PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Apart from overseeing all the projects, a President could put in his thoughts about how projects could be executed, instead of following the same pattern year in and year out. He could also propose new projects that reflect his touch in humanity. In doing so, he must be hands on that means the ability to lead by example. Too much talking is like running water that flows below the bridge and disappears downstream. A good listening ear is also necessary. It shows that the President is caring and he reaches out to the members. To have a good listening ear also means that the President must attend all meetings at the luncheon, board and committee levels. This is very demanding, not forgetting the commitment at the District and Group 11. I must thank God I have been able to do so most of the time. Rotary work is not really that difficult to the extent of being unable to accomplish it. With thinking and time, any President can do it. But what is more challenging is about our members. The 46 members of our club are individuals and they have different ways in looking at things. 

What I have observed about a few of them, fortunately, is their strong desire to be heard. They’ve used the email platform to air their views that sometimes could irritate or tickle members unnecessarily. I only hope they can be complimentary. To digress a little, our members are ‘kedukut’ in compliments. Compliments are great as they can boost a person to perform better. I’ve done this a number of times in sincerity. Perhaps as members, we could check the background first, use appropriate language and ask if what we’re going to say can bring about harmony within the club or to bring about greater improvement. I think it’s not fair to the club that the email platform is used to vent a member’s frustration or unhappiness. Coming back to the desire to be heard, there’re avenues to do so. Bring the matter up at meetings. Call the Directors. Call the President. Sometimes a phone call is far better than an email. Any thing written is like spilt milk that cannot be completely retrieved.

A club President must show humility, not arrogance. This position does not allow the President to have this kind of attitude. He needs the co-operation and assistance from his members, so there’s no room for this negative type of behaviour.

I’m very thankful that in my 9 months of office, I’ve been backed up by a number of members who can see the sincerity of my approach. My Directors, Advisers, Chairmen and members have come forward to help me and share in my vision. This is the greatest pleasure in serving when members come forward and say, “Eric, count me in. I can help.” I thank such people. You’re wonderful people. Our club has many members who share in the same values to help humanity. They’ve not lost sight of their mission in Rotary. Thank God for this.

The last date for the submission of the Rotary International Significant Achievement award was 28th February 2010. This is the highest recognition a Rotary club can receive for the projects it carried out. International Service projects do not qualify for this award. President Dr Eric Wong and I submitted a report titled “Project Beautiful Gate” for consideration for the award. The report was based on the four part projects our club carried out with the Beautiful Gate home; namely the Disabled People Band, Wheelchair donation, the Clean-up of the Home and the Chinese New Year Cheer. Last year we submitted the Manicure and Pedicure project and I understand we lost narrowly to the Rotary Club of Bandar Utama. Let’s hope our luck is better!

The closing date for the submission of the other district awards is 31 March 2010. Here again President Dr Eric Wong is working hard to submit the Redeeming Human Dignity project. The project is near completion. We will also submit a report on our experiences on the Club Leadership Plan for consideration.

We have complied with the submission requirements for the Best Club Bulletin Award. This involves sending a copy of every weekly PeeJay Pos to the members of the District Awards Committee. Here again we should be in contention for the top award.

Some members feel that we should be carrying out projects and activities for the purpose of benefiting the target communities and that awards are not important. I feel that winning an award for a project or activity gives us an indication that what we as a club are doing is of a high standard. Winning awards also provide motivation for the club to want to do better. Each year at the Awards Night many Rotarians and clubs envy the performance of the Rotary Club of Pudu because they receive so many awards. I am sure their success has motivated the members and the club to do even better the next year.

Our club has not been very successful in the last few years except for IPP Dato Kevin Yong when we won the Best Vocational Service Award. In previous years we only managed some minor recognitions.

There are also many other recognitions available. I am certain President Dr Eric has qualified for the RI Presidential Citation. The Presidential Citation is a useful benchmark of the all round performance of our club. There is the Four Avenue of Service Award which I am sure President Dr Eric Wong would have nominated one of our members. Our contribution to The Rotary Foundation is also good this year with three new Paul Harris Fellow and two Level 1 Paul Harris Fellow. Our total contribution of USD6200.00 should earn us the 100% Per Capita Contribution recognition. We should also qualify for the Polio Plus Contribution recognition. In summary President Dr Eric Wong should receive a number of Awards and recognitions as a “reward” for his hard work in leading our club for Rotary year 2009-2010.

Rotary information of the day presented by PDG Dato Dr Low Teong: 

The Rotary International Board or General Officers consist of 20 members, namely President, President Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, General Secretary and 15 Directors.

The Vice President and Treasurer are selected from the 17 Directors elected from the 17 Zones around the world.

ATTENDANCE: 20/41 = 48.78%

My fellow Rotarians, 

Preparations for our convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada, 20-23 June, are well underway, and we are fast approaching the 31 March deadline for lower registration fees. I can think of many reasons to attend a Rotary International Convention – interesting speakers, exciting entertainment, and a chance to visit a fascinating city, to name a few. Yet as compelling as these incentives may be, they are not why I have attended almost every convention since my first one in 1984. The main reason I look forward to this annual event is the opportunity it affords to reunite with my Rotary friends and meet so many new ones.

In many ways, our convention is Rotary at its best: Rotarians coming together to enjoy congenial fellowship while discussing the more serious business of service. We will, no doubt, be inspired by our speakers, including Greg Mortenson, author of the best-selling book Three Cups of Tea; Jo Luck, CEO of Heifer International; and country music singer Dolly Parton, who will be talking about her other great interests, children's literacy and the Imagination Library. And we will learn about many facets of Rotary and our Rotary Foundation in the various workshops planned. In between these events, we can build new Rotary friendships over coffee in the House of Friendship or dinner at one of Montréal's celebrated restaurants.

It has been said many times that you cannot truly appreciate the internationality of Rotary until you attend a convention. In Montréal this June, we expect to welcome Rotarians from more than 100 countries. We may be speaking dozens of different languages, but I know that all of us will be eager to communicate as best we can – with words, smiles, and laughter – effectively bridging any cultural or linguistic differences.

The convention is a time to celebrate the achievements of the past year, but it is also a time to plan for the future. In Rotary, we do not look at all that we have accomplished and say, "That's enough." No, we use our successes as a springboard to do more. I encourage you to join June and me in Montréal and to use this opportunity to identify new service partners, get innovative project ideas, and renew your enthusiasm for Rotary. Much work remains to be done – both in this Rotary year and the next. The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands, and a Rotary convention is the ideal place to come together and formulate your plans. 

John Kenny 
President, Rotary International 

TRF Chairman's Glenn Estess’s March Message

Empowering people through literacy

In Rotary, we recognize March as Literacy Month. This is when we focus on the importance of literacy and education in our humanitarian service. In my decades as a Rotarian, both at home in Alabama, USA, and abroad, I have seen again and again what a critical role literacy plays in a healthy and productive life. Being literate does not just mean having the ability to read a book or a newspaper. Being literate means being able to comprehend the instructions on a medicine bottle, a set of directions, or a job posting. It means understanding the note written by a child's teacher. It means being able to use a computer, follow a recipe, or apply for a mortgage. Literacy means being part of the larger society. It means inclusion, and it means empowerment. Those who cannot read or write, whether they are children or adults, are cut off from important information in ways too numerous to count. They are less likely to be healthy and more likely to be poor. And perhaps most critical of all, parents who cannot read are more likely to raise children who cannot read - perpetuating the cycle of illiteracy, and of poverty.

As a Rotarian and in my profession, I have seen so many simple and creative ways to break this cycle. Whether it is by volunteering in schools, by bringing education and training to adults, or simply by ensuring that all children have the books and supplies they need, we in Rotary can do so much. We can help others learn to read - and learn to help themselves.

Glenn E. Estess Sr. 
Foundation Trustee Chair 

Business Meeting on Tuesday 9 March 2010

Dear Members of the RCPJ,

Please note that following the third Club Assembly held on January 26, 2010, the BOD has, in its monthly meeting held on January 27 approved the following Resolutions, to be tabled at a Business Meeting to be held on 9 March 2010.

Resolutions

1. Resolved that a levy of RM1,000 be imposed on all members of the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya who are members as at January 1, 2010.

2. Members joining the Cub after January 1, 2010 will be granted an option of a 50% reduction in the amount of levy to be paid.

3. The levy collected will be placed in the 50th Anniversary Celebration Account to finance the activities held during the celebration.

4. Any money collected from the levy not spent will be refunded to the members on a pro-rated basis.

5. In addition to the RM1,000 levy, every member of the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya is responsible for at least RM500 of advertisement for the Souvenir Program or RM500 in cash in lieu thereof

Margaret Soo
Honorary Secretary