Pearls were the theme for the 30th Anniversary and changeover ceremony for Quota International of Whakatane, held last month.  Special guests included seven charter members (three of which are still active members); Carol Somervell, District 37 New Zealand's first District Governor 1976-78 and Barbara Cummings who was President of Rotorua 1980 and sponsoring club for Whakatane.

Out going President Lorna Subritzky thanked the members for an outstanding year which included supporting Hospice with 'Dancing with Stars'; making Quilts for Haiti during Quota Cares Month; with donations to  Shine Girls, RDA for care of 'Dyak' the Quota horse, 'LOUD Shirt Day' and 'Beautiful Daughters in Auckland'. 

President Lorna thanked the members for their support and also the support they have given each other during this very successful year.

As outgoing president Lorna presented the following awards: Hands-on-service award to Lyn Irving who donated 204 hrs out of a club total of 1637 hrs.  

The President's Rose Bowl was presented to Yulene Watts - "Who stepped out of her comfort zone, and in one year has proved that she is a true Quota member".

The 25th Anniversary Awards was presented to Marguerite Timbs, "A member who has given outstanding service and leadership, who always seems to 'appear' wherever she is needed."

The 'Heart of Quota Award' - "This award goes to the member with an exceptional heart.  She has given time, talent and cared for several Quota members who were admitted to hospital this year. She has a lovely, caring bedside manner and has only been in Quota one year", President Lorna said, as Sammy Wilson presented Vijaya Lokuketagoda with a silver heart.

The membership award was shared by Jan France, Wendy Tozer, Marg Murray and Judy Woods who each introduced a new member to Quota over the past year.

The District 37 Team of Pam Ross, District Governor; Karla Hammond, Lieutenant Governor and Kathleen Drummond, District Sectreatary/Treasurer conducted the installation ceremony for the incoming board.

Board for 2010-2011:  Judy Woods, President; Jenny Mahoney, Pres Elect; Ina Murphy, 1st Vice and Treasurer; Karen Sharp, Secretary; Nola Lawson, Club Services; Lorna Subritzky, Ways and Means; Annette Steele, Community Service; Alison Johnston, Membership.

For more information on Quota, contact Alison Johnston at 07 312-6118.

Quota International of Whakatane has 'kick started' the New Year by welcoming three new members to the group.
Two new members, Carol London and Judith Read were pinned at the February Dinner meeting, which was a picnic held in the beautiful gardens of Jan France. It was a warm, casual and very friendly evening complete with individual boxed picnics for each member attending.  Joan Shaw was welcomed at the March business meeting held this week.

March is Quota Cares Month, and President Lorna Subritzky along with the many 'quilters' in the club are preparing 20 single sized patchwork quilts which will be presented to the Red Cross this month.  The quilts are very much in demand in the South Pacific Area that have suffered various disasters over the past few months.  Quota will also be visiting and joining in the celebrations for St Patrick's Day to be held at Mountain View Rest Home on the 17th.

As Whakatane Quota winds up the 2009-2010 year; donations have been made to various charities and organisations in the Whakatane area.

'Shine Girls' is a personal development program for girls who have not had a good start in life and who have little concept of their value and worth. Shine has the potential to give many young women in Whakatane the tools to walk forward confidently in life.  This program is available at Whakatane High School, Quota has donated $532.00 which will assist nine girls to take
part in the 8-week program.

A Donation of $500.00 has been donated to Riding for the Disabled ot assist in the health care of Dyak the Quota horse.

The club donated $1500. to District 37's 2009-10 Project - Beautiful Daughters -  which is a program run through the Kauri Trust in collaboration with the Sisters of St Joseph, Auckland. These young women are in difficult circumstances and on the streets. The Sisters are dedicated to assisting each individual young woman achieve her potential, by working with her to restore, develop and enhance both her inner and outer qualities.  To find out more about this program check out www.sosj.org.au .

If you are interested in finding out more about Quota Int of Whakatane please contact Membership Director Sammy Wilson 09 308 6512 or President Lorna Subritzky 09 308 8711

The activities room was bursting with lots of love and laughter  as Quota Whakatane kicked off Quota Cares Month with a visit  to Mountain View Rest Home on St Patrick's Day.  Lorraine Smith, Activities Coordinator had decorated the room with lots of lucky shamrocks and green balloons. 

Whakatane Quota Club presents a cheque for $3,600 to Noela Vallis at the
Joint Service Club Meeting. The Whakatane West Rotary Club manned the bar
for the evening and donated the $500 raised towards the evening's proceeds
of $3100 making a grand total of $3600.  The Sunshine Lions who also
attended the evening made a separate donation of $500.