Now , just five years after joining Wanaka , she ’ s steering the club – and it ’ s hard to imagine a more hectic presidency , with a serving district governor , Janice Hughes , in the midst , and the intensive , complex work needed to stage and host the annual district conference .
The 68-strong club ’ s also busy actively recruiting new members – two are currently in the wings – finding innovative ways to involve youth , cooking up , and fundraising , a storm through its catering work , and even launching a child-minding initiative to ensure Rotarians with youngsters get a break .
“ We also certainly make a point of encouraging families to come along to activities , such as the recent clean-up of Tititea Lodge , and we really enjoyed having teenagers working the till at our annual Rotary book sale and the Challenge Wanaka catering event .”
Historically , though , Wanaka has had its times of struggle , and it took a major push to rejuvenate and breathe the life – and future – back into the club , which was originally chartered by the Rotary Club of Balclutha in 1984 .
The key ? More fun , less rigidity .
“ Changing the mindsets from serious meetings to ‘ let ’ s have fun ’ encouraged different approaches , including making changes to attendance requirements , having a vibrant social calendar that folks can engage in or not , having a strong focus on interesting and relevant speakers and participating in fundraisers that are actually fun to be part of ,” Margaret says .
Page 38 | In Gear - Rotary in southern New Zealand - District 9980 | www . rotarydistrict9980 . org