Rotary Rotorua Sunrise
Rotary Rotorua Sunrise aims to make Rotorua and the rest of the world a better place to live. Their mission is be an engaged, action-oriented, vibrant club with passionate members.
Rotary Rotorua Sunrise has been part of the Toi Ohomai Charity House project since the idea was born and the members continue to be stalwarts of the project, ensuring the profits from the sale of each house is donated to worthy causes in the community.
In 2013 Rotarian Sue Gunn was the Marketing and Communications Manager at Waiariki Institute of Technology. Sue, along with Kevin Uncles, the Director of the School of Trade Training presented this innovative as an exciting opportunity to collaborate with the institute, students and the business community.
The project meets one of Rotary’s key areas of focus to enhance humanitarian service by participating in a local service project related to economic and community development.
“As Rotarians, we have a strong commitment to young people; our future leaders, tradespeople and entrepreneurs. This project has enabled our members to develop a close relationship with staff and students as the designated charity to receive the proceeds from the house sales and responsible for distributing the funds within our community,” Sue says.
Rotary members have been involved in helping at the annual build launches, builders’ breakfasts, student BBQs, roof shouts, open days and the presentation of proceeds to the local charity groups.
“This relationship between Rotarians and students has provided opportunities to assist and develop the students’ leadership skills by identifying suitable candidates for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and Outward Bound. Students have helped at the Rotary Global Swimarathon for End Polio Now, the Rotorua Lakeside Concert collection and the Rotorua Hospice gardening projects as volunteers.”
Sue says the Charity House project is an exciting and unique project in which Rotary Rotorua Sunrise members can work along-side students training to become our next generation of tradespeople.
“Carpenters are in short supply in New Zealand and with the current housing crisis and the demand for housing across New Zealand at the top of the government’s priority list, this collaboration is important to our economy and community.”
A big part of the ethos of the Charity House project was not only providing students with hands-on learning opportunities, but also benefiting wider community in Rotorua.
“It’s about balance and caring for your community, being socially responsible. We can easily be takers; however, we should always be looking at the bigger picture and thinking about how we can help others.”
Sue says the most reward part of the project is seeing the difference it makes to young people and their whānau.
“Many of these students are the first in their families to attend tertiary level education, so there is immense pride in their learning by doing, taking up new challenges and gaining their apprenticeships with local tradespeople.
“Seeing what can be achieved when the community works together. It’s a win/win for our young people, the institute, the tradespeople and the community.”
For more information visit the Rotary Rotorua Sunrise website.