Latest Edition (September)

Message from RI
President & District
Governor
1
Message from
2
Bulletin Editor; Programmes, Birthdays &
Anniversaries
History of Women In
Rotary
3
Blood Donation Drive
& Health Campaign
4
Visit to Germany
5
Interact Leadership
Training Seminar ‘14
5
Best Interact Club
Award Night 2014
6
Sister Club Agreement; District Interact
Conference 2014
7
The Governor’s Ball
2014
8
PRESIDENT
WILLIAM WEE
PP VINCENT LAI
LILY WONG
JASON NG
One of the great privileges of
being president of Rotary
International is having the
chance to visit so many parts
of the Rotary world. Usually I
travel to participate in Rotary
events; speak at Rotary clubs,
conferences, and institutes;
and encourage Rotarians in
their service. But as president,
I am responsible for all
branches of the Rotary family. This means that it is also
my privilege to support the service of Rotary's youngest
generations: our Rotaractors, Interactors, Rotary Youth
Exchange students, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
participants.
When I see the work Rotarians do, I am always impressed, always excited, and always inspired. When I see
the work of our New Generations, I am all of this – and
frequently I am surprised as well. Not by the quality of
their work – for I have learned to expect great things from
them – but by the creativity and ingenuity of their thinking. I look at what they have done and think not just
"What a great job!" but "What a great idea!" Because
I bring you warm greetings and good wishes
in the September issue of this Newsletter.
September is designated New Generations
Month and, during this Month, we are required to focus on all Rotary activities that
support the development of young people. I
would encourage all clubs to use the slogan
“Every Rotarian an Example to Youth” in
publicity materials during this Month.
every generation sees the world in a unique way, and
every individual has a unique point of view. Faced with
the same problems, we arrive at different solutions. This
is why, in Rotary, our diversity – of culture, language,
expertise, gender, and age – is our strength.
In Rotary, we try to take the long view in our service. We
aspire to serve in ways that will make a lasting difference,
that will continue to have an impact after our participation
ends. Our younger generations, in my experience, share
this sentiment, and apply it globally, by focusing on environmental issues in new and innovative ways. When I
became a Rotarian, environmental issues were barely on
our radar. To young people today, these concerns are
front and center. Their perspective is a valuable contribution to the world of Rotary service, and it is one that we
should all encourage and support. Just as they are learning
from us, so should we be learning from them.
The young people who are serving in Rotaract and Interact, and participating in Youth Exchange and RYLA today, are the Rotarians of tomorrow. When we support
them, we are supporting the future of our entire organization. We are helping to train the men and women who
will be the club presidents, district governors, RI directors, and RI presidents of tomorrow.
Committee is also working hard to display and publicise our
activities in the Governor’s Newsletter. So please continue to
keep them informed of the projects undertaken by your respective Clubs.
I am indeed pleased to inform you that RI President Gary Huang
and his charming spouse Corina will be officially visiting our
District from 19th to 21st November, 2014 to celebrate Rotary
Day. An Organizing committee has been formed to coordinate
the Programme. You will be informed in due course about other
I have just completed my first 79 days of office as your Governor details. However, I request you to keep yourselves free to join us
and over the past several weeks, I have been attending many all in the Gala Night on the 20th November in honour of Gary
Installation functions and projects, including a Joint Installation and Corina.
of three clubs on the Star Cruise. I must record my deep appreciation and thanks to all the Clubs for having organised such At the time of penning my Message, we are also in the midst of
wonderful events to showcase your activities.
receiving the submissions for the National Essay Writing Competition for Rotaractors and Interactors. Initially, we had hoped
In the month of August, I commenced my official Club visits. to have the closing date for submission of the Essays on 15th
From the 6th of August until the 10th of September, I have vis- September 2014. However, at the request of many, we have now
ited 18 Rotary Clubs in our District. Some Clubs obviously were extended the deadline to 15th October 2014. I urge Rotary Clubs
more than well prepared for the Governor’s visit whereas there to encourage more of your Interactors and Rotaractors to particiwere some, especially the smaller ones, who had taken the trou- pate in this Competition.
ble to display their live projects to the Governor. The hospitality
and the meals provided were beyond expectations and I must say I know that most of you, both at District and Club level, have
with all sincerity that you all made me feel warm and at home been working very hard towards organizing your various Proalways.
jects. My humble request to all of you is to continue giving of
Our District Communications Committee has been very efficient your very best for the benefit of the community and humanity in
and proactive to keep the general membership informed of the keeping to our Motto of “Service Above Self.” I am confident
activities, as well as the Governor’s club visits, through the social that with the support of all Clubs, Rotarians and well wishers we
media such as the District website and Facebook. The Editorial will continue to “Light Up Rotary.”
September is Rotary New Generations
Month and we saw activities happened with
both Interact and Rotaract taking part.
Thanks to all the Rotarians / Rotaractors
who participated in these events.
This month we had the MBS Interact Club
Blood Donation Drive and Health Campaign running for the 8th year and in conjunction with this programme there were
also Health Awareness talks with PP Prof.
Aloysius Raj as the keynote speaker.
The Rotary Club of Penang also held the Interact Leadership Training Seminar in the MBS Lecture Hall. It was well attended by many
Interact Clubs including our Interactors from sister clubs. It was officially declared open by PDG Datuk Dr. Lakshmanan with a keynote
address to all present. It was indeed a most successful event thanks to
all the speakers namely PP Dr. Baskaran, PP Francois Sigrist, PP
Tan Boon Hoe, PP Ricky Ch’ng, Rtn. Kelvin Thum, VP Stephen
Soon, PP Vincent Lai and Rotaractor PP Nicholas Goh. The workshops were conducted by the Rotaract Club of Penang and our able
New Generations Director who single-handedly coordinated the
ILTS programme and other events. Thanks also to all the Teacher
Advisors who attended the ILTS.
The Rotary Club of Penang also held its Annual Best Interact Club
Award Night and this year MBS again won the award. Congratulations to the club which is headed by their very dedicated and outstanding Teacher Advisor, Ms Lily Wong.
The Rotaractors never failed to put forth their best efforts to continue
to be the best club in District 3300. We saw PP Ning Wan Jo taking
her own time off travelling to Manila to join one of the Rotaract
Clubs there in doing volunteering services and building fellowship
with them. Following that, the Rotaract Club of Chinatown-Manila
signed a sister club agreement with our very own Rotaract Club of
Penang. President Jimmy Chai and VP Alice Ooi flew to Manila and
had this agreement signed during the 3rd Charter Anniversary of
RAC Chinatown-Manila. It was witnessed by DG Edmund Aguilar
(D3810) and PP Arthur Yeong (D3300). PP Arthur as the Rotaract
Advisor for Rotaract Club of UTP was in Manila with his Rotaractors conducting an International Service Project along with RAC
Penang and RAC Makati.
Rotary Club of Penang is glad to see initiatives taken by the Rotaractors and Interactors to build themselves a stronger club through active participation in their activities which no doubt will make their
organization more vibrant. All in all a great month for the New Generations, our Partners in Service in Lighting Up Rotary. Well done!
Bulletin Editor PP Vincent Lai
1/9
BOARD MEETING
BIRTHDAYS
3/9
LUNCH MEETING
(Directors’ Report)
4/9
Kimi (Ann of Rtn .Hirashima)
10/9
LUNCH MEETING
(Video Presentation by Kelvin Thum,
outh Service Director, Re New
Generation Month)
18/9
Datin Sylvia (Ann of Rtn. Dato
Gabor)
13/9
Interact Leadership Training Seminar
(ILTS) organised by
Kelvin Thum, Youth Service Director
25/9
Rtn. Lim Teck Seng
27/9
PDG Dato’ Dr Santokh Singh, JP
27/9
PP Ian Ong Kok Eng
17/9
DINNER MEETING
(Speaker: “Rotary Foundation” by
PP Dr Baskaran of RC of Butterworth
President Jimmy Chai of Rotaract Club
of Penang gave a talk about his
Programsme and Activities for Rotaract
Year 2014/15
24/9
DINNER MEETING
(Best Interact Club Awards Nite)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
8/9
Hon. Sec. Rtn Michel Van Crombrugge
& Aldina
The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into
Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the Court in 1983 rules in favour of Rotary International, upholding gender-based qualification for membership in Calihistory of Rotary.
fornia Rotary clubs. In 1986, the California Court of Appeals
"My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the reverses the lower court's decision, preventing the enforceworld of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sin- ment of the provision in California. The California Supreme
cerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing Court refuses to hear the case, and it is appealed to the
world," said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI U.S. Supreme Court.
1987
president in 2000-01.
On 4 May, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that Rotary clubs
The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and may not exclude women from membership on the basis of
women from all over the Rotary world to allow for the admis- gender. Rotary issues a policy statement that any Rotary
sion of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at club in the United States can admit qualified women into
membership. The Rotary Club of Marin Sunrise, California
previous Council meetings.
(formerly Larkspur Landing), is chartered on 28 May. It
The response to the decision was overwhelming: By June becomes the first club after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling
1990, the number of female Rotarians had skyrocketed to to have women as charter members. Sylvia Whitlock, of the
over 20,000. By 2010, the number of women was approach- Rotary Club of Duarte, California, becomes the first female
Rotary club president.
ing 200,000.
1988
In November, the RI Board of Directors issues a policy
Timeline of women in Rotary
statement recognizing the right of Rotary clubs in Canada
to admit female members based on a Canadian law similar
1950
An enactment to delete the word “male” from the Standard to that upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Rotary Club Constitution is proposed by a Rotary club in India 1989
for the Council on Legislation meeting at the 1950 RI Conven- At its first meeting after the 1987 U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Council on Legislation votes to eliminate the retion.
quirement in the RI Constitution that membership in Rotary
1964
The Council on Legislation agenda contains an enactment clubs be limited to men. Women are welcomed into Rotary
proposed by a Rotary club in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to per- clubs around the world.
mit the admission of women into Rotary clubs. Delegates vote 1990
that it be withdrawn. Two other proposals to allow women to As of June, there are about 20,200 female Rotarians worldwide on Feature on Women in Rotary.
be eligible for honorary membership are also withdrawn.
1995
1972
As more women begin reaching higher positions in their pro- In July, eight women become district governors, the first
fessions, more clubs begin lobbying for female members. A elected to this role: Mimi Altman, Gilda Chirafisi, Janet W.
U.S. Rotary club proposes admitting women into Rotary at Holland, Reba F. Lovrien, Virginia B. Nordby, Donna J.
Rapp, Anne Robertson, and Olive P. Scott.
the 1972 Council on Legislation.
2005
1977
Three separate proposals to admit women into membership Carolyn E. Jones begins her term as the first woman apare submitted to the Council on Legislation for consideration pointed as trustee of The Rotary Foundation.
at the 1977 RI Convention. A Brazilian club makes a different 2008
proposal to admit women as honorary members. The Rotary Catherine Noyer-Riveau begins her term as the first
Club of Duarte, California, USA, admits women as members in woman elected to the RI Board of Directors.
violation of the RI Constitution and Standard Rotary Club 2010
Constitution. Because of this violation, the club's membership More than 199,000 women are members of Rotary clubs
in Rotary International was terminated in March 1978. (The worldwide, with an increasing number serving as district
governors.
club was reinstated in September 1986.)
2012
1980
The RI Board of Directors and Rotary clubs in India, Sweden, Elizabeth S. Demaray begins her term as treasurer, the first
Switzerland, and the United States propose an enactment to woman to serve in this position.
remove from the RI and club constitutions and bylaws all ref- 2013
Anne L. Matthews begins her term as the first woman to
erences to members as “male persons.”
serve as RI vice president.
1983-86
In a lawsuit filed by the Duarte club, the California Superior
On 27th of September, the Interact Club of Methodist Boys’ School held their annual Blood Donation Drive and Health Campaign in the school.
The highlights of the event included the screening of blood and harvesting of blood
from the donors who generally were the teachers, Form 5 and Lower and Upper 6
students. There were also walk in donors from the public who were friends and family of the Interactors.
Loh Guan Lye Hospital assisted them in the donation of blood while many other
organizations like the SPCA, the Agensi Anti-Dadah, the Mobile Dental Clinic, the
Tuberculosis, Hypertension and Diabetes Team, the organ Donation Unit and so on
were on hand to give health talks and also to exhibit information that is important to
our health.
PP Prof. Dr. Aloysius Raj gave the keynote address on “Newer Concepts in Cancer
Management”. Other speakers include hospital personnel who enlightened everyone
on Cardiology, Heart Attacks, Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Hypertension, Embryology,
Responsible Ownership of Animals, and so forth.
It was a day when everybody cherishes life and realizes the importance and the need
to donate the “Gift of Life” to save the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
PP Francois Sigrist was the guest of honour who officiated the event and he was
accompanied by PP Vincent Lai, Rtn. Kelvin Thum, Rtn. Dr, Jeyalakshmi Ratnavale
and Rotaract President Jimmy Chai.
Dato’ Musty and Dato’ Lubna met up
with some Rotarians on board the Avalon
Luminary on 12th September 2014. The
Rotarians were from
i) Rotary Club of Danielson, District 7890,
Connecticut, USA
ii) Rotary Club of Sioux Falls, District
5610, South Dakota, USA
iii) Rotary Club of Regina, Regina, District
5550, Saskatchewan, Canada. T
They exchanged mini banners of their
club.
On 14th September, the cruise ship
stopped at Wurzburg and they took a
tour to see the WURZBURG RESIDENZ.
They met up with their friends after their
tour, Rtn Hans Overshott and Cornelia
who took them to their house and also
for some sightseeing when they also visited ROTHENBURG, a medieval fortified
city.
On 13th of September, the ILTS was
held in Methodist Boys’ School. It was
organised by the Rotary Club of Penang
in partnership with the Rotaract Club of
Penang.
The turnout of Interactors from about
ten schools was most encouraging. Besides, there were also Teacher Advisors
who accompanied their young charges
as they went through the action packed
programmes and activities lined up for
them in order to develop and enhance
leadership skills in the young Interactors.
The sessions were carried out in the
Lecture Hall as well as the Shaw Hall.
A good number of Rotarians were on
hand to assist in training the Interactors
in their designations as office bearers of
their respective clubs.
On 24th of September, the Rotary Club of Penang held its Best Interact
Club Award Night at Traders Hotel. Four schools were shortlisted to compete amongst themselves for the top three spots.
It was a night when the young Interactors were given a platform on which
to showcase the programmes and activities that they had organised from
2013~2014 in doing Service above Self. They demonstrated the fact that
at their young age they could be involved in community and environmental projects that generated funds and also services for the local community.
The challenge trophy as well as the 3 other trophies were donated by Dr.
Gurdev Gill iSingh n memory of his late father, S. Amar Singh Gill. The
panel of judges were headed by Mrs. Daljit Gill Kaur.
The results are as follows:
1st Interact Club of Methodist Boys’ School
2nd Interact Club of Chung Ling High School
3rd Interact Club of St. George’s Girls’ School
Recently, an agreement was signed
between President Jimmy Chai of the
Rotaract Club of Penang and the
President of the Rotaract Club of
Chinatown-Manila in Manila.
That makes the Rotaract Club of
Penang and the Rotaract Club of Chinatown-Manila sister clubs. Congratulations to both clubs on this
achievement.
Good Day Rotarians
Please find attached the link to the online registration to the District Interact Conference RY 2014/15 for your kind attention.
http://www.rotarysunway.org/interact
For more information please contact Organizing Chairman—PP Divakaran - 6019 328 2810
Deputy Organizing Chairman - Rtn Lydia - 6012 215 4587
THE GOVERNOR’S BALL
Penang’s Inaugural Debutante Ball
In Aid of the Governor’s Education Fund for the Underprivileged
&
The Penang Hospice Society
“The Governor’s Ball” Project was brought in by Past President Gerard Robless to Rotary
Club of Penang. He is the Coordinator between Rotary Club of Penang and Penang Cares Society.
The main Rotary Organising Committee members are President William Wee, PP Francois Sigrist, PP
Tan Boon Hoe and PP Gerard Robless.
Penang Cares Society has plans to raise funds for the Governor’s Education Fund and the Penang
Hospice Society. From the net proceeds shared 65% is for The Governor’s Education Fund and 35%
for The Penang Hospice Society. If agreeable to the Penang Cares Society, the Governor’s Education
Fund may be used to assist 4 to 5 Interact Schools under Rotary Club of Penang.
This GOVERNOR’S BALL is promising to be a grand and exciting event for many young ladies as
they prepare their ball gowns as Penang’s very first Debutantes. In addition to the etiquette and dance
training, they also work for Charity Programmes.
Emi Yamazaki gave a talk about “The Governor’s Ball” on 24th September 2014 at the Rotary Club of
Penang’s Dinner Meeting. She co-founded the Penang Cares Association with other philanthropists in
Penang. She is very active in promoting Japanese culture in Penang through the Pink Hibiscus Club
which she founded.
If this project is successful, such a project partnership can be repeated annually and will be first of its
kind in Penang and in Malaysia.