End of term for Rotary President Mike

The Computer Man Mike Pynenburg ended his term as President of the Rotary Club of Rarotonga on Saturday night. At an official changeover ceremony, Maureen Hilyard took over the responsibility of President of this local branch of one of the largest humanitarian organisations in the world.
In acknowledgement of the role that Past President Mike has played in the club’s community activities, President Maureen said, “During his term as President, Mike has led a number of projects that have not only involved Rotarians from here on Rarotonga but also several teams from overseas who have brought valued expertise and resources to our island.”
Education was an early beneficiary during Mike’s term of office, when boxes of books and reading activity packs were delivered for every school in the outer islands.
In the run up to the Pacific Mini Games, Mike took his team to the main thoroughfare of Avarua to repair and clean up the signs at each end of Te Ara Maire Nui. The Rotary Wheel remains on each of the walls to signify their support for maintaining a clean and tidy environment for our visitors.
Transporting the elderly and the disabled has been a focus for Rotary over the past years and Mike was integral to getting a van to Aitutaki for the elderly, and more recently for obtaining a good deal on a second hand van to transport wheel-chair-bound students of the Creative Centre.
At the beginning of 2010, Mike arranged a training programme for members of Rotary and their junior counterparts, Rotaract. “This important session was taken by the District Governor, Leeann Jaggs, who gave us all some insight into the roles and responsibilities of each group as well as learning more about the international organisation to which we belong.”
Rotary has helped to fund our youth to attend overseas exchanges that have opened them to new experiences and opportunities. Two students from Tereora attended a Youth Enrichment Program last year, a Creative Centre student attended the Challenge Camp in Auckland in May, and we have another participant currently in Auckland attending a two-week work experience and leadership course.
The final project for the year was a visit by Rotarians to the Rarotonga Prison and a donation of a bandsaw to assist the inmates with their cultural craft activities.
President Maureen saw potential for collaboration and support from Rotary after discussing Secretary of Justice, Mark Short’s vision for a rehabilitation centre and literacy and life skills training programmes. “During my year as President, this will be my focus. It would be a long-term project, but not unachievable if we can persuade other Rotary clubs in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere to come on board for this very worthwhile cause.”
“As Past President, Mike will continue to be involved in this activity for which he has had a role in initiating. It certainly tops off a very creditable record of performance as President of a club which is committed to serving the needs of our community.”

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