PROETAREY JCLAUB YOF PEPTAOLINGS JATYA

MARCH. 2020 | Issue 9 District 3300

Rotary Club of inducted 4 new Rotarians

The PeeJay Post is published by the Peejay Post is a monthly PUBLIC IMAGE publication featuring event COMMITTEE updates and current club EDITOR - news. If you wish to PUBLISHER : JOYCE LEE contribute articles, please email [email protected] CLUB INFORMATION

Board of Directors (2020-2021) Chartered on the President 6th of January 1961 Victor Lee [email protected]

President Elect Correspondence Address: Melisa Francis [email protected] Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya

Vice President No. 121, Block A, Nicholas Chan Kelana Centre Point, [email protected] SS7/19, 47301 Imm. Past President Petaling Jaya, . IPP Usha Gopalan Phone: +603-7491 1812 [email protected] Fax: +603-78052817 Email: [email protected] Hon. Secretary PAG Rianne Chin [email protected]

Hon. Treasurer Website Barry Tan [email protected] www.rotarypj.com

Membership ______Carrien Chong [email protected] Facebook Public Image Joyce Lee www.facebook.com/rotaryclubpj [email protected] ______Club Administration Rajiv Mathews George Weekly Meetings [email protected]

Community Service Every Tuesday of the week Datin Sivanes (1st Tues (off)/ [email protected] 2nd Tues 12:30pm/ 3rd Tues 12:30pm/ Rotary Foundation and Int's Service 4th Tues 7pm) Terence Tiew [email protected] Location of regular meeting:

Youth Services Anushia Mariappan Dorsett Grand Subang [email protected] Jalan SS 12/1, SS 12, 47500 , Board Advisors Selangor, PDG David Ho PAG Dato Kevin Yong PAG H. S. Dharan PRESIDENT JOTTINGS

March has delivered a mixed bag of happenings, evoking different feelings. Yet, collectively, they seem to share a common thread of purpose. Do join me on this short walk down recent memory lane.

First, it was difficult to receive news from our sister club Makati West on the passing of Rtn Serge Arroyo and PDG Tony Rufino, both of whom were energetic and jovial characters. We saw PDG Tony in almost every activity, always in a party mood and the first to dance to music. He visited us in Malaysia just before the pandemic. We spoke of meeting again in the She also learnt to speak English and the Philippines, but we never thought this meeting confidence she displayed in addressing would be the last. Similarly, we also lost one of our Rotary Club was extremely our former Rotarian, PP Datuk Abdul Rahman impressive. I certainly respect what she Ramli, another jovial character with years of had accomplished. Even more so, I admire service in our Club. They shall be surely the valiant and missionary efforts of Alice, an angel and saviour to the many lives she missed! has touched, and continues to do so!

Second, we had an interesting and good lineup Third, we were also delighted to induct of speakers on the “Fruits of RCPJ” series, four new members into our club. They organized by our Club Admin committee. We collectively add to the diversity of heard from Bibi Bong on her journey as a single experience and careers classification of mother in our SuperMum programme. The the club. We welcome them with an open arms and look forward to their potential baking skills she learned gave her a lifeline, a contributions to our club. source of income and motivation to face the challenges of life. Similarly, PP Alice’s perseverance in empowering Coline Jane Peter, an orang asal from Sabah, was equally inspiring. Bringing her out of her village and empowering her with fashion and tailoring skills were already quite an accomplishment. PRESIDENT JOTTINGS

Fourth, we had a joint virtual meeting with As you can see, March is a month with a our sister club in Bangalore. The guest mixture of feelings. We mourn the loss of speaker was Rtn Ravi Dakoju, the second Rotarian. We celebrate the induction of highest donor to the Rotary Foundation, young energetic members. We see the fruits second only to the Bill and Melinda Gate of the projects we carry out as Rotarian. We Foundation, who spoke on the topic of are reminded by Rtn Ravi Dakoju to always “Giving while Living”. The most amazing give and never stop. Coincidentally, how thing was that, just before the meeting, we things happen seems to tell its own story. received word that his wife was tested Life can throw ups and downs at us. We positive for Covid-19, but that he would at briefly celebrate and mourn events that may least try to make a recording for the not be in our control. But, in Rotary, we have meeting. However, during the meeting, he chosen an organization that inspires us to appeared, remarking that a recording just continuously help those around us. Indeed, didn’t seem right. He himself was tested we profit most when we serve best! Covid positive and spoke to us from the hospital with an IV pole next to him. We are most honored and touched by this appearance and will always take his lessons to heart. BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

MARCH BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Rotarian's Birthday Spouses' Birthday Siti Haslindah 08 Nancy (Goh Seng Chuan) 01 Rianne Chin 21 Yoon Fong (Tarcisius Chin) 14 Sathish 23 Harjit Singh 25 Sivanes 27 Wedding Anniversary Lam Shen Fei 28 Siti Haslindah & Roslan 03 Terence & Susan 08 Teo Woon Hud & Karen 14 Victor & Min Si 21

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!! I hope your day is filled with lots of love and laughter! May all of your wishes come true.

CLUB MEETING

On March 30th , 2021 during our club meeting , we inducted 4 members to or club. It been a while since we had 4 inductions of new members at the same time.

Rotarian Thiam Kit, Kasey, Louise and Hui Li induction ceremony CLUB MEETING

Welcome to the Rotary World, Rtn Thiam Kit, Rtn Kasey, Rtn Louise and Rtn Hui Li. CLUB MEETING Guest Speaker: Coline Jane Peter Topic: A Life Empowered CLUB MEETING CLUB MEETING CLUB MEETING CLUB MEETING CLUB MEETING CLUB MEETING ROTARY HISTORY

Rotary’s response to the 1918 flu pandemic

An estimated 500 million people worldwide John Napier Dyer, then governor for District 11 became infected. Many cities closed theaters and (Indiana), also saw Rotarians stepping forward cinemas, and placed restrictions on public to help during a time of need. Although gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities traditional Rotary activities practically ceased while also helping the sick. in his district for several months, he said “many Rotarians gave themselves to the combating of This is how Rotary responded to the influenz a the disease as directors of hospitals, visitors to pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three the sick, or by liberal assistance to the stricken waves, lasting more than a year. ones.”

In the United States, the illness was first Just like during the COVID-19 pandemic, clubs identified in military personnel in the spring of were inspired to adapt and act. They adjusted 1918. The second, deadliest wave peaked how they met, following local guidelines of the between September and November of that year time, and took action to help give local — the final stages of World War I. governments and health providers necessary services and support. Much of this activity Hospitals in some areas were so overloaded with occurred in the United States, since Rotary’s flu patients that schools, private homes, and international presence at the time was limited. other buildings were converted into makeshift Our response to the coronavirus is global. hospitals. In Chicago, where Rotary World Headquarters was then located, the number of new cases reached 1,200 a day at one point.

Several district governors reported at the June 1919 convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, that war work and then the flu greatly interfered with club activities and their club visits — but not with the spirit of Rotary service.

Illness and upheaval “prevailed all over the world,” Charles H. Brown, then governor for District 10 (Ohio), told the convention. “But throughout Ohio you will find the Rotary clubs, in every city where a Rotary club exists, in the foremost ranks of civic and social work, doing their full share toward serving our government and humanity.” ROTARY HISTORY

Rotary’s response to the 1918 flu pandemic

In 1918, Rotarians in Sacramento and Berkeley, In 1918, Rotarians in Winston-Salem, North California, USA, held their meetings outdoors to Carolina, USA, secured beds for emergency comply with a local restriction on enclosed hospitals, volunteered as ambulance drivers, meetings. In 2020, clubs have adapted by and assisted with a health survey of the city. The Rotary Club of Waterbury, Connecticut, holding their meetings online to stay connected. USA, took similar steps, making a canvass of local flu cases and helping create a hospital. In In 1918, the Rotary Club of Kankakee, Illinois, 2020, Rotarians in Makati, Philippines, funded USA, helped raise funds to buy a car for a Red the construction of several emergency Cross social worker to use in her trips around quarantine facilities, including a recovery the country during the 1918 pandemic. In 2020, center for COVID-19 patients from the Pasig Rotary Clubs in District 3700 (Korea) donated City Children’s Hospital who no longer need $155,000 to the Red Cross. Then and now, our intensive care. These recovery facilities help capacity to make a difference is larger when we make space in hospitals for people who require work with others to create change. more monitoring.

In 1919, The Rotarian magazine reported that In 1918, more than two dozen Rotarians in a “Rotary flu squad” in Great Falls, Montana, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, worked with USA, “fought the ravages of the epidemic, not members of the Boy Scouts organization to by hiring people to do the work for them, but quickly and effectively distribute flyers with by actually doing with their own hands guidance on how to prevent the spread of whatever work needed to be done.” In 2020, influenza. In 2020, the Rotary E-Club of Fenice the same community service spirit is being del Tronto, based out of Italy, invited the public shown by the Rotary Club of Metro Bethesda, to its online meeting with a virologist who spoke Maryland, USA, whose members contact about the coronavirus, how it spreads, and how neighbors who are isolating alone at home to ask how they are and if they need anything. to keep safe. In Nigeria, Rotary members in Akwa Ibom state conducted a campaign to raise awareness about the threat of coronavirus.

The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic.

Photo by Edwin J. McCullagh, 1931-32 club president. Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Berkeley. WHY DID I JOIN ROTARY ? ----BY DATIN SIVANES

Why I Become A Rotarian ? - Datin Sivanes

My Rotary Story or rather my association After finishing school and university studies, I with the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya (RCPJ) started my teaching career in 1982. In 1983 I began in 1972 when I was in Form 3 in was posted to Catholic High School Petaling Assunta Secondary School. I joined the Jaya and served there for 34 years. In the Interact Club of Assunta which was under the course of time, I found myself volunteering to patronage of RCPJ. I still remember taking become the Teacher Advisor for the Interact part in public speaking competitions Club of Catholic High School. I guess I was organised by RCPJ. As an Interactor I enjoyed drawn to this post as I knew the benefits of myself tremendously taking part in all kinds being an Interactor. I served as Teacher of activities. Those days there were no malls Advisor for 15 years till my retirement in or the internet to pass our time; so, we got 2017. In this role I resumed my association involved in lots of school activities. with RCPJ.

The following year 1973, when I was in Form I came to know many of the Rotarians who 4, I was elected to became the Club Service are currently still serving in RCPJ. After my Director. With this role entrusted to me l retirement I was persuaded to join RCPJ by a carried out my duties with the help of my few members. I guess it was only natural for Teacher Advisor and the Rotarians. (Vaguely me to join RCPJ. So, I became a Rotarian in can remember some of the Rotarians). December 2018.

◦ ◦ WHY DID I JOIN ROTARY ? ----BY DATIN SIVANES

So, what made me decide to become a Rotarian? In Rotary I realise that I become part of a bigger It was always my desire to do some kind of family. The friendships I have made have enriched volunteer work after retirement. I wanted to my life as Rotarians are so welcoming. I realise serve the community and to help out in that as we serve the community, we can also build whatever small ways I can. Being associated new and meaningful relationships. As one ages and with Rotary and what the international retires from work, we realise that our working movement stands for, I felt it was the right colleagues are busy and don't have time to meet organisation to join. I have read about the up, and it can become lonely. Here in RCPJ, we inspiring stories and the work done by meet at least once a week and we chat on our Rotarians all over the world and felt connected Rotary whatsapp group so often to keep in some way to all of them. Rotarians serve connected. Being part of an extended family selflessly everywhere and it felt good to be part where people are concerned for you and sharing in of such an organisation. In RCPJ I also met lots your joys and sorrows does give meaning to one's of wonderful women who are Rotarians and life. I also realise that good friendships can also be that inspired me further to join the club. I also built with our Sister Clubs overseas. We get to liked the fact that in Rotary we do not discuss know people from abroad and can have insights politics or religion and that is really a good point into the different cultures around the world. These as all of us have differing opinions and it would experiences definitely will enrich my life. be best to keep these to ourselves and not to offend others, especially where religion is My Rotary journey has just begun for me and, concerned. God willing, I hope to serve in this prestigious organisation for many more years to come. I also I also believe in the principles of the 4-Way Test hope to maintain the good friendships made in as they reflect my own principles in life. This Rotary and to travel to Sister Clubs in better Test brings us down to earth as it reflects times.I can proudly say that I have been an fairness and governs our thoughts, words and Interactor, Interact Teacher Advisor and now a deeds. Rotarian, all under the wing of RCPJ.

CONTACT US RCPJ is part of an international movement founded by Paul P. Harris in 1905. The Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya The purpose of the organization is to bring

together business and professional leaders to www.facebook.com/rotaryclubpj provide humanitarian service. encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and www.rotarypj.com help build goodwill and peace in the world.

There are 33,976 clubs and over 1.22 million [email protected] members worldwide at present.

Rotary's best-known motto is "Service above Self", and its secondary motto is "They profit most who serve best".

The Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya

RCPJ was chartered on 6 January 1961 with over 40 members at present. Rotary is an international movement founded on international friendship and service to the community in which it is located. Perhaps the most prominent of its project has been and still is, Polio Plus, the eradication of polio from the face of the earth. It is a non-political, non-religious, non-racial, non- sectarian, non-governmental voluntary organization comprising men and women of many varied professions.

Over the last years, RCPJ was responsible for providing Petaling Jaya's urban community with its first public library, for equipping children’s’ playground, and starting a kindergarten, while at the national level, it succeeded in launching the National Kidney Foundation, the precursor of the country's first centre for urology and neurology, to mention some of its more spectacular achievements.

By 1990, RCPJ expanded its service activities to establish regular community support in the form of schools nutrition, vocation guidance, youth development through Rotaract and Interact Clubs and bus shelters and pedestrian bridges.

Besides that, RCPJ has also addressed contemporary local issues for the aged, the handicapped, the poor, the environment, health and International relationships. More recently, RCPJ carried out the Golden Child Project for the terminally ill, Ten-Pin Bowling for the physically and mentally challenged children, children’s cheer project for the less privileged, vaccination for hawkers in SS2, Petaling Jaya, organising SuperCamps to reach out to the youths and conducting the Lighthouse Project to train teachers to teach English. In 2005, the Club put into action the Super Mums project to empower single mothers to start and sustain their home based business and to be financially independent.

DYMM Sharafuddin Idris Shah , is Patron of the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya.