Rotaract Club of Apia

Volume: 01 Issue: 01, JulySeptember 2011

Serve Today, Change Tomorrow

NEWSLETTER

A word from the President

My fellow readers it is indeed my pleasure to welcome you all as you go through the very first Newsletter published by the Rotaract Club of Apia (RCOA). It is an undertaking that has long been in the planning process and has finally come to fruition with the copy that you now hold. I hope this will be the beginning of many more issues to come. The idea to publish a newsletter came about when members of our club sought an avenue to not only inform the general public and stakeholders of our projects, but also to have it act as a vehicle for promoting our club. Within each issue you will find stories about our projects and our members and about the challenges we have faced as a whole and individually. You will also be introduced to the dedicated young professionals who make RCOA what it is a vibrant and energetic group. RCOA has a long and proud history being part of the Rotary family worldwide and through this new venture we can only hope it further adds to it. At this point in time I would like to thank you for taking time out to read through the many fascinating stories in the newsletter. I hope that as you read, you will be inspired to offer your time, energy and resources in service of others less fortunate. It is this simple belief that guides Rotaractors and one that I surely hope will also bring in more like minded young professionals to our group. RCOA President 2011/12 Situfu Duff Salesa Happy reading!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE?

Digicel BOMQ SUNGO Meetings Rotary Meeting FLO Walk for Life Executive Profile

2 2 2 3 3

RCOA Fire and Ice Masquerade Handover Dinner

An annual event to welcome the new and farewell the old executive members, RCOA held its Fire and Ice Masquerade Handover dinner on 15th July at Rendezvous restaurant. The event was attended by RCOA and Rotary members as well as RCOA friends, families and special guests, who were adorned in masks inspired by the individuals interpretation of the theme, which saw a variety of colours and sparkles on the night. The event featured speeches from the outgoing and incoming RCOA presidents, induction of the new executive, launch of the new theme, awarding of the RCOA Spirit Award, and distribution of new information kit (brochure and business card). In his parting remarks Immediate Past President Savave Sapolu encouraged the new executive to think big and think international in regards to projects, echoing the words of Rotary International Presidents (Kaylan Banerjee) challenge to the global Rotary Family. The incoming president commended Savave and his executive for their great work.

Our Contact Details

rotaract@gmail.com www.apiarotary.ws/rotaract.aspx https://www.facebook.com/ rotaract.apia http://twitter.com/rotaract_apia

Naomi and guests

Page 2

Rotaract Club of Apia

Serve Today, Change Tomorrow

The 2011/12 theme launched on the night was Serve Today, Change Tomorrow and this will guide the work of RCOA for this term. A new annual initiative of the club known as the RCOA Spirit Award was also presented to acknowledge the outstanding rotaractor of the year. This was awarded to Mandria Sua for her continuous dedication and service. RCOA Information Kit includes a brochure on what RCOA is all about and the business card of course entails contact information of RCOA. The new 2011/12 Executive members are: Situfu SalesaPresident; Naomi Fuamatu Vice President; Rapi VaaiTreasurer; Tessa TafuaSecretary;

Directors of Services: ClubKaisarina Salesa; CommunityJulia Meredith; Professional DevelopmentMandria Sua; and International RelationsSophie Price Budvietas; Immediate Past PresidentSavave Sapolu. Each executive member will feature in our newsletter to allow them the opportunity to tell you about what the services they are spearheading is all about. Featured in this issue is Community Services DirectorKaisarina Salesa (see page 3). You can view the 2010/11 Annual Report and RCOA information kit on our website.

Launch of the Digicel Battle of the Minds Quiz 2011

The Digicel Battle of the Minds Quiz (BOMQ) was launched on 27th August, 2011. The game will run for six weeks in total with David Unoi as the new host for the BOMQ 2011. The Judges from the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture (MESC) and part of the Curriculum Division Team - Aniseko Fruean (Arts), Faapulou Fausia (Commerce) and Tamasoalii Savaise (Science), representing the main subject areas covered in the Year 12 Curriculum are responsible for composing the quiz questions. In an attempt to shake off nerves during the debut event, students were lamenting their school chants, which they were informed to prepare for BOMQ to demonstrate and display school pride and team spirit. With a larger venue (Theatre D201 at NUS) to house BOMQ, there is an opportunity for families and friends to support and join with those who are faced with the challenge of competing with their Year 12 peers, in the vie for the 2011 title of BOMQ Champions. BOMQ is a televised show which will be aired by TV1. The coverage of BOMQ, will allow for Youth of Samoa to have access to a live educational programme, which can assist with their academic development but most importantly preparation for Year 12 School Certificate examinations, which is the heart of this initiative. BOMQ, is a signature project of the Rotaract Club of Apia (RCOA) in association with MESC and Digicel Samoa Limited as the Naming Rights sponsor. Other partners of BOMQ this year include the following members of the business community and organisations; EPC, NUS, Samoa Builders/ACE Hardware, TV 1, Comptech Xtra, Eveni Carruthers, Pacific Jewell, Samoa Stationery and Books, Adam Paint Ball, Business Systems, Commercial Printers, Eclipse Hair Salon, Georgies Pizza, Ink Patch, iPLAY, Kids Culture, Le Vai, Magik Cinemas, Samoa Shipping Corporation, Seb and Rene, Samoa Stationary, Andrew Jnr Ah-Liki and McDonalds.

Faleata College with host Digicel BOMQ new comers

Fatuatua College

SUNGO Meeting and Civil Society Forum

SUNGO (Samoa Umbrella for Non Governmental Organisations) members meeting was held on 29th of July with the Civil Society Forum (organised by SUNGO) held the next day. The occasion was opened with a keynote address by the Prime Minister of Samoa Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who strongly endorsed the work of SUNGO and its members. The main purpose of the day was to build awareness of the Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP). CCSP is funded by AusAID and European Union and was officially established in 2010. CCSP is committed to sustainable social and economic development in Samoa and provides grants/funding to strengthen civil society organisations. RCOA member, Sepasitino Faasavalu attended one session on behalf of the club. RCOA is the youth voice and a member of SUNGO board. These meetings are a chance to network with other SUNGO members and to gain an understanding of their various programmes. Often as the only youth organisation represented at these meetings among established community based organisations, church leaders and elders of the community it can be quite daunting. However, once you put age and hierarchy aside, you realise that everyone in the room is there for the same reason the betterment of our people and country.

Sepasitino with Savea Tutogi Too CEO of the Goshen Mental Health Trust

VOL 01 ISSUE 01

Page 2

Faataua Le Ola Walk for Life

Faataua O le Ola (FLO) is a Samoan suicide prevention NGO. Every year they hold the Walk for Life to raise much needed funds for their lifeline which is a phone call-in service for people in need of counselling or assistance, when facing difficult and challenging times in life. Its always a great way for Rotaract to show support to other NGOs in Samoa. So some of us who gave up the weekend sleep in and gathered at dawn on a Saturday morning outside the Government Building, which was followed by a procession through the streets of Apia, led by Samoas Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi. In addition to the 30 minute workout, Rotaract members collected $113.60 for FLO! Rotaract extends its best wishes to such a worthwhile organisation.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Digicel BOMQ 2011 Finals and Prizegiving Membership drive Ball RCOA Christmas Bash More...

L-R ~ Mandria, Rosa, Kaisarina and Naomi

Our Mother ClubRotary Apia Meeting (2nd August)

Attending Rotary meetings is always a highlight, as you will meet other Rotarians on holiday in Samoa, who also share the true Rotarian spirit of service and friendship. The meeting was graced by the presence of Rotarians from Australia and the USA. Rotary is ultimately where every Rotaractor transitions to, and it is always inspiring to see the drive and commitment of our mother club. At the beginning of every month Rotary features a guest speaker, for August, Bruce Russell from NZ and part of Tindall Foundation discussed the community development projects in the tsunami affected village of Poutasi. The Tindall Foundation is a philanthropic family trust established by Steve Tindall whose family own the popular chain of retail stores The Warehouse. The Tindall foundation shares similar values and objectives of Rotary International, as its philosophy is based on providing communities with a hand up rather than a hand out, ensuring that with the assistance they provide families and communities become self-sustainable. Alongside the Tindall foundations work in Poutasi, Rotary Samoa donated school furniture and books to the villages pre-school. Rotary was also excited about RCOA update for August and were supportive of our preparations for BOMQ 2011.

Attending Rotary meetings is always a highlight

Executive Profile Kaisarina Salesa

My name is Kaisarina Salesa and I am the Director of Club Services for the year 2011/12. If youre wondering what Club Services is, do not worry you are not alone. In fact, sometimes I too wonder exactly what Club Services means. Before I go on to elaborate what they are, I think I should tell you a little a about myself. For starters, Im 26 years old. Bet you thought Im 18 huh! Well its alright a lot of people think Im that young lol! If youre staring at the photo in which I look really good in, its because I have a job that allows me the luxury of buying all that makeup that todays generation quips about e panel ai lou box! ha ha ha but in all seriousness I am a Legal Analyst for Samoa Law Reform Commission. If youre thinking that was too much information then youre probably right. So I will move into discussing my directorship for this year. Club Services vision is to be the most compassionate, empathetic, friendliest, open-minded and fun Rotaract Club in the Pacific. In order to achieve this vision we have armed ourselves with a mission of coming together as one group on any and at all events of service above self to promote and maintain the Club through hard work, social networking, professional development, international relations and above all through the club services of serve today, change tomorrow. Achieving this is no mean feat, however to help with attaining our vision, the club has set three goals to hopefully get the job done: To increase membership through community, family and fun based activities; To retain and maintain membership through inspirational, motivational and enjoyable activities; and To establish and provide additional services aimed specifically towards the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of the club members.

Newsletter Team
Editors Naomi Fuamatu Sophie Price Coordinators Mandria Sua Julia Meredith