Vol 20 Number 08

SELAMAT PAGI

3 September 2011 President's Message

Member's Contribution
Group 7 Intercity Meeting 24 August 2011
The Intercity meeting was held at Commonwealth Club and was attended by 10 members from RCBKS. A total of 80 Rotarians from the 5 clubs in Group 7 were present. No we werent there to discuss the state of the World Economy; it was far more interesting than that! After the usual club business (Well done President Steve for your robust update on club activity) and exchange of banners, it was on to the keynote speaker; Tan Sri Kadir Sheik Fadzir of Malaysia, truly Asia fame. He took us on a journey back to the Spirit of Merdeka of the founding fathers and then brought us bang up to date by helping us make a comparison with the political situation in Malaysia today. In a very frank speech he left it up to us to think about who leads who - the Rakyat or the Politicians. Our illustrious District Governor then spoke about the difference of being in Rotary and being a Rotarian. He is good, to the point and just the right length. Many thanks go to Rotary Club of Central Damansara for hosting the event and the evening ended with the welcome arrival of the fruits (much awaited by the members from Bukit Kiara Sunrise) and fellowship; followed by a long walk back to the car feeling replete and satisfied. By Mike Carr

RCBKS Presidents Monthly Sound Bite from Pontian, Johor!

Its September already and The Raya Holiday is upon us September is New Generation month and I would like to share my experience at SMK SriHartamas last Thursday. Essentially going back to school for a few hours at least. Its 6.50 in the morning and the pupils are arriving thick & fast. I make some notes and reflect on my own time at school. 7.15 and Rotarians Ghaurry, Poay Lim & Susan are all in attendance and guiding me to meet the Headmistress, members of staff and Mei Mei from our Interact club. This was all leading up to the Cheque presentation by the SMK Interact club to the Childrens Cancer Society. The grand total of RM18,000.00 was successfully raised during an evenings entertainment where 700 tickets were sold. What an amazing achievement. It was very clear that the whole school was energized by this and no doubt that many parents could not help but connect with this cause from its outset. We were also treated to an excellent speech by a Professor from University of Malaya. The subject was set around the history of the country leading up to Merdeka as all Malaysians celebrate Independence Day. Presented in an open, challenging and fascinating way, often questioning some longstanding printed texts. Digging below the surface, correcting some commonly held beliefs and encouraging young minds to research the events from various sources for themselves, then to discuss and debate their analysis. The message was clear to me, when dedicated people come together as a team and focus on humanitarian needs, then things really begin to change, these actions can change the world for the better. We can also build on and learn from the past, but to make sure we really do the homework and understand the events leading up to this point in history. As Rotarians our no1 challenge is to change this word for the better, our Interactors are setting a shining example for our club. Our youth are our future, please continue to support their activities, through involvement and interest, not withstanding our clubs excellent work with the new and existing mentees in the REF program, surely more leaders to come. Selamat Hari Raya & congratulations to all Malaysians as you celebrate Merdeka Day. Reach within and embrace humanity, Ill bring back some Pineapples from Pontian!!! Yours in Rotary President Steve

Announcements
- The 3rd Values Education Workshop will be held at SMK Sri Permata on Sunday 11 Sept. All mentors to inform their mentees. - The Interact Club raised $18,000 for the Children Cancer Fund. The cheque presentation at the SMK Sri Hartamas school assembly is on Thursday 25 August at 7.20am. - Dr Yee will be speaking on REF at RC Gombak meeting on 25 August at Corus Hotel @ 12.45pm. - Members are reminded on the Siam Reap in December. - RC Bugis Junction's 15th anniversary on 16 Sept. Todate 4 members confirmed. - Special Speaker Day on 10 Sept. Talk by Tenor performer, Tan Chee Shen. Members encouraged to bring guests to the meeting. Talk on the REF at RC Gombak In line with the effort to spread the word on the good work of the award winning RCBKS Education Fund (REF) project, RCBKS was invited to give a talk on the project by RC Gombak at their meeting on 25 Aug 2011. PP Yoke Leong represented RCBKS as speaker. It was a great honour to speak at this 40 year old Rotary club sharing with them the progress we have made in helping students through the REF.

PP Dr Yow Tak Seng thanking YL

Present at the meeting were about 30 Rotarians and guests including Gombak members PDG Leslie Sallehuddin and President Joyce Lim. Also present to give support and to enjoy fellowship were RCBKS Rtns PP Kong Voon Sin and Alvin Tan. PP Veiven from RC Gombak, a volunteer mentor of the REF played able host to the Sunrisers. The talk began with the 3-minute video of the REF appearing on the NTV7 News Bulletin followed by a 30-minute presentation by PP Yoke Leong. The presentation was timely and well received as RC Gombak has plans to increase their activity on Education through their long standing club foundation. (Note: Email by REF Chair, PP Kong to President Joyce, RC Gombak on next page)

Rotary Information
September is New Generations Month, when Rotary celebrates its commitment to youth and young adults through Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, and Rotary Youth Exchange. Rotary clubs are encouraged to focus on youth issues and undertake projects that benefit young people around the world. As you plan your activities for the month, consider ways to crosspromote New Generations programs and enhance collaboration between youth, young adults, and Rotarians. Ask yourself these questions to get started: Whats one way that participants in your districts New Generations programs can work together to amplify their impact? How many Rotary clubs in your area connect Rotarian mentors with Rotaractors, or otherwise promote New Generations programs to club members? Which Rotaract or Interact clubs in your area would you nominate for a 2011-12 Changemaker Award?

INTERACT CLUB OF SMK SRI HARTAMAS RAISE RM18,000 FOR CHILDRENS CANCER FUND
For the second year the Interact Club of SMK Sri Hartamas has raised money in their effort to help cancer patients. They raised RM18,000 this year compare to last years already respectable RM10,000. The Interactors had just held the installation of their new board of directors during their International Understanding Day function. With their beneficiaries in mind they put in extra marketing effort to raise the money. At a ceremony during the schools assembly Thursday 25 August 2011, the Interactors and their sponsors the Rotary Club of Bukit Kiara Sunrise presented the Childrens Cancer Fund of Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya the cheque for the amount they raised. The schools principal Puan Rosimawati praised the Interactors and thanked the Rotary Club of Bukit Kiara Sunrise for making the school proud. Dr Shekar, Chairman of PPUMs Childrens Cancer Fund, in his address said, I am truly humbled by the contribution from the students. Said President Steve Robinson of the Rotary Club of Bukit Kiara Sunrise, The credit goes to our Interact Club especially Immediate Past President of the Interact Club, Pao May May and her organizing team. We are indeed honoured to be their sponsors. By IPP Poay Lim

Today's Programme
Interactors from SMK Sri Hartamas

NEXT CHANGE
10 September (Sat) 7.00am Special Speaker Day Mr Tan Chee Shen, Tenor Performer 17 September (Sat) No meeting

Club NEWS
Visit and Recce to the Alliance of Chin Centre
Members of the RCBKS recce team turned up on 24Aug2011 to visit the Alliance of Chin office to get a better understanding of the plight of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia and to see what we can do to help them. The Chins A mother and child at the long house are one of many ethnic groups of Myanmar people. We were able to meet their chairman Simon Khaw and NGO worker Ariane DeWandre from Belgium. The recce team consisted of President Steve, community service chairperson Yoke Leong, Aravind, PP Poay Lim, Mike Carr and friend of RCBKS, Mohan G. We were given a detailed briefing and were able to see their learning centre (school) which conducts lessons for about 176 students from standard 1-6. We also The meeting at the administrative centre visited the Mang Tha centre (ladies handicraft centre) where we watched some Myanmar ladies at work on a handloom weaving intricate designs. It doubled as a showroom where we purchased some of their handiwork. Then we stopped by a long house basically half a floor of a shop lot where 7 families (50 members) lived in rather challenging conditions. There President Steve led the residents in a simple prayer of blessing and hope. At the administrative centre (also a floor of a shop lot), we saw how new arrivals are registered and given a membership card. At the centre there is also a simple community clinic which is open 2 days a week and manned by volunteer doctors from Myanmar and other foreign countries and some local nurses. Simon will be at our club to give a talk on their challenges in Malaysia living as illegals waiting to be relocated to other parts of the world. The Myanmar refugees face a huge problem surviving in Malaysia. They are being helped mostly by UNHCR and some foreign NGOs. Not many local NGOs are assisting them. For a start, this year, RCBKS will be doing a food distribution project together with arranging at least a bus load of Myanmar refugees to our upcoming medical camp project for health screening. By YYL

CALENDER of EVENTS
3rd Values Education Workshop Date: 11 September 2011 @ 8.30am Venue: SMK Sri Permata RC Bugis Junction 15th Anniversary Date: 16 September 2011 DG's Official Visit Date: 8 October 2011 Medical Camp Project Date: 20 November 2011 International Service Community Project in Siam Reap Date: 1 - 5 December 2011 77th District Conference Date: 9 - 11 December 2011 Venue: Klana Resort, Seremban

September Celebrations
Happy Birthday Fang Keong 9 September Happy Anniversary Angie & Poi Kim 15 September

Duty Roster
3 September (Community Service) Sargeant-at-arms D esk Duty Introducer Thank Speaker Fines Yoke Leong Aravind Sanjay Ee Lay CY

10 September (International Service) Sargeant-at-arms Desk Duty Introducer Thank Speaker Fines Alvin Karen Jeremy Frances Fang Keong

Happy and promising young Myanmar children

Ariane interacting with the residents

Visit our website @ www. rcbks.org. my

Board of Directors 2011/12

President Steve Robinson 016-2253777 President Elect Ghaurry 23003757(O) Immediate Past President Tan Poay Lim Vice President James Cheong Honorary Secretary PP Graham Bennett 012-2918619 Honorary Treasurer Angie Ng Club Administration PP Karen Chong Service Projects The Rotary Foundation PP Jeremy Ng Membership Development Chin Teng Yoong REF Chairman PP Dr Kong Voon Sin Sargeant-at-arms PP Frances Po Bulletin Editor - Sunny Vocational Service Chair - Mike Community Service Chair -Dr Yee International Service Chair Fang Keong New Generation Chair - Susan

Em@il from REF Chair PP Kong

Dear President Joyce Lim and Fellow Rtns of RC Gombak, Thank you so much for inviting PP Dr Yee Yoke Leong as a guest speaker to your club . PP Dr Yee was instrumental in the discussions and planning that lead to the formation of the RC Bukit Kiara Sunrise s creation of The Rotary Education Fund. Indeed we are grateful to him for his contribution being the Past Chair of the Fund. Though the time was very much limited, I am sure PP Yee can speak for another hour as he is passionate of the program. The Fund may seem ordinary and nothing great but the impact has been deep and lasting. Its the transformation of the students we are after. Many of the students come from difficult backgrounds and at that age as a teenager - they just dont know where to seek counsel or help. Those who are older (after 19 years of age) can speak to older people or get help from many organisations including political parties. But a kid who is 15 is neither here or there. And if the parent is a single mum or dad with a illness - who will understand their needs and issues. At this point , a student can choose to stop school as he does not see a need to or just survive school with no purpose. We all know education is what sets the future of a person. The ages of 15 to 19 is the foundation building of any person . Our goal is simple -students should have good attitude and willing to work hard to perform well in school to be able to go the best colleges /universities. And we have many examples of such successful students who have gone through our program. Your Rtn PP Veiven Goon is one of our volunteer mentors. And he has gone to several of our Mentors Support Group meetings, Leadership Camps and Values Education workshops . He can share his experiences and the values of the Education Fund . Indeed we are grateful to PP Veiven and all the volunteer mentors who are instrumental in creating transformations to someone s life. I always say if you want to be a better parent - try taking care of someones kid. We are happy to share with you all the workings of this wonderful program to enable you to start something similar . Perhaps a pilot run will be a good way to get your members excited . Let us know and let us work together to Reach Out to someone who is deserving . This years theme is very apt Reach Within and Embrace Humanity. Thank you again for the warm friendship and hospitality extended to us at your meeting. With Best Wishes PP Kong Voon Sin REF Chair

Bulletin Committee
Sunny (Editor) Poay Lim (Production) Angie (Speakers Programme)