Greetings Members,

 

As the calendar year draws to an end life gets busier and busier.  I thought when I retired life would slow down somewhat but that doesn’t seem to be happening.

 

We enjoyed Bali Haque speaking last week and interesting concept on gender issues was floated and members eagerly joined in the discussion.

 

Next Monday being the fifth Monday we will be meeting.  A bit of fun leading up to the silly season.  Members/men make a cake with a Christmas theme. No it doesn’t have to be a Christmas cake just have the theme.  Bring along your wife, husband, partner or friend. Each person brings a $10 Secret Santa gift to exchange so make it gender neutral.  Wear something big or small in the Christmas theme.  There will be a raffle and a speaker.  Viv Baty, will entertain us with some bloopers from the stage. Viv has acted in and produced shows at Little Theatre and around town.

 

Please let Wally know if and number attending by Sunday night, please.

Yours in Rotary

Sally

 

 

 

Guest Speaker: Bali Haque- Gender Issues

 

Introduced by Harry Duynhoven

 

 

Bali first came to New Plymouth from Britain in 1975 and returned in 1982. He's had a stellar career in education as a Principal in at least two schools, President of NZ PPTA, Head of ERO (Education Review Office. More recently commissioned by the Government to undertake a review into  state education- Simpson report.

 

Currently he is writing a book with another person entitled: Gender Puzzles. This is looking at young men's place in our community and how they are responding to the ever increasing trend for women/girls to be breaking glass ceilings as never before.

 

He recommended reading Hanna Rosin's book: The End of Men. The majority of jobs now in USA are occupied by females. 20% of families have solo parents, mainly women (26% in NZ, 2nd in the world).

Men now are the ball and chain holders -leading to suicide, depression and suspicion. He quoted the Rust Belt in USA where many men have lost jobs in manufacturing leading to loss of identity, resentment, disaffection and support for extreme groups.

 

Currently girls are beating boys in NZCA exams the only exception is in Maths.

There are 2 female graduates for every one male graduate in New Zealand Universities for most professions apart from IT and Engineering.

 

Another book he quoted is by Andrea Perez: Invisible Women- Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Men.`

 

While there is still a gender pay gap he cited toilets as an  example of gender bias where in public locations/events its women who queue for toilets because generally facilities are designed by men

 

In thanking Bali Des Friedrich mentioned  that it was a fascinating talk, very thought provoking and highlighted a lot about societal trends in gender inequalities developing making it more difficult for young men growing up to be more assertive.

 

Club Programme

 

November 29th : Club meeting at the Auto Lodge. To be a bit special - Partners’ Night with a speaker; Secret Santa ( $10/ gift );  table decorations; cake raffle ( cakes baked by members and auctioned ).

December   6th  : Social Night at the home of Stephen and Tracy Bovett.                 

                  13th  : Final meeting of 2021 - at the Auto Lodge 

                   20th : No meeting

 January     24th : First Club meeting of 2022 - a barbecue at the home of David and Raewyn Lusk.                                                                                                                     

                   31st : Club Forum at the Auto Lodge.

 February      7th : No meeting - Waitangi Day.                

                   14th : Club Meeting at the Auto Lodge.