Lunch Meeting on Tuesday, 3 rd March 2015

Transcription

1 RY Bulletin Issue No.33 Chartered 13 August 1980 Bulletin Editors: Nidhi, Cze Hong, William & Geoffrey Special Events : Ron, T C Phua & Tengku Rotary s Mission We provide service to others; promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. International Calendar: World Understanding Month Lunch Meeting on Tuesday, 3 rd March 2015 President Corina welcomed all and specifically PDG Dr. Philbert Chin and guests. PP Johnson Tan introduced and welcomed his guests PP Dr. Herman Frank from Maastricht, Netherlands, Mr. Stefan Wuppermann and Mr. Anatole Bong. Brian Tan toasted to Rotary International and Rotary Club of Maastricht. Guest PP Dr. Frank brought greetings from the Rotary Club of Maastricht which was founded in Recently they raised 100,000 euros for the needy. PP Ron Pereira reported on the Joint Medical Outreach Project to KK, Malaysia on 25 April to reach 100 children with the new vaccine for prevention of pneumonia. He will be there with President Corina, PP Dr. Daruwalla Jimmy and Dr. Baldev Singh. The Annual Career Symposium will be held at the Tampines College for the JC students and parents on April 25. He called for volunteer speakers. PP Mohan Pillay announced birthdays and anniversaries during the last three months and raised $220 for the Sunshine Box. PP Jeffrey Chan introduced our guest speaker Mr. Richard Magnus, who was our First District Judge, who during his tenure as the most senior District Judge worked with the then CJ Yong Pung How to successfully reform the judicial system. He is currently the Chair of the Casino Regulatory Council, the Public Transport Council and a member of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, and the Chancellor of the Anglican Church among many other appointments. Mr. Magnus spoke Weekly Meeting: The Singapore Cricket Club, Tuesday 12.45pm Page 1 of 5

2 on the topic The Moral Limits of the Markets and the Public Space which is inspired by his Harvard Professor Michael Sandel s What Money Can t Buy subtitled The Moral Limits of Markets. He gave several examples from the book about how everything is up for sale, including prison upgrades, surrogate mothers in India, right to migrate to the US, right to pollute the atmosphere, admission to prestigious universities, advertising on one s forehead, drug safety trial candidacy, mercenaries to fight in places like Somalia, stand in line for someone who needs to listen in at a Congressional Hearing in the US, incentivizing kids to read by giving them $2 for each book read, financial incentive for weight loss and buying life insurance policy by betting on the longevity of the insured and a whole host of others. He put it to us that the core issue is about what kind of society we desire to be as market and market values are the primary means for achieving public good. He posited that democracy requires a sharing of a common life and if money can buy everything, it would isolate the poor from this common life. PP Jeffrey Chan asked about organ sale and the influence of business schools on scholars who are sent there, returning with a market mentality. The speaker agreed that organ sale is an economic consideration and should be regulated but the question is how intensive is the regulation, especially in light of ISIS terrorism and the abduction of people to harvest organs for raising money needed for their evil campaign. There are International Conventions to regulate international bioethical issues such as organ transplants but many nations have not ratified it. In regard to scholars going to business schools and being influenced by their market values, the speaker said that the Public Service Commission, of which he is a member, is now recommending scholars to other valuerelated schools. The point is that while we are a capitalistic market society, we need the soft touch a capitalism with compassion. Hence right values beyond the market value is very important to us. He gave the example that foreign investors trust us because our government honours our promises and undertakes to protect their investment interest. He also said that in the old European city civilization, the church was always at center of the city, symbolizing Christian values. Modern European cities are coming apart because the values symbolized by the churches are no longer embraced by the majority as evidenced in the empty churches and cathedrals. Rtn Dr William Wan asked about the impact of social media and the erosion of values because people are now faceless and there is no connectedness. He agreed that there is great impact. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel because Twitter is now used by many to engage others with positive messages that are value-laden. On behalf of RCRC, PP Frankie Tan thanked our guest speaker for his very interesting and engaging talk. President Corina Lai presented Mr. Richard Magnus with a small token of our appreciation. The meeting ended at 2pm. Report Courtesy of PP William Wan Weekly Meeting: The Singapore Cricket Club, Tuesday 12.45pm Page 2 of 5

3 President s Column Dear Friends, PE Sigrid, PP Koy Nam, PP Cze Hong and Elizabeth, PP Steven, Rotarians Mark, Judy, Geoffrey and Kathy, Richard and I (11 of us) are leaving for Taiwan on Wednesday 4 th March to attend the RC Taipei North East Anniversary dinner. We will be back on Sunday. I will update you with lovely photographs next week. Below is the attendance chart for your information: Corina Lai Website: Facebook: Youtube: 1) MP4 created by RC Makati North on RCRC Installation Dinner: 2) Polka Dot dancers at Weekly Meeting: The Singapore Cricket Club, Tuesday 12.45pm Page 3 of 5

4 Upcoming Speakers, Bulletin & Desk Duty Duties Month Date Speaker Bulletin Desk 10th Mr Chua Weng Foo Break out of your comfort zone Nidhi Jochen March 17th 24th Induction of 57 th RCRC member - Mr Rene Schwarzl Lee Siang Update on DAS & Cheque Ceremony William Cze Hong Russi Percy 31st Geoffrey Geoffrey April 7th 14th 21st Sat 25th 28th Mr T P Chan "Surviving Marriott bombing in Jakarta" Ms Danielle Chan "Death to Life Metamorphosis Experience" Mr Daniel Lee "From Death Row to a Dedicated Life of Service" Nidhi William Cze Hong Pany Billy David F L Lee TPJC Career Symposium & Seminar on "Stepping into the Working World" Medical Mission to Luyang Dr Kumaran "Conquering Everest with Service to the Poor along the way" Geoffrey David K T Lee Members Celebrations March 2015 Birthdays Wedding Anniversaries 1 st Rtn Brian Tan 11 th Rtn Ezaki 13 th Rtn Chris Mertz 28 th Rtn Jaya Prakash 15 th Rtn Lim Hua Min 21 st Rtn Dr William Wan 24 th PP Dr Low Cze Hong Weekly Meeting: The Singapore Cricket Club, Tuesday 12.45pm Page 4 of 5

5 Before We End Interview with 101-year-old Hattie Mae MacDonald Reporter: Can you give us some health tips for reaching the age of 101? Hattie replied: For better digestion I drink beer. In the case of appetite loss I drink white wine. For low blood pressure I drink red wine. In the case of high blood pressure I drink scotch. And when I have a cold I drink schnapps. Reporter: When do you drink water? Hattie: I've never been that sick. Weekly Meeting: The Singapore Cricket Club, Tuesday 12.45pm Page 5 of 5