Rotarians with family members, youth partners and RCCs frolic

in fun, fellowship as they celebrate ROTARY FAMILY DAY in

Christmas atmosphere as take-off for the District Christmas
party later in the day
It was fiesta atmosphere at the events hall of the Fisher
Mall on Quezon Avenue last December 10, 2016 as Rotarians and family members, Rotaractors and Interactors came
to celebrate Rotary Family Day 2016. The event was meticulously organized and painstakingly implemented by the
District Club Administration Committee chaired by PP Beth
Directo and the Family of Rotary Committee chaired by PP
Marites Nepomuceno.
The multi-faceted event was opened with a lively Zumba
dance routine energetically led by the lovely ladies of RC
Midtown QC. The SHOWTIME variety show had children
showing off their talents in singing and dancing. The
ROTA Family Contest saw families presenting their prepared numbers with pride. Not to be outdone, each of the
6 regions had Rotarians proudly displaying their own talents in singing and dancing. The Interactors and Rotaractors also performed. Region 1 led by LG Ric Doria
emerged as overall champion of the four contests.
In
addition to the contests, Minute-to-Win-It games and raffle
prizes spiced up the program.
Governor Dwight Ramos and Spouse Angie were in high
spirits as they watched all the performance numbers. The
contests were judged by no other than renowned Philip-

pine journalist Ms Alice Reyes, founding President of Aliw

Awards for Live Entertainment.
The event also featured workshops by Center of Culinary
Arts, photography lessons by Fuji Film, beauty tips by
Avon. There was also a photo booth sponsored by RC Diliman Heights and face-painting by RC Congressional. Another feature of the program was the awarding of winners
of the Family Day Logo Contest (won by RaC Malaya
Achievers) and the Family Day Theme Song Contest (won
by IaC Culiat High School).
Sixty-three Rotary clubs supported the Rotary Family Day
which
was
attended
by
some 600 Rotarians
and
their
family
members.
Indeed, what
a joy to celebrate Christmas together
as one big,
happy family!

Click on photo to view 25 pictures posted on Facebook by Associate Editor Cris Bacho

District Governors Message

By Governor Dwight Hilarion M. Ramos, Rotary International District 3780

Mid-term: Opportune time to revisit the Wish List of RI President John Germ and to assess
progress of our accomplishments on the Wish List that we have defined for ourselves
Its that time of
the year when we
again take out those
lists.
Whether its a
Christmas wish or gift
list, Year-end bucket
list, or the New Years
resolutions, we need
them in order to help
us prioritize in the hustle and bustle of our
daily life. As Rotarians,
let us be guided once
again by our RI Presidents wish list for RY
2016-17 when he assumed office. Not that
this is our answer to
the million dollar question of What do you give a man who already has everything?, but simply a guide to look back and forward to, as
we mark the end of the first half of the Rotary Year and do
our Mid-Year review or embark on our Mid-Year Conference.
When asked to imagine that the President can accomplish anything he wants during his Presidential Year, he
gave this list of the top three things he wanted done:
First, to eradicate Polio; Second, to increase membership so we can have more willing hands, caring hearts,

and inquisitive minds. He also saw the need to increase diversity within our organization; Third, to create more partnerships and sponsorships with corporations and foundations.
He cited the work with the Gates Foundation, WHO, UNICEF,
and CDC that shows us that working together is a key to success.
John F. Germ is board chair and chief executive officer of Campbell and Associates Inc., consulting engineers.
He joined the firm as an engineer in 1965 after four years in
the U.S. Air Force. He serves on the boards of several organizations, including the board and executive committee of
the Public Education Foundation, Orange Groove Center Inc.,
and as board chair of the Blood Assurance Inc. He also is

founder and treasurer of the Chattanooga State and Technical Community Jaycee Foundation.
He was Tennessee Young Man of the Year in 1970;
Engineer of the Year, 1986; Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year,
1992; and Tennessee Community Organizations Volunteer of
the Year, 2009. He is a recipient of the Boy Scouts Silver
Beaver Award and the Arthritis Foundation Circle of Hope
Award. In 2013, the White House recognized him as a
Champion of Change.
He joined Rotary in 1976 and has served Rotary as
vice president, director, Foundation trustee and vice chair,
aide to the Foundation trustee chair, chair of Rotarys US$200
Million Challenge, RI Board Executive Committee member, RI
presidents aide, Council on Legislation representative and
chair, membership zone coordinator, chair of numerous committees, area coordinator, RI training leader, and district governor.
He has received RIs Service Above Self Award and
The Rotary Foundations Citation for Meritorious Sevice and
Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Judy, are
Benefactors and members of the Arch Klumph Society of The
Rotary Foundation. They have four children and six grandchildren. Certainly from all these, it is clear that he has got
his priorities right.
Truly, we must now be poised to complete any unfinished business. We have to come up with a list of the activities to undertake and results to achieve in the next six
months prior to June 30. Its time to take a good look at the
many things to do and decide which ones to already complete and urgently work on to be on track with our club plans
and programs. In the end, we will join President John Germ
in saying, We have accomplished our list!

The Governors Monthly Letter

EDITORIAL BOARD

Members of the Editorial Board thank the All Star Presidents

and club officers who continue to share stories of how their
clubs have been serving humanity through Rotary.

District Governor Dwight Hilarion M. Ramos

Rotary clubs in our district continue to extend outstanding service in various ways. In the spirit of Rotary and the season,
many of the stories weve featured in this December GML tell of
how Rotarians celebrated Christmas with disadvantaged children and members of the community. They also shared the
joys of the season as means to strengthen fellowship among
themselves and to make new friends.

District Secretary Cesar Poch Jaymalin

District Chief of Staff Ma. Cecilia Cecille Rodriguez
District Information & Communication Officer Winston Sia

We also have stories of projects to serve humanity such as last

months district-wide tree planting to help preserve a critical
watershed area, WASH to safeguard the health of pupils in 35
day-care centers, and longer term career and immediate
money-earning opportunities in popular electronics for high
school students..

Associate Editors

Publisher

Ricardo Ric P. Salvador

Editor in Chief

Jesus Jesse Tanchanco

Elizabeth Beth Directo
Marcia Marcia C. Salvador
Rafael Raffy Chico
Cresencio Cris Bacho

The GML includes selected stories from those compiled by Rotary International publications,
We encourage all clubs to continue sharing their stories of Rotary Serving Humanity for publication in the GML which is distributed widely.
If youre now reading this publication online, click on this link to
view the November 2016 GML.

The Governors Monthly Letter 2016-17 is published by the District

3780 Governor with offices at the Rotary Center Building, Roces Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines. Materials for publication may be sent to
the Office of DG Dwight, to EiC Ric Salvador at
rp_salvador@yahoo.com., to Marcia Salvador at mdcsalvador@yahoo.com., or other associates.

RY 2016-17 DISTRICT CALENDAR (As of December 28, 2016)

Event
JANUARY VOCATIONAL SERVICE MONTH
9-11
MIDYEAR REVIEW
13-15 MIDYEAR CONVENTION
21
EDUCATIONAL EXPO
BLOODLETTING
FEBRUARY PEACE & CONFLICT RESOLUTION MONTH
4
GOLDEN WHEEL AWARDS
11
ALAY NG ROTARY
17
18-19
23
25
MARCH
11
4
18
25
30

GOV. DWIGHT GOLF CUP

RYLA
WORLD UNDERSTANDING
ASP MONTHLY MEETING
WATER & SANITATION MONTH
HARANA
INTERACT DISCON
ASP MONTHLY MEETING
BLOODLETTING
DISCON GOLF

31-Apr 1 DISTRICT CONFERENCE

31

ROTARACT DISCON

Host

Chair

RC MIDTOWN QC
VOCATIONAL COMMITTEE
RC NEW MANILA HEIGHTS

PP HOMER CU
PP BABY ALLADO

RC NEW MANILA EAST

PP PAUL GALANG

RC QUEZON CITY

PE BONG FERNANDO

PEACE PRESIDENTS

PDG PENNY POLICARPIO

MIDTOWN QC

PP FLORIAN ENRIQUEZ

CAMP PANOPIO
NEW MANILA EAST

ASP ANALYN

CUBAO QC

PP JOHNNY YU

CUBAO QC

PP JOHNNY YU

Some 170 Interactors from 16 Interact clubs joyfully

celebrate Christmas Interaction together
It was an afternoon of friendly competition, wholesome fun and fellowship, and lively gathering of Rotarys
youth. Even the weather was kind
to allow the holding of Christmas
Interaction at the Rotary Plaza on
December 17, 2017. With support
from their sponsoring Rotary clubs,
some 170 Interactors from sixteen
(16) Interact clubs came for the district celebration of Christmas, most
of them with their school advisers.
The district event for the youth was
organized by District Youth Service
Chair Thelma Uanang, together with
District Interact Chair Marites Nepomuceno and District Interact Vice
Chair Rick Bugayong.
Four (4) Interact clubs joined the
costume contest (featuring a Christmas hat), while nine (9) clubs competed for the dance contests. The
parol-making contest was participated by seven (7) clubs, using recycled materials. All the contests
were won by the Interact Club of Culiat High School, sponsored by RC

Ayala Heights. Forming the panel of

judges for the contests were: Vice
Chair Rick Bugayong, PP Marcia
Salvador, Rtn Dave Diaz and Rtn
Claro Baarde. Cash prizes were
given to all the winners.
Fun parlour games were played and
enjoyed by the Interactors. Raffle
prizes were given away, compliments of kind-hearted and generous
Rotarians.
Gov Dwight Ramos excused himself
from his meeting at the Rotary Center to be with the youth and delivered a short message thanking all
the Interact clubs for their attendance and urging them to continue
serving with Rotary.
Joining lead host RC Quezon City
Central were the following co-hosts:

Bagong Sandigan, Bagong Silangan, Holy Spirit, Metro Sta

Mesa, Midtown QC, New Manila
East, North Edsa, Quezon City
Circle.

With funds from The Rotary Foundation, DG Dwight

Ramos and district team have started installing wash
facilities to safeguard health of young children in 35
day care centers in Quezon City
By District Grants Chair Rene Cantos and Vice Chair Marites Nepomuceno

What does one get from contributing to the TRF? Why

support TRF?
This Rotary Year 2016-2017, District 3780 under Gov
Dwight Ramos has chosen to use the bulk of the District Designated Fund (DDF) which is about USD $
27,145.00 as allocated by the Rotary Foundation to
be used for the WASH project. The WASH project aims
to install lavatories or wash basins for the use of children in about 75 day-care centers in Quezon City, and
is in support of the Quezon City governments objective
to improve the delivery of health care services in the
city. The day care centers (DCC) have been identified
by the Quezon City's Social Services and Health Care
departments.
As of December 13, 2016, lavatories or wash sinks for
children have already been installed in 35 day-care
centers in five of six (6) congressional districts in Quezon City, namely :
District 1: Sinagtala DCC, Sto Nino DCC, East Anak Bayan,and Matutum
District 2: Litex DCC, Unit V, Purok 16 , Bgy Bagong Silangan , Area V, Sitio Veterans, Narraville, Empire, Upper Everlasting, Talanay, Soliven, Filside,
and Bahay Pangarap

The advisors of these day-care centers have expressed their great appreciation to the WASH project
and to Rotary. They have been waiting for these wash
basins for years and it was Rotary which fulfilled their
wish.
Some clubs held short programs at the DCCs, teaching
children how to wash their hands and brush their teeth
properly.
The next batch of lavatory installation shall start on
January 10, 2017 and is targeted to cover the remaining 40 day-care centers by the end of January.
For more service projects that truly create long-lasting
impact similar to WASH project, let us continue to support and contribute to the District 3780 TRF.
The District Rotary Foundation is chaired by PDG Jess
Cifra, assisted by District Grants Committee Chair PP
Rene Cantos.

District 3: Bgy Quirino 2A DCC, Villa Beatriz, Bgy Kamias,

Bgy Escopa IV (Libis) and Bgy Bagumbuhay
District 5: Bistekville DCC, St Francis, Nova Homes, Bgy Sta
Monica, Balagtas, Ibayo 2, Bonifacio, Bgy North Fairview
(Phase 8), and Tawid Sapa I
District 6: La Trinidad DCC, Redemption, Pingkian III Zone
3, and Casanova
5

Rotary clubs participate in 2016 tree-planting to

help preserve the La Mesa Watershed

By Chair Rene Butch Madarang, District Environment and Chair Aiza Remedios, District Service Projects
Rotary International District 3780's involvement in Environmental programs and advocacies date back to yesteryears. RI District 3780, Quezon City, again embarked
on a sustainable service project in collaboration with the
Quezon City government, Department of Environment
and Natural Resources and other partner organizations.

More than a
hundred native,
indigenous and
endemic seedlings
were
planted and as
a
take-home
bonus, all participants were
able to bring
home
potted
seedlings
of
various species
to be planted in
their respective
backyards and
communities.

As a manifest of our support to the La Mesa Watershed

Management Council's plan to establish an Arboretum
and Ecology Park and as our initial contribution to the
proposed project, the Committee on Environment and
the Rotary Club of QC Circle, participating clubs initiated and conducted the 2016 District-wide Tree Planting/Growing Activity in the designated 5 hectare area on
Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 7:00 AM inside the La
Mesa Watershed.
The All Star Presidents and District officers shared the
unique experience of how urbanization, biodiversity and
resiliency works- with more than a hundred Rotarians,
families, DENR personnel and service partners led by
our District Governor, Atty. Dwight Ramos.

The hands-on, Rain or Shine

activity also featured young
and pretty lasses, winners of
different awards and titles
from their respective alma
maters were Ms. Kalikasan
2015 Nicole Isaac, San Beda
Runway Model Ailamary
Remedios, Ms. Malayan Q&A
Sasha Chaudhary; Lanilyn
Apinado of UNTV, DENRNCR officials,all of whom
were given Certificates of Appreciation by Community
Service Projects Chair Aiza

Remedios and
Committee
on
Environment
Chair
Butch
Madarang
assisted by District
Membership Development Chair
Rep. Bernadette
Herrera-Dy and
District
Secretary Poch Jaymalin.

RC Pag-asa introduces career opportunities in popular

electronics and, more immediately a money-earner, for
high school youths
By PP Sarah Estanislao
To bridge the gap between the basic principles and applications of Arduino, the Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department in cooperation with the Department of Student Council
(ECE-DSC) Alliance of United ECE Society of the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) conducted a whole
day electronics seminar participated by the selected high
school students from the adopted schools of RC Pag-asa,
the Quirino High School and the Jose Abad Santos High
School.
The electronics seminar & tutorial session arranged by the
club was held on November 26, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
at the T.I.P. Arlegui Campus.
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on
easy-to-run hardware and software that can be applied in
useful devices such as smoke detectors and fire alarms in
cars and in homes. The scope, functionalities and programming codes were discussed in the morning. The afternoon
session was hands-on activity where the participants were
able to try and apply what have been discussed. They experienced doing simple applications, the Arduino way, with

the supervision of the organizers. Also, the exhibition of

Arduino mini projects happened during the latter part of the
event.
This service project of RC Pag-asa is intended to enhance
the young participants logical and critical thinking skills and
to have advanced learning in programming and projectmakings. Through the one-day tutorial session, high school
students will better understand career possibilities and consider pursuing engineering courses.
More immediately, participation in the tutorial already opens
opportunity for earning extra money for school expenses for
those who will decide to offer the service to car owners and
homeowners, using basic Arduino kits that they are now
allowed to purchase at nominal cost.
On the other hand, this outreach is also beneficial to our
club and to other people who made this event possible as
they take part in reaching out and providing knowledge to
the next generation.

RC Biak-na-Bato conducts outreach projects to serve the

needs of Dumagat tribe in Norzagaray, Bulacan
By All Star President Peter Lawrence Valencia
Last October 1, 2016 RC Biak-na-Bato launched the
first phase of a continuing, holistic community development program to serve disadvantaged Dumagat tribe

submitted themselves to be checked up. Some were

given free medicines for existing illnesses, while others
were given vitamins to supplement their food intake.

As part of this commitment to the Dumagat tribe in Norzagaray, Bulacan, Biak-na-Bato led by ASP Peter Laurence Valencia organized and conducted a medical and
dental mission last December 17 and 18, 2016. It was
done in partnership with the Metro Manila Colleges.
Majority of the members of the tribe around the area

After the medical mission, a simple Christmas party

celebration was held. Fun parlor games were played
with the children. Gifts were given to the tribe members, after which lunch was served for the tribal community and all the volunteers.

RC Broadway honors teachers as the club sponsors search for

most outstanding teachers during World Teachers Day
By PP Ric Doria
The Search for Most Outstanding Teacher of Dona Josefa Jara Martinez High School was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Broadway, QC.
The search was initiated by Dr. Janet L. Aribon, school principal.
The teachers were evaluated by their colleagues and students on their
passion, leadership and effective teaching styles. Sixteen teachers
made it to the first round of selection but only five were chosen for the
final stage. As part of their final interview, the top five teachers were
required to conduct demonstration teaching.
Mrs. Evelyn V. Lagang was awarded as the Most Outstanding Teacher
2016 during the awarding ceremonies last October 5, 2016. She received a plaque of recognition and five thousand pesos (P5,000). The
runner-ups were also given a plaque of appreciation plus one thousand
five hundred (P1,500) each. Aside from the cash prizes given by RC
Broadway, QC, the Barangay Chairman of Barangay Tatalon, QC gave
a separate additional cash prize to the winners. The finalist were also
given health gift checks and other gifts from benevolent sponsors.
I did not expect that I will win this award. Im surprised and happy. Its
an unexpected award, Mrs. Lagang said in her speech. (excerpts from
DJJMHS school organ).

RC Quezon City Circle supports Interact club as the youth

leaders honor their teachers during World Teachers Day
By All Star Secretary & PE Mareus P. dela Rosa
On October 4, 2016, the Cup of Love was conducted by the Interact Club of Ernesto Rondon
High School. At 6 am, the Interactors set a table
at the ERHS Covered Court where they could
easily offer the teachers coffee or Milo as they
enter the school compound.
Over 50-70 cups of love were given during that
day not only to the teachers, but also to
other school staffs. The interactors went around
and visited all school departments to ensure that
all the teachers would receive the drinks.
The Cup of Love Project is an annual project of
ERHS Interact Club to give a simple thank you
gift to all the teachers for their hard work and
dedication in their profession every World
Teachers Day.
9

RC Holy Spirit shares joy, goodwill & hope with 116 pupils
with special needs and inspires them, their parents and
teachers to always do best
By All Star President Peth Rivera
On December 15, 2016, RC Holy Spirit shared the celebration of Christmas with the pupils, teachers and parents of
the SPED Center of Dona Juana Elementary School.
The pupils had the opportunity to display
their talents in singing and dancing,
dressed in Christmas costumes or party
clothes. School principal Dr Alarico L
Ramos and Master Teacher Gloria C
Tatad were profuse with thanks to RC
Holy Spirit for loving the children
through the years. RCHS spent time
and effort to bring the toys specially
wished for by the 116 pupils of the SPED Center. Rotaractor Rona Iglesias entertained everyone with song rendition.
ASP Peth Rivera delivered a short message, stressing the
importance of spreading love not only during
the Christmas season but throughout the year.
Assisting Pres Peth in distributing the toys to
the children were PP Marcia Salvador, PP
Marites Nepomuceno, PP Beth Sy, Chair Ric
Salvador, Rtn Jerry Sy and Rtn Caroline Vargas. IPP Angel Castro also came to personally
convey her holiday wishes.

come regular parts of the Centers calendar with RC Holy

Spirit involvement, namely:
Celebration of New Rotary year every July 1st
National Awareness & Disability Prevention Week
Christmas celebration, and
Recognition Day.

Last school year, thanks to the ability and determination of

the teachers, 16 SPED pupils out of nearly 100 had qualified for transfer to the mainstream or regular grade school
curricula. Congratulations!
The SPED Center is beneficiary of a donation from the family of PP Marites Nepomuceno that enabled the development of an equipped facility that now serves as laboratory
for the learning of social and basic household skills.

The Christmas celebration is one of four

programmed events that have already be-

Holy Spirit serves special Christmas treat for 50 malnourished children

participating in the 100-day Milk Feeding & Nutrition Program
Last December 16, 2016, the fifty (50) malnourished
Grade I pupils of Dona Juana Elementary School participating in the clubs 6th annual 100-day Milk Feeding &
Nutrition Program were treated to a special snack that
went with their nutritious chocolate-flavored fresh carabaos milk.

ASP Peth Rivera, assisted by PP Beth Sy, PP Marcia

Salvador, Rtn Jerry Sy and the feeding teachers led by
Ms Lorna Corre and some parents, distributed the spaghetti packs and Christmas goodies to the children.
Also assisting were Pres Peths granddaughter Poysie
and PP Marcias young guests Zaden and Joie,
two balikbayan kids from California. Having
helped save less fortunate children from the risk
of malnutrition would be a memorable experience for these three future Rotarians.
This years Milk Feeding and Nutrition Program
was started on September 19, 2016 with the
invaluable support of Mr Parks Bread and
Cakes, Quezon City Realty Board, Honorary
Member PDG Robert Kuan, Peace President
Morris Agoncillo of RC Loyola Heights, and
club members.
10

RC Broadway and partners join hands to share Christmas

cheers with 300 senior citizens
By All Star President Eric Soriano
The Rotary Club of Broadway, QC and Rotary Club
of Cubao Central jointly hosted the Christmas
Party of Senior Citizens of Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City last December 19, 2017 at the Barangay
Multi-purpose Court.
With about 300 lolos and lolas present, the clubs
served merienda/dinner and gave raffle prizes.
They had fun exchanging gifts with one another

and presenting well-prepared dance numbers.

Indeed, we are in the season of giving, joy and
laughter. As each year unfolds, we want the celebration not just to be festive but to be memorable
and meaningful especially to people who are entering their twilight years in life. Certainly, senior citizens deserve a merry Christmas celebration.

RC Bagong Silangan cheers 80 day care children with Christmas treat after having provided them hand washing facility
By All Star President Mustafa Al-sayyad
On December 5, 2016, the officers and members
of RC Bagong Silangan led by ASP Mustafa Alsayyad treated the 80 children enrolled at Bagong
Silangan Day Care Center to an early Christmas

Party. Gifts and food packs were distributed to the

children who were also very thankful to Rotary for
the installation of a hand-washing facility in their
school.

11

RC Bagong Sandigan and partners spread Christmas cheers, joy

and hope to 160 street children in downtown area of Old Manila
By All Star President Maurice Surla Librea
In partnership with Alliedbankers Insurance Corporation, Classique Herbs and
sister club RC Alabang-Daang Hari, RC
Bagong Sandigan led by ASP Maurice
Librea conducted a gift-giving activity
dubbed Kaloob sa mga Bata on December 2, 2016 at the multi-purpose
hall of Sta Cruz Church in Manila.
They distributed
Christmas
gifts consisting of
slippers,
shirts, candies, toys
and
hygiene kits with face towel, toothbrush,
toothpaste to some 160 kids aged 3-14
years old living in the streets of Binondo and Escolta in Manila. The kids
also received a rosary each that was
personally hand-made by Rtn Myra L
Nunez.

The
children
were served delicious
snacks
after participating
in
fun
parlor
games and singing
Christmas
carols.
It was
truly a happy time not only for the kids,
but most especially for the Sandigans
and their partners who have shared

their generosity of time and resources

to give joy to less fortunate children
during the season of love. Special
thanks go to the officers and employees of Alliedbankers Insurance Corp,
RC Alabang-Daang Hari led by ASP
Dom and Rtn Che Carpio, and Classique Herbs led by Rtn Benj Ignacio,
without whom the gift-giving activity
would not have been possible.

RC Timog spreads cheers, goodwill, joy and hope to 150 cancerstricken children for the 17th year
By PP Benjie Tan Alonzo and All Star President Jubee Navarro
For the 17th year, RC Timog QC held a
gift-giving activity to benefit cancerstricken pediatric patients of the Philippine Childrens Medical Center on December 5, 2016. Over 150 children and
their parents/guardians were treated to
a program of fun and entertainment
especially prepared for them by the
caring Rotarians of RC Timog. A clown
and a magician gave everyone tastes of
charming and appalling antics. Interna-

tional celebrity singer Arnel Pineda, a

member of RC Timog, entertained everyone with his hit songs.
After the program, the children were
given toys and slippers and some delicious snacks. The annual Christmas
gift-giving activity of RC Timog has
been spearheaded by PP Dr Benjie Tan
Alonzo for the past seventeen years.

12

MESSAGES FROM ROTARY LEADERS

RI Presidents December 2016 Message

I joined Rotary as an engineer. There
are almost as many classifications in
the profession of engineering as there
are in Rotary, but I happen to be a mechanical engineer. A mechanical engineer calculates the heating and cooling
loads for a new building, makes sure
the right lights are in the right places,
and plans the plumbing so your hot water pipe doesnt end in a drinking fountain.

Foundation Chairmans December 2016 Message

Responsible investing for doing good
Rotarians frequently ask if The Rotary
Foundation practices socially responsible
investing by screening or restricting certain
investments based on social, environmental, or political criteria. The answer is
yes and no.
Yes, the Foundation considers both financial and social returns when making an investment decision.
Our Investment Committee encourages our investment consultant and its managers to invest in companies that comply with
laws, regulations, ethical standards, and national or international norms and are aligned with Rotary values.

Mechanical engineers dont stand out in a crowd, and they

dont call attention to themselves with what they do. You
probably havent thought much about the engineers who
We also consider how each of our investment managers incordesigned the buildings you use, the car you drive, or the
porates socially responsible investing as part of their process.
traffic patterns you follow.
But every time you get in an elevator, turn the key in your
ignition, or cross the street when the light says go, you are
entrusting your life to an engineer somewhere whom
youve never met. You trust that your elevator will open at
the floor you want it to. You trust that your car will start
and stop as it should. You trust that the traffic light is going to turn red before the walk light goes on. Every day,
you put your life in the hands of people whose names you
do not know and whom you might never meet. You might
not think about them at all but they touch your lives
every day.
I could draw the same parallel to any number of other vocations ordinary occupations with the same kind of lifechanging impact. In so many ways some of which we
see and some we dont our vocations allow us to help
other people live better, safer, and healthier lives.
Just like the work we do in Rotary.
Through our vocations and in our clubs, in our communities, and across continents, we are touching the lives of
people we dont know and might never meet. And in every
part of the world, every single day, whether they know it or
not, people are living better, safer, and healthier lives because of the work of Rotary.
The people we help might not have met a single Rotarian.
They might not even know that Rotary exists. But they are
drinking clean water from a bore well that Rotary dug.
Theyre learning to read with books that Rotary gave
them. Theyre living lives that are better, happier, and
healthier because of Rotary Serving Humanity.

Currently seven of these managers, responsible for about 36

percent of the Foundation's total assets, were signatories to the
United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. These
principles offer possible actions for incorporating environmental,
social, and governance issues such as climate change, public
and workplace safety, and shareholder rights into investment
practice. Following these principles could reduce risk, improve
returns, and better align our portfolio with our mission.
Does this mean the Foundation will categorically exclude specific companies or industries from investment? That's where the
"no" part of my answer comes in. Given Rotary's diverse membership and its various cultural beliefs, agreeing on such restrictions would be extremely difficult.
The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation and the Rotarian financial experts on our Investment Committee take their job very
seriously. Rotarians have entrusted us with millions of dollars
that they have designated to do good in the world. Our capacity
to provide clean water and education, improve health care and
economic development, and promote peace depends heavily
on our investment income. So it is especially important that we
invest your gifts wisely.
Because The Rotary Foundation belongs to all of us, we believe strongly in transparency. To that end, we have posted a
wealth of information on www.rotary.org. You can find audited
statements for the Foundation for the past three years and tax
returns for the past six years, along with extensive material on
investment practices, philosophy, and historical returns. I hope
this detailed information will reinforce your confidence in our
Foundation and inspire your continued generosity.

KALYAN BANERJEE
Trustee Chair 2016-17

JOHN F. GERM
President 2016-17
13

Its not just about the money

By David C. Forward, 1 December 2016
club president and a Rotary Foundation Major Donor. In 1988, on
the 20th anniversary of his father's
death, Ghigi donated $350,000 to
The Rotary Foundation to establish an endowed fund to benefit
refugees, the sick, and street children in Africa and Brazil.

In addition to making the first personal contribution to The Rotary Foundation, Rotary founder
Paul Harris also established a trust that would generate income for him and his wife, Jean, until
their deaths, when the remaining balance would be given to the Foundation to educate underprivileged children.

In 2016-17, The Rotary Foundation turns 100. That's a century of

helping Rotary members change
lives and improve communities all
over the world.
To learn more about the Foundation's centennial and find tips and
r e s o ur c e s f or c e le b r at i n g ,
visit www.rotary.org/foundation100
.
From Chapter 11, "It's Not Just
About the Money":
In 1944, Paul Harris created a
charitable trust, which stipulated
that the income would accrue to
him during his lifetime and to his
wife, Jean, after he died. Upon her
death, the balance of the trust
would go to The Rotary Foundation. Jean died in 1964, and the
Trustees accepted the bequest
and honored Harris' request that
the money be used to educate underprivileged children.
Others have designated that their
gift be used to support a favorite

Rotary Foundation program in the

name of a loved one. Sir Angus
Mitchell, the first Australian to become president of Rotary (194849), helped launch this tradition in
1949, when he established a
scholarship for an Australian student in honor of his wife, to be
known as the Teenie Robertson
Mitchell Memorial Fellowship.
Thus began a long tradition that
continues to this day.
Bruno Ghigi wanted to honor his
father, who had been a member of
the Rotary Club of Rimini, Italy.
Throughout his childhood, Bruno
listened to his father regale the
family with wonderful stories of Rotary's work. After
leaving
s c h o o l,
Bruno joined his father in the family
business and he
later branched out to
form
a
software
company that became one of the
most successful in
Italy. Bruno joined
Rotary and became

Some recipients of the Foundation's benevolence have later felt

inspired to pay back so others
could enjoy that same experience.
For example, Sadako Ogata, one
of the first Rotary Foundation
scholars, later donated $10,000 to
the Foundation in appreciation for
the scholarship it had bestowed on
her as a university student. "Rotary
set me on a course that I am still
continuing. If I had not gone to the
United States as an Ambassadorial Scholar," she said, "I don't
think I would have pursued the
study of international relations."
Richard Illgen, an Ambassadorial
Scholar from Mainz, Germany,
studied business and economics
at Northwestern University in
Evanston, Illinois, USA. After
graduating, he joined Kraft Foods,
where he enjoyed a very successful career. Wanting to provide a
similar scholarship opportunity for
others, Illgen and his wife, Irene,
made a gift matched by Kraft
Foods that provided $23,000 for
a scholar from his home district in
Germany to study at Northwestern.

Celebrate the centennial

14

Do Nguyen builds schools and understanding

By Anne Ford, The Rotarian, 11 December 2016
Three days after he was
born, Do Nguyens family fled its small Vietnamese village during
the First Indochina War.
He didnt have access to
school until they returned nine years later.
He made up for lost
time, completing high
school and then college.
But after he came to the
United States in 1974 to
Photo: Alyce Henson/Rotary International
earn a graduate degree,
the capture of Saigon by
the North Vietnamese prevented him from returning.
In the decades that followed, Nguyen became an American
citizen, co-founded a chain of video stores, and discovered

Rotary, where hes now a member of the Rotary Club of

Maumee, Ohio, USA, and the governor of District 6600. All
the while, he dreamed of building schools in Vietnam.
Nguyens dream has been coming true through the DOVE
(Development of Vietnam Endeavors) Fund, a nonprofit he
helped found in 2000. Since then, DOVE has built more
than 50 schools in Vietnam, along with 11 day care centers
and three medical clinics. Nguyen has made more than 15
trips with the organization, many of whose members are
Rotarians, veterans of the Vietnam War, or both.
On one visit, seeing a veteran connect with the chairman of
a workshop for the blind over their bullet scars gave
Nguyens work a new meaning. I knew then that the mission of DOVE is more than humanitarian work, he says. It
is about bringing love, peace, healing, and understanding
between the people of Vietnam and the people of the
United States.

GML editors view of scenes in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam. Sept 2016

Vietnam
POP 91.7 M 2015
GDP (PPP) $ 593.5 B
Per capita $ 6,414
GDP (Nominal) $ 214.7 B
Per capita $ 2,321
Thailand
POP 67.9 M
GDP (PPP) $ 1.2 Trillion
Per capita $ 16,700
GDP (Nominal) $ 409.7 B
Per capita $ 5,938
Cambodia
POP 15.4 M
GDP (PPP) $ 54.0 B
Per capita $ 3,476
GDP (Nominal) $ 17.8 B
Per capita $ 1,146
Philippines
POP 100.9 M 2015
GDP (PPP) $ 793.1 B
Per capita $ 7,612
GDP (Nominal) $ 310.3 B
Per capita $ 3,073

Young Vietnamese senior executives participate in learning session to sharpen their management skills to lead the growth of the 80-outlet JB network in an intensely competitive market..
ROTARY IN VIETNAM. There has been no Rotary club in Vietnam
since 1975, PDG Danny Low of Australia said, when the seven Clubs
then operating in the country were shut down and their charters were
cancelled by Rotary International. PDG Danny has been appointed
special RI Representative in Vietnam. The absence of clubs notwith-

The ubiquitous motorcycle, most popular vehicle for

urban transport for workers, staff and executives.

standing, real Rotary presence is felt by those in need. There have

been donations from Rotary clubs in Australia, in the USA and in other
countries to organizations working with hospitals, orphanages and
NGOs to reach needy people.
15

5 reasons to make year-end gift to The Rotary Foundation

By Rotary Voices staff, posted on 22 December 2016
Theres still time to make your gift to The Rotary
Foundation. Here are a few ways that your support is
helping to change lives all over the world:

infected women. The success of the project is measured in lives saved. Read more about the vocational
training teams efforts.

Growing local economies: In the Esmeraldas Province of Ecuador, Rotary members have teamed up
with a microfinance organization to provide small
loans to poor women, teaching them to sew and bake
so they can start or expand businesses. Global grant
funds provide seed money for microloans and buy
sewing and baking equipment for a training center
where the women learn vocational skills and basic
business management. Learn more about the project.

Promoting peace: Rotarys most significant effort to

promote peace is the Rotary Peace Centers program,
established in 2002. Each year, the program trains
some of the worlds most dedicated and brightest professionals, preparing them to promote national and
international cooperation and to resolve conflict. They
include graduates of a two-year masters degree program and a three-month professional certificate program at Rotarys partner universities. Watch a video
highlighting Rotary Peace Fellows at work.

Educating children: In partnership with Head Start in

Puerto Rico, a Rotary sponsored project is stimulating
young childrens minds by using a tactile method for
learning the sounds of letters. Using play, the Sounds
program motivates young children to become early
readers and writers. Designed specifically for children
from birth to five years the time when research tells
us that learning language and literacy skills is most
effective the project has reached 50,000 children.
Grants from The Rotary Foundation purchase materials, and Rotary volunteers train local residents, who
then train the teachers at the project sites. Help fund
Rotarys education efforts.
Fighting disease: Rotary members in California,
USA, and Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia, are using Foundation grant money to train health care workers in
techniques to prevent mother-to-child transmission of
HIV and to improve their ability to diagnose and treat

Ending polio: Thanks to you, we are closer than ever

to ending polio. We have reduced cases by 99.9 percent since 1988, and with our partners, have immunized more than 2.5 billion children worldwide. To end
polio for good, we need to reach every last child in
Afghanistan and Pakistan, stop the newly detected
outbreak in Nigeria, and protect the progress made in
polio-free parts of the world. Eradicating polio is an
achievable goal that will be known as one of the
greatest achievements in history. And thanks to the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is matching
every dollar two to one, your donation works even
harder. Learn more about our work to end polio.

See how we are impacting lives around the

world in this short video.

Students sit at new desks that were provided through a grant organized by the Rotary Clubs of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, and Kennebunk Portside, Maine, USA

Rotary modernizes, upgrades capacity of first human milk bank in

the Philippines, a life saving project to benefit sick infants and their
mothers, through Global Grant organized by RC Holy Spirit D3780
Philippines and District 3710 Korea.
16

Rotary is a family that unites

By Mark Wilson, Rotary Club of London, November 18, 2016
After a long flight from
Rotary Club of London.
London, I arrived in
Not long after, RI PresiDurban, South Africa, in
dent John Germ
2011 to begin a year as
emailed me: Mark: your
a Rotary Youth Exstory is a great one,
change student, sponencouraging me to
sored by the Rotary
share it.
Club of Canterbury and
hosted by Westville RoThe moral to my story is
tary. I did not know
that we are a family and
what or who would be
Mark Wilson during his Rotary Youth Exchange in South Africa
we should never lose
greeting me, so I had a
sight of that. Not unlike
bit of anxiety which I can clearly
kindness, generosity, and love. I
any family that has lasted this
remember to this day.
thank Rotary and the wonderful
long, we have learned that love
people in South Africa for giving
and a common cause can unite
me
first-hand
experience
of
our
In hindsight, of course, I had nothdespite our disparities. As we conshared core values. It was the best tinue to grow, we must continue to
ing to fear as I stepped off the
plane into King Shaka International introduction anyone could hope to
embrace all who seek to serve huhave into the global family.
Airport. What followed was an admanity, regardless of age, gender,
venture like nothing I had ever exsexuality, ability, religion, race or
perienced before. Enjoying many
Prior to my exchange year, I had
otherwise. In a world that is beopportunities to volunteer made
been a member of Interact since
coming increasingly divisive, Rome feel as though I was making a
age 16, and then a member of Rotary International must continue to
contribution to the world. And taktaract, twice president of both
shine, as it always has, as a beaing time to listen to my hosts, I
clubs. I had the opportunity to
con of peace, unity, fellowship,
speak at many district conferences and friendship.
learned a lot about South Africa.
and visit many more Rotary clubs
About the author:
with the aim of encouraging RoThe meaning of kindness
Mark Wilson is a university
tarians to continue to support
lecturer in London, EngBut by far the most memorable
young people.
land, a Senior Fellow of the
part of the trip was the people. RoHigher Education Acadtary members and their families
emy, and member of the
New
member
inspired me, and those interactions
Rotary
Club
of
London
in District 1130, the
had a lasting impact on me. Rotari- In August of this year, at 26, I befirst
club
chartered
outside
North America
ans showed me the meaning of
came a Rotarian, inducted into the
By ROTARY CLUB OF HOLY SPIRIT D3780

Interactors of Holy Spirit have fun cheering on their younger brothers,

sisters and neighbours during 2016 World Interact Week.

Interactor Ace Villocero, Rotaractor Rowell dela Cruz and Rotarian Dr

Marlene Martinez of RC Holy Spirit family are inextricably linked by passion
for serving humanity.

17

Corporate Membership and new flexibility options

By Rotary International, December 2016 Membership Minute

Are you interested in offering new membership types in

your club? Robert Fisher, of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, recently described his experience with corporate memberships. Learn how his
club applied this new flexibility to increase membership.
Heres what clubs need to know about corporate memberships and other new membership types:
Clubs are free to offer alternative memberships of any
kind. For corporate memberships, clubs count individuals as members, not the corporations that sponsor
them.
If corporate members pay RI dues, they will be included in their clubs official membership count and receive all the benefits that other active, dues-paying
members enjoy.
Clubs can have special policies for these members

other financial obligations (club and district dues, meal

costs, etc.), attendance requirements, or service expectations, as long as the club bylaws reflect these policies.

CLUB FLEXIBILITY
Research and our members' experiences have shown that when clubs have more freedom to decide how
and when they hold their meetings, who they'll invite to become members, and what member engagement means, their ability to attract new members and keep current members motivated increases.
The 2016 Council on Legislation voted to give Rotary clubs more flexibility than they've ever had. The
changes in policy affect when, where, and how clubs meet and the types of membership they offer.
5 WAYS TO USE THE NEW FLEXIBILITY
Change your meeting schedule. Your club can vary its
meeting days, times, and frequency. For example, you
could hold a traditional meeting on the first Tuesday of the
month to discuss business and service projects and get
together socially on the last Friday of the month. You just
need to meet at least twice a month.
Vary your meeting format. Your club can meet in person, online, or a combination, including letting some members attend in-person meetings through the Internet.
Relax attendance requirements. Your club can ease
attendance requirements and encourage members to participate in other ways, such as taking a leadership role,
updating the club website regularly, running a meeting a
few times a year, or planning an event. If your club is dynamic and offers a good experience for members, attendance won't be a problem.
Offer multiple membership types. Your club could offer
family memberships to those who want to bring their families, junior memberships to young professionals with leadership potential, or corporate memberships to people
whose employers want to be represented in the club.

Each type of membership can have its own policies on

dues, attendance, and service expectations. Rotary will
count these people in your club membership and will consider them active members if they pay RI dues.
Invite Rotaractors to be members of your club. You
can invite Rotaractors to join your club while remaining
members of their Rotaract clubs. If your club chooses to, it
can make special accommodations for these members,
such as relaxed attendance requirements or reduced
fees, as long as they are reflected in the club bylaws.
Find examples of bylaw amendments that clubs might use
to try these new flexible options below.
RESOURCES & REFERENCE

Frequently asked questions

Rotary's governance documents
Start Guide for Alternate Membership Types (includes sample bylaws)
Start Guide for Flexible Meeting Formats (includes sample bylaws)
Club meeting flexibility and format (video)
Membership types and attendance flexibility (video)
Membership Flexibility Overview
18

Fellowship, Goodwill, Service Above Self

Christmas get-together of the D3780 Council of Governors and Spouses, December 8, 2016

Thanksgiving and Farewell Dinner in honour of Vocational Training Team (VTT) from Japan D2760. Group of volunteer doctors
who provided free Laparoscopic Surgery to indigent patients of Quezon City. Dinner held at the Global Lounge of Rotary Center,
Dec. 17, 2016. Words and pictures courtesy of PDG Dan Espinosa. Thank you, Gov.

Celebration of Advent
Recollection at the Rotary Center, December
8, 2016.

19

We are pleased to share the wish of ROTARY/One

that 2017 may be a year of fellowship, friend
making, tolerance building and peace.
Date: 12/22/2016
Subject: To You and Yours, A Wonderful Holiday
From: Rotary Club of Chicago
Dear Ric,
Wishing you and your family a most wonderful holiday. In the spirit of Rotary and
this season, we share with you a couple quotes from fellow ROTARY/One member
and Founder, Paul Harris:
Rotary is Fellowship. Real Fellowship is frank, spontaneous, full of warmth,
and if you want to gauge its depth you will find that it is the difference between
Mister and Bill Reverend and Jack. Call Him Bill, THE ROTARIAN, May 1915
Friendship was the foundation rock on which Rotary was built and tolerance is the
element which holds it together. My Road to Rotary
Thank you for being a Rotarian and our friend. May 2017 be a year of friend making, tolerance building and peace through your leadership, participation and service
to others.
Yours in service,
Paul McConville and the Club Board of Directors
Andrea Luehmann and the Club Foundation Board of Trustees
David Phelps and the Rotary Office
The Rotary Club of Chicago
ROTARY/One Foundation

20