The Tower Chronicle

Fortnightly Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Uitenhage South

P.O. Box 500 Uitenhage 6230
“Service above Self”
VOLUME 35 ISSUE 4 30th SEPTEMBER 2010
Volume 28, Issue 9 March 2004
Message from the President…
F
It often happens that there is so little to write about but this time I find that there is too much
to write about and hardly know where to start. What I’d like to write about is the visit to
our Club and it being a phenomenal experience right from the Sunday where the display of
hospitality by Jeffrey’s Bay Club was apparent and then at Cape St Francis by our own
Rotarians who were hosting.

To the folk that took our guests around and to the Ann’s for preparing the meeting area for the first GSE
presentation, a great big thank you. The teamwork and camaraderie that you all displayed was
wonderful and made our guests feel at home. It is a good opportunity to point out to those who were
reluctant or scared to get involved that you actually missed out on a lot. Some good advice to quote Rtn
Leon Fish “…I’ve learned more about Rotary in this GSE week than I have in a whole year…”. That’s a
thought to ponder on!

Many thanks are due but especially to the host families and to those who organized the farewell braai.
the fellowship was great and a huge thanks to everyone who created the wonderful atmosphere. Rotary
is about participation and as always our Club stood out as a super Club! Special note to PP Alan: this
would not have worked without you and we are trying to learn from your experience.

Until next time.

Shaun

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 Message from the President
2 Editorial
3 Fireside Forum
5 Anns Corner President Shaun and GSE Team Leader
Terry Desmond at the GSE Presentation
evening

The Rotary Club of Uitenhage South

President: Shaun Gilbert Secretary: Alan Reynolds Bulletin Editor: Pierre van der Westhuizen
Editorial …

Hello fellow Rotarians,

Wow! Time flies! Can't believe that I missed our

mid-month issue! So my apologies to all of you
who wait with bated breath and great anticipation
for this wonderful publication to arrive in your e-
mail inbox.

Nevertheless, let me start by congratulating all of
you who were involved in hosting the District 6440
GSE Team. When reading their blog it's obvious
that they found it most enjoyable and stimulating.
Thanks to Leon for the many pic's that were taken
during their visit.
Shaun and Leslie-Ann enjoying pizza's with
the GSE Team. From left to right Alison,
Deborah, Angie, Shaun, Terry, Leslie-Ann
and Michael.

Now, what can I say about the Chevrolet Warriors?

Unfortunately they couldn't pull it off in the Airtel
final but well done to the guys. Their only losses
were against the champs, and I'm sure that this
experience will help them pull it off in the SA T20
again.

Hou die blink kant bö…..

Pierre

Aubrey showing Terry

how it's done

District 6440 GSE Team with Uitenhage South members

FIRESIDE FEEDBACK
“Almost every Monday evening I hear the 4-Way Test. I've had to close a meeting with it. But
what's the history behind it?”

For Rotary, The Four-Way Test is the cornerstone of all action. It has been for years, and it will be in the
future. Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
The test is one of the hallmarks of Rotary. Since it was developed in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, who later
became RI president, it has never ceased to be relevant. Its four brief questions are not based on culture
or religion. Instead, they are a simple checklist for ethical behavior.

In 1932, Taylor, the newly appointed president of a nearly bankrupt Chicago cookware company,
believing his employees were in need of an “ethical yardstick,” wrote these four questions on a small,
white piece of paper. When he penned what came to be known as The Four-Way Test, the country was
in the grip of the Great Depression, and there was widespread distrust of banks and corporations after
the stock market crash three years earlier. At the Club Aluminum Products Company, a new and
expensive type of cookware was being sold with rapidly declining success by door-to-door salesmen
using high-pressure tactics. Although other additional measures were instituted he came to believe that
applying his test to Club’s advertising and sales methods was the key factor that led to the company’s
remarkable return to profitability within 5 years.

Adopted by Rotary in 1943, we as Rotarians, should have The Four-Way Test in mind in every decision
we make, all day long. Our utmost responsibility is to speak the truth, to be fair, to build goodwill and
better friendships, and to do our very best in all situations. Life is very turbulent today, and people all
over the world are exhausted in their duties. Where are the dreams of a better world? Where are we?
Who are we? What is our duty to ourselves, neighbors, and fellow citizens? Where are charity and our
joint responsibility to humankind?

Now more than ever, we need a vision and knowledge of what is happening around us, a new view of
cultural and religious phenomena, without dividing humankind into limited and subjective categories.
That’s the tenet for a better world and a job for us Rotarians: not engaging in politics, but serving without
any boundaries. The one universal, unsurpassed principle expressed by nearly every major religion and
values system is similar to the golden rule: Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Rotary offers a possibility for solving ethical problems. Well-trained, well-engaged in social life, and with
strong consciences, Rotarians must try to address these issues through Rotary’s vocational and
community service programs.
People all over the world need more safety, tolerance, understanding, and love. They want to live in
peace.
AND DILIGENTLY APPLYING THE 4 WAY TEST IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS OUR SMALL YET
EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO ACHIEVING THAT.
“Man ole vrou…it’s just too damn hot to wear
clothes today” said Koos as he stepped out of HA-HA
the shower. “Skattie…what do you think the
neighbours would say if they saw me mowing
the lawn like this?”

Mrs Van looked him up and down and said,

“Probably that I married you for your money!”.

Could this be Richard?

An accountant arrives at the Pearly Gates and St. Peter checks out his credentials….. “ I note that you
reached the very ripe age of 96” says St Peter…..”That’s quite an accomplishment!”
The accountant looks confused, “ Ninety Six????? There must be some mistake…..I’m only 34”
St. Peter looks at the documents again and says, “ Hmmm…Not according to your billing hours”

Quite some years ago during a rugby tour of England, Mof Myburgh had to say grace at a fancy rugby dinner. Now
you must understand that Mof had a delicious command of the English language. He once walked into a shop in
New Zealand and said to the shop assistant, “ I would like some soap please”
“Certainly,” said the assistant. “Do you want it scented?”
To which Mof replied, “ No it’s okay….I’ll sommer jus take it wiff me now”
Nevertheless… doing his duty at grace he mumbled a few inaudible phrases in English and “Amen” and sat down.
Frik du Preez the legendary lock leaned over to Mof and said,”I didn’t hear a word you said”
To which Mof replied, “ I wasn’t talking to you!”

Can you guess the song title or artist?

ANN’S CORNER.
It’s time to say hello again,

The Ann’s have, as usual, been busy with our charity work, mainly
helping Ubuntu to survive during the strike in the workplace.

How’s this for building communities: We gave the children each a

small packet of chocolates as a treat but instead of eating them, they
convinced Mama Thelma that they needed to sell them all so that they
could buy electricity as it was exam time and they needed to work at
night!!! Thelma has taught the children good values hey!

Thank you to all the ladies who helped me with the various functions while our guests were here. It is
great to have such a wonderful, willing team who just seem to know what to do and when to do and then
do it with such style!

Don’t forget that we have our steak braai again at the end of October. Looking forward to seeing you all
there and more.

Also a big thank you to everyone who made my 50th birthday such a wonderful day. It was very special
and will be a fond memory forever!

Look out next time for our recipe for Pandora’s Box. Its quite long and so it may be the only thing in the
next bulletin from me.

Much love

Leslie-Ann

Anns Shelley Hopley and Anna Burkert

relaxing at the GSE outing to Cape St.
Francis

Leslie-Ann with Terry Desmond chatting

about something over cuppa and a Black
Label