This page was created to depict some noteworthy postings on the ROTI listserv within the past month. May you enjoy and appreciate them as much as we do in a truly Rotarian spirit..

Message: 1
Club Procedures
Posted by: "Anil" alisha_kale@yahoo.com alisha_kale
Wed Feb 6, 2008 7:15 am (PST)

Greetings !

Based on my years in my club, I noticed that there are many precedents or traditions/customs that are not consistent with the club constitution or bylaws. In my view, the reason for this inconsistency is because the club constitution or bylaws is a product of standard club constitution and bylaws as prescribed by the RI's manual of procedure. On the other hand, the actual practice of the club is a product of the culture and social practices. Under such situation how should a President counter a member who constantly cites the Manual of Procedure as a the basis for violations in the club operations.

How much importance is to be given to issues raised by a member who doesn't have a support of the majority ? The motive to raise these issues is driven by the craving to get some attention or importance.

How should a President choose in the application of precedence versus procedures (MOP) ?

As per the club bylaws, it says there must be atleast one board meeting every month. Is it really required every month ? or is it required only when there are club matters are to be discussed ?

I would appreciate if someone could answer these questions for me.

Thanks

Yours in Rotary,

Rtn. Anil Kale
President, Rotary Club of Nasik Road
Dist 3030, INDIA

Message: 2
Re: Club Procedures
Posted by: "Clyde Edmonds" edmonds01@bresnan.net Clyde_Edmonds
Wed Feb 6, 2008 2:42 pm (PST)

Anil,

Your observations on differences in club traditions/customs and RI MOP remain a continuing concern to many who believe it important to maintain and uphold the principals of Rotary. Some within the organization find it easier to overlook or ignore portions of their club bylaws & constitution when it suits their need. For instance within my own club their are those who would change the rules of membership, ignoring all attendance rules, current dues payments, etc.

In order to stay a viable Rotary club some groundrules must be observed and maintained.

Not knowing the motives of the individual to whom you refer, from my perspective his/her knowledge of the MOP is rather refreshing.

YIR

Clyde Edmonds
Rotary Club of Salida, CO, D5470

Message: 3
Re: Club Procedures
Posted by: "T Raghav Rao" traghavrao_hyd@dataone.in traghavrao2004
Wed Feb 6, 2008 8:49 am (PST)

Dear Anil

I can at least point you to one fact : While every club is bound to adopt the club constitution framed by RI, the bye-laws framed by RI are only a model and every club is free to frame its own bye-laws, as long as, of course, they do not run counter to the constitution. The matter of board meetings, for example, can be dealt with by altering the bye-laws, if your members agree to change them -- they are not writ in stone!

Raghav
Imm. Past President, Rotary Club of Jubilee Hills
R.I. Dist. 3150, Hyderabad, India

Message: 4
Filipino Rotarians to provide free college scholarships to 100 media
Posted by: "batasmauricio" batasmauricio@yahoo.com batasmauricio
Wed Feb 6, 2008 11:50 pm (PST)

Filipino Rotarians to provide free college scholarships to 100 mediamen's children

BY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO
Leader President, Rotary Club of Intramuros
Manila, Philippines, District 3810, Rotary International
Rotary Year 2006-2007

MORE than 100 children of mediamen working in various media outfits from across the Philippines will be given free college scholarships by members of the country's different Rotary clubs.

The scholarships to mediamen's children was assured yesterday in the first-ever dialogue between Filipino Rotarians and officers of the National Press Club of the Philippines held at the NPC Building in Intramuros, Manila, organized by Immediate Past District Gov. Lyne Abanilla of Rotary International District 3810, and concurrently the Chairman of the Philippine Zone of RI's Public Relations Group.

The assurances of free college education to mediamen's children was met with an emotional and thunderous applause, both from NPC officers and Rotarians who attended the meeting.

The Rotarians present during the meeting were led by District 3810 Gov. Francisco Atayde, District 3820 Gov. Rose Celis, District 3780 Gov. Danilo Fausto, and District 3860 Gov. Yumi Espina as well as District Governor Nominees Chit Lijauco and Oyan Villanueva.

Also present among the Rotarians were Sharing Presidents serving for Rotary Year 2007-2008, Leader Presidents who served during Rotary Year 2006-2007, Rotary Clubs' Public Relations chairpersons and members of the Philippine Zone Public Relations Group.

Gov. Danilo Fausto gave the assurance of the free college scholarships for the children of mediamen nationwide as a response to the question of NPC Board Member Alvin Feliciano, who asked help from Rotarians to subsidize the college education of at least three children of mediamen from their respective places.

District Govs. Yumi Espina, Rose Celis and Francisco Atayde concurred and confirmed the free college scholarship to mediamen's children, especially mediamen from their respective jurisdictions.

Other developments:

• President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring the last week of February of each year as "Philippine Rotary Week". Gov. Abanilla identified the Presidential Proclamation as Proclamation No. 877.

• Acting on a question by Chairman Juan Dayang of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Dist. Gov. Rose Celis said Philippine Rotarians will adopt mediamen from their localities to become members of the different clubs of the country, in an effort to publicize the club's socio-civic and humanitarian activities.

NPC President Roy Mabasa confirmed that effective after the meeting, a partnership is now in effect between Filipino Rotarians and the National Press Club and hopefully other media institutions in the country, for the purpose of disseminating Rotary activities and programs that will benefit and address the problems and concerns of the poor and the needy.

Among the NPC officials who attended were Vice President Benny Antiporda, Secretary Louie Logarta and Directors Dennis Fetalino, Ding Generoso, Alvin Feliciano, Jerry Yap, Joey Venancio, Rolly "Lakay" Gonzalo and Samuel Julian.

Gov. Abanilla said that more meetings and dialogues with mediamen and Rotarians will be held in the days to come, not only upon the directive of RI President Wilf Wilkinson but also to enable Filipinos who are in need to tap Rotarians for help.

For additional information, please log on to www.batasnews.com.

Message: 5
Philippines President Declares Rotary Week
Posted by: "Ron" yamahajazz@yahoo.com yamahajazz
Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:24 pm (PST)

Dear ROTIans,

Last Thursday, your ROTI Chair along with DGN Oyan, and PP May of D 3790 joined Rotary officials and representatives from many districts in the Philippines at the National Press Club in Manila. The even was scheduled as the “First Dialogue of Rotarians with Nthe ational Press Club and Other Mediamen.”

One may ask “why is Rotary involved with such as gathering,” and it is a worthwhile question. We must admit that while Rotary does great work, we typically do not publicize our efforts. As such, large numbers of the public are not aware of those endeavors. That might pose another question, “why should we receive credit, isn’t it enough just to do what is necessary to help those in need?”

IPDG Lyne Abanilla of District 3810 led the campaign to help the media better understand the objectives of Rotary at a meeting attended by the National Press Association President, Roy Mabasa. Mabasa had attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of Intramuras. IPDG Lyne is a member of that club and serves as Zone Chairman of Public Relations. The NPA for the Philippines arranged for the “First Dialogue of Rotarians with National Press Club and Other Mediamen” in which over 100 attended. IPP Batas Mauricio did an admirable job as Master of Ceremonies throughout the afternoon.

A video movie of Rotary projects opened the formal session after which followed questions by the press to Rotarians in regard to Rotary projects and activities. Press members expressed an interest in membership in but were concerned at the dues and fees in much of Manila was beyond their means. Several of the clubs present said they would offer an honorary membership in their club, allowing the press to receive the Rotary monthly publication, in addition to district information, and the opportunity to attend club meetings.

The NPC then invited Rotary to aid them in their scholarship program for selected high school students. Once again Rotary stepped forward and offered 100 college scholarships to assist the National Press Club in their scholarship program to aid journalism students.

The highlight of the day was the announcement by IPDG Lyne that the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arryo, issued a presidential proclamation declaring the last week of February of every year as "Philippine Rotary Week". The proclamation, Number 877, drew rousing applause and was a fitting closing to the first joint meeting of the Rotarians and the National Press Club.

It was an exciting beginning to what we hope is a long and beneficial relationship between Rotary and the National Press Club of the Philippines. And yes, your ROTI chair passed out ROTI brochures and cards to several in attendance. :-)

Ron Nethercutt, ROTI Chair 07-09 RC Clark Centennial D 3790 Angeles City, Philippines

Message: 6
A compliment to ROTI
Posted by: "Ron" yamahajazz@yahoo.com yamahajazz
Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:05 pm (PST)

Fellow ROTIans,

I thought you might like to see this; just received from a very young, but busy Rotarian. Nice to know that ROTI also Shares ! !

Ron Nethercutt
ROTI Chair 07-09, RC Clark Centennial D 3790, Angeles CIty, Philippines

My dear Ron Nethercutt

My name is Scaria Jose from 3210. The roti has helped me in Rotary life and it really made me a World Citizen.I am very happy to inform you that new District 3211 elected me unanimously as the DGN 2010-11. I am the youngest DGN of 3211 and on May 15th I will be 43.

At the District level I had served as the District Chairman- International service, Vocational service,Matching grants, GGR, GSR, Assistant Governor, PETS Chairman,Assembly Chairman,Membership development chairman. All these years I was the youngest official. At the age of 32 I got Service Above Self Award.

The Roti articles was very helpful for me to show others that what counts is commitment and not age.

Thank you Roti

DGN SCARIA JOSE
R.I D 3211 ( old one 3210)
www.rtnscariajose.org

Message: 7
New ROI Information Leaflet is now available
Posted by: "Stephen" stephen@sgrc.org.uk secsgrc
Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:43 pm (PST)

Hi, you can now download the latest leaflet direct from this link http://www.roisight.org/Downloads/infoleaflet.pdf This reflects ROI's heightened focus of coupling your donation with a matching grant project to provide a better return on your investment

ROI has progressed from its earlier focus of simply mass screeing peoples in remote locations, to funding earlier screeing, treatment and/or other appropriate preventative measures, thanks to the Rotary Foundation (TRF).

Best wishes, Stephen

Message: 8
Music in Powerpoint
Posted by: "Rick" thorntons@netspace.net.au bisccman
Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:16 am (PST)

to play music or sounds across multiple slides in a presentation, follow these steps:

1. Click the slide where you want the music or sounds to start.

2. On the *Insert* menu, point to *Movies and Sounds*, and then click *Sound from File*.

3. Click the sound file that you want to use, and then click *OK*.

4. In the dialog box that appears, click *Yes* to play the sound automatically.

5. Right-click the sound that now appears on your slide, and then click *Custom Animation*.

6. In the *Custom Animation* task pane, right-click the media file on the list, click *Effect Options*, and then click the *Effect* tab.

7. Under *Stop playing*, specify the options that you want, and then click *OK*.

8. Close the *Custom Animation* task pane.

9. Right-click the sound, and then click *Edit Sound Object*.

10. Click to select the *Loop until stopped* check box, and then click *OK*.

11. Run your presentation.

Rick Thornton
RC of Bribie Island

Message: 9
Google gives Rotary US$3.5 million to help end polio
Posted by: "Mihir Dasgupta" mihirdg@adonislab.com
Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:40 pm (PST)

Google gives Rotary US$3.5 million to help end polio

Rotary International has received a US$3.5 million challenge grant from the Google Foundation, a nonprofit managed by Google.org, in support of Rotary's top goal to eradicate polio worldwide. Rotary will raise funds to match the Google Foundation grant dollar-for-dollar over one year.

The grant and matching funds will directly support polio immunization activities carried out by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a partnership spearheaded by the World Health Organization, Rotary International, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Following the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's $100 million grant to Rotary in November, Google.org represents another response to the call for support by Rotary and its partners to finish polio," says Dr. Robert S. Scott, trustee chair of The Rotary Foundation. "Both challenge grants reflect strong confidence in Rotary's leadership role in working relentlessly to help achieve this vital public health goal for the world's children."

Eradicating polio has been Rotary's number-one priority since 1985. To date, Rotary has helped immunize nearly two billion children and contributed $650 million to the GPEI, a figure that will rise to more than $850 million by the time the world is certified polio-free.

Globally, the number of polio cases has fallen from 350,000 annually in the mid-1980s to approximately 2,000 cases in 2006. The GPEI has succeeded in slashing the number of cases by 99 percent and decreased the number of polio-endemic countries from 125 to just 4: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

"This grant comes at a crucial time for the initiative, as more funds are needed to reach children in the most challenging regions of the world," says RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson. "We have the technical tools to beat polio, and we're almost there. All we need is for the rest of the world to follow the Google Foundation's lead in supporting the effort to eradicate this vaccine-preventable disease once and for all."

Message: 10
FW: Rotary Peace Community program/Rotary Peace Summit
Posted by: "Robert Stewart" stewartr@peace.ca peacecan2000
Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:52 pm (PST)

Forwarding message below from PDG Doug Vincent on the Rotary Peace Summit April 25 - 27, 2008 in Windsor, Ontario. Please check out the web site. I hope to see you there.

Regards,

Bob Stewart
http://www.peace.ca

Hi folks:

At some point in the past, we have either communicated directly or someone has passed on your name as being interested in helping promote the Rotary Peace Community program. This is part of the Presidential Peace Summit being hosted in Windsor, Ontario in April 2008. For details you can go to www.rotarypeacesummit.com and click on the Peace Community option.

You will see that we have developed a Peace Community Planning Kit along with other material that can be downloaded to help clubs/districts declare their communities. There are also some great ideas and suggested activities for children.

We believe that peace has to start in the family, in the home and in the community before there can be true peace in our world. That is what this program is about and to sustain awareness, we're suggesting that a club and community self-declare annually. It can be a peace park, special community event, a peace monument, or just a plaque placed in a public area. For us to keep the spirit of peace alive and growing, we also need to enthuse our youth, thus the school programs.

I am hoping that you are still committed to world peace and will help us to promote this program in your part of the world. You can start with your District Governor (who received details some time ago) and Clubs in your own district, as well as your zone or general region. More helpers are welcome if you have any colleagues that wish to get involved.

For those clubs/communities who declare, there is a self registry available on the website where they can submit photos and a short paragraph on their peace initiative. We're also planning a session and special ceremony at the Peace Summit where RIP Wilf Wilkinson will present citations to those communities declared by that date.

I hope we can count on your help to bring all of our former global Rotary peace community initiatives together under one umbrella, then promote world peace jointly. We also look forward to seeing some of you at the summit in April.

Some have already shared, but if you have any information or experience that could help, that is also welcome. Below is the information I have for you which will be put on the website. If you can send a one sentence description of your Peace background that would be helpful to include.

With best regards and thanks for your anticipated assistance.

Doug V.

Message: 11
Re: Kosuke Koyama and the Club Leadership Plan
Posted by: "John Glassford" jacksflat@gmail.com huffnpuff2003
Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:23 pm (PST)

G ' day Fellow ROTIans

As President Elect for my club it has become my duty to implement the new Club Leadership Plan CLP.

So far so good. We held our AGM voted on it's implementation, updated the Constitution and brought the By-laws up to date so that we could implement the CLP this coming Rotary year.

Now we also voted on the incoming Board and the 5 standing committees, now to get it all working by July 1st. To this end I wrote to all of my members via email and snail mail. I gave everyone in the club a job, some more than one job. The CLP is the way forward as far as I can see. So far I have received this reply from one of our members who happens to be our Anglican priest and I quote:

"Rotary will collapse if it starts to operate like a corporation instead of a voluntary organization.

I am not at all sure that I want to be involved with a voluntary organization that looks more and more like a Big Brother corporation in its operation."

I replied back to him saying I was only doing my job and I wanted to give the CLP a fair go, here is his reply:

"Efficiency is the absolute enemy of service.

Kosuke Koyama demonstrated this definitively more than thirty years ago."

Now would any of the members present like to help me draft a reply?

I am determined to make 08/09 a good year for my club and then get back to helping Africa.

BTW when can the incoming Board meet to make decisions? Can they meet during the current year or does any decision making by the incoming Board have to wait for July 1st?

Thank you for the help forthcoming.

Yours in Rotary

John Glassford
Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700
New South Wales, Australia

Message: 12
Re: Kosuke Koyama and the Club Leadership Plan
Posted by: "Jon Deisher" jondeisher@yahoo.com jondeisher
Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:52 pm (PST)

G'day from Alaska, John, and greetings to the many other ROTI people out there ...

I'm a Past President of a club of 300 members. With that number of Alpha personalities, each a leader in their field, there will be numerous ways of doing things and countless suggestions for virtually everything. It's a microcosm of Rotary itself. The Rotary club president is herding cats and without a clear and mutually understandable organization nothing would get done. During my year a lot got done, and there was a lot not done (every presidential year is like that) ... both of which were due to the corporate organizational structure of Rotary. Without the structure there would have been less of the former and more of the latter.

I don't know if I have a good answer to the question you've posed, but I have mine. First, a premise or two:

1. Rotary is a voluntary organization to its very core. No one does it better and most pretenders want to emulate what we do and how we do it.

2. Rotary is, and has been since almost the beginning, a corporate structure due to organizational, legal, functional and efficiency requirements. It's not "Big Brother". It's Brothers and Sisters together as a family addressing real life and real world problems. Join up, help out, or step aside.

3. Managing local, regional and international voluntary efforts on the scale that Rotary does would be absolute chaos without an organizing structure. A corporate structure may not be perfect, but it's what we have. If its imperfections are problematic, I defy anyone to propose an alternative that is not replete with even worse imperfections

4. One who presents a problem and has no proposed solution that will both a) successfully address the issues that the current system does, AND b) also solves the problems outlined in their critique, is part of the problem. Complainers without solutions, particularly VIABLE solutions, are pebbles in our shoes or gravel in our rice.

5. If one is in the position of leading leaders who know how to get things done, then give them your vision, delegate specific tasks, empower them to do what needs doing and get out of their way. The results will be astounding

6. We cannot please everyone, including those who say things like "Rotary will collapse if it starts to operate like a corporation instead of a voluntary organization. I am not at all sure that I want to be involved with a voluntary organization that looks more and more like a Big Brother corporation in its operation." It sounds to me like this person has just stepped aside (see above.) The fact is, Rotary is not starting to operate like a corporation, it IS operating like a corporation and has done for many years, with one important difference: Rotary has a central authority at R.I. and local authority at the district and club levels ... each influences and enhances the other. It's both a bottom-up, and top-down organization. And it WORKS!

So, here's my response to the question of what to do regarding the Anglican Priest who advocates lack of efficiency ("Efficiency is the absolute enemy of service.") He's got it completely and absolutely wrong. That kind of whining will drain motivation from the mission of your club. My reply would be "inefficiency is wasteful of resources, reduces the level of service to those in need and disrespectful of those from whom the resources came." I personally would approach this person respectfully and sincerely like a brother, kiss him on each cheek, thank him for his incomplete understanding and offer him a choice:

1. use his positive energy within Rotary to do what we're doing, or

2. If he is incapable of "a)" send him on his way to his methods of inefficiency: knowing that he will likely be one of those first in line who comes to Rotary with requests for assistance when his inefficiency fails. He's a cat we don't need in the herd.

You'll like this if you have't seen it already: http://www.mhedu.com/movies/mccats2.mpg

That's it from the opinionated Northern Guy. Onward and upward.

Jon Deisher, PP, MPHF
Anchorage, Alaska

(P.S. Some times the cat herder loses a stray feline along the way.)

Message: 13
Re: Kosuke Koyama and the Club Leadership Plan
Posted by: "John Glassford" jacksflat@gmail.com huffnpuff2003
Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:36 pm (PST)

G ' day Bob, Todd and Jon

Fascinating responses and plenty of excellent thoughts.

I will take them all on board before tonight's meeting and get back to you later!

Here is the explanation from Father Ed on his objection to the new CLP, well I think it is his explanation. I have a lot of time for Father Ed he has tremendous wit and humour. He goes on sometimes but the fellow members soon put him right with a few well meaning humorous quips. Anyhow here is his reply to me received just now.

"Dear John,

I didn't quote myself on Koyama but a complete chapter of my PhD is on him. Your Lutheran quote is to the point.

I think my point is that Rotary seems to be doing now what the Church tried four decades ago. In the Church, by any reckoning the largest voluntary association in the world, we found that it was totally counter-productive. There is now almost total rejection of the marriage of the Harvard Business School and the Fuller Theological Seminary approach to church growth and church management.

In Evanston Rotary is run by people who have been successful in business. It is not surprising that they think like corporate executives.

Your point about the Kili climb is good but off the point — that was organization for a project for which people signed up. Obviously the Foundation needs to be run efficiently and properly, but the Foundation is to be the tool of Rotary, not Rotary the tool of the Foundation. (Shadows of HG Wells and The Sleeper Wakes) The club and RI plans are about relationships within a voluntary association. Voluntary associations have a totally different pathology than that which is necessary in a business corporation.

It may be a problem of language, but I find the kind of language used now by Rotary repulsive. Language is the outward manifestation of thought and attitude. RI's thinking about its central nature is expressed in its language about itself and for the moment the language stinks. Members are being treated like functionaries in a business corporation and not as autonomous individuals who have joined a voluntary association. The language and the attitude will probably see a lot of people pick up their bat and walk.

Ed"

Any comments appreciated Father Ed is a good mate but we have our differences!!!

Yours in Rotary

John Glassford
Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700
New South Wales, Australia

Message: 14
Making villages hygienic, one by one
Posted by: "Woody M. Collins" wmcollins@congohelpinghands.org
Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:49 pm (PST)

Below is a link to an article that I found very interesting. I think other water-and-sanitation-minded Rotarian would be interested in them.

NIGERIA: Making villages hygienic, one by one

LOKOTO, 18 February 2008 (IRIN) - "Have you washed your hands?" the headmaster of a primary school in a village in northern Nigeria asked 160 children standing in line one morning before starting class. "Yes master!" answered the youthful, enthusiastic crowd.

CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR FULL REPORT

Http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=76802

I have commented and included this article below and as an entry on my blog (http://woodycollins.typepad.com/ending_extreme_poverty_in). I welcome anyone's comments and suggestions:

This is a perfect example of how water and sanitation can work to improve life in a village. Two community wells and latrines improved school attendance in the Nigerian village of Lokoto. Headmaster of school teaches and questions his student to wash their hands. UNICEF put drilled two bore wells. Sanitation facilities were built in the village. Facilities included latrines in village with two at the school, and a refuse pits. Refuse pits also are used for composting and fertilizer.

Community wells and latrines in rural Congo villages would have the same effect. Congo Helping Hands and Rotary International in partnership with IMA World Health plans to drill bore wells and to build sanitation facilities in rural central Congo.

Yours in Rotary,

Woody M. Collins
President, Congo Helping Hands
http://www.CongoHelpingHands.org

Message: 15
Rotary celebrates 103rd anniversary
Posted by: "Ho Loon Shin" loonshin@yahoo.com loonshin
Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:22 pm (PST)

"To celebrate Rotary's 103rd anniversary on 23 February, Rotary International is placing advertisements in several newspapers highlighting Rotary's work and achievements. This outreach bolsters the PR efforts of Rotary clubs worldwide that are celebrating the organization's founding.

The Rotary ads and newspaper supplements will appear in the International Herald-Tribune, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, and Tribune publications the Red Eye and Hoy on Friday, 22 February.

The placements include a Rotary supplement highlighting PolioPlus, the Rotary Centers programs, and the benefits of membership.

Rotary's television public service announcements also are running on all domestic and international United Airlines flights."

Well done Rotary.

With best wishes

Loon Shin,
Rotary eClub 3310, Singapore

Message: 16
RC Antique: great projects
Posted by: "batasmauricio" batasmauricio@yahoo.com batasmauricio
Sat Feb 23, 2008 1:50 am (PST)

RC Antique: great projects

BY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO
Leader President, Rotary Club of Intramuros
Manila, Philippines, District 3810
Rotary International

THE ROTARY Club of Antique may appear to be a pint-sized club compared to other Rotary clubs based in the Philippines, what with its total membership numbering only about 25 at its 38th year, but it is a certified giant in living up to Rotary International's motto of giving "service above self" to the poor and the underprivileged.

For a period of six days that started February 23, 2008, it found itself in the middle of massive medical efforts to correct the hitherto unremediable harelip problems of many Antiquenos, young and old alike from all walks of life, with the assistance of 50 or so highly competent and qualified doctors and other medical practitioners coming from Colorado, USA.

Club President Dr. Zoilo Bernardo E. Tubianoza told me Thursday during the club's regular meeting at the famous Regina Restaurant at San Jose, Antique (which I attended by way of a make-up attendance), that what was really amazing in this was the fact that the doctors and medical practitioners came to Antique, flying all the way from the United States of America, spending their own money.

Antique is about one hour flight from the Manila Domestic Airport, via Iloilo City. It will take another three hours to reach San Jose, Antique, from Iloilo City, through generally good (but occasionally rough) roads.

What was greatly inspiring for the members of the Rotary Club of Antique, President Bernie said, was the fact that the doctors and their companions will likewise personally take care of their lodging accommodations during their entire stay in the province, while the Rotary Club of Antique will only be providing food for them during their arrival.

On the other hand, in the course of their six-day stay in Antique, the doctors and their companions will be alternately feted by other well-meaning groups and individuals who will be taking charge of the doctors' food.

The Pinnacle Suites of Iloilo and the Lion's Club of Antique will be responsible for the doctors' meals on the 24th of February, while the Vice Governor of Antique, Rhodora Cadiao, and a group called AMS, will take charge of the day after, February 25.

On February 26, it will be the RCA's turn to be charitable, while on the 27th, the Antique Provincial Government, led by Gov. Sally Zaldivar Perez, takes care of the doctors' accommodations.

On February 28, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antique, led by a Club member, Fr. Fortunato "Bobit" Abiera, and the League of Municipalities of Antique, will join hands in satisfying the palate of the doctors.

Rep. Boy Ex Javier, the province's lone congressman, and the Philippine Councilors' League, Antique chapter, will provide the food on February 29.

What made this international cooperation possible? President Bernie explained that the harelip operations was part of his club's "Uplift International" project, whereby the Rotary Club of Antique has been searching for all possible assistance that kind-hearted souls from foreign lands would be willing to provide.

It helped, he said, that the doctors and medical practitioners from Colorado, USA, were likewise Rotarians themselves, who all believed in pursuing the thrusts of Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson to lead the way in sharing Rotary to the poor and the helpless, to enable them to avail of Rotary's much-vaunted service above self.

Congratulations are in order, indeed, not only to President Bernie, but to the other officers of his club---Vice President Felimon Espares, Secretary Fe Osorio, Asst. Secretary Rolly Pedrina, Treasurer Pearl Joy L. Guera, Asst. Treasurer Ariston F. Minez, Auditor Rosary B. Quanico, PRO Fr. Abiera, and Protocol Officer Neri D. Nacionales.

Kudos also to all the other club members who are as enthusiastic in helping the Rotary Club of Antique achieve its goals for Rotary Year 2007-2008.

BUT there are other worthy activities being undertaken by the club under the able leadership of President Bernie. These activities will show to all Rotarians worldwide that even a medium-sized club can rise to greatness with determination and guts coming from its members.

These other noble projects are the following:

1. "Rotary on Stage", which is a theater presentation to be held on May 14, 2008, at the CAP Building in San Jose, to coincide with the charter anniversary celebration of the club. It will feature what has been billed as a "Tribute to Antique Artists", where the literary works---poems, songs and stories---of Antiquenos will be performed on stage by members of the club.

2. "Antiqueno Ako Awards", which is a search for outstanding Antiquenos who have excelled in their chosen fields. It will also be held on May 14, 2008, while nominations for possible awardees are now being accepted and screened by the club.

3. "Rotary Academic and Leadership Medal", which is a search of outstanding young people of Antique, to be held likewise on May 14, 2008.

4. "Rotary Community Bulletin on Air", which is a once-a-week radio program aired every Sunday, every 12:30 noon to 1:00 P.M., over DYKA, where Rotary programs are discussed and disseminated, to inform Antiquenos of what they can avail of from the club.

5. "Wheelchair distribution", which is intended to distribute wheelchairs to disabled Antiquenos.

Again, my congratulations.

For additional information, please log on to www.batasnews.com.

Message: 17
Fw: MALARIA
Posted by: "John Sheehan" johnrsheehan@yahoo.com johnrsheehan
Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:15 pm (PST)

Not a new approach - it's been in use for a while in various place throughout Africa. But if clubs are looking for good projects, twinning with a Rotary CLub in Africa (or other places in blue on the map) to help provide treated nets is a low-cost and effective way to make inroads against one of the world's great killers.

Fr. John R. Sheehan, SJ

From: Zeina Kheir
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 4:19:23 AM

Discovery of the Week

How to Net Malaria

Where malaria mainly strikes

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests there may be a way to take the sting out of one of the world's deadliest diseases: malaria, which kills around a million people each year, most of them African children. It's not a vaccine or a high-tech medical procedure. It's a technique that mixes insecticide with good old-fashioned mosquito nets--and adds a dash of ancient Chinese medicine.

Powerful 1-2 Punch

The technique is simple. Basically, you try to make sure everyone who might be infected with malaria has two things:

1. insecticide-treated mosquito nets to sleep under

2. easy access to a cocktail of anti-malaria drugs that includes artemisinin--an ancient Chinese medicine that's recently proven a boon in beating tough strains of the disease

How powerful could such a simple 1-2 punch be? According to the WHO report, the technique has already slashed national malaria mortality rates by more than half in Rwanda and Ethiopia--and they just started testing it in 2006.

That has the world's leading malaria fighters buzzing. "If this is done everywhere," says WHO's malaria chief, "we can reduce the disease burden 80 to 85 percent in most African countries within 5 years." If he's right, that could literally save millions of lives.

How It Works

Malaria is caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of blood-sucking mosquito. When one of those mosquitoes bites an infected person, it slurps up tiny malaria parasites. It then injects those parasites, along with its saliva, into the next person it bites. Before long, that person is suffering fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms--if not worse--and lies ready to pass the infection along to another hungry mosquito.

Malaria parasites can also spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and other direct blood exchanges. But those cases are rare. Most malaria is mosquito borne--and that means you can fight the disease either by attacking the parasites that cause it or by squashing the skeeters that spread those parasites.

The new technique tries to do both. The insecticide-laced mosquito nets help prevent the nasty buggers from slurping up or spitting out new malaria parasites. Meanwhile, the drug cocktails attack the parasites within infected people.

Unfortunately, the new technique does not cure malaria. Still, according to the former director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, "This is not theoretical. We do not have to wait for a vaccine or new drugs. If we implement today's technologies aggressively on a national scale, we will have a big impact."

Message: 18
Advance planning
Posted by: "Marlene Alfred" lagniapp@tstt.net.tt
Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:45 am (PST)

Hi folks,

It is that time of year when in most clubs boards are planning for the next year, or should be.

I am curious to have a feel for the varied experiences.

I was Charter President in 04/05 for a club that had its first meeting as a group on March 3rd, 2004, was chartered on June 16th, and fell right into the Rotary year July1st.

Needless to say there was virtually no advance planning. Since then I have been trying to push the club towards a comprehensive plan before July 1st. It never works. We do have an outline by the start of the year but at time of execution of each project there is a mad scramble to put things in place.

I want to know what are other practices, because I think that if projects are planned in an unhurried manner it is easier to delegate task in an orderly manner and so we can avoid the standard complaint "People not pulling their weight"

What do you say?

Marlene Alfred
RC Southwest Tobago, 7030, Sunny Caribbean

Message: 19
Re: Advance planning
Posted by: "Dev Gosine" dgosine@rotarytrinidad.org
Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:06 am (PST)

Marlene,

Before we answer your question, let us look at what leads up to a President/Board assuming office:

1. The President was elected 18 months before he/she assumes office. Why was this done?

2. The President was given a Board of Directors at least 6 months before he/she assumed office. Why was this done?

Since you are the charter President, I must say that we all sympathise with you as you had little or no time to plan for your year. But I am sure that with your enthusiasm for Rotary and resolve for success, you would have made it a great year.

The Presidents that succeeded you should have been in a more fortuitous position. As Presidents-Elect, they would have seized the opportunities highlighted in the 2 questions above.

But from what you said " Needless to say there was virtually no advance planning" it seems as though they didn't. Your club seems to be a good example of what happens when deep consideration to the answers to the 2 questions above are not given.

Last year, in my role as Assistant Governor, the 8 Presidents-Elect and 8 Secretaries-Elect in the region assigned to me were invited to a couple of training sessions where they shared ideas for meaningful projects, looked at the Club Leadership Plan, the Planning Guide for Effective Clubs. We looked at the significance of the Manual of Procedures and the Rotary Club Constitution as "umbrella' documents which will guide every club, but the Bylaws are Club specific.

I had even arranged lectures on Leadership and Motivation for this august group of Rotary leaders.

Most important arising from these sessions was the charge to go to their clubs and meet with their incoming boards to formulate the plans for their year. At every one of the meetings succeeding the first, we would have looked at the development of these plans, so that they can be rolled out when they assume office from July 1st. For a successful year, these plans must be solidly laid before the new board assumes office.

It is sad to say though that from my understanding, there are a few club leaders who are either extremely myopic, or display an immense appetite for power. These leaders will sometimes prevent a new board from doing what they are legally required to do: that is plan for their year. The planning of the activities for the new Rotary year should in no way take away from the planned activities of the current board.

When I was President-Elect planning for my year as President, I had set a date in the month of May of my Presidency for the President succeeding me to hold a club assembly. During the six months leading up to his presidency, that is, the second half of my presidency, I ensured that he met with his board-elect to finalise his plans and objectives so that his year is successful.

A club should always have a programme of 'leadership-in-training'. The club must be supportive of not only its current leaders, but be one that is receptive to providing leadership opportunities to its members who are so inclined.

A responsible current board must therefore see the need to ensure that the President-Elect and the Board-Elect to do their work. That is to plan their year and therefore stem the occurrence of unplanned Rotary years and its associated of time-wasting and mental trauma.

This would answer questions 1 and 2 above.

As Assistant Governor for this Rotary Year and I just found out that it has been extended to 2008-2009, I have already started the training process for the 8 Presidents-Elect and 8 Secretaries-Elect from the region assigned to me.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to SHARE ROTARY.

Dev Gosine
Assistant Governor, Trinidad & Tobago, District 7030

Message: 20
Re: Change Over Night
Posted by: "John Glassford" jacksflat@gmail.com huffnpuff2003

Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:57 pm (PST) G ' day

Need some advice please.

Change over night is fast looming and I am looking forward to it immensely.

Now I have been to a few change overs now in 5 years as a Rotarian and I would appreciate your comments to the following ideas for our change over on the 30th June a Monday night:

Smooth transition form outgoing to incoming Presidents and Boards. 50% of the evening to each groups. Is that the best way?

• Outgoing President outlines the past year's goals reached and so on. This part is his responsibility.

• Presentation of a PHF to a fellow member that I have already nominated. (We have not awarded a PHF to a member of our club in the past 5 years and only one to the local Solicitor and community leader in our Shire.) Presentation hopefully by the outgoing DG. The $1,000 to go to Polio Plus Partners.

• Outgoing President hands over the chain of office.

• Incoming President introduces the new Board.

• Incoming President then outlines the goals already set by the 5 standing committees.

  • Introduces the Chairs of the 5 standing committees.

  • Introduces the Chairs of the various sub-committees.

• The incoming DG does his speech hopefully he will be available.

• The incoming DG awards a PHF Sapphire to a charter member, one of three left standing. I have nominated this member for his sapphire pin.

Bill Innes is his name and a better man or Rotarian you could not meet. He is a Scot and has been here in Australia many many moons but I think I am the only man in the club who can understand him. He is always first to put his hand up for any project we undertake. He is 80 and not in the best of health.

The problem is that because he already has had a PHF awarded many years ago we should not award him another one. This is Australia remember and we have discussed this on the list many times. I want to change the culture here in this club regarding PHFs and the RF. It will take some time though. However if I could start my year with an award of a PHF that might be a positive way ahead, again the money to Polio Plus Partners. I do not want to put the members offside especially those who may feel they should have had a PHF by now!!!

Close the evening with a rendition by a piper playing O Flower Of Scotland, the national anthem of Scotland. Remember we are in Australia. I come from a long line of Scottish farmers and we go back to 1660 that is as far I can trace and we come from the Cumnock area and Renfrew. There is a village and a Kirk named after our family and so on.

So am I out of turn by nominating Bill for his sapphire and playing the Scottish Anthem?

Paul Harris's wife was a "Scottish Lassie," Jean Thomson Harris. They named their house in Chicago after the street where Jean lived in Edinburgh "Comely Bank". http://www.paulharrishome.com/ Thanks to the Rotary Global History Fellowship.

So I have three reasons to play O Flower of Scotland!

I will also wear the kilt of my family and we proudly wear the MacIntosh tartan as we aligned with them, as we were a small family.

Close the evening with fellowship and a wee dram or two.

What do you think? Any advice much appreciated. What happens or will happen at your club?

Yours in Rotary

John Glassford
Community Services Director & President Elect 08/09
Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700, New South Wales, Australia

Re: Change Over Night
Posted by: "Paul McGuire" paulmcguire@gci.net paulmcguire_53
Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:04 pm (PST)

John,

My only suggestion would be to start the evening with a wee dram or two! No, seriously, I think your idea and program works well. Usually the best event is one where there is preparation and thought. You have already done both of these. Things will always be different in different clubs. Part of what makes it exciting and different. Your program sounds wonderful and I advise you to press on!

Sincerely,

Paul McGuire , AG 2003-2005
Anchorage Area, Nome & Girdwood