PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

I embarked on my Presidential journey with this prayer in mind:

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference”

MY TEAM

I was very fortunate to have a committed team who selflessly devoted their time and efforts to attain common goals and objectives in order to steer the Club to greater heights in the future. The focus this year is on consolidation and prioritization of projects; and accordingly the Directors detailed out their respective budgets for their projects. Individual reports are being presented and as such I shall not delve in their areas. Suffice to say, SYABAS to all for their untiring efforts.

ROTARY SHARES

This year’s theme, ROTARY SHARES, is a catalyst to re-align our philosophies of life and our actions as a consequence of being a member of this organization. Rather than re-emphasize our differences, we have been geared to accept our commonalities and learnt to live and thrive on that PEACE, LOVE HARMONY, TRUST and INTEGRITY that should at all times characterize a GOOD RELATIONSHIP and PARTNERSHIP.

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

It is most discernible that our members are always there to serve, in line with our motto of “Service Above Self”. These members are the ones who make it happen and will continue making it happen as they are the people who do not expect any other rewards except to know and hopefully witness that their actions and thoughts are catalytic in making things happen for the better for others.

To be continued in the next bulletin

Life is cruel and unfair to some people. Let us reach out to these people. I’m referring to those who are really disadvantaged. Rotary is doing its bit. And so do other NGOs. But what about those untapped people who have hardly done any thing. I believe that there are many of them. Let’s pray that they’ll come forward to lend a helping hand. A nation greatly divided between the rich and the poor is like a time bomb. It is a dangerous trend that can result in social upheaval and bring out discord. We need to act before the bomb explodes.

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

FOR ATTENTION OF ALL MEMBERS

1. The RCPJ Board at its meeting on 14 December 07 after careful deliberation has decided to apply the Club Rules firmly relating non-payment of Club Subscriptions and Non-compliance with Club Attendance.
2. In accordance with the Applicable Club Rules, a member who has not paid the Club Subscriptions within time or who is not in compliance with the Club Attendance Rules will be treated as having ended his membership in the club, unless he can give sufficient reason why it should not be so. The subscription payment record and the attendance record are being updated to 31 December 07. All members are URGED to bring their record with the Club up-to-date e.g. notify the cub of make-ups and or pay up unpaid subscriptions.
3. After 31 December 07, the Secretary will be issuing the relevant notice to any member who has still not paid his subscription for the first half year as well as any member who is not in compliance with the attendance rules.

TRF Future Vision FAQ 

The Future Vision Plan represents a forward-looking approach for the way that The Rotary Foundation operates. Rotarians have posed many questions about how the changes to the Foundation's grant structure will affect their club's humanitarian and educational efforts. Although all the answers won't be available until after the Trustee meeting in April and the June meeting of the RI Board, the following FAQ addresses some of the concerns expressed. 

Q. What are the areas of focus for grants? 

A. At their April 2008 meeting, the Foundation Trustees will choose three to five areas in which the Foundation will focus its grantmaking based on criteria that includes demonstrated Rotarian interest and experience. By concentrating its efforts, the Foundation will be able to achieve measureable outcomes that relate directly to its mission.

Q. How can I fund an activity that doesn't fall into one of the areas of focus? 

A. Districts will have access to up to 40 percent of their available District Designated Funds (DDF) in the form of block grants to fund any type of eligible activity that aligns with The Rotary Foundation mission, similar to the current District Simplified Grants program.

Q. What will be the status of PolioPlus as plans for the Future Vision move forward? 

A. As Rotary International's corporate project, PolioPlus will remain the organization's top priority. PolioPlus will continue to operate as is.

Q. Where do Educational Programs fit in the new model? Will there be funding for our district's annual Group Study Exchange? Will our district continue to sponsor Ambassadorial Scholars? 

A. Educational Programs will exist under both grant types. Activities supported by Educational Programs such as GSE teams and Ambassadorial Scholars can be funded in two ways. If their vocation and chosen academic field relates to an area of focus, they may be eligible for grants from the World Fund. Districts can also elect to 
use District Designated Funds (DDF) from their block grants to support such activities.

Q. How will the organizations for strategic cooperative relationships (SCR) be determined? 

A. The Trustees will select the organizations for SCRs based on their ability to help clubs and districts implement projects in the chosen areas of focus.

Q. In what ways will Rotarians be actively involved in packaged grant projects? 

A. Packaged grants will be designed jointly by the Foundation and SCRs. Rotarians interested in implementing these grants on the ground can apply to the Foundation for World Fund support.

Q. Will clubs and districts be allowed to partner with organizations that have not been selected for SCRs? 

A. Yes, clubs and districts are encouraged to continue developing cooperative relationships with local organizations to implement projects in both grant types.

Source: The Rotary Foundation

To be continued in the next bulletin

The Church Organist 

Miss Beatrice, the church organist, was in her eighties and had never been married. She was admired for her sweetness and kindness to all. One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room. She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea. 

As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cut-glass bowl sitting on top of it. The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated, of all things, a condom! When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat. 

The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist. "Miss Beatrice", he said, "I wonder if you would tell me about this?" pointing to the bowl. 

"Oh, yes," she replied, "Isn't it wonderful? I was walking through the Park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground. The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease. Do you know I haven't had the flu all winter."