Letter to My Fellow Serving Presidents

March 12, 2013

Dear fellow Serving Presidents,

I would like to start an awareness campaign that District 3800 should be run on a cash breakeven basis.

Can we get rid of “One-up-manship” where district governors try to out-do their predecessors? This is the crux of the matter that has resulted in extravagance, requiring a great deal of time and money from club presidents, affecting every active Rotarian in the club level.

Why have we always looked the other way whenever an IPDG presents the district financial report at the Discon’s plenary? Isn’t it appalling that every Rotary Year ends in a DEFICIT? And who ends up covering the financial shortfall? The DG!

Paying for the chance to serve as district governor is NOT service nor is it charity, it is vanity!

As a DG, you are expected to be a leader and harness the collective talents of all professionals and businessmen who serve as district officers to work within the district’s financial means. Why can’t we run the district’s affairs on what the district can afford?

We also should get out of the mind-set that you need to be wealthy in order to be a District Governor. Candidates for district governor have now embraced the platform that money is all it takes to serve as DG. Pathetic!

We must do something and stop this madness.

If not us, who?

Are you with me?

SERVICE ABOVE SELF,

Jovie 

March 14, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_03142013

At last week’s meeting, PP Ado Niguidula was vocal about his displeasure on the present conduct of Rotary District affairs so at one point during the program we gave him the chance to vent out his feelings. He however only pointed to the President Elect Training Seminar and asked if it was really necessary. Apparently he and PP Tony Abola never had to undergo a P.E.T.S. prior to their Presidency but were effective club presidents nonetheless. This concern was squelched when several members took turns to share what really happens in a P.E.T.S.

To note, the District Governor Elect is given the chance to meet and work with the President Elects of all the Rotary Clubs in the District and District Officers who will work in the following Rotary Year. This allows them to “be on the same page” and get themselves organized before their term begins in July 1. The Rotary Theme for their Year is disclosed and the thrusts and priority projects from R.I. are cascaded down to the Club level. They also are made aware of the District Uniform and a Name by which to associate themselves with. Though the PETS is a recent embellishment that long standing Past Presidents never experienced but nonetheless were able to serve their terms successfully, there were no objections when the benefits of the PETS were explained.

What turned up to be a hotter topic was why Rotary in our District (at least) has become more lavish and complicated -- where a District Governor wants to surpass or out-do the accomplishments of his predecessors. This “one-upmanship” to my mind is the crux of the matter that makes Rotary expensive and time consuming. A case in point was the time dedicated for rehearsals and cost of costumes for the Governor’s Ball and Talent Night at DISCON 2013. 

When I interviewed members of the inbound GSE team from Canada and USA, they concurred that our DISCON is extravagant compared to their version of the DISCON.

As the Rotary Club of San Juan, let us campaign that Rotary should not be expensive. Who knows, if we succeed, perhaps reluctant future club presidents and district governors will have a change of heart.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec/PP Jovie

March 7, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_03072013

Three events last week caused calling off our meeting last Thursday namely: the donation of food and clothing for the fire victims in Barangay St. Joseph and the donation of Stethoscopes for the San Juan City Hospital on Feb. 23; the donation of laboratory equipment, projector and computers for the chemistry lab of the San Juan National High School on Feb. 28; and the District Conference 2013 on March 1 & 2 at the SMX Convention Centre - Mall of Asia Complex.

The donation to the fire victims and San Juan National High School were both personally received by Mayor Guia Gomez in behalf of the constituents. The Mayor was kind enough to give us a tour of the new City Hall last Feb. 23.

The following members attended DISCON 2013: Pres Jojo Bacarro, PE Therese Montecer, AG Doray Giorla, PDG Pepe Peralta and spouse Thesy, PP Gina Sanchez, PP Noni Topacio, PP Pol Leoncio, PP Manny Guia, PP Nan Sallan, PN Rose Caoc, and I.

We would like to recognize Pres. Jojo Bacarro and AG Doray for their participation in the Governor’s Ball of DISCON 2013. In the same thread, kudos goes to Pres Jojo, AG Doray and PP Gina who represented our club in the Talent Night competition where the San Juan Zone garnered 3^rd Place. The Marikina Zone wound up in 2^nd Place while the Mandaluyong Zone was this year’s Talent Night champions.

One highlight of the DISCON was the breakfast meeting between the incumbent Presidents and the President Elects early during the second day of DISCON 2013. This meeting has initiated the gradual turnover of the helm from Pres Jojo to PE Therese Montecer.

The SMX proved to be a better venue for DISCON 2013 compared to past conferences that were held at hotel ballrooms.

Today’s meeting marks our first meeting for the month of March and PE Therese is expected to announce the officers and service directors for the next Rotary Year.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec/PP Jovie