Bulletin Issue 36 / Apr Lunch Meeting on 1 st Apr 2014

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1 Chartered 13 August 1980 Meeting: The Singapore Cricket Club, Every Tuesday 12.45pm RI Calendar / APRIL: Magazine Month Bulletin Issue 36 / Apr 2014 Lunch Meeting on 1 st Apr 2014 Lunch meeting was chaired by VP Thomas Graf in the absence of the President who was on medical leave. There were two announcements made by Dir Dirk Lenz & PP Eugene Lim on the TPJC Career Symposium & annual golf tournament trip to RC KL DiRaja respectively. PE Corina Lai related her experience at the recently concluded District Assembly in JB, Malaysia. Rtn Joao who is leaving RCRC for a new professional opportunity in Guangzhou, China bid farewell to our club. The highlight of our meeting was the talk on Mexico by its ambassador HE Rogelio Granguillhome. Our guest speaker was introduced by his fellow countryman Rtn Luis Coronado. To most of us, Mexico is a faraway country off the beaten track for most Singaporeans. We have probably read about the success story of the Mexican economy and the fascinating culture of the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Conversely the same country has had adverse reporting of organised crime and illegal immigrants into USA; a point which the ambassador addressed with refreshing candour during the question/answer conclusion. During the talk by the ambassador, we learned the following interesting facts of Mexico: - Population of 112 million of which half are below 26 years old - 110,000 Engineering graduates every year - 14 th largest economy of the world by nominal GDP

2 The ambassador also shared Singapore Mexico relationship: - In 2015, it will be 40 years of diplomatic relation & 25 years of establishment of the Embassy of Mexico in Singapore - Total trade of US$2.8 billion - Several agreements for co-operation in cultural, artistic, tourist, scientific & academic affairs - Singapore companies with presence in Mexico include Keppel, Swiber, Banyan Tree, KS Energy, Olam, Temasek, ST Engineering, POSH Semco, Grupo Kaybee, Sunningdale Tech & Hyflux Accompanying the ambassador s talk were two catchy video clips relating to the economy & tourism. VP Thomas had to curtail the many questions that came from our members due to the pressure of time; testimony of the powerful interest which HE Rogelio Granguillhome created through his lunch talk to our club. Muchas Gracias! Photos of meeting on 1 Apr 2014 Chairman VP Thomas Graf Toast by PP Aaron Tan PE Corina reporting on Club Assembly Rtn Joao bids the club farewell

3 Sunshine Box contributions Rtn Luis Coronado introducing HE Rogelio Granguillhome Mexican fare for lunch during talk by Mexican Ambassador

4 President s Column PRESIDENT S BLOG Week of 31 MARCH 2014 Dear Members, I have not been a good Rotarian these past 2 weeks. I have missed 2 club meetings in a row. But I do have good reasons. I was away on work overseas and when I came back, I was very ill. So ill that my medication caused me to sleep right through last Tuesday s lunch time. It would not have been good for me as a Rotarian to come to the Rotary meeting last week and spread my germs to all those attending. But for a Club President to miss 2 meetings in a row is not good, even if there were good reasons. Happily for our club, we have committed and willing officers to stand in for the Club President and for whose efforts the President and the club as a whole is most grateful. Attendance at meetings is an important part of being a Rotarian. In fact in the oath that we take when we are inducted, all of us commit to attending meetings regularly and to make up if we are unable to do so. The Rotary rules require a minimum level of attendance and there is a prescribed formula for Rotarians to calculate their compliance. But this notwithstanding, there are still many Rotarians who are not aware or, if aware, fail to comply with this important obligation. In our club, for example, even though our membership has increased to 55, our attendance at our weekly meetings has remained at about the same level since the Rotary year began. Attendance is important as it is through regular interactions that members keep up their fellowship with each other and develop the sense of community. It is crucial to the Rotary paradigm of fellowship as an opportunity for service. Attendance need not be at own club meetings. The Rotary rules provide that attendance at other club meetings, District and international events and at club projects are all reckonable in fulfilment of the attendance requirement. Central to these is that such attendances must be reported. This is one area when the Club Secretary plays a most important role.

5 Having missed 2 club meetings in a row, I am resolved to make these up by, for example, attending meetings of other clubs and of course other Rotary events. I have little doubt that I can do so, especially since I will be attending the coming District Conference in Penang as well as the R I Convention in Sydney. Good if more of you all can join me and Sue in these. You don t have to need to do make-ups in order to come along and enjoy these Rotary events. Jeffrey Chan President Rotary Club of Raffles City Members Column More photos of Myanmar (PP Jimmy Daruwalla)

6 Events Report Rotary Club Taipei Northeast Visit Mar 14-19, 2014 AG Johnson Tan and Mrs Juliet Tan PP Dr Chin Koy Nam PP Dr Low Cze Hong and Mrs Elizabeth Low PP Gerald Lim and Mrs Diana Lim Rotarian Alfred Ong and Mrs Cecilia Ong Mrs Jessie Lee Ms Karen Tan and mother Upon arrival, we were warmly welcome by many PPs and members of RC NE Taipei and promptly whisked off to our hotel for dinner hosted by President Rong. Among those present were President Rong, PP Master, PP Falton, PP Power, PP Ais, PP Kevin and Andy. The next day, we boarded a chartered bus to Puli, Liyu Lake. Lunch was hosted at Shih Hwa Biotech Center Co where the restaurant prepares only organic food and healthy cooking process. After a sumptuous lunch, we arrived at Puli, Sky Lotus Lake hotel, took a mini train for a tour around the lake and soaked in the beautiful scenery. At the Chartered night dinner our IPP Dr Low Cze Hong received on behalf of RCRC a token of appreciation for the donations of US$12,000 towards their Skywalker project during his term. Follow by our AG Johnson Tan representing RCRC on behalf of Pres Jeffrey presented a pledged to RC Taipei NE of US$2,000 to Taipei NE as donation to their project for this Rotary Year. We were taken to many wonderful sights in Taichung, we were treated to a sumptuous lunch hosted by PP Douglas and dinner by PP Power. Alfred and Cecilia hosted dinner one of the evening for many RCTN members at Loving Kitchen, where the mission of chef Kevin and his wife Claire is preparing healthy food that barely use oil nor salt for the love of their family. While cooking, the audience requested Chef Kevin and Claire to demonstrate their love with a kiss, Rotarian Alfred and wife Cecilia followed, thereafter every couple present were asked to kiss their spouse, resulting in much mirth and merriment, creating a great fun memorable evening for everyone. On the farewell evening, we were hosted to dinner, attended by various RCTN PPs and their spouses, President Rong, PP Power, PP Falton and PP Ais. A farewell lunch was hosted by PP Elter for those who caught the later flight. On this trip, we were taken care very well by the Taipei fellow Rotarians from logistic of picking us and sending us off. All programmes were very well planned and many Rotarians from their club had come forward to look after us and keep all of us occupied throughout the trip. Friendship, fellowship and bonding between RCRC and Taipei NE are ever strong. On behalf of PE Corina, we had sent our invitation to Taipei NE to our incoming installation on 5 th July Prepared by Rtn Karen Tan

7 Contributed by Rtn Alfred Ong District Assembly Mar 2014 Contributed by AG Johnson Tan

8 SCC Hungarian wine tasting event 4 Apr 2014 Contributed by PP Aaron Tan Club Announcements ents (in Apr 2014) Lunch meeting classification talk Date: Tues 8 Apr 2014 Time: Venue: Speaker: 12.45pm Gilmour Room, SCC Rtn Judy Tan Events in Apr 2014 Fri, 11 Apr Board Of Directors Meeting. 6.30pm meeting; 7.30pm dinner at Ju Shin Jung Korean Restaurant at 102, Guillemard Rd (Hosted by Rtn Sigrid Zialcita)

9 Tues 15 Apr 2014, guest speaker for lunch meeting is Pres Daisy Irani, RC of Marina City speaking on "Being an India Indian Singaporean" Tues 22 Apr 2014, guest speaker for lunch meeting is Ms Marina Wong, General Manager of the Straits Time Pocket Money Fund Apr 2014, Annual Golf Friendly with RC KL DiRaja in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sat 26 Apr 2014 Career Symposium at Tampines Junior College. A repeat Vocational Service Committee project as part of Parents-Teachers Day for JC1 students. Installation Dinner Souvenir Magazine The 35th installation dinner of our Club will be held on Saturday 5th July 2014 at the SICC Grand Ballroom, Upper Thomson Road. PE Corina Lai is appealing to members for support by attending this dinner event & take up advertisement to help fund the event. She hopes every RCRC members will help fund this event by taking up a minimum 1/4 page advertisement. If there is a surplus due to your strong support, the surplus will be channeled to the Sunshine Box and it will be used for a good cause. Advertisement Cost: Free dining for: 1 / 4 page two $ / 2 page two $ Full page B/W two $1, Full page colour two $1, Front inside page two $1, Back inside page two $1, Back page two $2, Dinner cost one $ It would be appreciate if members could let PP Wee Koon San know of your commitments. He will record the numbers as he has been doing in the past years. To ease Koon San work load, we propose to do this by exception i.e. we will assume you are agreeable to the quarter page advertisement then no further action is needed from you. Otherwise, please write to Koon San by Wednesday 30 April and inform him of your choice.

10 RCRC Events to note MAY 2014 Club Announcements (beyond Apr 2014) May 2014 District Conference (Bayview Beach Resorts, Penang) 31 May-4 Jun 2014 RI Convention 2014 at Olympic Park, Homebrush Bay, Sydney Australia Rotary Theme Song with District 3310 phonics Month Next Week: 8 Apr 2014 Desk Duty William Wan 15 Apr 2014 Wee Koon San 22 Apr 2014 Sigrid Zialcita 29 Apr 2014 Alfred Shee

11 Members Celebrations in April Birthdays Wedding Anniversaries 2 nd Daniel Loh 5 th Lim Hua Min 10 th George Abraham 15 th Vincent Chen 16 th David Ong 25 th Sorinder Singh 28 th Ron Pereira

12 Before We End Good Dentist A guy and a girl meet at a bar. They get along so well that they decide to go to the girl's place. A few drinks later, the guy takes off his shirt and then washes his hands. He then takes off his trousers and again washes his hands. The girl has been watching him and says: "You must be a dentist." The guy, surprised, says: "Yes... How did you figure that out?" "Easy... she replies, "you keep washing your hands." One thing leads to another and they make love. After it's over the girl says: "You must be a good dentist." The guy, now with an inflated ego, says: "Sure - I'm a good dentist. How did you figure that out?" The girl replies... "Didn't feel a thing." Contributed by PP Vincent Chen End of Bulletin