJD147,000, the Fiji equivalent of the USD72,500 raised and has now been lent to 90 women entrepreneurs located on the Fiji Island of Ovalau for a  12 month term and will be repaid and recycled to new borrowers every 12 months.  The Rotary Clubs of Auckland and Downtown Auckland will be assisting the Rotary Club of Suva to monitor the project for the next two years.  Our Fiji Rotary Microcredit project will have an ongoing impact, not only with relending of the funds we have raised but, as a result of this global grant approval, SPBD hopes to be able to attract other Rotary funding.  One prospect is individual NZ Rotary Clubs and members making interest bearing loans to SPBD - borrowing from a wide range of lenders is the main source of funding for SPBD.

The next Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March and will be held at Selwyn College.  We encourage all new and existing Rotarians to attend, and especially those who will be taking up leadership roles.  This is an opportunity to learn from others, share ideas and challenge your thinking; discover more about Rotary and Rotaract and how this knowledge can help you contribute to your community, as well as providing an opportunity for personal growth.  If interested in attending, please contact Jacqui in the office, who will provide you will all the information you will require.

The Rotary Club of Auckland South invites you to their Cultural & Charity Night on Saturday 6 April.  Come and enjoy the experience and be inspired by the displays of cultural diversity that will be on show.

Date & Time: Saturday 6 April, 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue: The Imperial Palace Restaurant, 519 Panmure-Ellerslie Highway, Mt Wellington

Cost: $65pp and $600 per table (includes wine on the table)

Dress Code: Cultural attire or semi-formal

RSVP: by 25 March, Janet 027 534 2888 or Madison 027 510 5138

Each year, Rotary awards up to 100 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our Peace Centres.  Through academic training, practice and global networking opportunities, this program develops the fellows into experienced and effective catalysts for peace.  The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.  In just over a decade, the Rotary Peace Centres have trained more than 1,200 fellows. Many of them now serve as leaders at international organizations or have started their own foundations.  The 2020 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now available and we need your help to find the next cohort of experienced global peace and development leaders!  Candidates have until 31 May to submit applications to their District and Districts must submit endorsed applications to The Rotary Foundation by 1 July.  General inquiries regarding the fellowship program may be sent to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org.