RI Board meeting Highlights

The 2012–13 RI Board of Directors held its fourth and final meeting on 17–21 June 2013 in Cascais, Portugal. The Board also held a brief meeting in April just before the Council on Legislation. The 2013–14 RI Board held its first meeting on 28 June 2013 in Lisbon, Portugal. At these meetings the Board reviewed reports from 13 committees and recorded 93 decisions.

June 2013 Board Meeting Highlights

The 2012–13 RI Board of Directors held its fourth and final meeting on 17–21 June 2013 in Cascais, Portugal. The Board also held a brief meeting in April just before the Council on Legislation.
Club and District Matters

The Board increased RI extension into China by placing Guangdong Province into District 3450. The Board reorganized clubs in District 2980 (India) into new Districts 2981 and 2982, effective 1 July 2015.

Noting that the 2013 Council did not adopt legislation to allow flexibility in meeting frequency, which effectively ended the Meeting Frequency pilot project, the Board approved the establishment of a transition plan for those clubs in the pilot to return to the standard club model.

RI Administration and Finances

The Board adopted the 2013–14 RI budget, reflecting revenues of US$98,797,000, the use of $9,585,000 in general surplus funds, $301,000 in convention reserves, and $108,647,000 in expenses, resulting in an excess of revenues, general surplus funds, and convention reserve over expenditures of $36,000. As approved by the RI Bylaws and by a three-quarters vote of all directors, the Board also approved an additional $2 million in unallocated general surplus funds for operational and other strategic initiatives in 2013–14.

The Board approved a 2012–13 budget variance of US$3 million for program award expenditures from unrestricted contributions in the Annual Fund (WF) for 2012–13 matching grants, contingent upon approval by the Trustees. The Trustees approved this variance at their June meeting.

The Board designated conveners and meeting places for RI director nominating committees that will meet in September 2013 to select directors-nominee for election at the 2014 RI (Sydney) Convention. Directors will be selected from Zones 4, 6B, 10B, 13, 22, 26, 29, and 30.

RI Programs, Communications, and Meetings

The Board amended New Generations Service Exchange policy by increasing the eligible age of participants from 21 to 30, and by setting the minimum age to the age of majority in the host country, but not younger than 18.

The Board agreed to enter into a service partnership, as a two-year pilot initiative, with the Thunderbird School of Global Management, located in Glendale, Arizona, USA.

The Board recognized the Alzheimer's/Dementia Rotarian Action Group.

Club News - August 19

Vistaar now in September
The District Membership Development Seminar, Vistaar, has been postponed to 29 September 2013, because of flooding and damaged roads in Saharanpur area. The registeration fee is Rs 600. Please get in touch with the President for registration.

Hamari Beti to shine in 25 States in India
“Hamari Beti” has been chosen as the mascot for the Uner-15 National Girls Hockey Championship being organised by MBCT Hockey Nursery, under the aegis of Indian Hockey Federation, from 14-21 September 2013, at Bassi Pathana, Fatehgarh Saheb. The mascot merchandise shall be prized possession with nearly 600 girls from 25 States who will be participating in this tournament.

Special Thanks
Our special thanks to Rtns Jatinder Kapur, P.S. Matharoo and PP Vijay Wadhawan for gifting 150 packs of eatables and drinks for children in Dhanas and Colony No. 5.

We are grateful to Rtn Jaspal Singh Sidhu and Nestle for supplying 150 Gift Hampers for distributing among children in Dhanas and Colony No. 5.

To Rtr Harneet Kaur, President of Rotaract Club of Chandigarh, and her team for making the August 15 evening so special with such excellent performances which made the Independence Day celebrations this year so special.

Last but not the least, thank you  PP Charanjit Singh for bringing out Issues 6 and 7 of Open Hand in absence of the Editor.

Helping a poor girl hear properly
Ms Satpal Kaur, 20 years old daughter of Mr Tarsem Singh, from Village Chandiyal, Tehsil Sunam, District Sangrur (Punjab), was referred to us by Rtn Dr Raman Abrol, for financial help to get corrective surgery done to restore proper hearing.  Her father  is working as a daily labourer. Your club has helped her with financial aid of Rs 9500 from the Sunshine collection.

Installation of new team at Interact Club , Bhawan Vidyalaya
The installation ceremony of 2013-14 team of Bhavan’s Interact Club, led by President Tanisha Garg, was held on 22 August. President Hassan Mejie was the Chief Guest.

A skit, “Main Hoon Chetna”, on the status of a daughter-in-law, was also enacted.

Among the Rotarians who attended the function were: PRIP R.K. Saboo, PDG Madhukar Malhotra, Rtn Dr. Pushpinder Chahal, Rtn. R.K. Taneja, Rtn. Reema Dewan, PP Arvind Mehan, PP Vijay Wadhawan, Rtn. Nandini Khanna, and Rtn. Mona Khattar.

HEARTLINE PROJECT
Supported by RI Dist. 3600 Taiwan and RC of San Marino, D 5300, USA
Seven children from Rwanda were successfully operated upon by Dr T.S. Mahant, at Fortis Hospital. These children had arrived on 5 August and were received at the Chandigarh Airport by PP Kewal Seth, Rtn Mona Khattar, Pres. Hassan Mejie, Rtn Sukhjit S. Gill and Ms Meher. 

We would like to thank Rtns Sukhjit Gill, Geetika Rao, Mona Khattar and Rajnish Khattar who devoted not only time to take care of the children and their parents, but also used to take fruits and eatables for them throughout their stay in Chandigarh.

We also thank Thakur Mejie and Mehar from USA for distributing crayons, sketch books and world flags’ books to the Rwandan children.

PRIP R.K. Saboo also visited the children, along with President Hassan Mejie, and interacted with them.

Celebrating Independence Day

1st Stop: Dhanas

The celebrations started at the Rotary Balwari in village Dhanas. President Hassan S Mejie along with Rotarians Piara Singh Matharoo, Chairperson RCC, PP Vijay Wadhawan, PP Darshan Mehandru, Vice President Jatinder Kapur, PE Prof Paramjit Singh, IPP Vivek Gupta and Mona Khattar coordinated the Independence Day celebrations. Gift Hampers from NESTLE, thanks to our Rtn. Jaspal Singh Sidhu, and sandwiches, cold drinks and confectionary items contributed by Rtn. Jatinder Kapur & Rtn. P S Matharoo were distributed among 150 children and 6 staff members.

National flag was unfurled by President Hassan Mejie at 11.00am. Children sang patriotic songs and gave Gidda performance. An excellent motivational song on freedom was sung by a 63-years old student of the adult literacy class.

2nd Stop: Bapu Dham
At 12.30pm Pres. Hassan S Mejie, along with Rotarians P.S.Matharoo, PP Vijay Wadhawan, Mona Khattar and Jatinder Kapur met with 30 children and their teachers in colony No. 5. A painting competition was held, the first 5 best drawings were awarded with a paintbox and crayons. Sweets and confectionary items were also distributed. Children sang patriotic songs/

Evening at Peace monument at Sukhna Lake

It was an evening with a difference when Rotarians with their families, and Rotaractors, gathered at Sukhna Lake.

Nearly 500 strong general public gathered around the amphitheatre as Rotaractors and a Rock Band, “Curse” regaled the audience with patriotic songs. Rtr President Harneet Kaur handled the stage, Rtr Aarti Goyal spoke on the topic of independence. Rtr Balwinder and his team performed a skit on Fake Godmen– which kept the audience in splits. Thereafter, Rtr President Harneet led a team of six Rotaractors for an enthralling Giddha performance, and programme concluded with Bhangra.

The programme ended with lighting of candles at the Rotary Peace Monument. Tea and snacks were served to Rotarians and Rotaractors at the Lake Restaurant.