[Rotary] Subject: A Reimbursement for Katikati New Zealand Rotary for Expenses Incurred on our Behalf

Wed Mar 4 20:07:37 PST 2026

Dear Rotary Board, 
Please see the below. I recommend we pay $744 to Katikati Rotary as our share of the project we agreed at the beginning of this year to undertake as a joint venture. 
Jeff Stubbs
P.O. Box 1360 Mendocino, CA 95460
Home phone 707-593-1409I phone 707-536-6190

    On Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 08:02:24 PM PST, Jeffry Stubbs <jeffrystubbs at yahoo.com> wrote:  

 To simplify this issue:
We have for years been a partner with Katikati Rotary for design, funding and implementation of projects in Vanuatu, particularly for the Victory School of Hope (VSOH). During these 8 years (1988 to present) the school has grown from a school with just a few classrooms to a full secondary school offering 10 grades with science and other offerings. It cannot grow to 12 grades without upgrading its science and other offerings. In this context Katikati proposed a project to construct a new classroom and provide science equipment and library facilities. They could not mobilize the funding for the classroom but asked us to help with the equipment, and we responded that we would do so by providing $2500 toward the cost of the equipment.
At the beginning of this year we budgeted $2500 for the VSOH in Vanuatu, $1250 for an ovarian cancer pilot project in Vanuatu, $2500 for Fiji, and I believe $2250 for member travel within these two countries. We have used the two $2500 grants, but not the remainder of $3500.
The cost of the science equipment and library facilities, originally estimated at $5,000, to be split equally between our two clubs, had risen to $5858. This is for equipment already ordered and delivered in Vanuatu. A part of the bill, from a club in Tahiti, came late and amounted to $744. It has been paid by Katikati individuals since the club had exhausted its budget.
Ann Owen, our long term partner, and now chair of their International Service, has asked that we pay the last charge of $744, which would bring our contribution to roughly equal theirs ($3359 for them and $3244 for us). 
Since this is an important Rotary project, already done, and a key to our long term relationship with Katikati, Port Vila  and the Victory School of Hope in Vanuatu, and since we are far below our annual budget of $8,500 for International Service, I recommend that we pay the requested $744.
Jeff Stubbs
P.O. Box 1360 Mendocino, CA 95460
Home phone 707-593-1409I phone 707-536-6190

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Ann Owen <ann.o at actrix.co.nz>To: Jeffry Stubbs <jeffrystubbs at yahoo.com>; ROByn Walker <icnz-rotary at outlook.com>; David Foris <dforis at xtra.co.nz>Cc: James Francis Bremner <jimbremner007 at hotmail.com>; LaDonna McDonald <ladonnamcd at hotmail.com>; Matt O'Halloran <matthewohalloran at mac.com>; Brandt Stickel <bstickel at mcn.org>; John Cottle <jcottledo at gmail.com>; 'Donna Schuler' <schuler.donna at gmail.com>; Gary Hopper <jghopper at icloud.com>; Ray Alarcon <alarconins at mcn.org>; Toby Wade <biseball at aol.com>Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 12:22:09 PM PSTSubject: Re: INV11177 Educational Materials.
  Hi Jeff,
 I have to say I am somewhat disappointed re recent emails, that   imply we are using Mendocino as a 'cash cow.'
 This is very far from the truth, and we have put in a lot of time organizing the science equipment. I will deal with
 the previous project second.The cost of the science equipment was $nz9652. 85 Mendocino contributed $us2500, 
 which converted to $nz4119.29, so less than half the cost. David Foris and myself have now paid the $nz1240 required
 to settle the latest unexpected account.That means in the last year I have contributed $nz11000 to Rotary that has not
 benefited me personally, David Foris $3000 and Dave Owen $1000 [The $nz is worth about 60cents in USA money]
 Regarding the toilet facilities, total income for the project came to $nz28172.58 which Mendocino contributed $us2300
 which converted to$nz3725,We applied for a District grant, our third one for the school, and as the grants were undersubscribed,
 the District offered a further $3000, if we matched it.David Foris and my husband Dave produced that money I paid $4000 for 
 labour costs.Katikati eventually provided $14060, Mendocino $nz 5952.58 and church friends, $160. Katikati ,s contribution
  did not include $8000 from a District Grant.Mendocino contributed $2350 on April 1st for repairs to earthquake damage
 In addition, $3500 was eventually spent visiting Vanuatu, My first air tickets from Air Vanuatu became invalid due to them going
 into receivership.My Air Fiji tickets were more expensive and required a hotel stay in Fiji to return to NZ.My insurance would 
 not pay for Air Vanuatu losses, and my Bank had to extract some money,as I paid by credit card. This was my third trip to Vanuatu.
  Eleven of our Club members have visited Victory School of Hope,John Buchanan has provided sufficient computers for the 
 new computer suite in the proposed library.The Club have reimbursed John about $2000 for computer parts.
 If the NZ High Commission do not provide funds, I can not see how we can raise sufficient money for the $us42,000 project.
 Building regulations are now stricter after the earthquake in 2024 I have been advised to try for another District grant, in case 
 it is undersubscribed but that would be only $5000.Zeb has been asked to produce detailed costs and plans before Port Vila Rotary
 would assist in seeking a High Commission appointment.We are still awaiting confirmation that has been done.
 Given the recent emails from you Jeff, and the apparent attitude of your Club, I need some assurance that you still want to help
 in providing a library.I had expected this would be our last project for VSOH, and then we thought we might help with your Fiji
 projects.I hope I have clarified the financial situation that was causing angst.
 Yours in Rotary,
 Ann Owen
 Acting Director International, Katikati Rotary
 Third level major donor, Rotary Foundation

 On 2/03/2026 7:00 am, Jeffry Stubbs wrote:

  Hi Ann, and thanks for your request. I raised the need for additional funding for the science equipment at a recent club assembly meeting and was told in no uncertain terms that our club budget is fully used. However, there was no discussion, we still have time to go on the year, and we may have had some savings within the international service budget since Matt did not use part of the already budgeted money for his recent trip to Fiji. For these reasons I believe we can and should bring the issue up again at a time when we have more time to discuss it. If it is confirmed that the club has no money, I will suggest we go for individual contributions particularly from those of us who have been in Vanuatu. Is there any chance you and your club could do the same? If each club raises $372 in member contributions we would be there.  
  LaDonna is our President, Brandt our Treasurer and Matt our International Service Chair. Gary is our President-elect hence the ccs. 
  Our next Board meeting is on March 5 so I should be able to report more then. 
  Cheers, 
   Jeff Stubbs
 P.O. Box 1360 Mendocino, CA 95460
 Home phone 707-593-1409 I phone 707-536-6190

      On Monday, February 23, 2026 at 10:21:38 PM PST, Ann Owen <ann.o at actrix.co.nz> wrote:  

     Hi Jeff,
  Our Club at Katikati have just received this account for receiving and the storage of science equipment sent
 to VSOH The amount is 88757 vatu, which converts to $nz 1240 and $us 744.Last month we used the last of 
 our International budget, not expecting to receive this extra cost. Is Mendocino in a position to make a contribution
  to the $us 744 cost?
 Yours in Rotary,
 Ann Owen

 On 24/02/2026 2:31 pm, David Foris wrote:

Hi Ann, Jim & Robyn,

Looks like there is a bill to be paid for the Science equipment storage and processing.

For some strange reason, the sender thought the equipment came from Matamata Rotary. Wouldn’t it be nice to pass the bill on to them?!

Kind regards,

David

From: Accounts Receivable <ar at vanuatuagencies.com> 
 Sent: Tuesday, 24 February 2026 2:02 PM
 To: dforis at xtra.co.nz
 Subject: INV11177 Educational Materials.

Dear David,

Hope this email finds you well.

Please find attached invoice being clearance and local charges for the educational stuffs sent through for Victory School of Hope.

I'm being told to invoice Rotary Club Matamata.

Kindly confirm receive and advise payment details once done.

Kind Regards,

Maureen Billy

VANUATU AGENCIES  -  PO Box 62 I Manples Area I Port Vila I VANUATU 

T: +678 22 490 I M: +678 55 11318 I E: ar at vanuatuagencies.com

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