Sunday, January 31, 2010

Ambassadors of Goodwill from US arrive

“Ambassadors of Goodwill”: Forging relations for peace

Chandigarh is a great place to be and so far I have not got into the crowdy streets that everyone was warning us of back home, says Lauren Clark, who works with the city authorities in Dallas looking after traffic and other civic amenities.

Lauren is part of the Rotary’s Group Study Exchange from Rotary International District 5810, Texas, USA, who is accompanied by two other working professionals, Angela Chambers, editor of a community section of “The Dallas Morning News”, Sara Skinner, a marketing expert working with banks and financial institutions.

“I am eager to look at how the newspapers and other publications work here in India”, says Angela who works on special sections that cater to human interest stories of the large community. Though online media is cutting into the circulation of print media, there is no substitute to holding a newspaper and reading it at leisure, she adds.
Sara, however, keen to learn the saving and spending patterns of Indians and whether they use credit cards or prefer cash while spending.

Rtn. Mike Pugh, who is a Rotarian and an IT professional consulting various companies, commends India’s contribution to the IT world and looks forward to meeting with fellow professionals here in IT companies to learn more about their work and share his experience.

Rtn Mike Pugh, who has earlier been a leader of similar GSE team to Thailand several years back, said that there is nothing like forging links with people of different countries, living with them and understanding their culture, which becomes possible through this programme. Peace in the world is possible through person-to-person exchange which this programme of Rotary makes it possible, Mike added.

District Governor of Rotary International District 3080, Rtn Chetan Aggarwal, informed that the GSE members are being hosted by the Rotarian families in their homes and would be visiting various cities including Amritsar, Anandpur Saheb, Shimla, Paonta Saheb, Nahan, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Panipat, Yamunanagar, Chandigarh and Mohali.

Rtn. Dr. B.S. Chandok, District Chair, GSE Hosting, along with other Rotarians have made extensive arrangement to make their visit fruitful and enjoyable.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Register Today!

The last date for early bird Registration Charges for District Conference closes tomorrow. So kindly hurry and register yourself for this grand Rotary event today.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

An Evening of Celebrations

District 3080 invites you to an evening of celebrations to felicitate Rotary International Directors Nominee Yash Pal Das and Shekhar Mehta.

The function is being hosted by Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown in the auditorium of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), Sector 67, Mohali, on Saturday, Februaryn 6, 2010 at 3:45pm onwards.

Registration Fee is Rs.300 for single and Rs.500 for the couple.

Please join with your spouse and confirm your participation by sending an email now to Registration Chair Rtn PP Inderjit Sengupta, in.seng@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Early Birds Get the ...

The Rotary year's major annual event, District Conference is scheduled for February 20-21 at Panjab University's Law Auditorium. The two-days event shall feature some of the best non-Rotarian speakers with special programme for the ladies, and evening cultural at the Rock Garden over gala dinner.
Avail the Early Bird Registration of Rs.1200 single, and Rs.2300 couple. Sign up maximum Rotarians from your club, immediately to avail this offer.
A must for every Rotarian family.

Congrats to Delegation of Chandigarh Central to Thailand

A group of 14 Rotarians along with their spouses from Rotary Club of Chandigarh Central are visiting Thailand on a four-day visit beginning 21st January.

Rtn. H.S. Saggu, President of the Club who is also the leader of the delegation, informed that a joint meeting of the Chandigarh Central shall be held with the Rotary Club of Pattaya Marina on 22nd January.

I congratulate Pres Saggu and Chandigarh Central for taking up the initiative and reaching out to the Clubs not only within our zone having held a joint meeting with Rotary Panchkula last week, but even outside India which would forge more stronger relationships with the Rotarians across the globe.

The Club would be showcasing its various community service projects including a vocational training and computer centre as well as a dispensary being run in village Kishangarh, an immunization centre in Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32, rain water harvesting project at SOREM, and various other literacy initiatives.

Both the clubs intend to join in some joint service project besides organizing family and youth exchange programme.

Keep it up.

Register for District Conference

The exciting annual event for every Rotarian, Rotary District Conference of our District 3080, is round the corner now.
Having been shifted to Chandigarh from Haridwar, the preparations are at full swing under the leadership of our DG Chetan Aggarwal with the help of the host club of Rotary Chandigarh Central.
It is time that we keep ourselves updated with the newer developments in Rotary, meet with the Rotary International President's Representative PRID Sushil Gupta, and get touched with the inspirational addresses some of the celebrity speakers which are featured in this conference.
On 19th February we have the pre-Conference Dinner with a musical performance and the registration charges for the same is just Rs.250 per person. Please inform your participation to the Conference Secretariat immediately so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
The Registration for the Conference has been extended upto 31st January at Rs.1200 (single) and Rs.2300 (couple). Please avail this early-bird opportunity and register. The new members with their spouses must attend this event in order to have an overview of the Rotary's work.

Upto 31st January Single Rs 1,200- Couple Rs 2,300-
Upto 14th February Single Rs 1,400- Couple Rs 2,600-
Spot February Single Rs 1,500- Couple Rs 2,700- (Without Kit)

Special programme is being chalked out for the ladies attending the Conference.

The registrations may be sent by cheques /drafts drawn in favour of "Rotary District Conference 2010" along with names of delegates, club & classification details may be sent to following address:
PP Rtn RD Singh
RC Chandigarh Central,
C/O New Public School
Sector 18-B
Chandigarh-160 018
Tel 098146 48480 Fax 0172- 4628480
e-mail riar@npschd.com

You can also transfer the registration fee through Central Bank of India, for which the details are given below.

CBIN 0280412 for
Central Bank of India,
Sector 18-C,
Chandigarh
Account -Rotary District Conference 2010 S.B. A/c No 4058

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

RI Theme 2010-11 is here

Ray Klinginsmith, the incoming Rotary International President, unveiled the Rotary Theme for 2010-11 at the International Assembly today.
The Rotarians worldwide will be working to "Building Communities: Bridging Continents" in true Rotary spirit of creating a better world.
Ray Klinginsmith said: "Rotary is the best in the world at linking people of goodwill around the globe and then gaining their cooperation and support to make the world a much better place to live and work."
No wonder, the Rotary world has been working to assure "The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands", and it is Your Hands that would help link the communities and build bridges of understanding and goodwill through continued humanitarian work across every continent.
You can download the new theme graphics here.
CJ

Friday, January 15, 2010

The Rotary Themes

Yesterday, our incoming District leader, DGE Madhukar Malhotra and Neeru left for the International Assembly for their training. Two most essential aspects of this event is that there is a lot of hard work and reading that the DGE need to know, and, very importantly, will receive the new RI theme for the next year from the incoming Rotary International leader, Ray Klinginsmith.

The tradition of crafting a theme is credited to 1949-50 RI President Percy C. Hodgson, who outlined a list of four objectives for his term in office. Among them were the better application of the principles of vocational service and dedication to world understanding and peace through international service programs.

Though Hodgson's 83-word proclamation ran substantially longer than today's shorter, punchier themes, Rotarians' desire to celebrate and support their president's annual program of service has remained the same. Other early themes include Rotary Is Hope in Action (Joaquin Serratosa Cibils, 1953-54), Kindle the Spark Within (Nitish C. Laharry, 1962-63), and Good Will Begins with You (Ernst G. Breitholtz, 1971-72).

In the decades that followed, RI presidents introduced theme logos, lapel pins, ties, and scarves. Theme ties were introduced in the 1990s, and are now given out yearly. Many have incorporated the theme for the year. The first scarves showing the RI theme were designed by 1998-99 RI President James L. Lacy and his wife, Claudine, Follow Your Rotary Dream.

A list of past presidents and RI themes can be found in the Official Directory and the District Directory. CJ

Saturday, January 9, 2010

PolioPlus

Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign To Reach 7 Million Children
The campaign to eradicate from our country continues. And thanks to the resilience of Rotarians like you. Tomorrow again, another shot on polio is necessary. I am sure you have made plans to reach out to the people so that every child under 5 years of age receives the polio drop. Fan out. Check every child's hands for the marking. If it is not there, make sure that you rush the child to the nearest booth.
Let's share your experiences. I shall look forward to hearing from you. CJ

Friday, January 8, 2010

District Conference in Chandigarh

The District Conference earlier scheduled in Haridwar has now been shifted to Chandigarh due to unavoidable circumstances resulting from the impending Kumbh mela in the city.
The dates remain the same, and other details shall follow. We shall expect the Club leaders and members in Rotary Zone 3 to make special efforts to make it a grand success. CJ

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Happy New Year & New Decade

2010 marks the advent of another new Decade...a decade that is going to be as remarkable and memorable as you want it to be.
On the other hand, in our current Rotary year, we have reached the midway of the year and it is time to make a quick review of our commitments vs accomplishments, and what that we still need to achieve within the available time.
Whether it is bringing in new members, or forming a Rotaract or an Interact Club or an RCC, or undertaking a major community service project...you have the time to put it into gear. Wishing you all the best. CJ