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Rotary Club of Singapore West
e-bulletin of the Rotary Club of Singapore-West

Issue no: 20 / 29 Jan 2004

PRIP Bhichai Rattakul delivers Opening Address
at 13th District 3310 Conference

PRIP Bhichai, a noted inspirational speaker, delivered the opening address at the recent District Conference held at the Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore. He was also the personal representative of RI President at this conference.

In his address, he emphasized and encouraged clubs to consider having meetings at less expensive venues and channel more funds to the less fortunate members of our community. HE Bhichai Rattakul also emphasized the need for younger Rotarians to involve themselves in district activities so that they may go forth with better knowledge of Rotary in service to the community. He reiterated this need again for fear that future district events will only consist of PDG's and PP's as major attendees.

For the those who know PRIP Bhichai from our sister club activities with RC Dhonburi, he was ever gracious, unassuming, and made every effort to mingle so much so that he had to forgo some of his tea breaks. 
(picture above: Rotarians with PRIP Bhichai)
 

Why few Muslims join Rotary?

A thought provoking presentation by PDG Dato' Hj Mustapha Ma on various interesting aspects of why few Muslims join Rotary, was one of the key highlights at the Conference.

PDG Dato' Hj Mustapha Ma is a 7th generation Chinese Muslim and was DG of our district from 1986 to 1987. PDG Dato' Hj Mustapha highlighted that unlike women-membership in Rotary, there is no pro-active action, public relations exercise to enhance Rotary Membership in Muslim areas. Rotarians are also ignorant of the fact that there are Rotary Clubs in 30 Muslim Countries and generally have a negative attitude towards Rotary extension to Muslim areas.
 

Rotarians do not explain the absence of an “Official Creed” where there is no secret hand-shake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meeting or rituals.  It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others. By the same token Muslims do not see themselves as beneficiaries, and do not want to be on the receiving end of benevolent acts for fear that the aid is “Tainted” from a Religious stand-point.

Common fallacies and perceptions about Rotary:

  • Rotary Club is established by Zionists with a hidden agenda.

  • It's ulterior motives are injurious to the cause of Islam and Muslims.

  • Rotary promotes Western and American interests and social norms to the detriment of Muslim interests. They often cross the limits of social propriety and religious observance.

  • Rotary has been described as elitist because one cannot apply to become a Rotarian. He must be invited.

  • Rotary channels all its funds from all over the world, including under-developed areas to the US providing employment for American Citizens and investments in the US. Rotarians are selected based on their material wealth.

  • The Rotary movement demonstrates despotism and corruption of morals – it is a close-door Secret Organization. Rotary is a Self-Serving Social Club.

PDG iterated that there must be a active role in dispelling these myths. The future is in our Hands.

What'Z for lunch

This Week:
 
Evening of 29th Jan 2004
"Club Assembly &
CNY Ladies Nite

with Wine tasting
by Mr Charles Stephan
Wine Bos
Membership Induction
of Mr Michael Bailey


Please also Join us in the
"Lo Hei - Yu Sheng toss"
 to usher in the
Year of the Monkey

* Club Assembly 6.30pm
** CNY Fellowship 8.00pm


(Details on separate notice)

Next Week:
5th Feb 2004
topic to be confirmed
Mr Reto Callegari
(Lyrebird Room, L3)

Following Week:
to be announced

25th Dec 2003

Calendar of Events

   GOLF FELLOWSHIP

4th President's Cup Golf Challenge

6th February 2004
Sembawang Country Club
12.30 pm – 9.00 pm


$105 only !!!  inclusive of 
lunch, green and buggy fees
and an 8-course Chinese Dinner.
SCC Members: $44.10

Two Divisions: A   ( Handicap 0-22)
                         B  (Handicap 23-24)
Overall Best Net
will win the President's Cup 2004
Other prizes for top ten winners

 

 

Submit your entries early to
Golf Convener Thomas Wong

SPONSORS
WL Tay Quantity Surveying Services / David Sports and Engraving Co. Pte Ltd

   PROGRAMME / NITE MEETINGS AT A GLANCE
FEBRUARY: WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH
  • World Understanding and Peace Day: Thursday, 23rd February 2004.
  • Talk for Rotarians and Spouses by Rotary Counseling and Family Service Centre: 7th Feb 2004: Solution Focused Parenting by Mr. Gerard Tan, Deputy Director, Rotary Counseling Centre.

MARCH: WORLD ROTARACT MONTH
  • to be announced

APRIL: MAGAZINE MONTH
  • RCSW Culinary Challenge (a Family of Rotary event): Thursday 1st April 2004. 7pm onwards at New Otani Hotel.  Culinary teams - made up of Rtns and / or spouses, families, friends, Interactors and Rotaractors are invited to:  "show off their culinary  skills "  More details soon.

  • INTERCITY MEETING: Thursday 8th April 2004. 7pm onwards at New Otani Hotel.

  • Easter Cheer. Sunday 11th April 2004. Details to be announced.

  • RCSW Major Project Charity Golf: Friday 23rd April 2004. 11am to 10.30pm. Raffles Country Club, Palm Course.
  • RCSW Major Project Charity Bike Ride: Friday 23rd April 2004. 4am to 10.30pm.
MAY
  • 3rd Club Assembly / Ladies Nite: Thursday 27th May 2004. 7pm onwards. Talk by Rtn. Dr. Stephen Lim.  "The Precious Foreskin"

  • WCS trip to Cambodia.

JUNE: ROTARY RECREATIONAL & VOCATIONAL FELLOWSHIP MONTH
  • Sister Club Visit: RC Cebu-West: 17th to 20th June 2004.

  • Installation of 2004/2005 BOD and Dinner:

Happy Birthday

Khoo Chong Yew
Rotary Anniversary
Gary Loh Pek Tiong Boon

THE 4 WAY TEST
OF THE THINGS WE
THINK, SAY OR DO

First
Second
Third

Fourth

  Is it the Truth ?
Is it Fair to all concerned ?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendship?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned ?
DESK DUTY
29th Jan Ladies Nite @ Grand Copthrone
5th Feb

to be announced

Yeo Chuan Lock
12th Feb

Cheong Tuck Meng

Thomas Wong
19th Feb

Chew Kah Chuan

Michael Witt

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