FEBRUARY is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution month Greetings from PHILIP CHONG District Governor 2015-16 Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding - Albert Einstein On February 23, Rotary celebrated its 111th anniversary. On February 23, 1905, Paul Harris and 3 of his buddies started Rotary. Paul said Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world, it will be known by the results it achieves. We are on the verge of being known as the service organization that eradicated polio. February is also Peace and Conflict Prevention and Resolution month. The work of Rotary begins in the community and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless ways, we focus our efforts in six key areas one of which is Peace and Conflict Prevention and Resolution. Millions of people all over the world are currently displaced by armed conflict or persecution. In fact, 90% of casualties in armed conflicts are civilians, half of which are children. Twenty thousand people are maimed or killed by land mines each year. Through service projects and Rotary programs, the Rotary family is committed to pursuing projects that address the structural causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. Responding to Peace Recruit candidates for Rotary Peace Fellowships. Up to 100 peace fellowships are offered annually at Rotary Peace Centers and Universities around the world. Participate in fellowship and service activities with Rotary clubs in other parts of the world to promote understanding and peace. Incorporate conflict resolution and mediation strategies in service projects involving local schools, work places, orphanages and community centre. 1
MESSAGE Pursue projects that address the underlying causes of conflict: diseases, hunger, illiteracy and hunger. Offer support to marginalized groups within society that are at risk of persecution or violence. Identify triggering or accelerating factors in the conflict and work to mitigate them. Help children who have been orphaned, injured or traumatized by conflict. Provide relief to refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have fled areas of conflict. Incorporate conflict resolution and mediation strategies in service projects involving local schools, work places, orphanages and community centre. Provide relief to refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have fled areas of conflict. Responding to Conflict Help children who have been orphaned, injured, or traumatized by conflict. Provide relief to those who have fled areas of conflict. The Rotary Foundation promotes the practice of peace and conflict prevention/resolution by: Strengthening local peace efforts Training local leaders to prevent and mediate conflict Supporting long-term peace building in areas affected by conflict Assisting vulnerable populations affected by conflict, particularly children and youth Supporting studies related to peace and conflict resolution Tips for Success 1. Use role playing to teach children and young adults socially appropriate ways of dealing with conflict. 2. Train local leaders on strategies to mediate and prevent conflict as a component of community service projects. 3. Partners with Rotary Peace Fellows and other conflict prevention experts and organizations. 4. Plan service projects to engage all community stakeholders, including women, marginalized population such as ethnic or religious minorities, and opposing sides in conflict. 5. Understand and be respectful of all the laws and customs of all the communities in which you serve. 2
MESSAGE Other Activities February has also been an extremely busy month for me. Top of the list is the District-wide cycling activities to raise awareness and funds for End Polio campaign commencing from 23rd February to 27th March. In the Borneo leg, The Tour of Borneo (TOB) ride which I was given the honour to flag-off, started in Kota Kinabalu. The TOB covering the length and breadth of East Malaysia from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching, covering a distance of 1,250km, commenced on 24th February. Ten riders, comprising members from the Rotary clubs and friends of Rotary braved eleven (11) days of cycling to showcase Rotary campaign for End Polio. I was informed by Vice President, Darren, the District Organising Chair, that Rotary Clubs along the cyclist route would be hosting them as they pass through their respective towns. A grand welcome awaits them at their final destination, Kuching, organised by the Rotary Clubs of Kuching and Kuching Central. Similarly in Johore, Malacca and Singapore, the Rotary clubs there have also organised cycling awareness programs and a Swimarathon to raise funds and promote awareness. A Mid Term Review meeting was held in for Clubs in Johor and Malacca, Singapore, Sabah, Labuan, Sarawak and Brunei. The meeting was to access the progress of all the activities in the District and also to view the upcoming projects. Also in February, the DSTT, DTTS and TTT were also held. The WUPD was also held in Singapore, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Another interesting activity was a road show organised to promote Paul Harris Society (PHS) to clubs in Singapore. There was also the formation of new Rotaract and Interact Clubs and induction of new members. We are also seeing the formation of Rotary Community Corp in Kota Kinabalu and Supulut to further enhance the Rotary image. Upcoming events are the Pre-PETS, PETS, SETS, TETS and DISTAS in Johor. Let us all be full-fledged Rotarians and participate in all activities that are organised by our own Club and other clubs, and as well as District events. To cap it all, we all have been busy to Be a Gift to the World. Kind regards, Philip Chong Mau Kiong (Rotary Club of Likas Bay) District Governor 2015-16 3
3rd : Mid term review in Sabah & Labuan 4
14th : Rotary Club of Garden City s Project - Providing Milk & Pampers to Metta Home for the Disabled 5
15th : Paul Harris Society (PHS) introductory and promotion by District Rotary Foundation Fund Raising chair PP Dato Thomas Ngu at the Rotary Club of Raffles City and Singapore 6
16th : Visit to the Rotary Club of Raffles City 17th : Visit to the Rotary Club of Singapore 7
19th : District Strategic Tactical Team (DSTT) meeting in Johor Bahru 8
20th : District Team Training Seminar (DTTS) in Johor Bahru 9
20th : District Team Training Seminar (DTTS) in Johor Bahru 10
21st : Train The Trainer (TTT) Seminar in Johor Bahru 11
22nd : Induction ceremony of a new member into the Rotary Club of Sentosa 23rd : Celebrating World Understanding and Peace Day 12
25th : Launching of the District End Polio Ride in Kota Kinabalu 13
26th : Mid Term Review in Kuching 14
27th : Pre-President Elects Training Seminar (PETS) in Kuching 15
27th : Celebrating World Peace and Understanding Day in Kota Kinabalu 16
28th : Rotary Club of Likas Bay s Fireside Talk and Induction Ceremony at PP Michael Tong s residence 17
YOUTH Greetings from JESSEY YAP District Rotaract Representative 2015-16 Dear Rotaractors and friends, My warmest greetings and peace to you all. February is the month for all families and friends to gather together during Chinese New Year. Most Rotaractors are all back in their respective hometowns to celebrate the festive season with their families. Nothing much has happened in the month of February, but we all did have a lot of fellowships and gatherings by visiting each others home during this festive season. We wish all Rotarians and Rotaractors a happy Prosperous Chinese New Year. Enjoy Rotaract and love humanity! 18
YOUTH 19
FEATURES REPORT ON YOUTH EXCHANGE VISIT BY DISTRICT 3620 Type of Youth Exchange : Short-term Date : 18th - 25th January 2016 Sponsoring district : District 3620 Host District : District 3310 Host Club : Rotary Club of Kuching Central Rotary Counselor in Host Club : PP Frankie Yang Details of Youth Exchange Participants Name Gender Date of Birth Contact Song Yeonjeong Female 23 February 1993 +82-10312-26503 Cho Mihyun Female 26 June 1993 +82-10725-40125 Kim Dahye Female 3 July 1996 +82-10680-16872 Park Nayeon Female 6 August 1996 +82-10891-91052 Chung Keonho Male 15 December 1990 +82-10655-51722 Choi Wongyu Male 26 June 1991 +82-10342-10626 Kim Minhwan Male 30 January 1992 +82-10918-58785 Lee Hyeonsu Male 8 November 1994 +82-10994-22391 Lee Yunseok Male 27 October 1994 +82-10524-83291 Park Chan Ho Male 6 May 1996 +82-10414-69429 Han Sangmin Male 9 August 1996 +82-10719-02484 Accompanying Rotarians 1. PP Hong Jung Min - District 3620 Youth Exchange Chair 2. PP Lim Sung Hwan - Lecturer Advisor Name of Host Families 1. President Ng Yaw Hua : +60-12-883-3333 (Rotarian and Teacher) 2. IPP Louis Yong : +60-13-811-2726 (2 Rotaractors) 3. PP Leslie Phuan : +60-12-886-1826 (2 Rotaractors) 4. Rotaractor Yeo Bai Hui : +60-16-883-6798 (2 Rotaractors) 5. Rotaractor Aw Shu Qi : +60-12-888-2922 (2 Rotaractors) 6. Rotaractor Phung Yean Song : +60-17-809-7338 (3 Rotaractors) Activities Organized - Visit to local universities, colleges campuses (government and private): University of Sarawak, Swinburne College & SEGi College to learn about campus activities. - Meeting with Interactors from 5 Interact Clubs sponsored by host club. 20
FEATURES REPORT ON YOUTH EXCHANGE VISIT BY DISTRICT 3620 (continued) - Visit to Sarawak Cultural Village tourist attraction to learn of the various ethnicities and local culture - Witnessing the handover of Clean Portable Water Supply Global Grant GG1421749 Project to 4 longhouses in rural Sarawak that supplies clean drinking water to over 600 beneficiaries, experiencing local Iban living culture and traditional dishes in longhouse setting - Went to Matang Wildlife Centre to view rehabilitated wild animals that are indigenous to Sarawak like the Orang Utan and Hornbill - Explored Wind Cave to view bats, swallows, underground rivers - Tried traditional boat (sampan) along the river running through Kuching - Visit Cat museum - Attended one weekly Rotary host club meeting and witness the handing over of Club Vocational Award to Taxi Driver recipient and meet with the Hole in Heart Boy whose medical condition remedy was financed by RC Kuching Central Budget Incurred by Host Club ITEMS MYR USD Souvenirs, Banners, Lanyards, name tags, introduction/program booklets 2,030 480 Lunches, Dinners and suppers 10,820 2,580 Entrance fees to local attractions 1,750 410 Logistical costs 1,600 380 Accommodation (complimentary with Host Families) - - Numerous volunteer hours - - Total 16,200 3,850 21
FEATURES REPORT ON YOUTH EXCHANGE VISIT BY DISTRICT 3620 (continued) Demonstration of how to make traditional Iban fabric A must-have photo for visitors to Kuching Visiting the Rotaract Club of SEGi College Trying out a traditional sampan ride to the other side of Kuching Group picture before handing over ceremony at one of the project sites for Global Grant project 22
FEATURES REPORT ON YOUTH EXCHANGE VISIT BY DISTRICT 3620 (continued) Trekking through Matang Wildlife Centre to see the rehabilitated animals Taking on the sights of Siniawan, a quaint town outside of Kuching Following the Interactors dance moves The team introducing themselves in various languages to the Rotary Club of Kuching Central It s only been a week, but it s hard to say Goodbye 23
VALUES ROTARY S CORE VALUES 1. Service 2. Fellowship 3. Diversity 4. Integrity 5. Leadership THE FOUR WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? ROTARIAN CODE OF CONDUCT As a Rotarian, I will: 1. Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life. 2. Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect. 3. Use my professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with special needs, and improve people s quality of life in my community and in the world. 4. Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians. THE GUIDE TO DAILY LIVING of the things we intend to do, ask ourselves these questions and act on them: 1. Have I spent meaningful time with my family? (Fellowship) 2. Have I given the best to my work? (Integrity) 3. Have I given some time to others, near and far? (Diversity, Service) 4. Have I spent some time in self-examination? (Leadership) The Editorial Team 24 Philip Chio Gary Fia Audrey Wes