October 3, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_10032013

Kudos RC San Juan for a very successful hosting of Rotary Academy 101 held last September 28 at the Camelot Hotel. It was a well attended event meant for the Marikina and San Juan Zones (also known as Cluster 2). A total of 111 relatively new Rotarians (less than 2-years in Rotary) attended to get their dose of Rotary Information that will speed up their Rotarization. Recognition goes to AG Gina Sanchez and PE Rose Caoc who did most of the preparations, as well as members who had speaking parts during the program namely Pres. Therese Montecer, Rtn. Gigi Rodriguez, AG Gina Sanchez, and PP Pol Leoncio.

The Camelot Hotel of FDG Benny Pe has made its mark as an alternative venue for small District events. Incidentally, our FDG has been diligently preparing these past two weeks for his role as Day Chairman for today’s meeting.

Let us welcome our speaker Mr. Bob Noriega, former Asst. Coach of the UP Fighting Maroons who will give us an insider’s view of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball Tournament. Welcome to RC San Juan Coach Bob Noriega.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

September 19, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_09192013

What a Rotary filled week it was from Sep. 9 to the 16^th. Outlined below are the various Club and Club related activities and meetings that transpired during said week.

Sep. 9 – IPP Jojo Bacarro and I attended the 3 pm meeting in Club Filipino for the coming Interact Assembly.

Sep. 11 – PE Rose Caoc, FDG Benny Pe, PN Jay Penaflor, Rtn Gigi Rodriguez and I met at the Club Filipino (10:30am) to discuss final preparations for the Financial Literacy Seminar project on Saturday 

Sep 14. Pres. Therese and AG Gina Sanchez attended the 5pm meeting at the Gloria Maris Restaurant to discuss the Rotary Academy 101.

Sep. 12 – was our regular weekly meeting with Mr. Ramir K. Libre as guest speaker. Rtn Jay Penaflor was also elected to be our club’s President Nominee – his term starts right after PE Rose Caoc.

Sep. 13 – I attended the BLT Monitoring meeting in the San Juan Elementary School together with the delegation from the Jollibee Foundation.

Sep. 14 – was the big day of our Financial Literacy Seminar project held from 8am to 5pm at the Camelot Hotel. Several members pitched-in to make this a successful project. Special mention goes to the following members: Service Director (FDG) Benny Pe for spearheading this project, PN Jay Penaflor who invited corporate sponsors and was also a speaker, Rtn Gigi Rodriguez who was master of ceremonies, AG Gina for inviting the Global Presidents and PP Doray for bringing in several patrons.

Sep. 15 – Pres. Therese attended the welcome dinner hosted by our District for Japanese Rotarians from District 2770 at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Our guests from RC Satte, Japan donated USD 1,800+ to install CCTV cameras in SJNHS.

Sep. 16 – we met with the same Japanese Rotarians for lunch at the Hai Kang Restaurant in Wilson St. After lunch we took them to the San Juan National High School and show them where the CCTV Camera’s would be installed. A courtesy call to Mayor Guia Gomez followed before they were brought by our rented van to their respective hotels (in Manila).

Next, our club will be Co-Host with our sister-club RC Marikina for the Rotary Academy 101 on Sep. 28. This will be held at the Camelot Hotel. And lastly, our Club will host the Second District Mass Induction of new members on November 16 (venue to be announced).

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec/PP Jovie

September 12, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_09122013

This observer has noticed that on two occasions, a female member have expressed their feeling of jealousy. The first was manifested by PP Doray Giorla when FDG Benny Pe escorted our guest speaker FCP Nikki de Vega to her place at the presidential table two meeting days ago. The next happened last week when PP Tito Villaroman of RC Downtown SJ introduced the lady branch manager of MetroBank to our club as a potential new member – this drew dagger eyes from FCP Therese Montecer. I think we better consider other ‘classifications’ except bankers for now.

This Saturday is a big day for our club as we conduct our whole day Financial Literacy Seminar at the Camelot Hotel. Preparations are underway and the organizing team feels that ‘we’ve got all bases covered.’ Everyone is enjoined to attend the seminar and bring at least one more participant. We will also start reminding sister club (RC Marikina) and the Global Presidents about their commitments.

Our Club has also been designated to sponsor the Rotary Academy 101 on September 28, 2013 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Valle Verde Country Club. This event will be for the San Juan and Marikina ‘Cluster.’

The next event assigned to our club is the 2^nd District Mass Induction on November 16, 2013 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino. This early, Baby Rotarian Gigi Rodriguez is being eyed to have a major role in our preparations for this event because of her expertise in events planning.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

PP/Sec. Jovie 

September 5, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_09052013

Last Thursday was a very long “Rotary Day.” Our regular noontime weekly meeting featured Fr. Edgardo Dumaual as guest speaker. After Fr. Ed, we listened to Mr. Dante Diamante speak about the Plastic-to-Oil Recycling Machine. He represents the Japanese manufacturer. We have come to know about this marvellous invention when PP Jimmy Ortigas shared the video in our Egroup. The thread of emails received several favourable comments from our members. As such, we sought to invite the local distributor to enlighten us about a possible Environmental Literacy Project if our club would get our hands on the ‘demo’ unit and use this to educate school children about the benefits of recycling plastic into oil.

After our meeting, IPP Jojo Bacarro and I picked up sacks of bread donated by Mr. Rizalino Chua the brother-in-law of FDG Benny Pe and in turn donated these to San Juan’s Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Next, we motored through the normal rush hour traffic to the Marikina Rotary Center at 7:00pm where we attended the weekly meeting of RC Marikina and witnessed the signing of the Sister-Club Agreement between our clubs. Several members were able to observe how our sister club conducts its meeting and also listened to FDG Benny Pe pitch our seminar project on September 14.

Attending the meeting of RC Marikina – an all male club, brought nostalgic feelings of when I was a ‘baby’ Rotarian in the early 80’s and our club was still all male. Our spouses were called Rotary Anns and male testosterone was at its highest during Rotary meetings. In addition, similar to RC Marikina, our club also had a ‘club house’ at the mezzanine of the Padilla Arcade (atop a popular watering hole in Greenhills, San Mig Pub). Those were the good old days, and I remember our departed fellow Rotarians well and how their attitude towards Rotary have moulded how I regard Rotary today.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

August 29, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_08292013

Last week’s guest speaker was FCP Atty. Nikki De Vega who spoke on the legalities of franchising your business. She is the ‘classmate’ of FCP Therese Montecer.

PP Doray Giorla said that she felt jealous when FDG Benny escorted FCP Nikki to the Presidential table from where she was seated before the start of the program.

The second month in the term of Pres. Therese is almost done except for the Mass Induction of New Members on Saturday, Aug. 31 that will be held at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino. Registration starts at 1:00pm. Our new members Nani Madrasto, Gigi Rodriguez, Sam Alleje, and Cef (Jun) Bata are expected to attend the Mass Induction. Other members are requested to show their support for our new inductees by their presence in this District affair.

Our trip to RC Marikina was postponed last Thursday evening because the City of Marikina was still under state of calamity due to flooding caused by several days of torrential monsoon rains brought about by Typhoon Maring. We hope the situation in Marikina has improved so we can visit their club (this evening) and sign the Sister-Club Agreement.

Our September 14 Financial Literacy Seminar is getting closer and each of us are required to invite at least one person to attend this seminar project. Let us work to make this a successful project.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie 

August 22, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_08222013

I hope all is well after the torrential rains that befell Metro Manila and adjacent provinces in the past days.

A 14-man delegation from the Rotary Club of Marikina visited our club and joined our meeting last week as a gesture or expression of desire to enter into a Sister-Club Relations with our club. Today (Aug. 22) we will reciprocate by forming our own delegation and attend the meeting of RC Marikina at 6:00pm this evening at the Rotary Center in Marikina. The Sister-Club Agreement has been drafted by our Honorary Member PP Ver Farcon and will be signed this evening.

Donations of relief goods (food, clothing, medicines) for flood victims are being solicited from members of our club. Kindly inform President Therese and we will arrange for the pick-up and delivery of donated items.

New Rotarians namely, Nani Madrastom Gigi Rodriguez, Sam Alleje, and Cef (Jun) Bata are requested to attend the District Mass Induction on August 31, 2013 at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino. Registration starts at 12:30pm.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie Sison 

August 15, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_08152013

Rtn. Gigi Rodriguez delivered her Classification Talk last week. As Executive Vice President and Business Development for AGR Xperts Corporation, what Gigi does is: direct, manage, develop marketing strategies and alliances to grow the network and projects related to the production and communication such as but not limited to Audio Visual Presentation, Event Documentaries, Event Management, Infomercials, TV commercials, Radio commercials, Electronic Billboard Ads, Social Events, Sports Marketing Shows.

Given her credentials, the Club is looking at asking Rtn. Gigi to assist in our hosting of the following District Rotary Events: (1) The September 28 Rotary Academy 101, (2) The Mass Induction of new members on October 12. 

Last Saturday August 10, several members were present at the Zone Interact Assembly at the San Juan National High School and the Blood Letting Project at the San Juan Gymnasium. The Blood Letting Project was done in partnership with the Red Cross San Juan Chapter.

FCP Therese will again be absent for today’s meeting and has informed VP Noni Topacio beforehand.

We are currently campaigning our forthcoming September 14 Financial Literacy Seminar. Our Club has resolved to do an “Each One Bring One” strategy where each member will be responsible for bringing at least one (paying) person to our seminar. With this strategy we hope to reach the target of at least 100 persons in our seminar. 

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

August 8, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_08082013

Since President Therese was absent at last week’s meeting, VP/PP Noni Topacio presided over the meeting and also took over the chores as Day Chairman in the absence of IPP Jojo Bacarro. We did not have a speaker for that day, so most of the meeting was spent discussing the preparations for the September 14 Seminar Project.

Thanks to FDG Benny Pe for inviting former member Tom Caro to join us last week. ‘Old timers’ were happy to receive him and reminisced funny moments like when Tom caused then District Governor Tino Cacanindin to walkout during our Governor’s visit. We were so tempted to induct Tom back to our club and renew his membership but decided to postpone this for another day and wait till Pres. Therese gets back. Tom promised to attend our future meetings.

Rtn. Jay Penaflor reported that he was able to get two (2) corporate sponsors for our Seminar Project. Said sponsors will bring in Php 10 thousand each that will help defray expenses for this project. Honorary member PP Ver Farcon reported that at least ten (10) persons from RC Marikina will be attending the seminar. Add to this the committed sixty (60) attendees from the Global Presidents Group, we are almost near the target 100 participants that will make our seminar a rousing success.

Today, PP Jimmy Ortigas will be pitching our seminar during the meeting of RC Pasig, while FDG Benny Pe is scheduled to speak at the meeting of RC San Juan-North on August 29.

We are scheduled to launch the Busog, Lusog, Talino Feeding Program in our second school, the San Juan Elementary School on Tuesday August 13. You are all welcome to join Pres. Therese in this event.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

Photos Taken During the August 10 Interact Zone 7 Assembly and Bloodletting Project

Photos Taken During the August 8 Regular Weekly Meeting

Photos Taken During the August 5 BLT Pre-Launch at San Juan Elementary School

August 1, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_08012013

The month of July is now behind us. Pres. Therese Montecer’s first month was a productive one. We Inducted four (4) new members namely: Nanie Madrasto, Gigi Rodriguez, Sam Alleje, and Cef (Jun) Bata. We only need one more to complete our commitment of five (5) new members for this Rotary Year. We have also raised USD 7,500 for the TRF and received pledges to complete our target USD 12,000 in Total TRF contributions. We have launched the second year of the Busog, Lusog, Talino Feeding Program at the Pinaglabanan Elementary School and initiated the BLT program with a second school, the San Juan Elementary School. Our WOW City Harvest Project is on-going for this Rotary Year while we have completed the CLE.  

With said accomplishments, District Governor Louie Ticman and his staff were pleased with our Club as conveyed during the Governor’s Visit last July 25 and the Governor’s speech at our Club Induction.

On the evening of July 25, our Officer’s and Director’s Induction was well attended – with meaningful representation from the following groups: Past District Governors and their spouses, First Class Presidents, Peace Builder Presidents, Visionary Presidents, and our partners in service, The Rotaract of PSBA Volunteers and the Interact of San Juan National High School.

For August, we will be requesting our new members to render their Classification Talks in meeting days when we do not have a guest speaker. We can also tap into the District’s Speaker’s Bureau for Rotary Information that will be aimed at educating our new members on the ways of Rotary.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie 

July 18, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_07182013

Welcome to the Club Mesdames Nonie Madrasto and Gigi Rodriguez!

Last week we inducted Nonie and Gigi according to the club’s commitment of recruiting 5 new members this Rotary Year. We have also lined-up Ms. Sam Allege for her induction but work kept her from joining our meeting last week. Sam is the granddaughter of the late PP Ed Allege. Another candidate for membership is being referred to our club by PP Rick Yu of RC Valenzuela is Mr. Ceferino Bata, Jr. Jun needs to attend two more meetings before he can be inducted.

What a good start for the term of Pres. Therese. I’m sure our District Governor will be pleased to hear of these developments during our Governor’s Visit next Thursday.

We have finally received the flyer design for our October 12 financial literacy project. Said flyer is awaiting comments from FDG Benny Pe.

Last Monday (July 15) Pres. Therese, IPP Jojo Bacarro, PP Pol Leoncio and I attended the launch of our year-long Busog, Lusog, Talino feeding program in the Pinaglabanan Elementary School. This project is in partnership with the Jollibee Foundation.

Here’s an online Link to help you catch up with the club’s activities:

http://rotarysanjuan3800.blogspot.com/

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

July 11, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_07112013

The re-scheduled Induction of new members happens today! We hope the inductees show up. They are Nani Madrasto, Gigi Rodriguez, and Sam Alleje. AG Gina Sanchez will again set-up her materials for ‘Charging’ the candidates for membership.

PE Rose Caoc will also submit to AG Rueben Jarvina a hard-copy of our Club’s 2013-14 Plans and Programs as required for our coming Governor’s Visit on July 25. We hope all members have had their new uniforms made already.

Momentum is underway in our campaign to get at least 100 attendees for our October 12 Financial Literacy Seminar. We have made our ‘sales pitch’ last week in the presence of visiting Rotarians PDG Jun  Farcon, CP Manny Reyes, and PP Rick Yu in the hope that they will help us endorse our seminar to fellow members in their respective Rotary Clubs.

Thank you Pres Tehrese Montecer and Papa Ver Farcon for last week’s birthday blow-out.

IPP Jojo Bacarro and I attended to the Wow City Harvest Project last Thursday where we picked-up bread and frozen meat from FDG Benny Pe’s residence and delivered the bread to the DSWD of San Juan City. The meats were temporarily stored in San Juan City Mayor’s freezer.

Wanted Sponsors! Our Weekly Pinaglabanan Bulletin is still “nude” and needs a cover. We need advertisers (sponsors) to defray cost of printing one-year’s supply of bulletin covers. Please help.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

July 4, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_07042013

Happy New Rotary Year to everyone!

Happy Birthday to our Honorary Members, PP Ver Farcon (July 4), and belated birthday greetings to Pres. Therese Montecer (July 2)

We welcome President Therese Montecer as our ‘First Class President’ as we endeavour to ‘Engage Rotary, Change Lives’ for RY 2013-14. We also welcome to the Club our new members who will be inducted today.

Our course for this Rotary Year is set. We only have to carry out the plans and see the projects through.

Let us support Pres. Therese and our Club as we continue with our mission of doing good in the communities we serve.

Please take note of these important dates:

July 25 -                RCSJ Governor’s Visit and Club Induction

                                4:00pm – Governor’s Visit

                                6:00pm – Club Induction at Gabaldon Room

                                Attire: Club Uniform for RY 2013-14

October 12 -       Fund Raising Seminar on Alternative Investments

                                9:00am to 5:00pm, Camelot Hotel

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

June 27, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_06272013

For today’s Recognition Day, President Jojo Bacarro will cite members who have worked and supported our projects during his term as President. I also heard District Governor Lirio Sandoval and Assistant Governor Sam Alvarado will be present. Bring out the Scotch! This promises to be a good send-off to Rotary Year 2012-13 as we welcome the new Rotary Year with PE Therese Montecer who is ready, able, and willing to take on the helm of the Club through a course that has already been charted by way of a Strategic Planning Session where we laid out the Club’s Plans and Objectives for the next three (3) years. The Plans and Programs for RY 2013-14 were presented and discussed during our Club Assembly last week with incoming AG Reuben Jarvina in attendance.

Weather forecast for the next Rotary Year is bright and sunny and the seas calm. As such, President Therese will steer the Club through smooth waters with no unforeseen disturbance. 

Today, our Club also celebrates our 43^rd Charter Anniversary. With the Club’s resolve to Work for our Cause and not for Applause (awards), these 43 year old legs will have a new spring in our step. We will scale new heights in Rotary’s universe in a manner bereft of controversy or conflict with R.I. and District 3800.

At this point I would like to personally thank President Jojo Bacarro for his invaluable service to our club, our district and our community. It was a pleasure carrying out my assignment as Secretary. You are a delightful person to work with and work for. May you find as much fulfilment in what we have accomplished for our Club this year the same way I have? Mabuhay ka President Jojo!

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

Open Letter to R.I. President Nominee Gary Huang

May 19, 2013

 

RI President Nominee Gary Huang

Rotary International

Evanston, Illinois

 

Dear President Gary,

 

Greetings!

 

This has reference to the speech you delivered during the 2013 World Peace Forum in Hiroshima, Japan on May 17-18, 2013, attended by some 2,700 Rotarians from 52 countries.

 

I would like to believe that you made your speech in the best interest of world peace. However, it is disheartening to note that in your desire to show to the international audience that an immediate resolution of the on-going Taiwan-Philippine territorial dispute would contribute to world peace, you have taken sides in the political dispute and have touched on sensitive political issues involving the relationship between two independent states, which is no longer within the purview of Rotary. I wish to draw attention to the following statements in your speech:

 

 

     a.  "This cold-blood killer is covered by the Philippine Government"

     b.  "We discontinued all the treaties and relationship at the current status

           with the Philippine Government"

     c.  "We are ready for battle"

 

 

 

 

Urging the representatives from 52 countries to pass a resolution encouraging Philippine President Benigno Aquino to "resolve the situation as soon as possible and to control the violence that is happening in their country" is, I believe, using a Rotary forum for political purposes. Asking the 52 delegations to "do something when you return to your country," is encouraging them to become political organizations to take sides in favor of Taiwan.

 

 

 

 

Mr President, you may have overlooked the fact that your actions are no longer in conformity with the provisions of the RI Manual of Procedure on Rotary and Politics (page 24) which states that RI and its member clubs must refrain from issuing political statements, and that Rotarians are prohibited from adopting statements with a view to exerting any corporate pressure on governments and political authorities.

 

 

 

I agree with you that we must all work for peace. I would like to assure you that the Filipinos are peace-loving people and are responsible members of the international community. I am sure that the Philippine Government will resolve this political issue in accordance with accepted diplomatic procedures.

 

 

 

 

 

Yours in Rotary

 

 

 

 

Signed

 

Ismael Z Villareal

Past District Governor

D-3830

June 6, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_06062013

With four weeks to go during his term, Pres. Jojo Bacarro is the happiest man in our Club. This early, I would like to congratulate Pres. Jojo for a job well done. It was a pleasure serving under your term as Secretary. Mabuhay Pres. Jojo, Mabuhay RC San Juan!

Please take note of the following dates:

June 14 -              District Awards Night

                               6:00pm Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club

                               Attire: Coat & Tie (Gents), Formal Dress (Ladies)

June 20 -              Club Assembly (for PE Therese’s Term)
                               with the 3 Incoming Assistant Governors

                               Regular Lunch meeting

June 27 -              Thanksgiving and Club Anniversary

                               Lunch meeting; Waling-Waling Room

                               Special Guest: Mr. Rizalino Chua

June 29 -              District Handover Ceremony

                               6:00pm, Crowne Plaza Hotel

                               

July 25 -               RCSJ Governor’s Visit and Club Induction

                               4:00pm – Governor’s Visit

                               6:00pm – Club Induction at Gabaldon Room

                               Attire: Club Uniform for RY 2013-14

October 12 -       Fund Raising Seminar on Alternative Investments

                              9:00am to 5:00pm, Camelot Hotel

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie  

May 30, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_05302013

Below are the details of the Fund Raising Seminar Project discussed last week.

DATE:                    October 12, 2013

TIME:                     9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

FEE:                        PHP 3,500 (Gross per person)

                                [Discounted Early Bird Rate is PHP 2,800 until September 12]

                                [5 + 1 FREE Promo]

VENUE:                  Camelot Hotel

TITLE:                    Alternative Investments + New Product *

TOPICS:                               

                                ·      Estate Planning

                                ·      Investing in Stocks

                                ·      Investing in Bonds

Ø  PP Gina Sanchez will be the overall Coordinator since we intend to offer this seminar to all Rotarians (and non-Rotarians) in our District

Ø  We will do a Sales Pitch to all Mother Clubs in District 3800

Ø  Target is to get at least 100 attendees

Ø  Rtn Jay Penaflor will design the Flyer and submit on May 30 for comments / approval

Ø  We will place contact numbers of PE Therese Montecer and PN Rose Caoc in the Flyer

Ø  PE Therese and PN Rose will devise a Payment Gateway to make it convenient for them to pay

Ø  June 10, 2013 – Start of Offering Period

Ø  PP Nan Sallan will be in charge of Logistics

Ø  Treas. Annie Tomas will handle Tokens for the Speakers

Ø  PN Rose will burn CDs for Handouts

Ø  Rtn Jay and PN Rose will take care of Raffle Prizes

Funds to be raised from this seminar project will be used to fund the Club’s projects in RY 2013-14.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec/PP Jovie

May 23, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_05232013

PE Therese Montecer successfully presided over last week’s Club Assembly and Planning Session. Our Club’s three-year plans have been updated and projects have been lined-up for the new Rotary Year. Community Service Committee Chairman Benny Pe presented a fund raising project through the organization of Seminars and making these available to Rotarians in our district. The fund raising project involves Rtn Jay Penaflor who will be one of the key resource persons. Funds to be raised from the seminars will fund the various projects of the Club.

Before the Club Assembly started, we gave our guest Col. Dante Hidalgo of the Philippine Navy a chance to tell us about the Navy’s civic projects for Typhoon Pablo Victims. We saw an avenue where we can partner with the Navy for our school building project in Davao Oriental. Col. Hidalgo will return to us with a proposal, a plan, and documentation on how we can move forward as partners in this worthy endeavor.

Pledges for the Club’s acquisition of the District’s Raffle Tickets worth PHP 120 thousand was completed last week, thanks to ‘Future President’ Hedy Huang who matched what FDG Benny was putting up. From the ticket proceeds, PHP 100 thousand will remain with the club for its projects. The Club resolved however to place said amount in an investment fund to be managed by FDG Benny and Rtn Jay Penaflor. Income from this fund will be distributed based on the equity participation of Rotarians and used for Rotary related expenses such as registration fees to district affairs and events.

Cheers and enjoy RotaryJ

Sec/PP Jovie

Moving Forward

Editorial for May 9 Club Bulletin

As I arrived for last week’s meeting, I thought that my editorial entitled “Changing of the Guard?” had already began to unfold.  That was because PE Therese was presiding over the Club meeting because President Jojo was still out of the country on business with his materials/equipment principals or suppliers.

But it turned out to be quite a revelation and thus brought fruitful results when two major concerns were well ventilated and steered through by PE Therese. Of course, her Service Projects chair Benny Pe served as a very good floor leader in the discussions.

First, the mobilization of funds for our planned projects.  Aside from finding ways to maximize the earnings of our Foundation’s funds now currently practically idle, a proposal to raise a separate fund through voluntary ‘investments’ from members was put up. This fund would benefit both the Club and the individual members by the sharing of the earnings through a well-thought out investment plan. In fact, appointing a Fund Manager was suggested who could advise how and where our Foundation funds can best earned better income. This is a very good idea and should be put for discussion soon as we have lost opportunities for good earnings since last year. .

The other major concern, as PE Therese brought up, was the membership retention and growth which needed to be attended to if the adequately funded projects are to be successful. The topic arises from the dwindling of attendance which seems to be limited to the “usual suspects” or the core group truly devoted to the Club’s and Rotary’s objectives of fellowship and service.  One culprit pointed out was the selection process or lack of it in bringing new members. As recalled, decades ago, we had pre-induction ‘fireside’ information sessions for prospective members. A period during which the prospective member not only has a chance to know what Rotary is all about but also to ‘decline’ if he’s not ready to embrace the responsibility of Club membership. The problem related to retention was that how we can  make our meetings more interesting so that members, especially new ones, could look forward to attending and bring back with them new knowledge.

PP Tony Abola

May 9, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_05092013

Last week we did not have a Bulletin because PN Rose Caoc could not make it to our meeting. A question arose from PP Tony Abola whose Editorial for that meeting was not printed. PP Tony asked, “Who will print our Bulletin when Rose assumes the presidency?”

Pres. Jojo Bacarro was also absent last week, so was VP Pol Leoncio. As such, PE Therese Montecer got her first stab at presiding over our weekly meeting. In the absence of a bulletin, Therese also was Days Chairman for the program.

More on last week’s meeting, we had a surprise visit from incoming Assistant Governor Reuben Jarvinas who received the proper introduction and was asked to address the club. We will work with IAG Reuben during the term of Therese.

The ‘Rotarization’ of PE Therese is slowly unfolding as she shared her DISTAS 2013 experience during our meeting.

Here’s to looking forward to a new Rotary Year.

Cheers and enjoy RotaryJ

Sec/PP Jovie

Changing of the Guard ?

Editorial for May 2 Club Bulletin...

Last weekend featured the Distas ( District Assembly as it should be properly called) in Tagaytay City.  And off to that cool enough city for 11 Rotarians of San Juan and some friends and with many courtesies of Rtn. Benny Pe Lim.

It is quite amazing to see the Tall Vista Hotel ballroom almost full with RI District 3800 Rotarians. Was this a convention? Or is this a vacation resort gathering? One wonders.  Anyway save for the workshops which were really the meat of the Distas, the rest seem more like a convention.  How do we expect effective learning from Distas in this atmosphere?  Plenty of participants is fine, but “too many cooks spoil the broth” as has been often said.

This writer was expecting a game-changer in the District-Governor elect. Sorry, it was not to be.  Please don’t get me wrong, he had some good moments and his take during the Club Administration workshop was well thought out and standard Rotary fare.  But then again, we saw more of the District projects and stuff of the same with a Cars’ Raffle to boot!  The objectives and motives are unassailable but........   See Club Secretary PP Jovie’s page for details.

On the other hand, the Club members enthusiasm was most outstanding.  Especially sparked by Rtn Benny’s all out support and generosity and his wife Nene’s hospitality. Seems like PE Therese is getting into the hang of it and starting to enjoy it, coupled with PP Gina’s all seriousness in her district responsibilities.  What else can we say.  Its a good omen for RY 2013-2014 with full of support from the “usual suspects.”

Go, Go, Therese!

PP Tony Abola

May 2, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_05022013

DISTAS 2013 is over and our dear PE Therese Montecer is well on her way towards assuming our club’s presidency come July 1.

Amidst the back-drop of Rotary Clubs leaving District 3800 and being embroiled in all sorts of controversy, the Rotary Club of San Juan continues to move forward as a good citizen of Rotary International, ever compliant with R.I. Rules and Regulations and supportive of District thrusts and programs.

Our Club does have its fair share of challenges – particularly the low attendance during club meetings. This concern will be addressed this month when we go through the roster of members and determine who will be stricken out, thus presenting a clean slate for the new Rotary Year.

We would like to thank ‘FDG’ Benny Pe and his lovely spouse Nene for their hospitality throughout the DISTAS weekend last April 27-28, for providing transportation to-and-from Tagaytay, sumptuous meals, luxurious lodging at Estancia, the visit to the Puzzle Museum – the Guinness Book record holder for having the most number of jigsaw puzzle collection in the world (and for the give-aways), for karaoke night at Estancia, and for the Coup de Grace - the Sunday lunch at La Maison de Lourdes, their Tagaytay residence with the best view of Taal volcano, maraming salamat po!

We also would like to recognize members who borrowed from their ‘family time’ to be with us last Distas weekend namely: AG Doray Giorla (with friend PP Len del Castillo), PP Gina Sanchez, PP Tony Abola, PP Noni Topacio, PP Nan Sallan, PP Manny Guia, PE Therese Montecer (with son Paulo), PN Rose Caoc (with son E.G.), Rtn. Annie Tomas with friend (soon to be inducted) Nanie Madrasto.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie