Lisbon
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Vol.64, Issue 2
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August 2013
Ancient Mariners, Portugal.
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WHAT’S INSIDE
EDITOR’S LETTER
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11 11 Editor’s Letter 13 In My Thoughts 15 First Thought 16 Lisbon Stimulates Imagination 29 New Born
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13 16
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WHAT’S INSIDE
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50 38 Focus 50 Enriching a Silent World 52 Sailing to Bring Hope 56 A Sigh of Hygienic Relief 58 For a Firm Grip 60 Seams and Stitches
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WHAT’S INSIDE
ADVISORY BOARD RID P.T. Prabhakar
RI Dist. 3230
PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo
RI Dist. 3080
PRIP Kalyan Banerjee
RI Dist. 3060
PRID Ashok Mahajan
RI Dist. 3140
PRID Yash Pal Das
RI Dist. 3080
PRID Shekhar Mehta
RI Dist. 3291
DG Rabi Narayan Nanda
RI Dist. 3262
DG Radhe Shyam Rathi
RI Dist. 3053
DG Hari Krishna Chitipothu RI Dist. 3150 PDG R. Badri Prasad
RI Dist. 3190
PDG Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh RI Dist. 3261
83 72
RI Dist. 3010
Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan
RI Dist. 3230
ROTARY NEWS ROTARY SAMACHAR Editor Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan Assistant Editors Jaishree S. Selvi Sub Editor Kiran Zehra
62 64 62 Gut Instincts 64 Soya - A Healthy Dairy Alternative 72 Living in the Breathing Blue Mountains 83 Very Briefly
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PDG Ramesh Aggarwal
Send all correspondence and subscriptions to ROTARY NEWS TRUST 3rd Floor, Dugar Towers, 34 Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008, India. Phone : 044 42145666 Fax : 044 28528818 e-mail : rotarynews@rosaonline.org
07-10-2013 13:08:19
Doing Good in the World
I
f you are totally satisfied with your life, don’t bother to read this: However, if you wish to be more than you are ... if you wish to be great at what you do, being in Rotary could change your thinking ... thus, your life! Many Rotarians want to be leaders. To be a leader we have to do good. To do good through Rotary service one needs to believe in novelty and change. You must be able to change strategies according to the requirement of the situation. Above all, as a leader you should exude hope and confidence. “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy,” said William Shakespeare. At least on earth we know, that one single thing that is more important than anything else for Rotarians, is to do good. There is a very real relationship, both quantitatively and qualitatively, between what you contribute and what you get out of this world. Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light. All this happens only when we resolve to do good in this world. Rotary has given everyone of us an opportunity to do good that may otherwise be difficult for some to undertake.
EDITOR’S LETTER
Do you think any Rotarian realised what he or she was doing? Or was it just out of habit? If doing good is a habit that can be learned, then, Rotary offers you that habitforming experience, each day, every day and every moment in your life. Is doing good just a habit for Rotarians? Are they giving this gift to others routinely when a new member joins a club? I answer with a shrug, thinking about what a shame it was that people could give such a needed gift to others routinely and not even be aware of what they had done. It should be a habit, this business of doing good to others. I said a moment later, “But it would be nice if people actually knew they could and were making a difference.” A seed is being planted that day when a person joins Rotary to do good in this world. Probably for some it may take two years to sprout, awaken them one morning to a gentle soul-whisper that will pour forth as an action to undertake huge projects in every part of the world to do good to the people there. Every RI President has gone beyond their borders to do good to humanity and I have always watched with admiration the benefits that have come out from such humanitarian projects. I have had the opportunity to read about them. Just by reading about every venture like this in Rotary, I have been left wondering how people get into the habit of doing good in this world, with just a little extra effort. There is an invisible and immortal quality in every human being to do good. The nature of this is ‘sat chit anand.’ Sat is external truth, chit is unity of consciousness without fear and anand is the ultimate bliss. When you engage Rotary to change lives, you are doing good in the world.
Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 11
Reactions
LETTERS FROM READERS
Chairman’s Praise I have read the magazine and especially the pages on the COL. Your report is the best I have seen. Very detailed, inclusive and covered the main points of the proposals. Thanks for getting this distributed to all the Rotarians in India. PRID John F. Germ Chairman, 2013 Council on Legislation The coverage of COL 2013 in the June issue of Rotary News is very exhaustive. By simply reading the article one can feel as if he was at COL personally. The flow is very lucid and contents par excellence. The article is not less than the ‘Running Commentary’ of the event. The performance of Indian representatives to COL and fete of the enactments put forward by them has been covered very effectively. My compliments for the article! PDG Mukesh Arneja District COL Representative 2013 RI District 3010 Auto rickshaw The article titled, ‘The Auto Mobile’ (June 2013 issue) was interesting to read. In this aspect, kudos to the auto rickshaw drivers in Mumbai! Four years back, during my brief sojourn in Mumbai, I travelled along with my family members for a short distance of about one kilometre. The metre reading came to rupees nine. When
I gave rupees ten, the auto driver dutifully returned one rupee. One cannot even dream that such a thing will ever happen in Chennai. Rtn. N.M. Perumal RC Courtallam RI District 3212 Meaningful The June Editorial that featured ‘It’s more important to be kind than clever’ is a meaningful message. Leaders involved in social welfare are less kind but clever enough to make use of the new members and bypassing their active participation mistaking it for ambition. Rtn. Mohan Varma RC Devas RI District 3040 ‘What did you do?’ I put this question to myself and realised how I have missed so many programmes of Rotary in my tenure of 43 years. I think every Rotarian should ask this question to himself and access where he is in Rotary and for what? Rtn. Manjeet RC Korba Royal RI District 3260 Focused The colourful 16 pages of ‘Rotary’s Areas of Focus’ in April 2013 issue is very attractive, eye-catching and interesting to read and it expresses the entire objective of Rotary. It made the entire magazine
colourful. The article, ‘Where water is God’ and ‘Fixing Smiles’ are informative. Keep it up. Rtn. CA V. Jayaprakash RC Salem East RI District 2980 Accolades and more... The article ‘Where Water is God’ in Rotary News April 2013 is very interesting. The quarrel among two Shiva ganas which ended in the birth of Chen Kannan and construction of Lord Shiva’s sanctum in such a way no elephant can gain entrance and hence the temple was called ‘Thiru Anai Kaa’ is very amazing information. We expect many more such valuable articles in Rotary News. Rtn. S. Chandrasekaran RC Salem RI District 2980 I enjoyed reading the Rotary News, April 2013 issue. The colourful pictures describing the article, ‘Six Areas of Focus in Rotary’ was neat and informative. Also the write up on ‘Individuality in an Individual’ by TRF Trustee Ashok Mahajan was impressive that I gave it to all my friends to read it. Added to this the regular article on Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar’s speeches is simply mesmerising and impressive. Rtn. Mythili Muralidharan RC Chennai Gemini RI District 3230
The editor welcomes brief comments on the contents of the magazine, but reserves the right to edit submissions for style and length. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or the RI leadership, nor do the editors take responsibility for errors of fact that may be expressed by the writers. Only letters that include a verifiable name, address and day and evening phone numbers can be considered for publication. Readers are our source of encouragement. Some of our esteemed patrons share their valuable feedback….
In My Thoughts
Dear Fellow Rotarians, Our goal in 2013–14 is to Engage Rotary, Change Lives. All of us know that Rotary has incredible potential to do good work. It’s time to recognise how much more we could be doing and to start working on new ways to turn that potential into reality. We’re going to do this by engaging Rotarians — by getting them involved, by getting them inspired and by making sure that all Rotarians know just what a gift they have in Rotary. We’re going to make sure that the work we do in Rotary is solid, effective, and sustainable. And we’re going to make sure that Rotary itself will last — by committing to our goal of 1.3 million Rotarians in our clubs by the year 2015. That goal is a little different from membership goals we’ve had in the past. The goal isn’t just bringing in new members. The goal is growing Rotary. The goal is making Rotary bigger, not just with more members, but with more involved, engaged, motivated members who will be the ones to lead us into our future. Each of us has our own reason for joining Rotary — but I believe we all want to make a difference. We all want to be doing something meaningful. That is absolutely essential for us to remember when we talk about membership. We’re not asking just anyone to join Rotary. We’re looking to attract busy, successful, motivated people who care. We’re asking them to take their valuable time and give it to Rotary. So if they say yes, and they come and join our club, then we’d better be showing them that their time in Rotary is well spent. We have to make sure that every Rotarian, in every club, has a meaningful job — one that makes a real difference to the club and the community. Because when you’re doing something meaningful in Rotary, Rotary is meaningful to you. In Rotary, we all have something to give. At every stage of our lives and our careers, Rotary has something for all of us — a way to let us do more, be more and give more. Rotary gives our lives more meaning, more purpose and greater satisfaction. And the more we give through Rotary, the more Rotary gives back to us in return.
Ron D. Burton President, Rotary International AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 13
District Wise Contribution Totals to The Rotary Foundation as on June 30, 2013 (in US Dollars)
District Number
APF
2980
4,00,886
PolioPlus*
Other Restricted
Permanent Fund
1,100
72,428
Total Contributions
India 39,736
5,14,150
3000
48,164
1,200
3,000
18,500
70,864
3010
8,90,178
76,015
24,233
40,300
10,30,726
3020
1,27,852
46,230
887
38,130
2,13,099
3030
2,48,031
3,633
16,483
35,000
3,03,147
3040
71,308
16,663
16,992
2,676
1,07,639
3050
1,29,121
10,944
2,772
16,000
1,58,837
3060
2,13,956
9,690
31,086
58,772
3,13,504
3070
77,509
2,307
17,497
0
97,313
3080
2,72,992
66,297
1,49,552
2,852
4,91,693
3090
26,611
9,759
0
0
36,370
3100
51,051
800
2,104
0
53,955
3110
62,032
2,215
4,503
0
68,750
3120
38,353
1,000
1,177
0
40,530
3131
4,14,357
1,56,957
1,51,164
86,012
8,08,490
3132
1,34,712
1,978
5,804
0
1,42,494
3140
10,11,144
1,90,578
66,595
1,24,578
13,92,895
3150
1,11,358
75,958
1,01,455
54,785
3,43,556
3160
60,308
37
400
0
60,745
3170
2,11,170
4,667
1,09,772
1,100
3,26,709
3180
1,72,206
978
18,372
1,109
1,92,665
3190
8,72,863
1,000
85,608
78,400
10,37,871
3201
4,93,516
1,21,299
56,477
1,33,188
8,04,480
3202
1,05,410
585
6,000
1,000
1,12,995
3211
1,76,458
2,550
6,252
3,400
1,88,660
3212
1,11,498
51,147
0
51,000
2,13,645
3230
10,32,573
1,57,109
24,226
4,97,465
17,11,373
3240
98,047
10,469
4,593
0
1,13,109
3250
85,158
34,747
0
8,565
1,28,470
3260
83,920
757
1,514
12,029
98,220
3291
2,80,051
1,065
1,59,453
5,130
4,45,699
10,69,071
13,42,419
1,16,22,913
36,932
20,039
3,10,204
16,923
1,000
34,087
3,484
3,000
72,222
29,384
29,822
7,32,215
30,456
0
1,32,695
India India Total
185
75
81,12,978
10,98,445
2,45,728
7,505
260
Sri Lanka 3220
Pakistan 3271
13,545
2,619
Pakistan & Afghanistan 3272
64,539
1,199 Bangladesh
3280
6,72,153
856
3292
99,037
3,202
Nepal South Asia Total World Total
92,07,980
11,13,826
11,86,250
13,96,280
1,29,04,336
11,56,90,246
2,88,56,699
1,57,40,239
2,10,29,073
18,13,16,257
* Excludes Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Source: RI South Asia Office
PLEASURE THROUGH PARTICIPATION
First Thought Dear Fellow Rotarians, It is a great time to be a Rotarian from India! It is a tremendous achievement considering the fact that traditional Rotary strongholds like USA, UK and Japan are tending towards negative growth. August is the time to take stock of our membership goals and take a close look at our action plans, to remain at the top. We are all committed to the regional membership plan, which means, by June 30, 2015, the total membership in India should reach the magical figure of 1,60,000. In other words, we have committed to a net growth in membership of 10 percent, year on year. For many years, RI used to set global membership targets applicable to all regions, of around five percent. Asian countries achieved five percent easily while countries like UK and Japan were struggling to reach the mark. At the end of the year, while many countries were not able to reach this goal, countries like India reached five percent easily. RI has come up with the regional membership plan, in order to set targets relevant to each region. It is very important to retain the members, whom we take into our clubs. We need to immediately give them responsibility and assimilate them into the clubs. We take top professionals like chairmen of banks and managing directors of large corporations into Rotary. However, we hesitate when it comes to giving them even simple responsibilities like chairman of attendance committee or bulletin editor etc. We need to put more Rotary into our Rotarians. I read that “There was this man who put a gun to his head, thought that there was no bullet and pulled the trigger … there was a bullet! There was this lady who crossed the railway track; she thought that no train would come … the train came! There was this person who joined a Rotary club, paid his dues and thought he was Rotarian … he was not! It is extremely important to impart Rotary knowledge to our new Rotarians. It is said that, “a knowledgeable Rotarian is a good Rotarian.” August is the month to concentrate on membership retention too. The Rotary Coordinators and Assistant Rotary Coordinators are excellent resources who can give you practical ideas on membership development and retention. In August 2013, Nalini and I are eagerly awaiting the RI officers on board SS Virgo, for the very unique Rotary Institute, being held for the first time, on board a cruise liner. Institute Chairman PDG Basker has spared no efforts to make this one of the finest Rotary Institutes. On October 12–13, RI President Ron Burton will be in Chennai to chair the Presidential Conference on New Generations, which is his emphasis for 2013–14. We expect the participation of 10,000 Rotaractors from all over Asia. Please share this great news with your Rotaract clubs and encourage them to participate. Fellow Rotarians and Anns, Nalini and I take this opportunity to wish you another great year in the history of Rotary. Let us together Engage Rotary, Change Lives.
Rtn. P.T. Prabhakar RI Director, 2013–15
P.T. Prabhakar Director Rotary International (2013–15) AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 15
STIMULATES IMAGINATION
16 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
Rotary International Convention
June 23–26, 2013
here is an old proverb that says, “If you haven’t seen Lisbon, you haven’t seen anything,” True or not, the fact remains that those who visit Lisbon are invariably captivated by the magic of the place, its subtle atmosphere, the geology of the hills, the city’s thinly veiled history and the enthusiastic quest for the future. Rotarians who descended on
AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 17
View of Padr茫odos Descobrimentos and Monastery of Jer贸nimas in Belem.
Lisbon for the Rotary International Convention in June 2013, for the first time regretted they did not come here sooner. Those who had come here earlier vowed that they will keep returning. Lisbon is made up of several different places. Take a walk along the 18 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
river Tagus and it becomes a beautiful experience. It is like walking through time and space! We see Belem where the monuments remind us of the seagoing adventurers of Portugal. The connection with Vasco da Gama is unmistakable for Indians. The seafarers of Portugal widened the horizons of
the world. Today it is globalisation or international networking. While enjoying the historical and cultural excursions, we should also savour the Fado music of Portugal, which is said to have begun in 1820. There is no other city in Europe that has a subtle marriage between
progressive urbanity and tranquil countryside. Old memories persist in the geometric layout of streets. Habits and social traditions lie deep within the hearts of the people. However, the modern youth seem to be more modern than those in USA and many Asian countries. The population of
women who smoke cigarettes far outnumber the men and when you walk in the streets the distinct flavour of cigarettes fill the air, especially in front of buildings and shopping malls. A stroll along the Feira Internacional de Lisboa Convention Centre is
like searching the future. The modern structures including the neighbouring Atlantico Pavilion, where the plenary sessions were held, looked beautiful. The pleasure of shopping in the huge malls will be enhanced by sleepy sunlit terraces and a climate so mild that you can keep seeing the blue skies AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 19
Lisbon with its typical yellow trams. 20 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
endlessly. The Aguas Livres Aqueduct built in 1731 was the first water supply system to the city and still stands as a testimony to the architectural skills of the people who built it. So, how are the people in Portugal? The answer lies in their ability to keep an open mind but they will do anything that takes their fancy.
For example, the Segway Tours are a craze among tourists who boldly ride the machines or drive the GoCars in the city. Portugal promises to be an inspiring land of peace and tranquillity. That is why RI President Sakuji Tanaka was more than pleased to have the convention here (the venue is selected much
before a RI President takes over). His theme Peace through Service mixed well with the traditional Portuguese charm and welcomes service in an ambience of true natural calmness. For the 18,000 Rotarians who came to the convention, it was a place where friendship always blooms and where emotions never end. All that AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 21
RI President (2012–13) Sakuji Tanaka. Below: Flag Ceremony.
22 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
Convention Committee Chair Ed Futa.
Fado The origins of this style of music go back to the nineteenth century. In 1930, which was considered as the golden age of Fado, the songs became popular. Yearning, nostalgia, jealousy and everyday emotions provide the background on which these songs are based. The opening ceremony on June 23, 2013 saw famous artists performing the music much to the delight of those who understood it.
they had to do was to awaken their senses and explore intensely the best Lisbon had to offer, and the convention was the starting point. At the end of the convention the visitors looked less like tourists and more like Portuguese. Rotary International Conventions are always a place of comings and goings, mixture of individualism, diversity
and continuity. A Rotary International Convention is an event that blends different cultures. The House of Friendship is a place of creativity, innovation and an open door to unlimited forging of partnerships. The Chair of the Convention Committee Ed Futa opened the sessions with his traditional humour and set the AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 23
Clockwise: RI President (2012–13) Sakuji Tanaka with his family on the dais; Past RI Presidents with their spouse; Nobel Peace Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee; Peace soldier and musician, Mr. Emmanuel Jal; A view of the audience.
24 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
Oporto
In the North of Portugal, the beautiful city of Oporto is the second largest city after Lisbon. The area is famous for Vinho do Porto which is the famous Port Wine. The port wine from Portugal is available all over the world and is usually drunk before dinner or after dinner.
tone for what was to follow. The 2014 Sydney Convention Committee Chair Mark Maloney introduced the flags of the nations and it was a gorgeous sight to see the flags going up, to be suspended in mid-air for the rest of the sessions. The Minister of Portugal and the former President of the country, Mr. Jorge Sampaio addressed the gathering and said that it was a great event for Lisbon to host the convention. In a lighter vein, the minister even suggested that all the politicians should learn from Rotary to put aside their differences and work for common good. Describing Lisbon as the harbour of peace, RI President Sakuji Tanaka said that this convention was a dream come true to him. The Nobel Peace Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee talked about peace the next day at the plenary session. AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 25
Aguas Livres Aqueduct, Lisbon
Bill & Melinda Gates A new initiative in the partnership between Rotary International and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was announced by Mr. Jeff Raikes, CEO of the Foundation at the Rotary International Convention at Lisbon. In a pre-recorded video address shown during the plenary session on June 25, 2013, Mr. Jeff Raikes said that the Gates Foundation will match two to one upto US $35 million per year, every dollar Rotary International raises to reduce the funding gap for polio eradication till 2018. He said, “If fully realised, the value of this new partnership with Rotary is more than US $500 million. In this way, your contribution to polio will work twice as hard.” 26 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
Mr. Emmanuel Jal narrated how he became a peace soldier from being a child soldier. Both the themes centred around peace and the development of an attitude to bring harmony in the world. TRF Trustee Chair Wilf Wilkinson gave an account of how The Rotary Foundation fared and the highlight of the programme on June 25, 2013 was the speech by Dr. Harminder Singh Dua, who received the 2012–2013 Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award. Being an ophthalmic professor, his theme was Bring Light In Darkness (BLIND). He set the auditorium ablaze with laughter when he said, “What did Jesus tell Harminder Singh? Seek (Sikh) and find the truth!” The updates of the secretariat was provided by General Secretary John Hewko and TRF Goals for 2013–2014 was given by the Chairelect D.K. Lee. RI President-nominee Gary C.K. Huang was elected as RI President-elect and he addressed the delegates on how he wished to take the
Rotary dignitaries flashing the peace symbol. Below: RI President Ron D. Burton and his spouse Jetta.
organisation forward. The breakout sessions had a variety of important topics. The way to these halls were lined with food stalls and counters of exotic wines and probably some decided to stay back.
The other important speakers included Ms. Jane Goodall and Mr. Craig Kielburger who emphasised the need for peace and bringing up children in the path of education. The hilarious part of the programme was
the introduction to the 2014 Sydney Convention and the Australian English was translated into American and British English for the delegates to follow! Participating in a Rotary International Convention is much more than just attending some sessions. It is like the spring. Nobody knows how it happened. Nonetheless, the next Rotary International Convention in Sydney is getting ready for delegates. A convention is a place where the heroes of service are united by choice. There is always a need to adapt to the pace set by the city in which the convention is being held. Our sense of nostalgia and our wishful memory of the earlier conventions, so well-evoked by the leaders of Rotary, will linger forever. Rotarians can look forward to an exciting tomorrow to follow a distinguished yesterday.
Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 27
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EXTENSION
E
xternal extension or the starting of new clubs is always a desired route to improve membership growth. But is it taking place in a paced manner throughout the year? During the year 2012–2013, a total number of 155 new clubs were chartered in India. The total number of new members added through the new clubs was 4,198. District 3040 tops the list with 13 new clubs which resulted in the addition of 285 members. District 3201 and 3212 followed with 10 new clubs each and added 308 and 397 new members respectively. District 3230 started nine new clubs and added 338 members. Two districts, 3020 and 3170 did not start any new clubs. The minimum number of persons required to charter a new club is 20. The average of new members who joined in each club ranges from 20 to 29. However, District 3160 started just one club with 59 members. District 3132 had two clubs with an average of 43 per club. The districts which had on
an average of over 30 members joining the clubs are 3030, 3190, 3212, 3230 and 3291. District 3250 had an average of 18 members only. The rush to start new clubs gathered momentum only in May 2013 and 28 new clubs were chartered in that month. In June, 64 new clubs were chartered. November 2012 and January 2013 saw a modest increase of 10 new clubs respectively. The period from July to October 2012 and from February to March 2013 did not see much activity and only few clubs were chartered every month. Why is that there is a rush in May and June of every year to start new clubs? The charter fees of US $15 per member is payable whenever a club is started. However, clubs chartered after May 15 of a year enjoy a ‘semi-annual dues holiday’ and the members will not be billed till January of the following year. Out of the 4,198 new members who joined in the new clubs, 2,325 members will not be paying semi-annual dues to RI till December of the year because they joined in May and June! The same rule applies to clubs chartered after November 15 up to December 31 of the year. The members will not be billed for the dues till July 1 of the following year.
AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 29
New Clubs Chartered RI Dist. 2980
3000
3010
3020
3030
3040
3050
3060
3070
3080
3090
3100
3110
3120
3131
3132
July 2012
Aug 2012
Sep 2012
Oct 2012
Nov 2012
Clubs Members Clubs Members
Dec 2012
Jan 2013
1 25
Feb 2013
Mar 2013
Apr 2013
May 2013
June 2013
Total
1
2
4
46
42
113
1
1
2
3
7
25
23
60
87
195
2
2
40
40
Clubs Members Clubs
0
Members
0
Clubs Members
1
2
3
50
52
102
Clubs Members Clubs Members
1
2
1
1
8
13
25
50
20
20
170
285
1
1
1
1
3
7
25
21
20
22
81
169
Clubs Members
Clubs Members
6
24
20
80
124
1
2
3
6
37
52
66
155
5
3
2
1
11
125
62
40
20
247
1
3
4
25
65
90
Members
Members
1
1
2
1
1
4
10
25
20
50
25
36
83
239
Clubs Members Clubs Members Clubs Members
30 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
25 4
Clubs
Clubs
25 1
Members
Members
1
1
Clubs
Clubs
1
1
1
29
29
1
1
3
5
26
38
84
148
1
1
2
60
26
86
During 2012–13 RI Dist. 3140
3150
3160
3170
3180
3190
3201
3202
3211
3212
3230
3240
3250
3260
3291
Total
July 2012
Aug 2012
Sep 2012
Oct 2012
Nov 2012
Dec 2012
Clubs Members
Jan 2013
Feb 2013
Mar 2013
Apr 2013
May 2013
June 2013
Total
2
2
4
8
75
60
88
223
2
2
48
48
Clubs Members Clubs Members
1
1
59
59
Clubs
0
Members
0 3
3
83
83
1
2
3
40
55
95
Clubs Members Clubs Members 1
1
2
1
3
3
11
28
25
55
25
86
89
308
1
1
1
3
30
27
20
77
2
2
45
45
Clubs Members Clubs Members Clubs Members Clubs Members Clubs Members
3
7
1
11
127
244
26
397
1
2
1
2
1
2
9
43
70
45
78
41
61
338
Clubs Members
1
1
2
25
23
48
Clubs Members Clubs Members Clubs Members Clubs Members
1
3
4
20
52
72
1
2
1
1
1
1
7
26
56
33
38
25
20
198
1
1
3
3
8
25
25
61
69
180
1
2
8
6
10
8
10
3
6
9
28
65
156
50
50
254
153
269
273
318
90
171
245
819
1,526
4,218
AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 31
New Clubs During 2012–13 RI District
No. of Clubs
2980 3000 3010 3020 3030 3040 3050 3060 3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120 3131 3132
4 7 2 0 3 13 7 1 6 6 11 4 10 1 5 2
No. of Members 113 195 40 0 102 285 169 25 124 155 247 90 239 29 148 86
The catch however is this. This exemption is applicable only to charter members! That is, if after the charter is presented, the club adds new members, then the club has to pay pro rata dues for the new members immediately to RI. What is important to remember is that irrespective of when a club is chartered the members have to subscribe to the regional magazine. But to start a new club is not easy. A district governor normally may start the process of identifying a Governor’s Special Representative (GSR) in July or August. The home club of the GSR traditionally serves as the sponsor of the new club. There have been
RI District
No. of Clubs
No. of Members
3140 3150 3160 3170 3180 3190 3201 3202 3211 3212 3230 3240 3250 3260 3291 Total
8 2 1 0 3 3 11 3 2 11 9 2 4 7 8 156
223 48 59 0 83 95 308 77 45 397 338 48 72 198 180 4,218
instances when the GSR later joined the new club! The process of identifying people who may be interested to join Rotary and in a new club can be laborious. Probably such persons will be in demand from existing clubs. The initial contact meetings and getting good speakers from within the clubs to motivate people to join Rotary can also be challenging. Filing a new club application form with charter member list and charter fees must also be completed. An approved organisation of new club survey (extension survey) also needs to be furnished to Rotary International. A district governor is entitled to claim
50 percent of the charter fees paid to RI, as reimbursement for starting a new club. However, the district governor has to justify that expenses were incurred in the process. The minimum charter fee payable to RI is US $300. Each new club organised must exist in a locality. The typical description for a club locality is the city or town and the MOP states that the club’s name must be in a manner that it identifies with its locality. Hence names such as Rotary Club of (City Name) Galaxy, or Samudra, Meera, Gemini, Lake view, Educational city, Banana city and such exotic names may not really convey where the club intends to work. But such boundaries have now disappeared and e-clubs have a worldwide footprint. The opening of opportunities in Bhutan and Maldives recently has enlarged the Rotary world. Rotary International encourages assistance from Rotarians who can help in organising clubs in non-Rotary countries or geographical areas. Care should be taken while undertaking extension to isolated places and probably the association of persons there might justify only a RCC and not a Rotary club. Rotarians need to help their clubs become more identifiable in their communities and this is important if more new clubs need to be opened. This population growth will always be welcomed. Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan
HOUSE-KEEPING Husband : (calling up Hotel Manager from room) Please come fast, I am having an argument with my wife and she says she will jump from your hotel window. Manager : Sir, I am sorry, but this is your personal issue. Husband : Listen!!! The window’s not opening. This is maintenance issue!!!
32 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
!
Sydney
Dear friends, G’day from Sydney! Jetta and I want to see you in Sydney, Australia, 1–4 June 2014, for the 105th Rotary International Convention. Sydney is the perfect venue for our convention as we celebrate and share the many ways each of us has found to Engage Rotary, Change Lives. Sydney is a vibrant international hub as well as a gateway between East and West. From the iconic Sydney Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, from the legendary beaches to the majestic Blue Mountains, from Kiama Beach to the Hunter Valley, Sydney has it all. You can visit virtually every one of these sites using free public transportation provided by the New South Wales government for up to three days before and one day after the convention. And, since you will already be in Australia, you might want to make plans to visit other great places, such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Ocean Road, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, and Perth. These are just a few of the many options available to you. So join us and enjoy Rotary down under, where we promise great fun, even greater fellowship, an educational and inspirational programme, exciting entertainment, wonderful Aussie cuisine, and incredible, unmatched scenery in one of the most beautiful cities and most exciting countries in the entire world. Don’t miss this opportunity to personally Engage Rotary, Change Lives.
Sincerely, #( , &3<
)(5 >5 /,.)(
Ron D. Burton RI President, 2013–14
AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 33
FOCUS Compiled by Kiran Zehra
RC KUMBAKONAM SHAKTHI RI District 2980 A veterinary camp was conducted at Kurichi Hills for the cattle. Vaccines were also administered. This care for the cattle would ensure better yield for the villagers.
RC DINDIGUL RI District 3000 The club conducted a dental camp for the students of the Rotary Nursery and Primary School. Lectures on proper oral hygiene were delivered to the children so that they would take proper care of their teeth. 38 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
RC VIZAG METRO RI District 3020 In order to provide clean water for the eye patients visiting the Rotary Netra, the club installed a drinking water plant equipped with RO technology there. The water plant is expected to benefit the patients and 20 villages in the neighbourhood.
RC AKOLA RI District 3030 The club honoured girl students from poor families for their excellence in studies and extracurricular activities by distributing Englishâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Marathi dictionaries to school children to help develop interest in academics.
RC GODHRA MIDTOWN RI District 3040 The club conducted a medical diagnostics camp for Pulmonary Function Test to screen people for any lung ailments.
RC NOKHA RI District 3050 Sweaters were distributed to school children to combat the cold and make coming to school easy during the cold season.
AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 39
RC BARODA RI District 3060 In an event the club distributed tricycles for physically challenged people. The programme also included polio vaccination and screening for diabetes.
RC JALANDAR SOUTH RI District 3070 The club in partnership with RC Kelowna, RI District 5060, Canada and TRF handed over a critical care medically equipped ambulance to HUB Health Services, Jalandar, to handle accidents/emergencies on the national highway.
RC ROOPNAGAR RI District 3080 Scholarship of Rs.1,000 each was handed over to girls belonging to poor families in order to motivate them to attend school without dropping out. The event was held at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School.
RC RAJPURA GREATER RI District 3090 Rotarians conducted the marriage ceremony for nine girls hailing from poor families at Rajpura. Items for domestic use were also provided to the newly-wed couples.
40 ROTARY NEWS AUGUST 2013
RC MORADABAD CIVIL LINES RI District 3100 Students of Ratan Lal Shanthi Devi Junior High School were screened for eyesight disorders at a camp organised by the club within the school premises. Those with vision problems were given spectacles.
RC HALDWANI RI District 3110 A health camp was conducted at the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academy, Haldwani in association with Interact Club of Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academy. Around 400 people visited the camp and they were also examined for diabetes.
RC VARANASI SUNRISE RI District 3120 The club distributed tricycles to physically challenged people in order to help them improve their lifestyle. These people would now be able to perform their chores without much dependency from others.
RC PUNE SPORTS CITY RI District 3131 Rubella vaccination was given to girls studying in the local schools, neighbouring village girls and also to girls from the Girls Observation Home in Pune. An awareness talk on the disease and its prevention was also delivered to the people. AUGUST 2013
ROTARY NEWS 41