PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The evening of 24th June marked a simple ceremony but a significant one as I was installed as the 48th President of the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya. It was also an evening for President Balram’s swan song.

I accept this position with honour and I look forward to the challenges ahead. Foremost is membership drive and retention. We need to adopt strategies to strengthen our membership in terms of the number. One way as I see it is to make our RCPJ a meaningful Club when members cannot resist fellowships and luncheon meetings. To achieve this, our members must develop the inter-bond relationship between members in fostering greater friendship and better understanding. There must be more opportunities for members to socialize through organized outings. And also, the introduction of lady membership must be seriously considered.

The major projects will be scheduled according to the decisions of the Avenues of Service. It is also time to earnestly think of other new projects that benefit our PJ community. The Club needs to address issues such as the spate of crimes in our midst and the management of water in our households, to name two.

A major event for early next year will be the Charity Dinner & Show on our Anniversary Day. The committee has commenced preparations and the target to be raised is RM500,000 that will be sufficient for three Rotary years.

Indeed, we have a busy year ahead. I strongly urge and appeal to all our members to come forward and lend a helping hand to MAKE DREAMS REAL. I sincerely thank my Directors who have so spontaneously accepted their roles. I say this again: I need your support and assistance.

I must take this opportunity to extend my gratitude and appreciation to IPP Balram Menon and his Directors for the continuity in leadership. Their dedication to the call of duty is commendable and we hope that this year’s Board could match their standard of achievement.

LET’S WORK HARD TOGETHER FOR A BETTER RY08/09.

The Rotary Year 08/09 under the leadership of President Kevin Yong will be a challenging one. But with the experience of three Past Presidents forming the Board together with the rest of the dedicated Directors, the stage is set for better things to come.

The projects will continue as scheduled. However, there is an urgent need to develop different projects that will inject greater enthusiasm among our members. At the Awards & Recognition Nite, it could be seen that many clubs have innovative ideas with regard to community projects. The projects cover a wide range of humanitarian needs. It is relevant that the Board look into some new projects that affect the needs of the community in PJ.

The other challenge this year is to earnestly look into the Club Leadership Plan (CLP). This Plan streamlines the organization of the Club and makes it more dynamic in terms of membership development and retention, our commitment to RI and very importantly, the prestige of Rotary in making its impact in society.

I am sure President Kevin with his amiable PR qualities can bring about greater unity and friendship among members. We need to strengthen our relationship with each other. We have to refocus our role in society, leaving aside our personal agenda, likes or dislikes.

We very much look forward to your leadership, President Kevin.