Feb 2017
Rotary and Quezon City government honor those who have excelled in their vocations
The Paul Harris Vocational Service Awardees PP Jesus “Jun” Avecilla – Vocational Service for International Fellowship
th
The 5 edition of The Rotary Golden Wheel Awards (TRGWA) was held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on February 4, 2017. No less than Quezon City Mayor Herbert M Bautista graced the event. A Rotarian himself, and a Past President of RC Kamuning, Mayor Herbert congratulated the awardees for being game changers. He also proudly mentioned that the TRGWA is testament to the fruitful partnership between District 3780 and the Quezon City government. A special inaugural award to honor the memory of RC New Manila Heights’ past president and D3780’s past district governor, the Mario R Nery Award for High Ethical Standards, was given to PDG Jose Francisco “Jess” Cifra. The late PDG Mar Nery was known as “Mr Clean” in Rotary circles. He was his club’s moral compass. PDG Jess Cifra was cited for his being honest, sincere, caring, humble, fair and ethical. District Governor Dwight Ramos, TRGWA Honorary Chair, congratulated all the awardees, echoing RI President John Germ’s call for service to humanity which is the cornerstone of Rotary’s existence. The Awards Selection Committee was chaired by PDG Jess Cifra, and assisted by Vice Chair PDG Danny Fausto, with members IPDG Rey David, PDG Sam Pagdilao and PDG Penny Policarpio. Congratulations to District Vocational Service Chair AG Paul Angel Galang, Awards Night Chair LG Ed Ayento and club host RC New Manila East for the successful holding of a memorable event honoring outstanding men and women. Congratulations, too, to the nominating clubs for making TRGWA a resounding success.
The Rotary Golden Wheel Awardees Atty Persida V Rueda-Acosta – Social Justice Dr Antonio D R Catangui – Medicine: Pediatric Surgery
Mario Teodoro F Etong – Broadcast Journalism Sarah Asher T Geronimo – Entertainment Johnlu G Koa – Entrepreneurship Dr Julius A Lecciones – Hospital Management
Michael Edouard L Lhuillier – Development Banking or Finance
Sec Delfin N Lorenzana – National Security and Defense
Ma Cecilia Flores-Oebanda – Human Development on Women and Children’s Welfare Atty Rene V Sarmiento – Public Accountability
Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman – Advancement of Peace and National Unity
Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo – Culture and Arts
PDG Dulce B Coyukiat – Vocational Service for Women Empowerment Engr Isaac S David – Civil Engineering CP Rebecca dela Cruz – Finance and Insurance Services PDG Danilo G Espinosa – Vocational Service for Civic Volunteerism Rtn Clavelina Nacar, CPA – Government Service PP Manuel M Po, MD, MPH, FPPS, FPSAAI – Medicine: Pediatric ASP Emerito L Roxas – Community/Economic Development CP Virginia Irene R Santos, MD, DPPS, FPPS – Pediatrics: Childhood TB Prevention and Treatment CP Winston Sia – Information Technology PP Jesus C Tumaneng, DDM – Dental Health PP Francisco A Victoria, MD, MMHA, DPBOHNS, FPSOHNS – Medicine: EENT CP Lyndon C Wong – Education: Information Technology
District Governor’s Message By Governor Dwight Hilarion M. Ramos, Rotary International District 3780
The Key to the Rotary Center We recently bid goodbye to our dear PDG Oscar “Oca” A. Inocentes, who of course is a great loss to all of us in Rotary. Not only did we lose a great friend, mentor and leader, but the driving force in the establishment and operations of our very own Rotary Center. JUDGE OSCAR “OCA” INOCENTES of Quezon City was called back to his Maker’s side on February 3, 2017. He was born to the late Francisco and Francisca Inocentes, September 16, 1931. Oca, a lawyer by profession, spent most of his life in the faithful service of the Philippine Government acting in various capacities under four Philippines presidents, notably as: assistant city fiscal; city judge of Quezon City; member of the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS); Undersecretary for Political Coalition Affairs, National Capital Region, Office of the President, Malacañang; Presidential Assistant for Judicial Affairs, Office of the President, Malacañang; and Chairman of the Metropolitan manila Development Authority (MMDA). He was a twotime Presidential Awardee (Presidents Macapagal and Marcos) for meritorious acts in the prosecution service and was inscribed in the Roster of the Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Bayani by president Arroyo.
Chairman of the Board of Philippine General Insurance Corporation and Sytengco Philippines Corporation. He held various positions of leadership in organizations including as past president of the Integrated bar of the Philippines, Quezon City Chapter and executive vice president for the National Capital Region in the People’s Economic Council. He also served in different roles in civic, charitable and religious organizations including the World Federation for Mental Health, Rotary International, Capitol Jaycees, Philippine Jaycee Senate, Legion of Mary, Christian Family Movement, Cursillos in Christianity, Holy Name Society, Adoracion Nocturna Filipinas, Immaculate Concepcion Catechetical Mission, Extra-Ordinary Lay Ministers of the Eucharist, Parish council Officers, and Rotary International D-3780 Rotary Center Foundation, Inc., where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer until his untimely passing. He was a leader among men and wise mentor to many. Here is a man who has truly achieved so much in his lifetime. But notable among his legacies, he was able to put up our own Rotary building. PDG Oca is the key to the Rotary Center. It was through his vision, hard work and steadfast dedication that we saw the birth of our own Rotary Center and enjoy its continued use. For this, we shall forever be grateful.
A self-made man, Oca was an astute businessman and served on the board of directors of several Philippine corporations, most recently as
2
The Governor’s Monthly Letter
EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Editorial Board thank All Star Presidents and club officers who continue to share stories of how their clubs have been serving humanity through Rotary.
District Governor Dwight Hilarion M. Ramos
Clubs in our district continue to extend outstanding service in various ways. A number of the service stories we’ve featured in this February GML tell of joint initiatives among several clubs such as tree-planting to preserve a critical watershed in the mountains of Tanay, blood-letting activities that continue to save lives, serving the health & safety needs of workers in the public transport sector, and values formation among the youth. We also have front-page story about the annual recognition and celebration of vocational excellence in the district.
Publisher
District Secretary Cesar “Poch” Jaymalin District Chief of Staff Ma. Cecilia “Cecille” Rodriguez District Information & Communication Officer Winston Sia Ricardo “Ric” P. Salvador Editor in Chief Associate Editors
Jesus “Jesse” Tanchanco Elizabeth “Beth” Directo Marcia “Marcia” C. Salvador Rafael “Raffy” Chico Cresencio “Cris” Bacho
As usual, the GML includes selected stories from those compiled by Rotary International publications, We encourage all clubs to continue sharing their stories of Rotary Serving Humanity for publication in the GML which is distributed widely to an international audience. If you’re now reading this publication online, click on this link to view the January 2017 GML, December
2016 GML., and the November 2016 GML. Event MARCH 4 5 11 17 18 19 28-29 30 31 31 APRIL 1 22 MAY 13 20 20
WATER & SANITATION MONTH INTERACT DISCON ROTABOWL HARANA ASP MEETING NOMCOM DEADLINE ASP MONTHLY MEETING ROTABOWL RIPR ARRIVAL DISCON GOLF DISTRICT CONFERENCE DISTRICT CONFERENCE ROTARACT DISCON MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH MONTH DISTRICT CONFERENCE ASP MONTHLY MEETING YOUTH SERVICE MONTH ASP MONTHLY MEETING BLOODLETTING DISTRICT AWARDS NIGHT
JUNE ROTARY FELLOWSHIP MONTH 10 to 14 ON TO ATLANTA, RI CONVENTION 24 ASP MONTHLY MEETING
The Governor’s Monthly Letter 2016-17 is published by the District 3780 Governor with offices at the Rotary Center Building, Roces Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines. Materials for publication may be sent to the Office of DG Dwight, to EiC Ric Salvador at rp_salvador@yahoo.com., to Marcia Salvador at mdcsalvador@yahoo.com., or other associates.
Host
Chair
MIDTOWN QC
PP FLORIAN ENRIQUEZ
STA.MESA CUBAO QC CUBAO QC
PP JOHNNY YU PP JOHNNY YU
CUBAO QC
PP JOHNNY YU
RC MIDTOWN QC / EASTWOOD RC STA. MESA QC
ASP MARIS/ASP BABY C ASP BERT NAZAL
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
PP GRACE VINARAO 3
37 Rotary clubs of District 3780 plant trees to preserve the critical watershed of Tanay for generations to come By All Star President Bert Romano, RC Camp Karingal On January 28, 2017, thirty-seven (37) D3780 Rotary clubs conducted a tree-planting activity in Sitio Calinawan, Tanay, Rizal. The place is located some 57 kilometers east of Manila that can be reached between one to three hours, depending on traffic conditions. The activity was organized by lead host RC Camp Karingal led by ASP Bert Romano, in cooperation with the Municipality of Tanay. A total of 300 seedlings of apitong, mahogany, narra and ipil provided by the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) were planted.
Rotarians. The cave requires about half an hour to traverse. It is rich in history. It is said to have been used as a hideout of Filipino revolutionaries during the Spanish-American war and a shelter during the Second World War.
This Rotary activity supports the greening program of the municipality of Tanay that is called “Reforest Tanay Program” which seeks to plant trees in 20 hectares of watershed areas every year. The Department of Environment and Natural
GML Editor’s Annotation: In a related development during Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, USA in the last week of January, RI President-Elect Ian H. S. Riseley announced the 2017-18 RI presidential theme, Rotary: Making a Difference. The presidentelect then challenged “every Rotary club to make a difference by planting a tree for each of its members between the start of the Rotary year on 1 July and Earth Day on 22 April 2018. Trees remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air, which slows global warming.”
The other members of the group went to the Daranak Falls, Tanay’s most famous tourist spot. Sumptuous lunch was then provided by the host club. For everyone who came, it was a wonderful adventure experience while helping to preserve the environment for humanity.
Resources has declared a 220hectare government-owned land in Tanay as reforestation area. The site is an important watershed that drains into Infanta, Quezon that was ravaged by floods and landslides in 2007 caused by a lack of forest cover. After the tree-planting activity, a daring trip to the noted Calinawan Cave was made by adventurous
4
Rotary is recognized for unwavering support for blood letting, a continuing life-saving service of clubs to humanity By District Bloodletting Chair PP Rey Remonde Rotary International District 3780 was recognized by the Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay organization during ceremonies tagged as the “Gabi ng Pagkilala at Parangal� last February 5, 2017 held at the 6th Floor Auditorium of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center in Sta. Cruz, Manila. District Governor Dwight Ramos, District Bloodletting Chairman Rey Remonde and a number of All Star Presidents were chosen to receive Plaques of Recognition for their unwavering support to Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay blood-letting activities. On August 6, 2016, RID 3780 entered a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay to support the humanitarian project in providing immediate, safe and free of charge blood in coordination with partner public and private hospitals. Blood-letting activities are part of RID 3780 service projects that benefit people from the adopted communities who need blood. District Governor Dwight gave an inspirational message during the event which was attended by almost 500 volunteers and supporters of Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay.
The plaques were handed over personally by Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay Inc. President and Founder Napoleon Marilag.
5
RC Quezon City completes installation & turnover of new hand washing facilities & toilet to safeguard health of day-care children, their parents and teacher By All Star President Miguel “Mike” Enriquez, RC Quezon City Last February 9, 2017, ASP Miguel “Mike” Enriquez led some members of the Rotary Club of Quezon City (RCQC), Mother Club of RI District 3780, namely: VP/PE Ronaldo “Bong” Fernando, ClubSec Angelo “Jayson” Roa Yu and DS/PP Pocholo “Poch” Jaymalin together with Ms. Jane Balmes, personal secretary to ASP Mike Enriquez, in the installation of a 5-faucet lavatory and a new toilet seat for the Kabalitang Day Care Center located at Krus Na Ligas, Quezon City.
The new wash facilities were formally turned over to DCC Teacher Corazon Adap for use of the pupils of the day care center. Forty (40) hygiene kits containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and a hand towel were distributed to the pupils of Kabalitang Day Care Center who are between the ages of 4 and 5 years old. As part of the turnover ceremonies of the hand wash facility, the pupils were taught the proper way of brushing their teeth and washing their hands and the importance of personal hygiene as a daily habit in their lives that would lead to their healthier wellbeing. Five (5) pump bottles of liquid hand soap were also donated together with the hand wash station.
is funded by a District Grant of RI District 3780, spearheaded by RCQC Past President and now DG Dwight Hilarion M. Ramos. RCQC’s full support and participation in this project is meant not only as its contribution to the health and welfare of the youth but also as its contribution to Rotary International’s 6 Areas of Focus, namely: Water and Sanitation and Disease Prevention and Treatment.
The WASH PROJECT
The Rotary Club of Quezon City: 57 Years in Rotary Service!!!
6
A family affair: RC Holy Spirit Rotarians and members of their family provide vocational advice to graduating class of their alma mater By All Star President Peth Rivera, RC Holy Spirit 6. Judge Anne Perpetual RiveraSia (the youngest lawyer to become City Judge in the country).
On January 21, 2017, the Rotary Club of Holy Spirit conducted a Career Orientation Forum with seventy (70) Grades 9 and 10 students of Our Lady of Mercy School of Quezon City, their parents and teachers. The forum was designed and conducted in cooperation with the Parents-Teachers Association of the school. During the forum, the following young professionals freely shared their respective knowledge, sentiments, and information about their personal careers, including the challenges they had to overcome along the way. 1. Engr Steven Ralph Onia (a civil engineer and presently taking up Law), 2. Ms Ana Kristina Rivera-Josef (a Business Administration graduate and working as Revenue & Assurance Manager at Manila Water Company Inc),
3. Dr Aleli Francis Rivera-Onia (a medical doctor), 4. Prof Angeli Francis Rivera (cum laude graduate of International Studies, holding a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies and now on her 2nd year of PhD program at UST where she teaches), 5. Brian R Josef (a musician and graduate of BS Accountancy working at the Bank of Commerce as Business and Product Development Officer), and
It was easy for the resource persons to establish good rapport with the students because they all belong to the Generation Y (or so called millennials). Also, four of the resource persons have one thing in common with the students, having graduated from the same school. Significantly, all six (6) resource persons are members of the same family – the Rivera family. Best of all, Ms Ana Kristina, Dr Aleli and Prof Angeli, and their parents Atty Francis and Mrs Peth Rivera, are members of Rotary. All the speakers, including the PTA President Mrs Carmen Corota, reminded the students and parents that choosing a career starts with a dream considering one’s interests. Everyone was given an insight on the different types of careers presented to them, the requirements and expectations included. The school principal, Ms Virginia Reyes, was very happy to see her graduates, all of whom were achievers during their time, and also most appreciative to Rotary for bringing a very interesting Career Talk before her students. It was also a shining exemplar of a Rotary family in a shared activity, making the endeavor more successful and enjoyable. Kudos to the Rivera family!
7
RC Bagong Sandigan and 10 partner clubs join hands to serve the health & safety needs of public transport sector By All Star President Maurice Surla Librea, RC Bagong Sandigan The Rotary Club of Bagong Sandigan D3780 led ten (10) other Rotary clubs in mounting one of the biggest outreach projects for the transport sector in Quezon City on February 5, 2017 at the Amoranto Stadium. Dubbed as Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan at Kalusugan, the project provided dental and medical services. It also included briefings on maternal care and conflict resolution. A total of 400 drivers were served, as well as their wives and children. Free medical consultation services were provided by Dr Gian Flores, who became an instant "Star Doctor" because of his dedication to finish more than a hundred patients single-handedly. Providing dental services (tooth extraction and dental cleaning) was a team of 60 dental practitioners brought by RC Biak-na-Bato D3780 through the efforts of PP Rex Alford Alvarez, spouse Dr Alvarez and ASP Peter Valencia. The beneficiaries were given a briefing on the benefits of breast feeding (for the drivers’ wives), road safety and driving tips (for drivers). There was also a short talk on illegal drugs and their ill effects to help the drivers realize their responsibility to their passengers and other motorists.
Joining RCBS in the project was its sister club, RC Lucky Chinatown Manila D3810 which helped raise project funds through a movie screening held last year. Other co host clubs included: RC West Triangle, RC Uptown Nova, RC Kamuning East, RC Camp Karingal, RC APO, RC Camp Panopio, RC Greater Midtown Cubao, and RC Quezon Avenue Central, all of District 3780 RCBS also had assistance from SCCI Management and Insurance Agency Corp, Alliedbankers Insurance Corp and the QC Dental Association, the 2nd Metro Manila Signal Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Reliance Insurance. The project had the full support of the presidents of the different transport organizations. Present during the event were Mr Obet Martin of Pasang Masda, Chairperson Zenaida Maranan of FEJODAP, and the former head of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
8
RC Cubao East & 15 partner clubs hold 2017 Project Bukas as support for Rotary’s commitment to youth development By All Star President Minda Fe Agustin, RC Cubao East In the program’s 25th year, RC Cubao East organized and hosted Project BUKAS at the Maria Antonia Parish Retreat House of the Claret Seminary on January 28-29, 2017. BUKAS which literally means “tomorrow” is an acronym for Bayan Uunlad (kung) Kabataan Ating Subaybayan (Youth Guidance for National Progress).
The lead facilitator for the 2-day activity was PP Bing Quite of RC Quezon City Circle, a seasoned lecturer/ trainer from the Department of Agrarian Reform. District Governor Dwight Ramos was present during the closing and awarding ceremonies, and was impressed by the students’ sharing of experiences and goals.
The project has long been considered as a district project as it directly supports D3780’s commitment of service to and for the youth, the future leaders of our country. Project Bukas complements Rotary’s major youth programs: Rotaract, Interact and RYLA. The highlight of Project BUKAS event is a seminar on values formation and integration. It aims to impart and reinforce Filipino values like nationalism, discipline, humility and respect to the youth and enable them to integrate these values in their lives to make them better individuals prepared for the future. The participants were also encouraged to promote these values learned among their schoolmates, families and friends. It was attended by 46 students from different schools. The program consisted of lectures, workshops and group discussions where the participants shared personal experiences in life.
Incoming District Governor Chito Borromeo likewise graced the activity and expressed support for the program during his term. RC Cubao East ASP Minda Fe Agustin thanked the fifteen (15) other Rotary clubs that co-hosted this year’s program.
9
With Valentine’s spirit still in the air on Feb 16 RC West Triangle shared blessings with, cheered up and imbued hope among impoverished families dependent on push carts for their living By All Star President Jacqueline Santos
10
Service February 2017 |
February is Peace and Conflict Resolution Month
Promoting world peace and global understanding
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and professions. With unique perspectives and expertise, members address many of the most pressing humanitarian challenges, which include creating a more peaceful world.
In the United States, the Rotary Club of Branchburg Township, New Jersey, hosted an interfaith dinner and diversity award program. The club recognized people, businesses, and community groups that embrace peace and embody the values of civility, cooperation, and global and community awareness. The program brought together community leaders and the Rotary family to foster peace, understanding, and goodwill.
Click on image to watch Hub Peacebuilder Tour
Through service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, members are taking action against the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, and lack of access to education. Here are just a few examples of how Rotarians are advancing world peace: The Rotary Club of Marikina, Philippines, hosted a peace forum to exchange ideas on progressing toward a more peaceful world. Rotary clubs from the area attended the half-day forum, aiming to further global peace through service.
The Rotary Clubs of Radolfzell-Hegau, Germany, and Istanbul-Sisli, Turkey, worked together to organize an exchange for university music students in the two countries. The clubs’ aim is to further international and cross-cultural understanding. During the exchange, students not only study music, but also discuss their countries and cultures, helping bridge divides and build new friendships.
Interactors of Holy Spirit interact with victims of armed conflict to help build understanding and share hope for peace
Service
By ASP Monique Palmiano of Interact Club of Holy Spirit National High and RC Holy Spirit Youth Service Chair PP Marcia Salvador
It came to the attention of members of the Interact Club of Holy Spirit National High School that hundreds of Lumads were camping out at the grounds of the University of the Philippines.
“Lumads” refer to indigenous and etholinguistic groups in Mindanao. They were welcomed at the UP Diliman campus grounds to be able to share with students, scholars and the public their distinct culture and their issues including human rights violations allegedly committed against them. On October 21 and 25, 2016, the Interactors led by President Monique Palmiano met with the Lumads and gave them assorted used clothes, story books and school supplies. More significantly, the Interactors listened as the elder Lumads ventilated their plight. They also conversed with the younger Lumads. The Interactors learned that the Lumads were being driven out of their ancestral homes, with some allegedly being killed on suspicion that they were
members of the rebel group National People’s Army. Because of the armed conflict, their schools are being used as evacuation centers and this keeps the school children from attending classes. The Interactors had a conversation with one of the Lumad tribe leaders. The tribe leader expressed gratitude for the Interactors’ attention and concern.
11
2017-18 RI President Ian H.S. Riseley announces his presidential theme, Rotary: Making a Difference By Ryan Hyland, 20 January 2017, ROTARY WEEKLY
RI President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley urged incoming district leaders to seek gender and age parity and protect the environment in announcing the 2017-18 presidential theme Rotary: Making a Difference at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. Rotary International President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley made the case on Monday that protecting the environment and curbing climate change are essential to Rotary’s goal of sustainable service. Riseley, a member of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia, unveiled the 201718 presidential theme, Rotary: Making a Difference, to incoming district governors at Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. Environmental degradation and global climate change are serious threats to everyone, Riseley said. “They are having a disproportionate impact on those who are most vulnerable, those to whom Rotary has the greates responsibility. Yet environmental issues rarely register on the Rotary agenda,” he said. Environmental degradation is one of the major threats listed by the UN’s High-level Panel on
Threats, Challenges, and Change. Riseley added, “The time is long past when environmental sustainability can be dismissed as not Rotary’s concern. It is, and must be, everyone’s concern.”
The president-elect challenged every Rotary club to make a difference by planting a tree for each of its members between the start of the Rotary year on 1 July and Earth Day on 22 April 2018. Trees remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air, which slows global warming.
“It is my hope that the result of that effort will be far greater than the environmental benefit that those 1.2 million new trees will bring,” Riseley said. “I believe the greater result will be a Rotary that recognizes our responsibility not only to the people on our planet, but to the planet itself.”
Securing Rotary’s future
Watch the Theme Speech
Noting that 103 of the 539 incoming governors are women, Riseley said they are the type of women we need in Rotary, “leaders who will help Rotary connect with, and represent, and better serve, all of the members of all our communities.” Riseley also believes it is imperative that clubs find ways to attract and engage younger members. Today only 5 percent of reported members are under 40, and a majority of members are over 60, Riseley told the audience.
In his address to the 2017-18 class of district governors, Riseley also urged clubs to improve their gender balance and lower the average age of their members.
“Consider what Rotary stands to look like 10 or 20 years from now if we don’t get very serious, very soon, about bringing in younger members,” Riseley said.
Only 22 percent of Rotary’s members are women, up from 13 percent 10 years ago.
Clubs will make a difference this year through their own decisions, said Riseley, but it will take teamwork on a global scale to move Rotary forward and secure its future.
We know that we can do more together than we could ever hope to do alone. “Three decades is far too long to wait to achieve a Rotary that reflects the world in which we live. We need to make it a priority now,” he said.
“We know that we can do more together than we could ever hope to do alone,” he told incoming governors. “I ask you to keep that spirit of teamwork and cooperation always in your minds and to take it back with you to your districts.”
Incoming D3780 District Governor Chito Borromeo and Spouse Nona pose with Incoming RI President Ian Riseley and Spouse Juliet in front of the Rotary Theme for 2017-18 during the International Assembly in San Diego Ca., USA last January 2017. 12
MESSAGES FROM ROTARY LEADERS
RI President’s February 2017 Message On 23 February, we will mark 112 years since the founding of Rotary. It is incredible to think about how much has changed, in our world and in our organization, since the first Rotary club met in Chicago with Paul Harris as a founding member. Some things are easy to compare between now and 1905. There have been changes in technology, medicine, and society. When we look at a map of the world in 1905 and a map of the world today, we can see what’s different. What we can’t do is compare what is with what might have been. There is no way to compare our world as it exists now with the world as it would have been without Rotary. Rotary has risen to so many challenges in its 112 years. We’ve answered conflict with peace, and poverty with education. We’ve responded to a lack of basic health care with projects large and small, from equipping clinics in tiny villages to eradicating polio across the globe. We will never know how different the world would have been if Rotary had never been founded; if any one Rotary club had never been chartered; or if any single Rotarian had declined the invitation to join a Rotary club. But I will say, with absolute faith and complete confidence, that the world is a far, far better place now than it would have been without Rotary and that Rotary itself is stronger because of every one of you. The world needs Rotary more than ever. It needs our courage, our optimism, and our idealism. It needs the voice of tolerance, cooperation, and hope that we can offer. It needs the example of an organization that has proven that the citizens of all countries can work together successfully, gladly, and in friendship. None of us ever knows the full impact of our actions. None of us knows the effects that will ripple out from the things we do and say, the decisions we make, the opportunities we seize, and those we let pass. But I think we all know that when we choose to do good, good will follow; and that when we choose Service Above Self as our life’s path, the direction it will take us will be a good one.
Foundation Chairman’s February 2017 Message Our Foundation’s long commitment to peace This February, let’s celebrate the success of our Rotary Peace Centers and the important work that graduates of the program are doing throughout the world to honor Peace and Conflict Prevention/ Resolution Month. I think it’s also important to note that the launch of the peace centers in 2002 built on many decades of peacebuilding efforts supported by our Foundation. In the 1930s, clubs in France and Germany formed the first petit comité, now known as an intercountry committee. Both countries were still recovering from a devastating war, but the former adversaries knew that peace, however fragile, was worth keeping. Although a second world war dashed their hopes, these peace-minded Rotarians reconvened in 1950. Since then, Rotarians have formed 250 intercountry committees to promote international friendship and service. Rotarians have long believed that international understanding develops most quickly through personal relationships. Before study abroad programs and international business travel became commonplace, our Foundation sent scholars and young professionals to other countries to experience different ways of living and doing business. For many participants, these life-changing adventures helped them view the world through the eyes of their hosts, who often became close friends. Every year, our Foundation allocates millions of dollars for projects that attack the root causes of conflict – lack of access to education, health care, economic opportunity, clean water, and adequate sanitation. Our global grants have a unique requirement that moves the needle on peace even further: To qualify, project sponsors must include clubs from at least two countries. In addition to combining local knowledge with international and Foundation resources, these projects build friendships that often lead to long-lasting service relationships between the sponsoring clubs.
No one can see the future. No one knows what changes lie ahead. But I have faith in Rotary, and in Rotarians, that with every passing year, you will make our world a better place through Rotary Serving Humanity.
Of course, one of the best places to form international friendships is at our annual convention, where Rotarians from dozens of countries come together. This year in Atlanta, we will celebrate The Rotary Foundation’s 100 years of Doing Good in the World. I hope you will join me and thousands of your fellow Rotarians for the biggest birthday party of the year!
JOHN F. GERM President 2016-17
KALYAN BANERJEE Trustee Chair 2016-17 13
Brothers and sisters in peace By Ana Patel, 2016 Rotary Peace Fellow at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Posted by Rotary International on ROTARY VOICES, December 15, 2016 “Sawatdee” is a useful phrase in the Thai language. It means everything from hello and good morning, to goodbye and peace be with you. I learned the phrase on the second day of my three-month International Rotary Fellowship in Bangkok this summer, along with the traditional gesture of putting ones hands together in prayer and bowing the head to acknowledge others. It’s a lovely gesture – one that requires meeting the other person’s eyes and conveying a respect and recognition for each other’s humanity. In December of 2015, I was accepted as a Rotary Peace Fellow. The fellowship is for experienced professionals working in peace-related fields and consists of a three-month residential program in peace and conflict prevention and resolution at Chulalongkorn University. My program also included two field study experiences: 1. in the Deep South of Thailand, where there has been on-going violent conflict between Thai security forces and groups of Thai nationals who identify as ethnic Malays, and, 2. in post-genocide Cambodia. Notwithstanding a Master’s degree in International Affairs and my time as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, this was my most international learning experience. A judge from Cairo, an artist from Denmark, a government official from Kenya, an Indian woman police chief, a retired FBI agent – these are just a few of the amazing Fellows with whom I was honored to share this experience. All 24 fellows demonstrated a strong commitment to peace-building and a passion for learning, especially exploring perspectives from the wide diversity in our professional, cultural and geographical backgrounds. Over three months, we shared a lifetime of experiences, both joyful and heartbreaking. Outside of the classroom, we danced, exercised and meditated together. We tasted fried bugs, survived numerous Thai monsoons and nursed each other through a Cambodian virus. We became, as one of our facilitators stated, brothers and sisters in peace. The lecturers for the program included some of the foremost experts and practitioners in the field. We explored the relationship between violence, peace
Rotary Peace Centers at Chulalongkorn Class of 2016
and gender with Ms. Irene Santiago, the founder of the Mindanao Commission on Women, and executive director of the historic NGO forum on women in 1995 in Beijing. We engaged in a lively debate on nonviolence with Professor Chaiwat Satha-Anand, a political scientist and a philosopher who is one of the foremost voices for peace in Thailand. We heard the history of the Cambodian genocide from the personal story of Youk Chhang, survivor of the Khmer Rouge’s “killing fields,” and the Executive Director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam). I am profoundly grateful to Rotary International for supporting my participation in the fellowship. I return to my work with the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding with an even stronger sense of the importance of this work in the world. It is clear to that Outward Bound Peacebuilding’s approach of experiential peacebuilding resonates with people across the globe and is aligned with the leading research and theories supporting the field of peacebuilding. As importantly, I return as part of an expanded community of peacebuilding activists and visionaries, my brothers and sisters in peace, who are working alongside us to create lasting positive peace in the world.
Sawatdee. ROTARY VOICES Editor’s note: The Rotary Peace Centers program has launched a new online application system with Embark, a leading provider of online application software. Through this system, candidates around the world will experience a streamlined process that will help the program meet the demands of rising applications for the Rotary Peace Fellowship.
14
A few words about Rotary’s history and its distinctive accomplishments, from a leader of the first club Address delivered by Michael Faris, a Past President of ROTARY/One, on 23 February 2016 And this, I believe, is the key to Rotary’s success in this very first project, and ever since. Our ability to bring groups together across economic, political and sectarian lines to get things done in our communities is what gives Rotary its power. It is what gave Rotary the power to provide the first clean, sanitary public toilet in Chicago. And it is what has given Rotary the power to do virtually everything else it has done in its 111-year history.
When President Cheryl and David asked me to say a few words tonight about Rotary’s history I said I would, with two things in mind: First, I realize that many people in this room undoubtedly know much more about Rotary history than I do. And second, I am generally not one who likes to dwell on the past. So I am going to talk about something really simple that happened in the past, but that tells us something important about Rotary’s future. It is hard to think of anything more simple than the fact, which many of you know already, that the world’s very first Rotary community service project was a toilet. Yes, in 1907, ROTARY/One engaged in its first ever service project, the planning and construction of a public toilet outside the new Chicago City Hall at the corner of LaSalle and Washington Streets. The project’s result was humble, but it just may have been something that only an organization like Rotary could have pulled off at that time and that reflects the unique power of Rotary as an organization. What do I mean by that? Rotary didn’t just go out one day, slap a shack on the side of the City Hall and put a toilet in it. Nobody could have done that, not even in 1907. What Rotary did was create a collaboration among several groups to accomplish something that no one of those groups could or would have done by itself. In our archives, we have a copy of the agenda of a public meeting hosted by ROTARY/One in 1907 to discuss the project. What I find most fascinating about this document is the number of individuals and groups that Rotary got together to plan the construction of a simple toilet. It included City officials, an Alderman, a Presbyterian minister, and organizations like the Commercial Club, the Industrial Club, the City Club, the Chicago Commercial Association, the Hamilton Club, and the Municipal Art League. The Rotary movement began right here in Chicago, in 1905, when a small group of businessmen formed a charitable organization dedicated to serving their community and fostering fellowship Today, the Rotary Club of Chicago boasts over From the ROTARY/One website.
It is what turned a 1943 Rotary conference in London on international peace and understanding into the foundations of one of the most important international organizations in the world: UNESCO. It is what enabled Rotary bring together leaders of the Tamil Tiger rebels and the government of Sri Lanka to broker multiple ceasefires in the vicious Sri Lankan civil war to allow volunteers to inoculate millions of children against the deadly polio virus. And it is what enabled Rotary to literally change the world in the fight against polio. Because beginning in 1985, Rotary worked with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to form the Global Polio Eradication Alliance. Just like the 1907 Public Comfort Station Alliance that led to that first public toilet in downtown Chicago. Before Rotary got involved in polio eradication, 1,000 children were being paralyzed every day by the polio virus worldwide. It is February 23, 2016. We are 54 days into the new year. Absent Rotary’s efforts at polio eradication, we could have 54,000 new cases of polio this year. Two years ago, in 2014, when I was President of ROTARY/One, at this same time of the year, I was able to report that this number had dropped to only 49 cases in 3 countries. That was tremendous progress and excellent news. So…… I checked the numbers just this morning. As of today, the total number of new cases of infection by the wild polio virus worldwide is …… ONE. I don’t know how many people used that first toilet that Rotary helped build in Chicago in 1907. But if Rotary had done nothing other than save 53,999 children from contracting polio in the first month and a half of 2016, this fact alone would justify today’s celebration. And if you consider the literally millions of children that Rotary has saved from polio, and all the other projects worldwide that Rotary has accomplished in its 111th year history, I think it is clear that Rotary is one of the most important and effective organizations in history. So….. Happy Birthday, Rotary.
200 members who continue to meet on a weekly basis, a dedicated Foundation (the ROTARY/One Foundation, Inc.), a vibrant calendar of guest speakers, and strong participation in service projects both in Chicago and across the world, the
Rotary Club of Chicago is carrying forward the traditions and values that were first founded here over 110 years ago. The Club sponsors two Rotaract Clubs, The Rotaract Club of Chicago and the Rotaract Club of the University of Chicago. 15
For club leaders: Please download and share the D3780 Performance Matrices as input for club planning.
Our Road Map for the next 3 years and beyond By DGN Pastor Mar Reyes, Rotary International District 3780 A historic moment has come upon our district. For the first time, we have a document that will guide us in the way we run the district and the clubs, with one clear vision and mission and general objectives aligned with RI. The District Strategic Plan will be our official policy document as soon as it is proposed this coming District Legislative Assembly and adopted and ratified during the March 30-April 1, 2017 District Conference in Tagaytay. Going to its 100th anniversary celebration of its remarkable achievement of doing good in the world, RI started visioning its 2nd century of service to humanity, In 2004, the RI Strategic Committee was created, and in July1, 2010, the RI Strategic Plan was published. In the 2013 Manual of Procedure, districts and clubs worldwide were strongly urged to conduct strategic planning, guided by the RI Strategic Plan. From the RI Strategic Plan, Rotary’s Vision is to be “A worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passion into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.” RI adopted the following Mission Statement: “To provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” The three priorities of the Rotary Strategic Plan are: a. To support and strengthen clubs, b. To focus and increase humanitarian service, and, c. To enhance public image and awareness. Each of the above strategic priorities have its own specific strategic goals. All these are translated into actionable items in the Presidential Citations. Because of these directives, we noticed a flurry of changes and introduction of on-line tools designed to help the districts and clubs in their strategic planning. Among others, we have the strategic planning guide, membership assessment tools and the club health check.
the District, which we wish the clubs will follow. Our agreed objectives in coming up with the District Strategic Plan are for plans, programs and policies to have continuity, consistency, stability and sustainability.
and the external and internal factors that affect D3780 and the clubs. We have to be aligned with RI, attuned with worldwide socio, economic and political trends, and stay relevant to the needs of the communities we have vowed to serve, at the same time remain true to our core values, vision and mission. And so, almost a hundred district and club leaders, seasoned Rotarians and the young upcoming leaders, including representatives from Rotaract, were gathered, in sessions spread over several days, and underwent the hard and tedious process of answering the broad strategic questions, among others: 1. Where are we now? 2. Where do we want to be? 3. How do we get there? 4. How are we doing along. Starting October, 2016, with the assistance of a professional facilitator, the participants expressed their concerns, experiences and hopes and shared their wisdom. In the SWOT analysis, specific challenges and urgencies were identified and agreed upon, and on the bases of these, the desired future state of the district was crafted. From there, visioning was done, and the strategic pathways were identified, leading to identifying the scope of activities were measurable parameters were established including the general targets or goals. All these data are now valuable indicators of what the Rotarians want for the district. All these data were translated into Key Results Areas (KRAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Performance Targets (KPTs).
Finally, the District Governor’s Manual provide the Governor’s primary responsibility: strategic planning of the district and the clubs.
The specific action items of DGE Chito for his term are not included in this article so as not to pre-empt incoming Governor Chito. We have the Distas and other official occasions for his presentation. I will, in turn start crafting the action items for 2018-2019 in the coming months, recognizing and evaluating how the district and clubs have performed.
Given the above background, District Governor Dwight Ramos, DGE Chito Borromeo and myself agreed to conduct a strategic planning. We, too, must follow RI’s footsteps, and be forward looking, examining and reflecting the environment, current and future,
For want of space, I have simply reproduced the Performance Metrics that embody District 3780’s Strategic Plan. On other occasions, both DGE Chito and myself will have the opportunity to explain and expound the underlying reasons for these broad directives of
We want not just to secure the future of District 3780, making it a strong and vibrant district, but more to develop future leaders and have stronger and more effective clubs. We will soon train the Club Trainers and AGs to cascade the District Strategic Plan to the clubs who will be urged to conduct their own strategic planning. The clubs will be asked to present during their Governor’s Visit, the executive summary of their strategic or implementation plans. As a preamble, we have adopted the following vision-mission statements for District 3780: VISION To be a strong and effective Rotary District with great life and energy, in doing good for humanity, in fellowship, and in fulfilling social obligations to the Rotary community. MISSION To build strong and effective Rotary Clubs and advance Rotary core values that will lead Rotary Clubs to:
Render greater humanitarian and other service projects;
Develop future leaders;
Support the Rotary Foundation;
Increase and improve the quality of membership;
Enhance Public Image.
My fellow Rotarians, the challenge is now for all of us, to implement the above strategic goals in our clubs. We must adopt a culture of planning for the future. Club and district leaders must prepare beyond their one year terms, and discard the attitude of leave everything else to the next set of leaders. We have to have strategic goals where our actions are consistent and sustainable, leading to higher and more noble goals – that of achieving the ultimate and ideal state of being vibrant clubs, strong and resilient enough to withstand the forces of inevitable changes all around us, thus, ensuring that Rotary is here to stay for the next century of service – long after we are gone, and the next generation of millennial has taken over! 16
More Rotary Community Corps in D3780 By PP Rey Remonde, RCC District Chair
SERVICE ABOVE SELF The Object of Rotary The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
Community Solutions for Community Challenges Rotary Community Corps (RCC) District Chair Rey Remonde will hit the 80 % goal for the district’s organized RCCs before the end of Rotary Year 2016-2017.
FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society; THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life; FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The Four-Way Test OF THE THINGS we think, say or do 1) Is it the TRUTH?
The RCC model is flexible and can mobilize volunteers from all walks in life. This flexibility encourages diversity in membership and allows members to focus solely on service projects. RCCs also provide their members with opportunities to collaborate with Rotarians and develop valuable leadership skills. Chair Remonde encourages the clubs who want to organize their respective RCCs to request the RCC District Committee to help them organize and orient a core group of prospective RCC members, to complete an Organization Form (available online) and submit it to Rotary International to officially charter the organized RCC. For those clubs with existing RCCs please update your records at the district office.
Rotary Community Corps (RCCs) are teams of men and women who work in partnership with Rotary clubs to improve their communities. Each RCC is sponsored by a Rotary club and, as with Rotaract and Interact clubs, the Rotary club acts as its partner in service. RCCs set their own goals based on their communities’ specific needs. They offer community solutions for community challenges. Membership in an RCC is open to any adult in the community who shares Rotary’s commitment to service but is not a Rotary member.
Sponsoring or cosponsoring a new Rotary Community Corps to expand Rotary’s reach in the community is a required goal for clubs if they wish to qualify for the RI Presidential Citation. At present, the Rotary Clubs of Loyola Heights, Kagitingang Cubao and Kamuning Central have more than one RCC each and the Rotary Club of Kamuning East has the biggest number of RCC members with 42 volunteers now in Nagkaisang Nayon Elementary School.
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
ROTARY WORLD AT A GLANCE
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Rotarian Code of Conduct As a Rotarian, I will
Data as of 30 November 2016
Rotarians worldwide: 1,227,217 as of 30 November 2016 ROTARY
ROTARACT
INTERACT
RCCs
Members
Members
Members
Members
1,227,217
226,389
483,230
210,500
Clubs
Clubs
Clubs
Corps
35,263
9,843
21,010
9,154
1) Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life 2) Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect 3) Use my professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world 4) Avoid behaviour that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians
Source: THE ROTARIAN March 2017 published by Rotary International 17
Gallery from GOLDEN WHEEL AWARDS Night Feb 4, 2017
18