THE SPOKE AN E-BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF JOHOR BAHRU (District 3310 of Rotary International, Chartered on 27 June 1952) Volume 1 2014 Issue 23 16 December 2014 Foundation. The President’s Corner The coming week will be a rather busy one for all of us at RCJB: My Dear Fellow Rotarians, We are now in Week 23 of the Rotary Year 2014/15 under the Theme “ Light Up Rotary”. I am pleased to inform/ update you that seven Rotarians (myself, PE Freddie Lee, PPs Kao Yang, Swee Poh, Treasurer Cheng Siang, and Rtns Babu and John Lim), and two Rotarian spouses ( Lay See and Siew Koon), visited the Samdech Rasmi Sobbhana Women’s Foundation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on the 5th December 2014. We donated the sum of USD 3,750.00 to sponsor the education program of 25 students for the ensuing year from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2015. This is the 7th consecutive year of support rendered by RCJB to the Sobbhana Women’s Foundation for their Girls’ Education Program. PE Freddie Lee has also agreed to support and continue this project next year. We arrived in Phnom Penh on Thursday 4th December 2014 and spent the afternoon doing our RCJB’s “speed shopping” by “raiding” Lucky Supermarket in Phnom Penh; and bought essential & nutritious food for the 25 children. These included Milo, milk powder, soap, toothbrush & toothpaste, cookies , jam, rice- both white and brown - noodles, vitamins ,cornflakes, candies and biscuits. PP Kao Yang brought chocolates from Australia and personally carried it all the way from Johor Bahru to give to the children. Rtn John Lim personally sourced for good quality brown rice from Cambodia at cost price for the children. All those who participated are dedicated Rotarians who give time and money to help the less fortunate. I must salute them for their dedication and passion to help and light up the life of others. We met Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Marie who spent time with us and hope we will continue to support the children under her Foundation. As was the practice, we were handed a Report/ Profile of the 25 Children sponsored by RCJB They consist of 17 girls and 8 boys. The youngest, is a girl named Chhay Pich, aged 6 and in Grade 1 and born on the 1st February 2008. The oldest also a girl named Heng Kimnai, is 19 years of age and in Grade 12. The children are from families whose income range from USD 1.00 to USD 1.65 per day. I hope more Rotarians from RCJB will be able to take time off their busy schedules next year to participate and support our PE Freddie Lee when he leads the delegation to the Sobbhana Program on Tuesday 9 December 2014: Talk: Central Asian Tour ( On Motorbikes ) Speaker: Rtn Michael Nordgren 1) Tuesday 16th Dec 2014 at 11am *********** we meet the pressmen with regards to our coming Program on Tuesday RCJB Charity Walkathon & Cycleton 2015. The 16 December 2014: venue is at The Chinese Press Club, Jalan Cermat Satu, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru. Talk: GST 2) Tuesday 16th Dec.2014. We have invited two Speaker: Rtn Benedict single parent families - Mathevi’s family and MalliFrancis gai’s family - to attend our regular weekly meeting at 5.30pm to receive contributions from RCJB both in *********** kind and monetary. Program on Tuesday 3) Saturday 20th Dec. 2014. 11 am to 2pm is Christ23 December 204: mas Roadshow by The Rotaract Club of Johor Bahru at Level 3, Komtar JBCC Johor Bahru. Talk: Report On Visit To 4) Saturday 20th Dec 2014 at 7pm, at Tropical Inn Sobbhana Women’s FoundaJohor Bahru, is PP Shan’s Informal Family Gathertion Cambodia ing to celebrate his 70th Birthday, organised by Speaker: PP Ooi Kao Yang Shan’s Angels ( Davina, Della and Danusha). *********** Please Note: As mentioned last week, in this column: Collection Cards for RCJB Charity Walkathon & Cycleton 2015 would have by now been circulated to all the members of RCJB by the Captains of the various groups in RCJB. If any of you have not received yours, please do not keep quiet. Please contact your Captain or PP Anga so that the cards can be passed on to you to enable you to start collecting. We have less than a month before the event on the 10th January 2015. Each Captain will have about 5 to 6 RCJB members in their group. All Captains will coordinate and motivate their respective group members in the Charity Fund Raising event. The group members will have to hand over all the collection cards (whether collected or not) to the Captains at the end of the event to enable the Captains to tabulate the collection for each group. See you on 16 December 2014. “LIGHT UP ROTARY” Kwang Jia Shing President ( 2014-2015 ) Rotary Club of Johor Bahru *********** Mailing Address: PO Box 54, 80730 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia Weekly Meetings: The Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, Jalan Stulang Laut, Johor Bahru Every Tuesday at 5:30pm Contact : Tel: + 607-222 2433 Fax: + 607-2210839 ( Rotary House ) E-Mail: execsec@rcjb.org.my Website: www.rcjb.org.my Editorial Board: President Kwang Jia Shing Rtn Dato Teo Shiok Fu VP Rtn Lee Soo Tong AG Tan Chee Seng Rtn Ziad Jabry S Lionel , Exec Sec Central Asia By Rtn Michael Nordgren Central Asia, least travelled or visited by many covers 4,003.451km2 ( or 1,545.741 sq miles ). It has a population of 88,453.533 million. It includes countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Urkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgystan. The regional center is Kazakhstan. The nominal GDP in 2012 was $295.331 billion and the GDP per capita in 2012 was $6.044. Having said all these, nevertheless Rtn Michael Nordgren and his friends decided to travel some 4,500 km in 18 days on motorbikes. For this they engaged the services of the Silk Off Road Motorcycle Travel Club in Kzakhstan that organized the tour for Rtn Michael and the other parThe Participants ticipants. Some of the wives of the participants too joined in, as did Mrs Michael Nordgren. The contingent had two supporting vehicles and drivers accompanying them. Their first stop was at Almaty where they stayed in a hotel and where they collected and inspected the motorbikes that were going to take them on the journey. For the first few days they travelled long stretches of roads with flat terrain on both sides, with not much of a view. Samarqand Timurides and the Silk Road Beautiful sceneries greeted them in their morning walks in the mountains. Throughout the journey Rtn Michael and his team were feasted to beautiful scenic views that were completely unadulterated. The views along the roads were simply breath-taking Lunch was a simple meal consisting of rice , a cucumber and tomato salad and a yogurt dip, which at first seemed alright but which began to Almaty get monotonous as the days went by. They stopped at Samarqand, Timurides and The Silk Road. The architecture of buildings that have been preserved till today is simply exquisite. At the market the travellers found a variety of spices and beans being sold. From there they travelled towards Khorogh and the Afghan border. At Dushanbe Rtn Michael and his wife celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They passed through the Pamir Highlands and Murghab. The people use donkeys for transport and transportation. At Kyrgystan people lead a nomadic lifestyle and here you see a lot of horses. If pictures could say a million words about a region not much visited, then this talk and presentation by Rtn Michael Nordgren certainly did and for having taken members through this journey Acting President VP Lee Soo Tong thanked Rtn Michael for his eye-opening presentation. *********** 2 Club Matters Members Of The Board of RCJB Rotary Year 2014/ 2015 1. President Kwang Jia Shing - 019-2628249 2. Hon Secretary Rtn Dato Teo Shiok Fu - 016-7789999 3. President Elect Rtn Freddie Lee - 012-7001862 4. Vice President Rtn Lee Soo Tong - 019-7726785 5. Immediate Past President Tan Chee Seng - 012-2022217 6. Hon Treasurer Rtn Teoh Cheng Siang-012-7229322 7. Director Rtn Datuk Freddie Long- 012-7779911 8. Director PP Dr Shanmugam - 6012 7741928 9. Director Rtn Dr Vishwadeep - 01016-7933330 10. Director PP Ng Swee Poh - 6019 7782992 11. Director Rtn Michael Nordgren - 6012 7741360 12. Sgt-At-Arms - PP Dr Roland Lim - 016-7187425 Club Administration Vocational Service (Sub Committee) Service Projects International Service ( Sub Committee) Youth Service Public Relations Community Service (Sub Committee) Finance Membership Foundation Committee Chairman: - Rtn Ziad Jabry - Rtn Lee Soo Tong - PP Dr Anga - PP Ooi Kao Yang - Rtn Joel William - PP Mok Tai Dwan - Rtn Ranjeet - IPP Tan Chee Seng - PE Rtn Freddie Lee - PP Ng Yew Mun ********** Informal Shan Family Gathering @ Tropical Inn Hotel Shan's Angels (my daughters) have issued this 'decree' to all you Rotarians and your spouses: "We would be delighted to have your company at an informal Shan family gathering at the Tropical Inn Hotel Jalan Wong Ah Fook Johor Bahru on SATURDAY the 20th of December. Bring yourselves over to have some fun, food and laughter. Cocktails will start at 7pm ." By 'Decree': Davina, Della and Danusha. Poet’s Corner LIGHT UP ROTARY – 22nd POEM FOR THE 22nd WEEK RTN. MICHAEL NORDGREN ON JOURNEY THROUGH CENTRAL ASIA ON A MOTORBIKE IN 2013 Rotarian Michael Nordgren, an avid biker and intrepid Finn braved the harsh terrain of Central Asia, on a bike, in a spin. To see the Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Turkmen and Tajiks, really, in their home turf, their backyard and their economy truly. Four countries in 18 days not on a horseback but on the bike. On a ‘Silk off Road’ route off the norm, hardly a turnpike. Michael and Leila joined the elite ‘Motorcycle Travel club’ and covered four thousand kilometers on a motor hub! The Suzuki’s were not the most comfortable to ride on, made worse by poor sanitary and toilet facilities, thereon. Diarrhoea came a calling all too often, no match for Imodium. An open toilet was an affront to ones senses and no podium. Through beautiful Timurid country where Tamerlane reigned, legacies of Turco-Mongol and Sunni Islamic artifacts feigned. On high country stand excellences of architecture of yore, Squarish, tall sandstone monuments that belie age before! Dushanbe, Samarqand, Khorogh, Murghab and Almaty, names that mysticise a land hallowed by the almighty! Travelled they did from Almaty to Almaty in a ring or loop, crossing the Pamir highlands where Tamerlane did stoop. Yet, Michael and Leila raised a champagne glass or two, celebrating their 30th wedding Anniversary in style too! Kudos to Mike and team for an off road unique adventure, for what fires a man for the strange unknown debenture? PP Dr.S.Shanmugam, 9th December 2014, Berjaya Waterfront Hotel ********** So, you have been summoned, Rotarians, see you all on the 20th of December! A map is attached for Rotarians who do not know where the Johore Royal Lodge is. Please RSVP! ( PP Dr Shan ) ********** 3 Club Matters Volume 1/2014 Issue 23 Treasurer’s Report: Tickie Bottle & Happy Fund Collections on 9. 12.2014: Membership 64 9.12.2014 Excused Effective 7 57 1. cfwd RM500.00 collection nil Present 27 Percentage 47.37% Tickkie Collection: Happy Fund Collection: 9.12.2014 1. cfwd 2. collection RM2,268.00 29.00 ___________________ Total : RM2,297.00 ___________________ Attendance Chairman’s Report Attendance 9 E x cu s ed : by PP Francis Lip:- 1 . PP Dato Francis Ng 2. PP Dato Dr Singaraveloo 3. PP Chang Teck Mark 4. PP Dato Mokkam Singh 5. PP Dr K N Singh 6. PP Roland Choong 7. PP Lim Kay Hua Ab se n t: 1. Pres J S Kwang 2. PP Yeo Ann Kiat ____________________ 3. PP Tan Beng Sooi Total: RM500.00 _________________________ 4. PDG Ir John Cheah December is Family Month In Rotary... Foreign Currencies: 9.12.2014: cfwd: 1. S $ : 2. Indonesian Rupiah : 3. Hong Kong $ : 4. Collection: Hong Kong $ : December 2014: 7.00 2,000.00 10.00 5. PDG Lim Hock Teck 6. Rtn Gooi Chuen Howe 7. PP Dev Chellam 8. PP Dr Roland Lim 9. PP Dato K Zaman Bukhari 10. PP Chua Kean Num 11. Rtn Cheong Nai Cheong 20.00 12. AG Tan Chee Seng 13. PP Ng Swee Poh Thank you for attending the weekly Club meetings, where you enjoy club fellowship and enrich 14. Rtn Alan Cheng your professional and personal knowledge. Here, you meet other business leaders in the com15. PP Ooi Kao Yang munity too. Let’s extend the invitation and grow in strength………. 16. PE Freddie Lee 17. Rtn John Lim Congratulations!! 16-23 Dec 2014 Birthday: Dato K Zaman Bukhari Wedding Anniversary: 18 18. Rtn Teoh Cheng Siang Induction Anniversary: 19. PP S Balarajah PHF 20. Rtn Kelvin Chua 21. Rtn Dato Jacky Ker PP Dr Shan 20 22. Rtn Suki PP Dato Mokkam Singh 21 23. Rtn Dr Lee Kim Tiong PP Francis Gopal 21 24. Rtn Ziad 25. Rtn Muhar Murad 26. Rtn M P Babu 27. Rtn Benedict Francis 28. Rtn Teh Kai Chuan 29. Rtn Soh Chong Boon 30. PP Shamim Khambati 4 Club Announcements Members Update There was pin-drop silence when Rtn Michael Nordgren took us on a tour of Central Asia last week. The tour started from Almaty, Kazakhstan – a more than four thousand kilometers loop covering 4 of the 5 countries in that region, also known as the Central Asia Ring Tour. Apart from the uncomfortable seats of the Suzuki Bikes, make shift toilets without doors in certain areas and a dark tunnel with giant potholes, Michael and company enjoyed their tour very much. The wives were ferried around in two support vehicles of the guides and champagne flowed on Mike and Leila’s wedding anniversary. Club / Rotary Events: 1. 20th Dec 2014 - "Shan's Informal family gathering". PP Dr. Shan has extended an invitation to all to attend this informal gathering at the Tropical Inn. Function starts at 7.00pm sharp. Please respond as soon as possible (RSVP) as facilities & catering arrangements need to be made in advance. 2. 22nd Dec 2014 – Have a date with RI President, Garry Huang in During question time, PP Dr. Shan added a dash of history by describing Singapore. 2 more seats are still the conquest of Genghis Khan and how the Mongols and then the Moguls available. Please contact President influenced the history and life in this region. It was an interesting talk JS as soon as possible. that many missed. 3. 10th Jan 2015 - Charity Walkaton & Cycleton 2015. Donation Rotarian Benedict Francis will share with us the latest on GST on cards have been distributed but I this coming Tuesday. With the recent announcement during Budget 2015 understand that many members and the released of the list of exempted items, we hope to have a much have yet to collect them. Please do clearer picture now. After attending 5 or 6 seminars, a friend of mine told your best to ensure that we raise me that the picture is getting clearer but there are still many questions on enough money for our 3 main prothe finer details for each specific sector of the economy. jects. The way I see, GST implementation is going to have a drastic effect on the small ‘mom & pop’ shops serving the neighborhood community. You need to have a certain business turnover to make it worthwhile to run a business. A few of my neighborhood shops had announced that they will be closing soon. ********** It’s The Mind…. Don’t forget to make up if you missed the weekly meetings. Attendance at project committee or sub-committee meetings can be considered as make-ups. Remember to inform the Attendance Chairman of your makeups. ( VP Lee Soo Tong ) ********** The Breath You Just Took…. That’s A Gift. Cherish Life…. ********** 5 Rotary News The 4 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 GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? ROTARY CODE OF CONDUCT As a Rotarian, I will 1. Exemplify the core value of integrity in all behaviors and activities 2. Use my vocational experience and talents to serve in Rotary 3. Conduct all of my personal, business, and professional affairs ethically, encouraging and fostering high ethical standards as an example to others. 4. Be fair in all dealings with others and treat them with the respect due to them as fellow human beings 5. Promote recognition and respect for all occupations which are useful to society 6. Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community 7. Honor the trust that Rotary and fellow Rotarians provide and not do anything that will bring disfavor or reflect adversely on Rotary or fellow Rotarians 8. Not seek from a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded to others in a business or professional relationship. ********** A Vision For The Family of Rotary ( by Jonathan B. Majiyagbe Past RI President, 200304 ) Like most families, the Rotary family provides a heaven where we can gather the strength and encouragement to face the challenges of the world. It offers comforting traditions, asking that we honour those who came before us and celebrate our newest arrivals. Our clubs are where we find the core of our Rotary family, and that is why, in the coming year, I will be asking every club to form a Family of Rotary Committee to find more ways to create and nurture that atmosphere of warmth and caring. One way we can do this is to extend our caring reach beyond each Rotarian to include that Rotarian's spouse and children. Throughout the Rotary world, our younger members tell us that they don't like to feel that Rotary time competes with family time. If we support opportuNities to include families in fellowship and service events, then there is no conflict. In such an atmosphere of family and caring, the death of a Rotarian should not be the end of Rotary's relationship with his or her family - certainly there are ample opportunities to include a deceased Rotarian's family in Rotary-sponsored events. A greater sense of a family atmosphere within our clubs will support the work we do outside of our clubs - all of the work we do to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, comfort the sick, care for the aged - in short, to reach out to our fellow human beings to help and to comfort. This impulse to reach out to others abides in the hearts of all people, and as Rotarians, we simply do what is most natural. *********** Just in case you ever get these two environments mixed up: @ PRISON You spend most of your time in a 10X10 cell @ PRISON You get three meals a day, fully paid for @ PRISON For good behavior, you get time off @ PRISON The guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you @ PRISON You get three meals a day, fully paid for @ PRISON You can watch TV and play games @ PRISON You get your own toilet @ PRISON They allow your family and friends to visit @ PRISON All expenses are paid by the tax payers with no work required @ PRISON You spend most of your life inside bars wanting to get out @ PRISON You must deal with sadistic wardens @ WORK You spend most of your time in an 6X6 cubicle @ WORK You get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it @ WORK For good behavior, you get more work @ WORK You must carry a security card and open all the doors yourself @ WORK You get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it @ WORK You could get fired for watching TV and playing games @ WORK You have to share the toilet with people who pee on the seat @ WORK You aren't even supposed to speak to your family @ WORK You must pay all your expenses to go to work, and they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners @ WORK You spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars @ WORK They're called 'managers' There’s seriously something wrong with this whole scenario!! 6