1. Vol 18 Number 33 SELAMAT PAGI 10 April 2010
Rotary Information Member's Contribution
The Benefits of Community Service
Youth Exchange is
one of the most (Reported from Scienceblog by PE Poay Lim)
popular programs
to promote interna- Here is something to think about: When we volunteer our time to do
tional understand-
something for others, such as helping out an elderly neighbour or taking part
ing and develop
in a local community project, it can be good news for our health, our
lifelong friendship.
children’s education and even reduce the local crime rate too.
It began in 1927
with the Rotary Club
Recent research funded by the Economic & Social Research Council
of Nice, France Exchanges in Europe
continued until World War II and
(ESRC) has revealed that people who live in areas that record high levels of
resumed after the war in 1946. In informal voluntary activity in their neighbourhood, also enjoy better health,
1939, an extensive Youth Exchange students achieve higher GCSE grades and their communities suffer fewer
was created between California and burglaries.
Latin America. Since then, the program
has expanded around the world. In Professor Paul Whiteley, Programme Director of the ESRC Democracy &
recent years, more than 7,000 young Participation Research Programme that produced the findings explains,
people have participated annually in ‘’The research has revealed an interesting link between helping others and
Rotary club and district - sponsored enjoying a good quality of life. It seems that when we focus on the needs of
exchange programs. others, we may also reap benefits ourselves. It means that voluntary activity
in the community is associated with better health, lower crime, improved
The values of Youth Exchange are educational performance and greater life satisfaction. Communities with lots
experienced not only by the high - of civic and community engagement are also communities that have
school age students involved but also environments that foster favourable outcomes such as these’’.
by the host families, sponsoring clubs,
receiving high schools and the entire Volunteering has a positive influence, irrespective of a community’s social
community. Youth Exchange partici- class or wealth. ‘’A relatively poor community with lots of voluntary activity
pants usually provide their fellow can do better in relation to health, crime and education than a relatively
students in their host schools with affluent community which lacks such activity’’ explains Whiteley. The
excellent opportunities to learn about research also tested for links between voluntary activity and overall life
customs, languages, traditions and
satisfaction or happiness. Again there is a strong link between communities
family tife in another country.
with lots of volunteering and those where people are very satisfied with their
lives.
Youth Exchange offers young people
interesting opportunities and rich
The British Home Secretary, David Blunkett, comments ‘’Volunteering is a
experiences to see another part of the
world. Students usually spend a full growing activity. Government figures show that in 2003, 51 per cent of people
academic year abroad, although some in England participated in their community — around 20.3 million people.
clubs and districts sponsor short-term The equivalent contribution to the economy made by people volunteering
exchanges of several weeks or formally and informally in their community was around 42.6 billion pounds in
months. 2003. Volunteering clearly has benefits for citizens, families and
communities. That is why the Government is developing and strengthening
Youth Exchange is a highly recom- our partnership with the voluntary sector, especially in order to reach out to
mended program for all Rotary clubs our most deprived communities’’.
as a practical activity for the enhance-
ment of international understanding The research sample was based on 101 district authorities selected at
and goodwill. random.

2. ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK'S SPEAKERS
Visitng Rotarian:
AG Veiven, RC Gombak Mohan & Gina
- Living in Saudi Arabia
Guests:
Abdul Ghafoor,guest of James Cheong
Richard Hoi, guest of Kong Mohan spent 15 months in Jeddah, the
Hana Marlin, guest of club capital of Saudi Arabia with Gina joining
Nancy Ponniah, guest of club him for the final five months or so. They
Ian Iseli, guest of Susanne brought back some fond memories of the
REF Awardees: intricacies of life in Saudi Arabia.
Choong Pui Yi, SMK Sri Permata
Johanand. SMK Cochrane Their recollection of Jeddah as an old port
Sharipah Atina, SMK Taman Medan city are mixed. It is a sprawling city with big cars and bad drivers. It is not equipped
Mohamad Sahidan, SMK Tmn Medan to receive the big number of pilgrims and the epidemics that they bring. Intercity
roads are excellent. Water is obtained from desalination. Sewerage is ancient – the
Attendance: 60% Fines: - waste being dumped in a lake. A recent flood threatened to burst the lake and bring
the effluents back to the city!
There are no woman drivers in Saudi. It appears that there is no law forbidding
Announcements women from driving. Gina was initially outraged by this. But she found that the
drivers were so bad that it was just as well she couldn’t drive herself.
Club Service The neck-to-foot black gown, the abaya, is the dress prescribed for all women. Men
wore the tope, that airy full-length white button-down shirt. Although face covering
- The Group 9 Intercity was held last was not compulsory there, most women do wear them. The expats could remove
Saturday at Eco Green with 13 members the abaya out at sea as the law of the land didn’t apply, naturally! To show us what
and 2 spouses present. the abaya looks like Mohan had their expat friends model for them. It was against
the law to photograph Arab women too.
- A Fireside chat will be organised next
month for the new members. The separation of the sexes went further. Restaurants had a family entrance which
allowed mixed groups to enter together. There is another side entrance for singles –
- 'Relay for Life 2010' is on 29 - 30 translate that to single men. Single women do not go out on their own by decree.
May'10. CP Naga will be assisting the Within the restaurant there is a partition to keep the sexes apart. This barrier has
National Cancer Society Malaysia in been breached by a clever application of IT. Some men and women sit on either
organising the event. RCBKS will side of the divide and Bluetooth one another.
participate as a team.
Weather there can be pleasant in winter but summer temperatures soar to 40s.
Community Service Apparently, officially the temperature never reaches 50°C for it is mandatory that
offices close should it get that hot! Expats can live well in Saudi Arabia. But Mohan
- Medical camp, a joint project with RC observed that their rented houses are often made of chipboard or plywood. This
Shah Alam is postponed to 16 May'10. makes them easy to renovate for new tenants. There are a thousand channels of
Ee Lay to update with more details. television available some X-rated and these are sometimes local productions!
Vocational Service Gina and Mohan had stories of how strict observance of prayer times was
inconvenient to shopping and work. The problem is that the time for business to
- A Career talk will be organise at SMK restart is uncertain. If you are halfway through some business or shopping, you
Sri Hartamas. CY to give more details. may have to wait outside the premises. They showed us snapshots unique to that
part of the world: The clear waters of the Red Sea with beautiful treacherous corals,
rocky mountains with almost no vegetation or population, a path purportedly taken by
the Prophet Mohamed, baboons and the tallest fountain in the world.
All in all it sounded like the kind of posting that I would have enjoyed myself. Thank
you Gina and Mohan for an interesting visit.
Relay for Life 2010
Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to
celebrate survivorship and raise money for research
and programs. Each team tries to keep at least one
team member on the track at all times.
www.relayforlife.org
REF Awardees (from left):
Sharipah, Mohamad, Johanand Time : 6 pm, 29th May to 10 am, 30th May 2010
and Pui Yi Venue: MSN Training Stadium, Bukit Jalil, KL
Registration : $15 per pax or $150 per team (10 pax)

3. Today's Programme NEXT CHANGE
Ezra Mohd Zaid 17 April (Sat) 7.30am
'Publishing in Malaysia' Speaker: David Fong
Topic: innovation
Ezra Mohd Zaid is Director of ZI Publications Sdn Bhd; a new, independent Malaysian
publishing house dedicated to producing general trade books. The company is 24 April (Sat) 7.30am
involved in commissioning works of fiction and non-fiction suited for the local and Business meeting
international markets. ZI Publications is also heavily invested in translating literary
works into the Malay language from English and other languages. Ezra has overseen
and advised the production of various successful publications.
CALENDER of EVENTS
REF Mentor Support Group Meeting
Ezra was educated at Sekolah Sri Inai in Petaling Jaya and completed high school Date: 12 April 2010
in Geelong Grammar School, Australia. Ezra graduated from the University of British- Venue: IPP Malaysia @ 7.30pm
Columbia (UBC), Vancouver in 2006 with a degree in Political Science and Philosophy.
76th District Assembly
SPECIAL FEATURE Date: 16 - 18 April 2010
Venue: Sunway Resort Hotel
How to Stop Absorbing Other People’s Negative Emotions
Fireside chat @ Eco Green
In “Emotional Freedom,” Judith Orloff emphasizes the importance of learning how Date: 14 May 2010
to stay centered in a stressful, highly emotionally charged world. Since emotions
such as fear, anger, and frustration are energies, you can potentially “catch” them Medical Camp
from people without realizing it. Date: 16 May 2010
Venue: Shah Alam
Emotional Action Step: How to Stay Centered in a Stressful World
REF Values Education Program
* First, ask yourself, “Is the feeling mine or someone else’s?” It could be both. If Date: 8 - 9 June 2010
the emotion such as fear or anger is yours, gently confront what’s causing it on
your own or with professional help. If not, try to pinpoint the obvious generator. For RCBKS 18th Installation
instance, if you’ve just watched a comedy, yet you came home from the movie Date: 26 June 2010 (Sat)
theater feeling blue, you may have incorporated the depression of the people
sitting beside you; in close proximity, energy fields overlap. The same is true with
going to a mall or packed concert.
April Celebration
* When possible, distance yourself from the suspected source. Move at least Happy Birthday
twenty feet away; see if you feel relief. Don’t err on the side of not wanting to offend
strangers. In a public place, don’t hesitate to change seats if you feel a sense of Sunny 18 April
depression imposing on you. Kate 19 April
Yau 21 April
* For a few minutes, center yourself by concentrating on your breath: This connects
you to your essence. Keep exhaling negativity, inhaling calm. This helps to ground
yourself and purify fear or other difficult emotions Visualize negativity as gray fog
lifting from your body, and hope as golden light entering. This can yield quick Duty Roster
results.
10 April (Vocational Service)
* Negative emotions such as fear frequently lodge in your emotional center at the
solar plexus. Place your palm there as you keep sending loving-kindness to that Sargeant-at-arms CY
area to flush stress out. For longstanding depression or anxiety, use this method Desk Duty Thomas
daily to strengthen this center. It’s comforting and builds a sense of safety and Introducer Kong
optimism. Thank Speaker James Cheong
Fines Yau
* Shield yourself. A handy form of protection many people use, including healers
with trying patients, involves visualizing an envelope of white light (or any color you
feel imparts power) around your entire body. Think of it as a shield that blocks out 17 April (Community Service)
negativity or physical discomfort but allows what’s positive to filter in.
Sargeant-at-arms Graham
* Look for positive people and situations. Call a friend who sees the good in Desk Duty Niklas
others. Spend time with a colleague who affirms the bright side of things. Listen to Introducer Siew Hwa
hopeful people. Hear the faith they have in themselves and others. Also relish Thank Speaker Ee Lay
hopeful words, songs, and art forms. Hope is contagious, and it will lift your mood. Fines Angie
Keep practicing these strategies. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time
you’re on emotional overload. With strategies to cope, we can have quicker retorts Visit our Blog @
to stressful situations, feel safer, and our sensitivities can blossom. http:// rotaryclubbks.
blogspot.com
Adapted from Dr. Judith Orloff’s new book, “Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself
from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life” ..... contributed by Frances

4. Board of Directors 2009/10 Around the
Rotary World
President
Frances Po
21731618(0) Clubs celebrate Rotary’s 105th birthday
President Elect
Tan Poay Lim On this day in 1905, Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Hiram Shorey, and Silvester
77277127(0) Schiele met to talk about their personal and professional experiences. Harris
Immediate Past President/PR then unfolded his general plan for a club. Out of this simple beginning sprang
Elsie Low the world’s first international service organization, which has now grown to
77281807(0)
include more than 1.2 million members in over 33,000 clubs in more than 200
Vice President/Membership Director
countries and geographical areas.
Dr Sanjay Doshi
23008030(0) · Members of Rotary clubs in Nepal will be taking part in a peace rally in
Biratnagar.
Honorary Secretary
Cecelia Matuya · RC Scottsbluff/Gering, Nebraska, USA, is celebrating Rotary’s 105th birthday
56342870(0)
by marking the 90th year since it received its club charter with a fundraiser to
Honorary Treasurer expand the local library.
PP Graham Bennett
012-2918619 · RC Canton, Georgia, holds its weekly meeting on Tuesdays and will be
celebrating with a large cake, complete with big 1, 0, and 5 candles. The club
Club Service Director
PP Karen Chong will also be donating $105 to PolioPlus.
012-2893380 · RC Tumkur City, Karnataka, India, has conducted a free dental checkup for
Vocational Service Director children at a Red Cross school for the deaf and mute.
PP CY Fong · RC Milledgeville, Georgia, USA, has invited Rotarians, families, veterans, and
78032276(0)
community members to a large Peace Day celebration at the peace monument
Community Service Director at the county courthouse.
Ho Ee Lay
019-3395688
International Service Director District 3300 Sister Clubs
Susan Lim
012-2325860 District Governor Leslie Salehuddin RC Bugis Junction [D 3310]
03-61424628 (0) 03-61424058(Fax) Saturday, 08:00 am
New Generation Director dgles0910@gmail.com Hotel Inter-Continental
Ghaurry 80 Middle Road, Singapore
23003757(O) Assistant Governor Veiven Goon
03-79805529(0) 03-79813514(Fax) RC ChiangmaiThinthaingam[D 3360]
Rotary Foundation Chairman vgoon@streamyx.com Thursday, 12.00 noon
PP Sunny Khoo International Center
Rotary Clubs in Group 9
22849089(O) Chiangmai University, Thailand
Ampang
Bukit Kiara Sunrise
Bulletin Committee KL West
RC Chungli Chung Shing [D 3500]
Thursday, 12.00 noon
Pudu
James Lau/ Karen (Editor/Production) No 4, Ln 10, Gwo-Ti Street
Sri Petaling
Poay Lim (Speaker’s Programme) Chungli, Taiwan