Last month, I had the privilege of attending a Kapiti Rotary Club dinner – though I didn’t expect to find myself at the podium! The evening gave me a whole new appreciation for the incredible community work happening right here on the Kapiti Coast.
The “Wood For Good” Initiative
For those who aren’t familiar, Kapiti Rotary runs a brilliant program called “Wood For Good,” providing free or reduced-price firewood to families across the Kapiti Coast. It’s such a simple concept but makes a massive difference to households struggling with heating costs during our colder months.
How I Got Involved
It all started when Doug Hooper-Smith turned up at our yard asking if Elite Arboriculture could help fell some trees for the Rotary. Without even inspecting the job (which isn’t typically my style!), I agreed on the spot. Something about the community spirit behind the project just resonated with me.
Over the next three days, we tackled the project with a digger to speed things along. By the end, we’d successfully felled enough trees to provide the Rotary with a substantial amount of wood to process for their program. It was satisfying work knowing where the timber would ultimately end up.
The Unexpected Dinner Invitation
A few weeks after completing the job, Doug contacted me again, this time with an invitation to attend a Rotary dinner the following evening. I accepted and brought along Tamsin, my partner who also manages our admin (and keeps me organized!).
What I didn’t realize until about two hours before the meal was that they wanted me to give a speech. Public speaking isn’t exactly in my comfort zone – give me a chainsaw and a challenging tree any day! But I could hardly refuse after the group had been so welcoming.
Taking the Podium
Despite my nerves, I found myself standing in front of the Kapiti Rotary members, sharing our experiences helping with the “Wood For Good” program. I spoke about the technical aspects of the job, but more importantly, about why community initiatives like theirs matter so much.
While I’m sure I won’t be joining the professional speaking circuit anytime soon, the warm reception from everyone in the room made it much easier than expected. There’s something about speaking on a topic you’re passionate about that helps overcome those public speaking jitters.
An Evening to Remember
The dinner turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Beyond the delicious meal, the conversations with Rotary members gave me insight into the many ways they contribute to our community. It was particularly inspiring to hear about the recipients of the firewood program and the difference it makes in their lives.
Tamsin and I left with a deeper appreciation for the volunteer spirit that drives organisations like the Kapiti Rotary. Sometimes in our busy workdays cutting and pruning trees, it’s easy to forget the broader impact we can have when we connect our skills directly with community needs. However, we often do free firewood giveaways ourselves so remember to stay tuned on our socials – Facebook
Looking Forward
I’m grateful for the opportunity to support “Wood For Good” and to meet the dedicated people behind it. Elite Arboriculture is proud to continue our relationship with Kapiti Rotary. If you’re interested in supporting the “Wood For Good” program or learning more about Kapiti Rotary’s community initiatives, I’d be happy to make the connection. After all, that’s what community is all about!
Jade 🙂