CROSSROADSRotary Club of Singapore Vol. 48 / 21

1

5th

Dec

. 201

1

Joke of the week“children in backseats cause accidentsAccidents in backseats cause children”From the book of Humour compiled by Rewa MirpuriHAVE MANY LAUGHS AND HELP THE NEEDYhttp://www.rotary.org.sg/bookofhumour.html

“Beyond the Quake”SPEAKER: His Excellency (H.E.) Mr. Yoichi Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador to SingaporeLunch meeting of the 30th November 2011

Find Your bulletin on facebook – and you can download it

2

Introductory remarks

President Tapan Rao welcomed members to the 21st meeting of the Rotary Year, and extended a warm welcome to the Club’s Honorary Member, His Excellency (H.E.) Mr. Yoichi Suzuki, the Japanese Ambassador to Singapore and Mrs. Suzuki.

Trees of the world Light-up

Rtn. Jeff Rajeck briefly informed members that the Club would participate in the “Trees of the World” light-up at the Singapore Botanic Garden. He added that members were invited to help decorate the Club’s tree on Friday, 3rd December 2011 at 4.00pm.

Fukushima / Sendai mission PP Stan Low made a presentation of the International Service Committee Project of Rotary Volunteers to disaster-stricken areas of Fukushima/Sendai which was made by members from October 2nd to 8th 2011. Highlights of the presentation to be found further in the bulletin.

Welcome of visiting Rotarians and guestsRtn. Robert Craiu welcomed our guests and visiting rotarians.

- Guests :Mrs. Kimie IshizakiMs. Saadia AwanMs. BushraafzalMr. Joseph ChengMr. Julian ChuMr. Matei IurascuCol. (Retd.) Lim Theam Poh (Red Cross)Dr. SanjayMr. Yashiki-san

Visitors :Ron Carroll – Geelong East, Australia

3

Toast

Rtn. Dr. Thomas Perkmann called upon visiting Rtn. Ron Carrol to address the Club. Rtn. Ron advised that the town of Geelong was about 60 miles from Melbourne and popular for its surfing and beach life. He added that he was in Singapore to purchase rubber for his footwear company. Members joined Rtn. Thomas in raising a toast to the Rotary Club of Gelong East coupled with the toast to Rotary International. Club banners were exchanged with the Rotary Club of Geelong East as well.

Beyond the Quake

Rtn. Keizo Fujitake was given the honour of introducing H.E. Ambassador Suzuki, who is a Honorary Member of the Club. H.E. Mr. Suzuki became the Japanese Ambassador to Singapore since October 2010. Before that, he was the Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, and Japan’s G8 Foreign Affairs Sous Sherpa from January 2009. Previously, he served as Consul General of Japan in Boston (2005-2008), Deputy Director General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002-2005), and Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the WTO in Geneva (1997-2002). He has long experience in international trade negotiations with his appointments as Director of the APEC, EU and WTO Divisions of the Japanese Foreign Ministry. He received a law degree, LL.B, from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo and also is a graduate from the Ecole Nationale d’Administration of France (MA in Public Administration). He has taught briefly at the Institut National des Langues et Civilizations Orientales, Paris.

H.E. Mr. Suzuki spoke of the strong impact on the psyche of the Japanese people following the triple disaster of an earthquake that triggered a tsunami that also knocked out a nuclear power plant. He added that many Japanese people were not so connected to the world, but since the disaster, assistance and support came from around the world which changed how the Japanese perspective of the international community. He added the country has had to relook at its energy sources with the people wanting to be less dependent on nuclear. He noted that the decontaminated from the nuclear accident would take a long time and the people affected would not be able to go to their homes for decades. Many people, H.E. Mr. Suzuki commented, have adopted a different lifestyle to save energy. H.E. Mr. Suzuki highlighted the challenges facing Japan. He added that there was a need to adapt to the ageing society without adding stresses to the younger generation. He noted that the country could not live somewhat detached from the outside world and would have to open up to be more aligned with the global system. He also spoke of the country’s energy issues and solutions. H.E. Mr. Suzuki noted that perhaps in the process of rebuilding the communities, Japan could be set as a model for other Asian countries, a new lifestyle for the future.

4

PP Dr. Yap Lip Kee expressed the Club’s thanks to H.E. Mr. Suzuki for his talk. He also took the opportunity to advise on the assistance rendered with the Club’s contributions and the SMS Donation drive initiated by Rtn. Colin Miles, which collected about S$750,000 on behalf of the Singapore Red Cross Society. He added that more than S$34 million was collected for the Red Cross Japan Disaster Relief Fund gave a listing of the items contributed towards and amounts sent as follows: Relief Items sent to Japanese Government and Japan Red Cross – S$2.16 million2 cars for Yamada Otsuchi, Kamaishi, Tona and Ofunato Cities – S$0.21 millionTaro Support Centre in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture – S$1.1 millionMulti-purpose hall at Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture – S$11.0 millionShichigahama Toyama Nursery School in Miyagi Prefecture – S$5.5 millionProject at Fukushima Prefecture – S$5.5 millionProjects with Japan Red Cross – S$8.9 million

2011 Rotarian photo contest

President Tapan was given the pleasant task of inducting another member to the Club. PDG Dr. Philbert Chin introduced his candidate, Rtn. Louis Lim, who was also a good friend of PE Jimmy Ooi. Rtn. Louis’s classification is “Law : Litigation”. Upon becoming a member, Rtn. Louis was invited to say a few words. Rtn. Louis noted that the last time he addressed the Club was in 1988 when he was an Interactor. He added that because of his involvement in the Interact Clubs, he wished to continue with community work, and he called on the Rotary Secretariat where he was advised to join the Rotaract Club, which he did! Upon reaching 30 years, he retired from the Rotaract movement, and Rtn. Louis added that PE Jimmy had been communicating with him to join the Club. Rtn. Louis stated that he felt that being a Rotarian meant that one had reached a certain status and held a position in society and he felt that he was still a “work in progress”. However, PDG Philbert was more forceful in persuading him to join the Club!

The Rotarian 's 2011 photo contest is now underway. Enter up to three photos that illustrate the spirit of Rotary. The best photos will appear in the June 2011 issue of the magazine. Each entrant may submit up to three digital photos to The Rotarian photo contest. Please fill out a separate form for each entry. The deadline for submissions is 29 February 2012.

Note: The photographer must be a Rotarian, honorary Rotarian, or a participant or alumnus of an official RI or Rotary Foundation program. Photographers also can be the spouses or children of Rotarians. Photographer must be 14 or older. Photographers ages 14-17 must include the parent or legal guardian's name and contact information in the submission form below. A higher-resolution image may be requested if the photo is chosen to appear in the magazine. http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/TheRotarian/Pages/TermsandConditions.aspx

New member

5

The photographs show the team unloading donated furniture, making children’s playground safe and playable again. There were also visits to our Sister Club from Osaka – Rotary Club of Osaka-Semba as well as joint meetings of RC Sendai, RC Osaka-Semba, and RC Singapore. In attendance was Rotary Int’l District 2520 2011-2012 District Governor Kazuhiro Sugawara. Ending the visit on a Happy Note - Onsen, Kaiseki, Kirin, Sake, and Cigars Rotary Volunteers to Fukushima/Sendai President Tapan Rao led a team of 17 Rotarians and Anns, • Mission was organised by Rtn Kawasumi Masamitsu in Tokyo and Rtn Keizo Fujitake in Singapore.• Chef-de-Mission:- Rtn Shoichi Ishizaki• Rotary Anns:- Prabha, Rachael, Gwen & Kimie• Rotarians: Gary Goh, PP Dr Yap Lip Kee, Goh Bock Seng, K K Tan, Hadi Kakalim, Roland Jossi, Haider Nawaz, Yap Shi Wen, PP Stan Low

FUKUSHIMA / SENDAI

6

The Guide to Daily LivingBefore doing the things we want to do, consider first, the precept of the guide. Ask ourselves these 4 questions and act upon them:First: Have I spent some time in self-examination?Second: Have I spent quality time with my family?Third: Have I given my best to my work?Fourth: Have I given some time to someone near and far?The Guide, in fact, encompasses the 4 parts of the Object of Rotary.

MARK YOUR DIARYBirthday celebrantsRC wishes Happy Birthday to celebrants: December 7 – PP Tan Chin NgiapDecember 11 – PP Murli Chanrai

Anniversary CelebrantsRC sends best wishes to Wedding Anniversary celebrants: December 8 – Dr. Albert & Anne Wee, Gary Goh & Lim LeeDecember 11 – Robert & Jenny ChienDecember 12 – Rewa & Geeta Mirpuri

This weekDecember 7th 2011

Reception Desk duty: PP Peter Tan, Jim PollockSunshine Box duty: Jean-Philippe Lionnet, C H Tan

Speaker: Ms. Jean Elizabeth Lee, writer and film director Topic: Gathering Support for a wonderful short film, "Cahaya"

Next week December 14th 2011

Reception Desk duty: Dr. Albert Wee, Wilson WidjajaSunshine Box duty: Noshir Mistri, Roland Jossi

Speaker: Ms. Jutta OdenwaelderTopic: Emotional Intelligence and Creativity Training in Modern Life

COMING ROTARY EVENTS DecemberFamily Month

December 9thVisit to Boys’ Town at 3.00pm

December 15thChristmas Fellowship Dinner

JanuaryRotary Awareness Month

January 19thClub Assembly

FebruaryWorld Understanding Month

February 23rd World Understanding and Peace Day

The Four-Way TestOf the Things we think, say or do:* Is it the truth?* Is it fair to all concerned?* Will it build goodwill and better friendship?* Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

COMMITTEE MEETINGSMeetings of the Community, Vocational, International & New Generations Service Committees will be held on Thursday, 15 December 2011, at 41 Chee Hoon Avenue, S299762 at 6.00 p.m. sharp, after which, members will adjourn for the Annual Christmas Fellowship dinner.

Queries, comments and articles request can be sent to Jean-Philippe Lionnetbulletin@rotary.org.sg