PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The performance of English in public examinations, particularly in the primary schools, has drawn alarming concern from the public, educationists, teachers and parents.

In response to the urgent need to improve the proficiency of English of the students, particularly those in the primary schools, the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya has taken the challenge to establish an English Language Programme that can be an answer to this dilemma.

Rotary International’s Lighthouse Literacy Project was successfully established in the 80s by Richard Walker and a group of Australian educationists and linguists with the primary aim of eliminating illiteracy.

A lighthouse signifies hope and relief in the context of a ship lost at sea. But in the context for English Language teaching and learning, it means seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

In Alice in Wonderland, we noted: “What is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?”

The CLE is an approach in English Language teaching and learning that integrates the development of the FOUR SKILLS in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Specific vocabulary structures and other expressions are incorporated in a skill-based language activity or text-based activity.

Language is a tool or gateway towards knowledge; thus it has the potential to eradicate illiteracy.

The 3R system in primary education reflects the significance of language where the components of ‘reading’ and ‘writing’ and ‘arithmetic’ are entrenched.

The CLE prepares children with life-long acquired skills.

And in that sense, the successful implementation of this project denotes what a fine investment for tomorrow carried out by Rotarians and their Partners in Service who care for the future.

A big thank you for all who made it happen and will continue making it happen; as you are the people who do not expect any other rewards except to know and hopefully witness putting our youth on the right path and direction.

To be continued in next week's bulletin

The Club needs to address this situation. Much has been talked about. But it needs a strong will to see things through. Sometimes decisions might not please all members but we’ve to do something to arrest this state of membership. Otherwise the Club needs to strategize. Instead of committing the same members to the various projects, the Club has to identify the key projects, smaller in number, and then as many members as possible should be involved. This gives rise to the avenues of service where the line of demarcation may be less significant. But projects will be.

Some food for thought!

Please note there will be NO meeting on the following dates:

26 November 2007 

Dear Fellow Rotarians, 

This is a historic day for Rotary. It is our great pleasure to inform you of a new partnership between Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that will provide a much needed US$200 million in support of our top goal of a polio-free world. 

The Gates Foundation has awarded The Rotary Foundation a challenge grant of $100 million, which Rotary will match, dollar for dollar, over three years. This is the largest single grant ever given to a volunteer service organization and represents a tremendous validation of the approach and success of our PolioPlus program. 

This partnership comes at a critical juncture for the polio eradication initiative, which needs an infusion of funds to reach the eradication goal. For this reason, the initial $100 million will be distributed by The Rotary Foundation through grants to the World Health Organization and UNICEF in direct support of polio immunization activities in 2008. 

Your participation in this effort is crucial to making it a success. The Rotary International Board of Directors and the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation have unanimously agreed to accept this challenge grant to ensure the success of the PolioPlus program. We feel confident that this extraordinary commitment from the Gates Foundation and Rotary will serve as a catalyst for further donations from others to help us realize the dream of a polio-free world. 

In 1985, we promised every child a world free from the threat of polio, and we are almost there. This funding agreement between Rotary and the Gates Foundation is a huge step forward, bringing us even closer to our goal. Success is our only option.

A Chinese walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. He tells the loan officer that he is going to Taiwan on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000. The bank officer tells him that the bank will need some form of security for the loan, so the Chinese hands over the keys to a new Ferrari parked on the street in front of the bank. 

He produces the title and everything checks out. The loan officer agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan. The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the Chinese for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral against a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drives the Ferrari into the bank's underground garage and parks it there. 

Two weeks later, the Chinese returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41. The loan officer says, "Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multi-millionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?" 

The Chinese replies: "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I return?" 

Ah, the mind of the Chinese...