President s Message Fellow Rotarians, Rotary Club of Raffles City Singapore District 3310 Chartered 13 August 1980 Rotary International Calendar: April Maternal and Child Health Month Week of 24 th of April 2016 We just got back from the District Conference in Chiang Mai! My heartfelt thanks to our RCRC delegation, Charter President Low Siew Joon, AG Dr. Low Cze Hong and spouse Elizabeth, PP Jeffrey Chan and spouse Susan, and PP Vincent Chen, for taking part in this important District event. The conference was very well attended with 520 participants. A lot of work went into the conference, and a shout out to the organizing committee who prepared a very informative program for Rotarians and a fun-filled itinerary for the spouses. I personally had an enjoyable time learning new things and spending time with fellow Rotarians from across the world. Congratulations to District Governor Nominee Datuk Lee Cheun Wan, who was confirmed to be the District Governor in 2017-2018. During the conference, our club was conferred the following awards: (1) Best Interact Club Project - Tampines Junior College, (2) Best Rotaract Club Project - Ngee Ann Polytechnic & Raffles City, (3) Best of Family of Rotary Program (Gold) and (4) Vocational Service Leadership Award Rotarian (RTN) Tengku Sri Indra. While we do what we do without any expectation of any award, this recognition is special as it underscores that service remains the core foundation of our club. I would like to congratulate all RCRC members and spouses, Rotaractors and Interactors. I would also like to acknowledge: (1) our hardworking Projects Director Ron Pereira who has been a driving force of our community and vocational service projects throughout the years; (2) the effervescent RTN Tengku Sri Indra for his unwavering dedication to all our vocational service projects. Tengku has been an inspirational mentor, advisor and friend to many of us, and I am so impressed by all the wonderful work he has done to prepare our youth as they enter the workforce; and lastly, (3) our ever-reliable Youth Service Director RTN Brian Tan, who has been a guiding light and a huge advocate of our Rotaractors and Interactors. - Sigrid G. Zialcita Page 1 of 13
RCRC Lunch Meeting 26 th of April RTN Geoff Hogg At 12.45, President Sigrid opened a quite well attended meeting with around 15 members and 4 guests. It fell upon PP David Ong to welcome the guests. Visiting us from the Rotary Club of West Yokohama, we had Hugh and Miki Kieu. From the Rotary Club of Avivtek Afeka Israel we had Eli Doron, along with Toh Weng Cheong of Rotary Club of Changi, together with President Dennis Carroll, also from the Rotary Club of Changi as well as being our guest speaker for the day. This was followed by Rotarian (RTN) Chris Mertz who proposed the toast to RI. The floor was then turned over to PP Aaron Tan who took over the proceedings enabling President Sigrid to leave early for another engagement. Our Rotarian visitors were welcomed to the podium to provide brief introductions of their clubs in Israel and Japan. Meanwhile, the rest continued enjoying their lunch which included Indonesian gado, chicken curry with egg and potatoes, sweet and sour fish, stir fried broccoli with braised mushroom, vegetarian fried rice, followed by fresh fruits and mango pudding. PP Jeffrey Chan then provided us all with a brief introduction to our Speaker, Mr. Dennis Carroll. Born in Gibraltar, he graduated from the Royal Naval College there in 1973 and held various positions at HM Naval Base until its privatisation in 1984. During the period 1984-85 he underwent commercial marine management training, including sea time with BP Shipping and ship repair project management with Keppel Shipyard in Singapore. Upon completion he return to Gibraltar to take up a management appointment at the new Gibrepair Ltd facilities. During the period 1985-94 he held various positions including Project Manager, Production Manager and Purchasing Manager. In the later period the company was bought out by the Kvaerner Group of Norway. In 1994 he moved to Singapore and took up the appointment of Procurement Manager at Kvaerner Fjellstrand (S) Pte Ltd. In 1998 he became its Senior Rotarian Hugh Kieu giving an overview of the Rotary Club of Yokohama. PP Jeffrey Chan introducing guest speaker, President Dennis Carroll. Page 2 of 13
RCRC Lunch Meeting 26 th of April (Cont.) RTN Geoff Hogg Operations Manager. Following the takeover the Dutch Damen Shipyards Group in 2000, he was eventually appointed Managing Director a position he held until 2009. He remained a member of the board of directors of Damen Shipyards Singapore until May 2010. During his career, Dennis has served as a council member of the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI), a committee member of the Classification Society Bureau Veritas South East Asian Technical Committee and also on the Marine Industries Committee of the Singapore Workplace Safety & Health Council. He retired in April 2015 after 50 years in the marine industry. Dennis talked about his birthplace Gibraltar a tiny rock at the southern tip of Spain, formed more than 5 million years ago when continental Europe separated from Africa. First inhabited by Neanderthals some 25,000 years ago, it has been occupied over the ages by Phoenicians in 950 BC then Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and Vandals. Then in 711AD, it fell victim to the Islamic Conquest until rescued by the Castilians in the 15C. In 1704, during the Spanish War of Succession, it was captured by an Anglo Dutch force. The territory was subsequently ceded to Britain "in perpetuity" under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. During World War II it was an important base for the Royal Navy as it controlled the entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea, which is only eight miles (13 km) wide at this point. Today, Gibraltar's economy is based largely on tourism, online gambling, financial services, and shipping. Officially Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. Being located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean it has an area of only some 7 sq. km (2.6 sq. mi) and shares its northern border with the Province of Cádiz in Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region. At its foot is a densely populated city area, home to over 30,000 Gibraltarians and even has its own international airport. Dennis then treated us all to a short tourist video further explaining the territory and featuring the Gibraltarian Miss World to add some spice. There were numerous questions from a most engaged audience and some comparison were even drawn with Singapore. However, with 2pm nearing RTN Geoff Hogg stepped forward to thank President Dennis for his most informative talk. PP Aaron then closed the meeting after presenting President Dennis with a small token of appreciation. RTN Geoff Hogg (right) presented a gift to President Dennis Carroll (left) who spoke on Gibraltar during RCRC lunch meeting on the 26 th of April. Page 3 of 13
25 th District 3310 Conference 29 April to 1 May Convened by District 3310 Governor (DG) Philip Chong and hosted by the Rotary Club of Likas Bay, the 25 th District Conference was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand on the 29 th of April to 1 st of May. There were over 500 delegates from various countries and included distinguished guests and luminaries: Past District Governor (PDG) and Rotary International Representative Ed Tumangan, IPDG Andre Suharto, PDG Philbert Chin, PDG Chris Chen, PDG Chew Ghim Bok, PDG Datuk Zainei Abdul Aucasa, PDG R. T. Arasu, PDG Kega Chi Jea Yao, DG-Elect Michael Yee and DG Nominee Datuk Lee Cheun Wan. Incoming AG RCRC Past President Jeffrey Chan ran the strategic planning workshop. ROTARY S GUIDING PRINCIPLES The Four Way Test Object of Rotary In 1932, Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor created The Four-Way Test. The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions: 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 FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster: FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian s occupation as an opportunity to serve society; THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian s personal, business, and community life; FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. Page 4 of 13
25 th District 3310 Conference Highlights 29 April to 1 May Day 1 Visit to Elephant Camp, Orchid & Butterfly Farm, and Silk Factory and Welcome Dinner Page 5 of 13
25 th District 3310 Conference Highlights 29 April to 1 May Day 2 Conference and Governor s Banquet Page 6 of 13
25 th District 3310 Conference Highlights 29 April to 1 May Day 2 and 3 Conference and Governor s Banquet, Closing Ceremony Page 7 of 13
Thank You Message from Rotary Club of Nagoya Meihoku President Masayuki Kato Dear President Sigrid Zialcita and the Rotary Club of Raffles City, Hello. After the cherry blossoms in Nagoya were in full bloom, the season of fresh greens has begun. The scenery around us has now turned from pink to green. Thank you very much for attending the joint friendship meeting on April 6 th. All the members of the Nagoya Meihoku Rotary Club were very happy to meet you again after 9 years. I think that the meeting was a huge success. President Masayuki Kato-san with President Sigrid Zialcita during the joint friendship dinner meeting in Nagoya, Japan. You gave us the greatest joy by spending time and drinking together with Rotarians that have same ambitions. I hope that everybody from the Rotary Club of Raffle City had a great time. The speeches by President Sigrid Zialcita and Mr. Jeffery Chan inspired us very much. I was impressed with and respected your club s various community services. Our club will support and help our community more in the future. We came together in the year where both of Joint Friendship Dinner Meeting of Rotary Club of clubs celebrated their special 35th Raffles City and Nagoya Meihoku in Nagoya, Japan. anniversary. As your sister club, the Rotary Club of Nagoya Meihoku is always looking forward to sharing more time together in the future. Lastly, I hope that your club will continue to grow into the future. Respectfully, Masayuki Kato President 2015-2016 Page 8 of 13
Upcoming Events Month Date Time Event 10 12:45 RTN Eddie Chng - The Boom and Burst of the Financial Sector and How Hedge Funds Affect the Real World May 17 12:45 NO LUNCH MEETING 21 17:00 Inter-City Dinner Meeting 24 12:45 Dr. Tor Lam Huat 31 12:45 TBD 7 12:45 Song Seng Wun, CIMB Private Banking June 14 12:45 Desmond Moey, Social Impact of SG Musicals 21 12:45 Vivian Liew, Philanthropy Works 28 12:45 NO LUNCH MEETING SAVE THE DATE: Intercity Meet with RI President K.R. Ravindran 21 st of May, 17:00 pm Venue: Shangri-La Hotel Contact: Pres. Sigrid Zialcita Visit to Thong Keng 29th of May 2016 Contact: RTN Brian Tan RI Convention 28 th of May 1 st of June 2016 Seoul, Korea Contact: RTN Luis Coronado RC of Hong Kong Peninsula Ruby Gala Dinner 16 th 19 th of June 2016 JW Marriott Pacific Place, Hong Kong Contact: RTN Stanley Yap RCRC Handover/Installation Ceremony 27th of June 2016 Venue: TBD Contact: PP Dr. T.C. Phua RCRC Charity Gala Dinner 13th of August 2016 Marina Mandarin Page 9 of 13
Upcoming Events Page 10 of 13
Birthdays, Wedding Anniversaries, etc. BIRTHDAY April 25 April 28 RTN Dr. Singh Sorinder PP Ron Pereira WEDDING ANNIVERSARY None INVITATION FROM ROTARY CLUB OF PENINSULA Page 11 of 13
The Week of 24 th of April in Pictures President Sigrid exchanged banners with Rotarians Hugh and Miki Kieu of the Rotary Club of Yokohama (left) and Eli Doron of the Rotary Club of Avivtek Afeka Israel (right) during RCRC lunch meeting on the 26 th of April. (Top) Fellowship during the RCRC lunch meeting held on the 26 th of April. (Right) Vocational Service Director Tengku Sri Indra receiving a banner from Rotary Club of Ampang Kuala Lumpur from Incoming President Mr. Thiru (center) on the 28 th of April. The club has requested Tengku to talk to them on Vocational Service in the upcoming Rotary Year as their Club does not have a Vocational Service function. Page 12 of 13
2015-2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (Left to Right) Judy Tan (Public Relations), Mohan Pillay (Sgt. at Arms), Aaron Tan (Vice-President), Florian Weidinger (Hon. Secretary), Kaka Singh (Hon. Treasurer), T.C. Phua (Club Service), Brian Tan (Youth Service), Jeffrey Chan (Asst. Secretary), Jochen Krauss (Community Service), Sigrid Zialcita (President), Ron Pereira (Projects Director), Corina Lai (IPP), Nidhi Swarup (President-Elect), Johnson Tan (International Service), Wee Koon San (Sgt. at Arms), Tengku Sri Indra (Vocational Service), Chris Mertz (Sgt. at Arms), David Ong Choon (Membership), Eugene Lim. (Family of Rotary/Sports Convenor). (Not in Picture) Vincent Chen (Rotary Foundation) 2015-2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS RCRC Past Presidents 1980 to 2015 (Left to right) Charter President Low Siew Joon, Charter Member Chris Mertz, PDG Philbert Chin, Charter Member PP David Lee Fong Lit Page 13 of 13