On planning in “Becoming A Rotarian”

Next year will be my final Rotary calendar as Rotaractor. I am now thinking of how to plan on becoming a Rotarian. I don’t know yet of any guide on how Rotaractors should gracefully prepare in turning into Rotarians.

So far, I can hear and see challenging situations like:
- Dealing with child rearing issues (especially in my case as soon to be wife and mother) and meetings and events attendance
- Financial stability
I just feel that I should be that “rich” or “accomplished” to be worthy be called as “Rotarian”. This is especially gloomy this year due to global economic recessions. Likewise, my financial management book calculations resulted that I will have my first million (in Pesos only) by age 40. I projected to have my first own major business engagement by age 35.
-So much attachment in Rotaract
I see nothing’s wrong with still being active in Rotaract but my attendance should be more in attending / organizing Rotary events by that time.
-What Rotary Club to Join
My sponsoring Rotary Club of Cubao is an all Male Rotary Club. I might be looking forward for the same kind of fellowships.
-Living up with Higher Ethics Standard
Indeed, this year is faced again with more ethics critics. The last years were lambasted with national and district Rotary icons involving in moral and financial cases.

For now, below are my rough possible solutions / plans:
-Try to apply time and family management techniques or join internet Rotary projects
-Grab the legal 1 year extension of age 31 so I can prepare more! :)
-Join Rotary at age 31 even not that ready
Maybe I should take the challenge of being worthy to be called a Rotarian starting the age 31.
-Or not to become a Rotarian yet until I feel worthy to be called one. However, while doing so, I should do the following:
o Become an active senior Rotaractor as Adviser and Resource Speaker
o Contribute more in fund raising
o Develop and train more young Rotaractors to become responsible leaders
o Become an “accomplished” individual at work or community
o Slowly but rightly build wealth
-Establish an “all former Rotaractors” Rotary Club
-I should be challenged to do more good to outweigh the bad ones
I guess, there will always be bad samples in any good organizations. It is just a matter of trying and resisting at all means not to become like them

TOP 10 REASONS IN ATTENDING CHRISTMAS PARTIES GALORE

I realized that I have always attended so many Christmas Parties every December and an extended ones in January. Below is my list of “TOP 10” reasons in enjoying hopping around Christmas parties:

-I love prizes even the corny ones :)…
-I am always lucky at raffle prizes!!!
This is since elementary days.
-I have grown so much in Rotaract that Christmas parties mean club, district, national and members’ families and companies partiesssss levels…
This is aside from Rotaract and Rotary categories. Normally, I have an average of 6 Rotary-Rotaract Christmas parties every December. I just don’t know yet if this will change next year when I finally get married:).
-I like the ambiance where everybody seems to have time to enjoy free time and be nice to all.
-A venue where I can be updated with members’ “what’s and why’s”.
I’m not really a conversation provoking species but I like hearing the latest life happenings, especially the accomplishments.
-Sometimes, I like dressing up for the party “themes”.
-I have an opportunity to introduce new club members in a bigger group.
I normally tag along club members to join beyond club level parties. This way, they too can enjoy a bigger crowd party. This also helps them knowing and building beyond club friendships. Sometimes, good project ideas spark out of the conversations.
- I will have new games ideas for my next possible party hosting in other “parties”.
-I feel safe while I can enjoy the party.
I really don’t feel comfortable bumping into a stranger whom I have no personal connection or clue at all. In Rotaract, everyone and everything is personally related to me.:)
-I simply love taking pictures!
Maybe I should include in my plan buying professional camera and taking photography lessons.

What are your reasons in attending Christmas Parties?

Multi-District Information Organization (MDIO) in Asia Pacific

Better late than never:)…Here is the Multi-District Information Organization (MDIO) in Asia Pacific presentation link.

Rotaract Multi-District Information Organization In Asia Pacific

View more presentations from Devie Ontolan.

This is the most important slide - TOP 10 LESSONS(The MDIO PILIPINAS EXPERIENCE):
-Look and gather for shared vision first.
-Identify and establish persistent but diplomatic Leadership.
-Properly comply with the paper requirements set by Rotary Internayional.
-Secure and guide succession (start with end in mind).
-Get started with trust but immediately formulate formal policies.
-Protect the group from wreckers.
-Policies should be dynamic (Revise, revise and revise!).
-Provide effective training and support to DRRs.
-Watch the wallet! (Strategize the financial status of MDIO).
-Don’t let go of the “JEDI” and Tap the ”LORDS”. (MDIO Founders and officers should remain to guide the group even after their term of office. Know when and whom to seek help to solve disputes)

GET LESS PRIVILEGE CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS CARD-FIRST CLUB PER CONTINENT

ANTARTICA, AUSTRALIA, AND SOUTH AMERICA (4 DAYS TO GO FOR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CARD)

We already have the FIRST ROTARACT CLUBS for AFRICA, ASIA , EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA!

We are still waiting for ANTARTICA [?:)], AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH AMERICA!

***All other clubs may still send their entries for the electronic version!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!
------------
Get a Christmas Card made by children (typhoon victims). Take a glimpse of their lives - their meaning of Christmas Day. Enter their world, get the special edition Christmas card.


But only the first club per continent will receive. So hurry, be included in the lucky 7 clubs that will get the limited edition Christmas card.

All you need to do is be the first club of your continent to send the needed details below on or before December 10, 2009 in this email – rotaractcubaod3780@ yahoo.com.

CONTINENT:
COUNTRY:
CLUB/EMAIL:
DISTRICT:
CLUB PRESIDENT/EMAIL:
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE DIRECTOR/EMAIL:
COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS: (where the card can be sent)

Salamat! (Thank you).

IPP Federico Payno Jr.
International Service Director

Joel Delos Santos
President

ROTARACT CLUB OF CUBAO
D3780 – Quezon City, Philippines
http://www.facebook.com/rotaract.cubao
http://rotaractcubao.multiply.com/

SINGAPORE AS A COUNTRY (EXPERIENCES AND OBSERVATIONS DURING APRRC 2009)

Below is my list of amazing and interesting personal experiences and observations of Singapore as a country:

-GOOD URBAN PLANNING. It seems there is a specific place assigned for malls, residential and schools.
-CONDOMINIUM IS THE USUAL HOUSING. Considering the small land area, I think this is really practical for Singapore.
-THERE IS NO SINGLE FACE IDENTITY FOR SINGAOREANS. People are combination of Malays, Chinese and Indians.
-SINGLISH IS THE ENGLISH ACCENT. This is a bit of Bristish and Chinese accents.
-THERE’S NO RICE DURING BREAKFASTS. Surely, there will be noodles and Tofu! PDRR Oliver told me to “Forget about rice!” :).
-FOODS ARE NORMALLY SPICY. There is always a plate of chop chili on the side. I missed the sweet and salty dishes! Haha! :)
- SINGAPORE IS A DISCIPLINED CITY. Locals dubbed it as “Fine City”. There is an iron hand in implementing policies. I heard that the shuttle that took the delegates to Clark Quay was barred by policemen simply because the Rotarators started having fun, singing, and obliviously standing while in the bus. The rule, it is not allowed to stand inside the bus while in motion!
- TAXI LCD MONITORING SYSTEM. All taxis have small LCD monitor showing the plate number, name of the driver and taxi bill status.
- ALL MALE SINGAPOREANS UNDERGO MILITARY TRAINING. Rotarator Andy Liu told me this while he kindly escorted fellow 3780 Rotaractors in the airport going back to Manila. They all knew karate and how to use the gun! Anytime, if the government will call them, whatever their professions are, they will serve as guards of their country. Singapore’s army is all of its male citizens. Amazingly, I can sense the patriotism and not because they all are simply required to undergo military training.
-THERE IS SUCH THING AS “GAY PROSITUTION”! I discovered this while strolling in Clark Quay.