PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The characteristic behaviour of an individual starts from the premise that every one is different. A person is different from another in personality, temperament, experiences, values and a host of psychological attributes. If one acknowledges these, he can understand why a particular person behaves so differently. Life becomes so difficult in working with people who do not share these similarities. But on second thoughts, we are being naïve to expect compliance to the ideas we put forth. There are others who may vehemently oppose the ideas. Moreover, life is devoid of challenge, if there is no opposition. It is a challenge to win over a person who thinks differently.

As I see it, Rotary puts together a framework for all clubs to fit into it. Well and good! But we must remember the substance that fits into the framework comprises humans – humans, as I’ve said, with different value systems. Each one perceives a project or concept differently. He executes it differently as well. So there will be discussion and probably dissenting views. In some cases, these may turn out to be personal and goodwill and harmony within the club could surface. But in the RCPJ, we are fortunate that most of the time, the members agree to disagree without any tempest in a teacup. Unfortunately, in the past, there had been disagreement that turned personal and goodwill and harmony had been derailed. It is frightening to see our club going in that direction. Pockets of opposing camps do not go down well in any club. We must arrest it before it spreads. At all cost, goodwill and harmony must be maintained. Goodwill is our backbone to the progress of our club. Our club is living in peace, not war. As Churchill puts it, "In war: resolution. In defeat: defiance. In victory: magnanimity. In peace: goodwill.” We must constantly remind ourselves that we are a friendly club – friendly to our members and friendly to our guests.

So how do we develop more goodwill and harmony within our club? 

Perhaps, we could look into the following that may help us to avoid direct confrontation.

1. Fellowship – more family outings for Rotarians, Anns and children. When we know someone really well, it is unlikely that an open verbal exchange could occur.

2. Attend committee meetings consistently and do projects together – creating greater understanding and friendship.

3. Always avoid an argument if you sense that the other party is on a ‘warpath.’ Take a deep breath. We could always come back to it when matters have cooled.

4. Think before you say something, especially when it comes to a sensitive topic. Any thing lashed out could not be retracted.

5. People are always sensitive to words in print. They become defensive and angry. So it may be advisable to first talk to the person via mobile.

We need to try very hard to be sensitive to our members. We do not say things that hurt or offend members. We don’t achieve any thing at all, if we do so. Being sensitive and having good control before saying something reflect our strength, not weakness. Please remember what we are as Rotarians. We are here to serve the less fortunate. Some do it with passion but others take it as a matter of course. But all the same, let’s work together for the good of the club. The future of Rotary is in our hands.

Rotary Clubs and Rotary Districts around the world are in the midst of selecting their future leaders and officers to run the clubs and districts.

In our district the District Nominating Committee in which I am a member met on Sunday 8th November 2009 to nominate a candidate for District Governor for Rotary year 2012-2013. There were two suggested candidates and PP Mansoor Saat of the Rotary Club of Shah Alam was the choice of the Nomination Committee.

In our district, the Nomination Committee consists of seven members. The Chairman of the Council of Past Governors is automatically the Chairman of the Nomination Committee. Similarly, the Secretary of the Council of Past Governors, who is the Immediate Past District Governor, is the Secretary of the Nomination Committee. Two other Past District Governors are selected from the Council of Past Governors by rotation and elected at the District Conference. Three Past Assistant Governors, District Governors Group Representative (DGGR), or Past District General Secretaries are elected at the District Conference to serve on the Nomination Committee. The DGGR was similar to the current AG before the District Leadership Plan was implemented.

The current Nomination Committee’s composition was implemented following the adoption of the District Strategic Plan in 2001. Previously, the Nomination Committee consisted of five Past District Governors with the Chairman and Secretary of the PDG Council automatically elected as Chairman and Secretary of the Nomination Committee.

The Nomination Committee structure that we have in our district is not followed by other districts in the Rotary world. The Manual of Procedure, page 31, states “a district must select its governor nominee either by a nominating committee or by direct ballot.” The 530 districts in Rotary use either one of the methods. For those who opt for the Nominating Committee the composition of the committee varies tremendously according to the wishes of the district. The Governor Nominee must be selected not more than 36 months and not less than 24 months prior to taking office.

The candidate not selected can challenge the decision of the Nomination Committee. The challenge must be filed by the unsuccessful candidate’s club and concurred with by 10% of clubs in the district or 7 clubs. For this year the unsuccessful candidate has until 24th November 2009 to mount a challenge. In the event of a successful challenge the clubs will ballot at the next District Conference to elect the District Governor for 2012-2013. However if there is no challenge PP Mansoor Saat will be declared the District Governor Nominee 2 for 2012-2013 and formally accept the election at the next District Conference.

The district leadership structure will then consist of the District Governor – DG Leslie Salehuddin, District Governor Elect – DGE Lim Kok Beng, District Governor Nominee 1 – DGN1 Dr Raveendra Kumar and District Governor Nominee 2 – DGN2 Mansoor Saat.

I have given you an idea of the selection and election process at the district level. Next week I will explain the rationale for electing our district leaders almost two years in advance and also discuss the election process for the club’s Board of Directors.

Mr Mahbob Abdullah spoke about a Planter’s Life and his very varied life. He started by telling the members that the plantation industry is a 60 billion Ringgit industry based on today’s commodity prices. He has worked in various plantations like Harrison & Crossfield, Asiatic, etc and has written two books, namely Planter’s Tales and Planter Upriver.

He loves rivers and presented a wonderful collection of river sceneries taken in East and West Malaysia, Kalimantan and even in the Congo. He was proud to report that the insect that pollinates the palm oil flower is brought in from Cameroon but sad that most of the harvesters in our estates are from Indonesia. And over the years despite the dramatic increase of acreage under oil palm cultivation there is very little improvement in mechanisation to harvest the crop. The yield per hectare in Indonesia can reach 40 tons due to better estate management and the best seedlings for planting is produced by Golden Hope Plantation where our PP Rahman was once the boss.

The funniest tale of the day was about a lady owner of a plantation who would go into a trance to predict the company’s following year’s budget and palm oil prices – correctly.

Rotary quote of the day presented by Rtn Olivia Lim: 

“My family was not rich nor was our business particularly large, but Rotary exposed me to a wide range of other like minded members of diverse beliefs and interests.”
Past R I Director Luther Ford, 1977-79

ATTENDANCE: 26/40 = 65.00%

25 points of myself, Olivia Lim Chwee Tin

1. I was born in Seremban; small town but nice people there. Seremban is always my holiday retreat best destination.
2. I love eating. Favorite seafood and pastries.
3. Music was my passion before but not now.
4. My favorite person, my father. Well, he is with our Lord now.
5. Hardworking. Rumors said because I was born in the Ox year.
6. I’m a strategic planner.
7. I’m an optimistic person.
8. I dislike lazy people.
9. I love children below age 6 years old because they are really smart.
10. I’m passionate to be able to build houses or doing housing developments.
11. I like social welfare work, I feel good about it.
12. I like Theme Park.
13. I like Cartoons’ icon.
14. I dislike travelling for business.
15. I love reading.
16. I like cars.
17. I like architecture.
18. I like numbers.
19. Definitely, I’m not a patient person.
20. I’m not good in public speaking.
21. I love to be humble.
22. I cannot get along with “Kia Su” personality.
23. I like Malaysia and Hong Kong.
24. I don’t like Vietnam
25. I’m an obedient Christian.

President Dr Eric selected as presenter for 76th District Assembly

PDG Dato Dr Low Teong announced that President Dr Eric Wong is one of the three current Presidents selected to make a presentation on the Topic “ Experiences of A Club President.” The other two are President Siti Subaidah Adil from the Rotary Club of Central Damansara and President Bhupinder Singh of the Rotary Club of Bukit Bintang.

The three Presidents were selected for being outstanding in the running their clubs and they will share experiences with the President Elects at the 76th District Assembly.

Congratulations President Dr Eric Wong!

Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya Attendance Competition, August-September

1. Team B: Leader: Rtn Rianne Chin 73.75%
2. Team D: Leader: VP Jack Lim 65.37%
3. Team A: Leader: PP Rupert Goldman 63.75%
4. Team C: Leader: Rtn Ryan Ho 59.45%