I have been asked many times by Rotarian David Ong and Past President Yong Seng Fook to share my story with the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya(RCPJ) and I have been delaying it. And this time, I have to pen it down as I cannot say NO to our President Elect Rajiv Mathews. It’s about time for me to write about my journey with RCPJ and I hope it will be an inspiration for more like-minded people to join us in this beautiful extended family – whom I called Rotary!
21 April 2009 – The day I was inducted by the 48th President of Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya, Dato Kevin Yong. Little that I know, the Club, especially President Dato Kevin Yong and some senior Past Presidents had to stand firm on the decision for RCPJ to break the tradition, to induct ladies to RCPJ. One can never imagine what would be the future hold for a Gentleman Club to start to have ladies coming into the frame. But the change was the right move! RCPJ has revived and we, the ladies, add colours to the club and yet, the core tradition of RCPJ remains – Unity, Respect for seniors, Passion for Service and the Warm of Fellowship. We still embraced it.
Why Do You Have So Much Passion and Energy for Rotary?
Many asked me this question and just recently, our new Rotarian Marcus is also curious why I have so much energy for Rotary. The short answer is in Rotary, I found my best friends, best mentors and best advisors , be it in work, business and family matters. I do not need to be in business for more than 20-30 years to learn the trade of people management; I can easily ask and learn from the best leaders in different industries in RCPJ. In RCPJ, we have the former chief and leaders from TNB, Canon Malaysia, Tian Wah Press, English Hot Bread, High Court Judge and much more.
When I have problems with my teenagers, I ask for advice from PP Alice who have been dealing with youths and children; I can even ask the Rotarian Spouses. A place where I can access unlimited resources and advise anytime.
Friends without Borders
I never work in MNC or big corporations or study overseas, yet I have friends in many parts of the world that I meet in person (not pen pal or FB friends) Friends from Philippines, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Taiwan, Latvia, Korea and more – All because of Rotary!
Sister Club visits are one of my favourites as it provides me the opportunity to experience the life of another country; the people and the community too. My first visit to the Rotary Club of Bangalore was also my first visit to India. When you enter India in the eyes of tourists, you see tourist sites. But when I entered Bangalore with the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya, it was a totally different experience as we visited the community school site to see how the children lived and studied; the blood bank that saved many lives, and the IT hub of Bangalore which is the Silicon Valley of India. Not many can experience all of these at once, but because of Rotary and our sister clubs connection, all made possible.
Not just Service, We experience Different Ways of life too
Not many of us will have friends or families with a private yacht and the best is they invite you to be their guests.
Find Passion in Service
RCPJ has been in community service since 1961. As the community matures and grows, the needs of the community changes too. I learnt about RCPJ’s projects by volunteering myself to assist in the projects. Rotary is a voluntary community. We must be willing to give a little bit of our time and perhaps our muscle and money to make every project a success. NO one can force you into community work. But trust me, you will definitely find joy and happiness when you see the little positive changes you made to make this world a better place for the many underprivileged.
Rotary – A community where you want to grow old together
I never work in MNC or big corporations or study overseas, yet I have friends in many parts of the world that I meet in person (not pen pal or FB friends) Friends from Philippines, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Taiwan, Latvia, Korea and more – All because of Rotary!
Sister Club visits are one of my favourites as it provides me the opportunity to experience the life of another country; the people and the community too. My first visit to the Rotary Club of Bangalore was also my first visit to India. When you enter India in the eyes of tourists, you see tourist sites. But when I entered Bangalore with the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya, it was a totally different experience as we visited the community school site to see how the children lived and studied; the blood bank that saved many lives, and the IT hub of Bangalore which is the Silicon Valley of India. Not many can experience all of these at once, but because of Rotary and our sister clubs connection, all made possible.
You can follow my footsteps, Serving the Community and Enjoying the Journey too
Rotary not just for me, is also for my Children and my husband too. In Rotary, they found their new friends and good mentors and trusted Doctors too. And for me, I found my BFF and a group of diehard people who love food, enjoying fellowship and service together.
Yours truly,
Rianne Chin
Past President 2015/16
