Governor’s Monthly Le er
DG’s MESSAGE The wheels of the year 2018-19 have started rolling. Club installations are still going on. I am so very happy to see the enthusiasm in the Presidents for the year 2018-19. They want to do everything possible to make their dreams come true. It's only that they will have to retain the same enthusiasm and zeal till 30th June 2019. The team has to be focused and motivated through out the year. Presidents and district team are doing excellent work from day one. My dream project "Pankh" is appreciated and accepted by most of the clubs. I am so happy to share with you that we have distributed more than 4 Lacs of note books so far. I am sure by end of the year we will able able to cross our target. Be it tree plantation or blood donation all three suggested projects are being implemented by the clubs with great zeal. I am overwhelmed by the presence of so many Rotarian friends during my installation on 1st July 2018. I thank each one for giving me the moral support and being with me to cherish those moments. Together we can work wonders. I thank all seven clubs of Baroda to have come together like a big family. Rotary is all about coming together for a common cause. At the end I leave with one message: Spread your wings like a eagle and start ying high in the Rotary sky.
"Be the inspiration" and enjoy Rotary,
Thought plantation It’s the monsoon and everyone is taking to planting trees. A noble act aimed at neutralising our growing self destructive mischief towards Mother Earth. Trees, our silent saviours, doing their job without fanfare, awards or photographs. We cannot do without trees, though they could do without axe-happy humans around. Because we need them, we earth them, trying to lessen our guilt and redeeming our gross misdoing. Tree plantation is easy. Collect some free saplings, a bunch of people, dig pits, plant, smile; whew! one meeting done. Then forget all about watering, protecting and maintaining them till sturdy. Our concern for the environment should not end with tree plantation. Nurturing and saving them from being axed is equally important. Same goes for the multitude of plastic awareness drives. Rallies taken out with “Say no to plastic”; all printed on plastic banners. And what about unnecessary plastic waste generated by printing huge banners for all Rotary club events. We distribute cloth bags but don’t hesitate to use a plastic bag. Implementing projects just for the sake of doing and reporting will not benet anyone Along with planting a tree we should plant a seed of consciousness in ourselves. To be aware and accountable for our actions and its consequence to nature at all times. This maybe difcult, stressful and at times downright frightening. But we need to rectify our bad conduct towards the habitat, mainly from mindless consumption and abuse of resources. We manufacture, transport, use and we throw products, desecrating and deling a fragile ecosystem at all steps. Plant, water and nourish a habit - of conscious buying, using and disposing. Carry cloth bags and a water bottle. Walk short distances, shut off the fan, turn off the tap. Don’t honk, don’t waste. Avoid stufng your house with unwanted products. Let garbage unsettle you and over consumption bother you. Let your multitude of cars, TV, phones and computers worry you. This will lead to a positive change. Plant a moral sense. Plant a feeling. Plant moderation. Plant discipline. Plant conservation. Plant a respect for our co inhabitants. And certainly plant trees. It counts. Mona Sitwala Editor GML
R. I. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear fellow Rotarians,
Rotarian at the top Barry Rassin Rotary International President 2018-19 Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas Barry Rassin earned an MBA in health and hospital administration from the University of Florida, and is the rst fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives in the Bahamas. He recently retired after 37 years as president of Doctors Hospital Health System and continues as an adviser. He is a lifetime member of the American Hospital Association and has served on several boards, including the Quality Council of the Bahamas, Health Education Council, and Employer’s Confederation. A Rotarian since 1980, Rassin has served Rotary as director and is vice chair of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees. He was an RI training leader and the aide to 2015-16 RI President K.R. Ravindran. Rassin received Rotary’s highest honour, the Service Above Self Award, as well as other humanitarian awards for his work leading Rotary’s relief efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there. He and his wife, Esther, are Major Donors and Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation.
One year ago, your RI Board of Directors adopted a new vision statement, reecting our aspirations for our organisation and its future. It reads “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves”. That simple sentence distills so much of what is essential about Rotary. We unite, knowing that we are far stronger together than we could ever be alone. We take action, because we are not dreamers, but doers. We work to create lasting change that will endure long after our involvement has ended – across the globe and in our communities. And we work to create change in ourselves – not just building a better world, but becoming better people ourselves. French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said “If you want to build a boat, don’t begin by collecting wood, cutting boards, or assigning tasks. Begin by awakening in the souls of your workers a longing for the vast and boundless sea”. Each of us came to Rotary because we had a longing – to have an impact, to make a difference, to be part of something larger than ourselves. That desire for a better world drives us in Rotary. It motivates us to serve, and led me to choose our theme for the year: Be the Inspiration. I want to see Rotary Be the Inspiration for our communities by doing work with a transformational impact. It’s time to move forward, by removing the barriers that hold us back. Let’s make adjustments in our clubs or start new clubs that suit different needs. Let’s work to strengthen Rotaract clubs and smoothen their transition into Rotary. Let’s give Rotarians exibility to serve in ways that work best for them, so that Rotarian nds enduring value in Rotary membership. Truly sustainable service, means looking at everything we do as part of a larger global ecology. Be the Inspiration for sustainable service by addressing the impact of environmental issues on our work. The environment plays a key role in all our six areas of focus, and is becoming greater as the impact of climate change unfolds. Let’s not see environment as separate from the six areas. Clean air, water, & land are essential for healthy communities – and for the better future we strive for. Be the Inspiration – and together we can, and we will, inspire the world. Barry Rassin
District Governor Pinky Patel – TAKING OFF ! The Miracle Chasers of Vadodara have done it with a big BANG, right on the eve of the very first day of 18-19. Installation of all the Seven Club Presidents of Vadodara and District Governor Pinky Patel, by the legendries PRIP Kalyan Da & PRID Dr. Manoj. It was a day of celebrations attended by dignitaries, Rotarians and invited guests, who witnessed the wheels of Rotary move forward into yet another year. A melodious prayer, ceremonial lighting of the lamp drenched in mantra chants, immaculate & inspiring speeches by PRIP Kalyan Da & PRID Dr. Manoj, beautifully soft & subtle ambience in the hall, simple but great stage layout, excellent compering – all accomplished in just 90 minutes, followed by a lavish delicious Dinner. DG Pinky Patel is now firmly strapped into the pilot’s seat, ready to fly district thirty-sixty into the vast sky of achievement and service. By launching and declaring open the completely new District Website, getting Rotary Logo printed on a brand of beauty products to garner widespread public image for Rotary,
reiterating Project – “Pankh”, aiming at distribution of 12 lac notebooks & Project – “Red Revolution”, District Governor Pinky Patel urged the clubs for their cooperation to create miracles. ……. IT IS POSSIBLE! WE CAN! WE MUST……..
BE THE INSPIRATION
Catch PRID Dr. Manoj Desai in a reflective mood as he answers nine questions posed to him All Rotarians are very much in Q1. DG Pinky Patel, has taken up the role of the District Governor, Dist. 3060 as of July 1. What would you like to say to her as she starts her year long awe of Rotary at the International journey ? level. How does Rotary at that level differs from Rotary at District level ? “The least a leader can do is to encourage others”.
“Time Management and Focussed Execution”.
Q2. Presidents and Secretaries of the clubs have big dreams for 18-19. Could you give them some advice that will help them be successful ? “Create and focus on strategic plan” Q3. In the PETS/SETS at Silvassa you gave a very interesting and motivating talk, in which you spoke about “Shrifalta”. Could you please share your thoughts regarding this with our readers ? The ve virtues of “Shrifal”, which Rotarians should imbibe: 1. Occupy small space – let ego not expand 2. Everything is useful – your time for Service above Self is important. 3. Attains that height so that rumors and gossip don’t matter 4. Drinks salty water & gives sweet water in return 5. Hard from outside but tender within Q5. Do you think we have reached the summit of growth in Rotary ? Do you now see a plateau or another ascent ? “ROTARY IS NEVER ENDING JOURNEY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW. There could be ups and downs but movement is encouraging. Quantity of quality Rotarian is what matters” Q6. What are you reading at present ? “GITA by DEVDUTT PATTANAIK” Q7. If you had the power what is the one thing you would like to eliminate from our society ? “LETHARGY – HOTA HAI, CHALTA HAI ATTITUDE”. Q8. I observe that you are a frequent traveller, on Rotary and non Rotary visits, to various places. Which are the countries you have still not been to, but would like to visit ? “I HAVE VISITED ONLY 50 COUNTRIES. Would love to visit many more, like Russia, Italy, France, Poland, Antarctica and even moon or mars if I get an opportunity.” Q9. How will you be involved with Rotary International in the coming year ? 1. I am a Member of Presidential Nominating Committee for 2018-19. 2. I am a Member of Basic Education & Literacy - Major Gift Initiative Committee . 3. Trustee – Rotary Foundation India
DG Pinky Patel at Club Installa ons
Clubs at Work
OLDEST IN 3060 - Rotary Club of Baroda Founded : In 1936 Inception : In 1933 the late Maharaja Sayajirao Gayakwad visited RI headquarters at Chicago. Impressed by the Ideals of Rotary he decided to see possibility of a RC in Baroda. Foundation Day : In 1936, Late V.T.Krishnamachari (then Divan of Baroda) got together other leaders and on Sept. 13, 1936, held the ď€ rst meeting with 27 Charter Members, him as President and A.B. Pandya as Secretary. Presentation of Charter : Charter No. 4039 was issued on 29 October, 1936 & Rtn. Governor F.E. James formally presented it on February 19, 1937. District Conferences in Baroda : First was held in 1938 in which 121 members from 18 of 20 Clubs registered, second in 1945, third in 1959-60, fourth in 1973-74 and later on in 1998 and 2002. District Governors from Baroda : District Governor Rtn. S. V. Mukherjea ; Rtn. Prof. A. R. Wadia; Rtn. Manilal K Parekh; Rtn. Naginbhai Patel ; Dr. Manibhai A. Patel ; Rtn. Ashok C Patel. Sponsoring Other Clubs : RC Baroda has sponsored RC of Nadiad, Navsari, Godhara, Bharuch, Jambusar, Jawaharnagar and Baroda Sunrise. Visit of RI President : PRIP G. P. Lang, PRIP Rajendra Saboo and PRIP Kalyan Banerjee have visited RC Baroda. Outstanding Members : RC Baroda have some extraordinary personalities as its members like Sir V. T. Krishnamachari, Lalsinh Gaekwad, Satyavrat Mukherjea (Divan of Baroda), Prof. A. R. Wadia (VC of MSU), Pashabhai Patel (MP), Bhailalbhai Amin(Founder - Alembic), Ramanbhai Amin(Former President- FICCI), Dr. Thakorbhai Patel (Former Minister & Mayor), Lalitbhai Patel (Former Mayor). . Permanent Projects : Baroda RC Service Centre is a registered public charitable trust. A Family Planning Centre serves people of slum areas for family and child welfare. A centre for mentally challenged children is also run. Project Life Line offering special services is implemented at Rotary Hall. Club runs an Eye Care Centre, Rotary Netralaya, in Manjusar village serving needy people. Raojibhai Patel Students Study Centre located on the second oor of the Rotary hall allows students to study peacefully. . The club is still going strong with 62 members of which two are lady Rotarians. Majority of members are between 50-70 years of ages.
PROJECTS WORTH REPLICATING Rotary Reading Rooms (RRR) by RC Baroda Sayajinagari This year we will be highlighting 12 unique projects of the district starting with the RRR of RC Baroda Sayajinagari. . Why Rotary Reading Rooms? A large number of BPL families of 4-6 members live in extremely small homes of not more than 250 sft., with no study room or peaceful place for students to study. . Solution : Development of common reading hall, preferably within the community, can make the difference. Some colonies have non functional community space which can be developed and at other places options have to be explored. How do we proceed : . 1. Understand prole of each community. . 2. Initiate discussion with community leaders to understand the problem and solution. . 3. Generate sincere demand from their side as they have to run the RRR post development. . 4. Create an RCC if required and feasible in the community. 5. Discuss with Colony Owners/VUDA/VMSS for developing RRR in existing colonies and provision of space in upcoming colonies. Salient features of Rotary Reading Rooms : . 1. Well lit and ventilated room with infrastructure conducive for studies. 2. Convenience, safety of students, no traveling - results in maximum usage over longer duration - girl students can use till late hours. 3. Administered and maintained by society or RCC. . 4. Such community-based RRR can be replicated in all towns. Why Rotary Club of Baroda Sayajinagari ? Literacy is a thrust area & RRR’s provides solution to a major problem. RCBS has developed understanding of the literacy needs by studies and surveys. Club has a large number of enthusiastic members and Anns, required for long term continuity. We have four successfully running RRR and aiming to start 5-10 in near future. . 1 2 3 4 5 6
RRR Name Inaugura on Approx.Cost Benefi ed Students Area of RRR
Shivnathdham 04-10-16 Rs.65000/180 300+ 150 Sq Ft
Panchmukhi 19-10-17 Rs.75000/864 1000+ 216 Sq Ft
Bhadarwa RRR 13-05-18 Rs.70000/1000 1000+ 200 Sq Ft
Saraswa 21-05-18 Rs.80000/1500 1000+ 300 Sq Ft
Challenges: The biggest challenge faced is loca ng the right site with basic structure available in the community and availability at no significant cost.