Bi Monthly Newsletter July & August PP 11049/11/2012 (031176)

The Raintree Of Kuala Lumpur

Bi Monthly Newsletter July & August 2013 PP 11049/11/2012 (031176)

AidilfitriSelamat Hari Raya

2 president’s message

Samanea 20132

President’s Message

Just about a fortnight before the recent EGM on capital expenditure, a Member posed this question to me – how is the GC going to grow revenue to justify the expenditure proposed without having to ask the Members to top up? This must have been prompted by my recent message in the Samanea, where I mentioned disturbing trends in declining revenues and rising expenditures over the last 10 or more years.

But before I go about answering the question, let us examine the business model of our Club so as to get a clear idea of how it generates revenue and how and what it spends money on. The starting point has to be the objects of the Club (enshrined in our Constitution), which are basically to provide Members with opportunities to participate in social, sporting and recreational activities on a non-profit making basis, facilities for sporting and recreational activities, any such facilities and services of benefit, and to utilize any funds and income for the benefits of Members.

In keeping with our status a an “Exclusive Members’ Club”, and also to ensure that any surpluses of the Club are not taxed in accordance with the “Mutuality Principle”, the revenue of the Club can only be derived from its Members. That revenue basically consists of Members’ subscriptions and other membership-related income, slot machines, other revenue (locker rental, concessionaires and coaching) and non-member income from interest. Expenditures, on the other hand, are incurred to run and maintain the Club’s premises and operations; and to provide services to Members. These expenditures consist primarily of major items like staffing, energy, administration, repairs & maintenance, depreciation on fixed assets and the costs of Members’ activities.

Revenue is forecast to be in the region of RM 4.6 million for 2013, and expenditure at RM 4.7 million. This means a shortfall or deficit of RM 0.1 million for the year in question. As explained in my earlier message, strategies to bring an improvement in revenue and to reduce operating costs are already in place. Barring any circumstances beyond the control of the GC, we should be on track to keep any deficity to this relatively small amount.

So how do we grow the revenue of the Club in the long run without touching our two key revenue streams – namely subscriptions and minimum spending? Of course, minimum spending has been a controversial item since it was implemented some 15 years ago to support the F&B operations. The latter have always been difficult for the Club, with for example a recorded loss of RM 287,874 in 1989 when figures on the cost of operations were first made available, and continued losses until F & B was privatised in 2000. Privatization did not however prove to be a panacea for our F&B problems. Successive GCs over the years have repeatedly tried to address the issues of quality, portion sizes and pricing with the caterers, while the respective caterers have understantdably tried to make sense of their bottom lines.

That leaves us with the Slot Machines, which is certainly not an area that we can actively promote, and with other membership-related income, which consists mainly of items such as Transfer Fees, Liquidated Damages and the Penalty on Minimum Spending. Apart from getting the F & B right, this is the primary area that the present GC, like its predecessors, is working on. A key strategy is to increase our overall membership. To date, we have made good progress, bringing the number of Terminated Memberships down to 190 from the figure of 228 a year ago. Any substantial reduction in this number can contribute significantly to the overall revenue of the Club. Beyond the immediate income from Transfer Fees etc, each Terminated Membership sold brings in a steady annual income of over RM 1,200 in subscriptions plus a minimum spending of RM 600. If we achieve our target of a reduction in the total number of Terminated Memberships to 100 by end of this GC term, that would bring in RM 108,000 per year extra in subscriptions (equivalent to our predicted deficit this year) as well as at least RM 54,000 worth of sales to the F&B operations. Term Membership is another avenue that the GC is working aggressively on to increase the present, rather modest number of 51.

Notwithstanding the difficulties faced by the Club on the F&B operation over the years, I personally feel that F&B could not only be an avenue to generate revenue for the Club, but also an attraction to draw Members to patronize it on a more regular basis as well as to bring in potential new Members. The forthcoming improvements to the Club’s facilities approved by Members at the recent EGM should also give a lift to the outlook of the Club and raise the level of service in F&B and administration.

In sum, whether or not we will be able to balance the books and replenish our funds will depend in large part on the success of your General Committee’s two main strategies: working on the disposal of our long-standing number of Terminated Memberships, and improving and expanding on the F&B operations; all acting within the confines of the Constitution and the ‘mutuality principle”. And of course, we should not forget that the support of existing Members – not just for the GC’s policies, but also in terms of using the Club and encouraging others to do so – will be a key determinant of all our success.

Lastly, in the spirit of Ramadan let me wish our Muslim members “Selamat Berpuasa” and “Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri”, and to our non-Muslim members “Happy holiday”!

WINSON HAN MEAN KWONGPRESIDENT

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Samanea 2013 3

EditorialThe Raintree Of Kuala Lumpur

PATRONY.A.M. Tunku Naquiyuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Jaafar

HONORARY MEMBERY.A.B. Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister

GENERAL COMMITTEE 2012/2014

President Mr Winson Han Mean Kwong Vice President Mr James Lee Soon ChiongSecretary Mr Barry Chong Kim TeckTreasurer Mr Peter Lim Chee MinGeneral Committee En Ismail Hassan Mr Peter Yu Kok Ann Mr Chow Seck Kai Mr Gordon B. Reid

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Acting General Manager Mr Alex Chan alex@raintree.com.my

Accounts & Admin Manager Puan Anisah Jaafar anisah@raintree.com.my

Marketing & Communication Mohd Yahya Hamsain Manager yahya@raintree.com.my

Senior Accounts Executive Puan Surina Low Abdullah accounts@raintree.com.my

Senior Sports Executive Mr Brian Ho Chee Fai sports@raintree.com.my

Membership Executive Puan Norliza Md Noor liza@raintree.com.my

Recreation Executive Cik Noraini Othman noraini@raintree.com.my

Admin/HR Executive Mdm Shirley Lieng Sheau Lee shirley@raintree.com.my

Asst Maintenance Executive Mr Perumal a/l Ponnan maintenance@raintree.com.my

Asst Housekeeping Executive Puan Hanizah Syima Rozali hanie@raintree.com.my

DESIGN BY David Tan Design ConceptMaylea Tan GraphicsTomiyama (M) Sdn Bhd 606020-K

PRINTED BY Percetakan Lenang Istimewa Sdn BhdKKDN.0.1780/3486The Raintree Of Kuala Lumpur

An Invitation to the Good Life

Lot 1002, Jalan Wickham, Off Jalan Ampang Hilir, 55000 Kuala Lumpur. MalaysiaTel: 03 42579066 Fax: 03 42578880

Website: www.raintree.com.my

Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on August 31 each year.

4 club event

Samanea 20134

REPORT ON THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING (EGM) HELD ON 7 JULY 2013

An EGM was held to seek approval from members for the expenditure to upgrade and/ or replace the following;

1. CLUB MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

“The upgrading of software and hardware of the Club Management System at a budgeted cost not exceeding RM330,000.”

2. SWMMING POOL

“The upgrading of pool deck flooring, pool water filter and swimming pool lightings at a budgeted cost of not exceeding RM310,000.”

3. SPORTS PAVILION - ROOF

“The cleaning, repairing and restoration of the roof over the Sports Pavilion at a budgeted cost of not exceeding RM120,000.”

Extra Ordinary General MeetingREPORT ON THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING (EGM) HELD ON 7 JULY 2013

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Samanea 2013 5

4. KENANGA COFFEEHOUSE/ KITCHEN

“The upgrading of the kitchen area and its equipment, upgrading of bar area and adding in a live station in the Kenanga Coffeehouse at a total cost of RM250,000.”

5. TENNIS COURTS

“The resurfacing of 6 outdoor tennis courts and replacement of the tennis court lighting facilities at a total cost of RM300,000.”

The 5 resolutions were approved by the house after the General Committee members made their presentation to justify the need to carry out these works.

Our sincere apologies to Mr. Theang Kok Foo and Madam Lim Hoong Ming for the error in Jan-Feb issue of Samanea (Member’s Introduction Night.)The Editor

Kindly take note of error on page 8 and 9 in the Jan-Feb issue of Samanea. It should read as follows:

Madam Lim Hoong Ming

Mdm Lim Hoong Ming

Results of the 3 Clubs standing were:

Champion Club - Royal Lake Club with total score 547 points2nd Placing - Kelab Shah Alam Selangor score 540 points3rd placing - Raintree Club score 538 points

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Samanea 20136

A one-month “open” table tennis league was organized in April 2013. Participants were given handicaps based on their playing skill to make the league more interesting and challenging. Players played against each other under the “Round Robin. The league ended on 9th May, 2013 with a buffet dinner. The Club’s Sports Chairman, Mr James Lee joined in the dinner and gave away the prices and door gifts to the participants.

The winners were:

Champion : Mr Lim Hong Liang1st Runner-Up : Mdm Cornie Loke2nd Runner-Up : Mr Wong Yee Onn & Mdm Chris Goh (both with same score)

The table tennis section participated in the recent multi-sports friendly games with the Royal Lake Club. 14 games consisted of Men’s Singles, Men’s Double, Ladies’ Singles,

TABLE TENNIS REPORT (June 2013)

Ladies’ Doubles and Mixed Doubles were played. The final score of the friendly was a draw at 7 games all.

The section is organizing a one-day “Table Tennis Inter Club Team Tournament” on 17.8.2013. The invitations have been sent to many premier clubs. A total price money of RM3,100 and a Champion Trophy will be given to the top 4 winners. To prepare our Raintree team for the tournament, we will organize some friendly games.

Easter Golf Medal @ Tasik Puteri Golf & Country Club, Rawang - 30th April 2013

GOLF

This 3rd Golf Medal was held at Tasik Puteri Golf & Country Club on 30th April 2013, in preparation of the Inter-Club Triangular Golf Championship held on 9th June 2013. 3 flights of 12 golfers were taken to test the 18 challenging holes awaited.

The winners were:

1st (Champion) - Mr David Pang scored 36 pointsRunners-up - Mrs Jacqueline Cheong & Aaron Loke both scored 35

Inter-Club Triangular Golf Championship 20139th June 2013

This 17th running of the Inter-Club Triangular Golf Championship between Raintree Club, Royal Lake Club and Kelab Shah Alam Selangor, saw 19 of our Raintree Club members putting on their best effort to win back the Challenge title. The host for this year, Royal Lake Club, had managed to secure 19 flights (or about 76 golfers) in organizing this Triangular Challenge. The venue chosen was the Tasik Puteri Golf & Country Club near Rawang.

Unfortunately, it was not to be Raintree Club’s day, with RLC winning the Overall Champion, though Raintree fared admirably in the individual stakes. Our husband and wife team of Dr Kok Tack Sang and Dr Sorana Valli were placed in the overall B-Medal standings with an outstanding 43 points each, and Mr Yeoh Su Hap did us proud in the A-Medal with his 42 points scored.

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Samanea 2013 7

Combined Multi-Sports Friendly with Royal Lake Club, 15 June 2013

A combined of 5 Sports, namely, Tennis, Table-tennis, Badminton, Snooker and Darts were played at Raintree Club, on the Saturday afternoon, 15 June 2013. After a tea session held at the Squash Hall, all the participants from both Clubs, including the respective Sports Committee had taken their task to lead the players to their matches. All games ended by 7pm, followed by a Fellowship dinner

reception held at the Cerating Hall. The Line Dance section of Raintree Club was invited to perform two line dance performance by the beginners and the pioneers group during the dinner. Mr James Lee, Sports Chairman exchanged a Sports plaque with the Racquet Games Chairman of RLC, Dr. Yap in an effort to foster stronger bi-lateral ties with Royal Lake Club through Sports.

Combined Multi Sports Friendly with Royal Lake Club

Overall results of the friendly matches were:

Sports played Won by

Tennis RLCTable-tennis DrawBadminton RaintreeSnooker RLCDarts RLC

sports & recreation8

Samanea 20138

TENNISTENNIS- RAINTREE INVITATIONAL INTER-CLUB TENNIS TOURNAMENT 2013

Raintree hosted the Raintree Invitational Inter-Club Tennis Tournament 2013 for the 26th consecutive year and over the weekend, 24-26th May 2013. A total of 11 teams played, consisted mainly of the past participating Clubs and a new-comer called Mont Kiara Cougars.

The results of the various prizes awarded were:

MAIN TROPHY

CHAMPION: TRANG TENNIS CLUB

1st RUNNER-UP: LAKE VIEW CLUB

2nd RUNNER-UP: RAINTREE TIGERS

3rd RUNNER-UP: PENANG SPORTS CLUB

QUARTER-FINALIST

WINNER: CHINESE RECREATION CLUB TAIPING

RUNNER-UP: KELAB DARUL EHSAN

PLATE EVENT

WINNER: ROYAL LAKE CLUB

RUNNER-UP: MONT KIARA COUGARS

Congratulations to the Trang Tennis Club, who managed to secure the Champion title after numerous wrecking matches with Lake View Club in the finals.

The Tennis Organizing Committee would like to accord some appreciation to the General Committee for the approved budget, to all Sponsors, mainly to Dunlop Sports, for the contribution of Sports prizes & tennis balls; Carlsberg Marketing Sdn Bhd for their sponsorship of T-shirts and Beers; F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn. Bhd. for the supplies of 100+ isotonic drinks for players; and a list of other generous contributers (eg. Sportsmasters DBS Sdn Bhd, Sime Darby Lockton Insurance Brokers, Swimpro Sdn Bhd, Dunkin Donuts, Lester Hair Dressing and Euro Computer Engineering and Parts Sdn Bhd).

food & beverage 9

Samanea 2013 9

Chef Special at Coffee House for the month of July and August 2013

Kenanga Coffee House

Australian Sher Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Lamb Chorizo(served with chickpeas and Robert sauce) – 120gm RM88.00

Salmon Fish Head Curry with assorted vegetables(served with steam white rice) RM18.00

Mama Chef Oxtail Soup(served with assorted ulam, sambal belacan and white rice) RM16.00

Papa Dee Prawn Mee (served with Tiger prawn, bean sprout, kangkong and egg) RM14.00

Food & BeveragePromotions

An Invitation

Upcoming Events &

Promotions

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Samanea 201310

social & entertainment

2013 RAINTREE ANNUAL KARAOKE WINNERS & CONTESTANTS

INTER CLUB ANNUAL KARAOKE COMPETITION

The Inter Club Annual Karaoke Competition is held with seven (7) clubs competing for the best team, solo and duet title. This year, Xian Hui, Steven Chu, Leong Kim Ming, Xian Zhi, and James Lee will represent Raintree Club, the defending champion. The event will be held in our Cerating Hall on 24 August 2013. Make it a date to support your club!

Samanea 2013 11

11social & entertainment

12 feature article

Samanea 201312

MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATIONThis year our Mother’s Day celebration on 12th May 2013 is more remarkable with the attendance of 160 Raintree members. 6 charity tables of RM500 each were sold out! The charity beneficiary is Women Aid Organization (WHO) and we are very honoured as their Vice President, Ms Vivienne Lee personally received the donation cheque presented by our President, Mr Winson Han.

Our Mother’s Day show programme started with a selection of songs performed by Acapella Group, Klang Valley Harmony. The choir was followed by a talented 12 year old, Ms Haishwariyah who presented a poem to the Mothers with full confidence, dramatic and perfect intonation. The exciting events continued with two siblings Teh Khy Li and Teh Shr Li who sang “You Raised Me Up”, a popular song by the Westlife and a Violin recital by another talented duo sibling Chang Jing Yuan and Chan Shao Young. Bravo to all our future bright shining star duo siblings. Other awesome Mother’s Day celebration events were a few games held for the fathers and the children and a traditional dance called “Ala Canggong” from Cendana Mas group. The crowd continued to be entertained by singing performances from Ms Rachel Foo, the duo from Malaysian Association for the Blind “MAB” and Godfrey Ooi & Anna Loo. A grand cake cutting ceremony with all Raintree Members and guests together with our President ended this wonderful memorable event for this year.

Special thanks to all the sponsors Mrs Jenny Yim, representative from WHO, MAB, Klang Valley Harmony and the Entertainment Committee for their remarkable commitment and to all who had made this year’s Mother’s Day celeberation a success. THANK YOU.

13feature article

Samanea 2013 13

Children activityheld on 30th June 2013 in conjunction of Father’s Day.

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CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2013

DATE : 25TH AUGUST 2013TIME : 3.00PM

ANNOUNCEMENTThere will be no activity in the month of July 2013 due to Fasting month.

Samanea 2013

15upcoming events

Samanea 2013 15

BowlingRaintree Cosmic Fun Bowl

5th July 2013 (2 months)

Every Friday, 8-10pm

BadmintonRaintree Badminton Doubles League

9th July 2013 (7 weeks)

Every Tuesday & Friday evening

Squash3rd SICC/Marigold International Jumbo Doubles Squash Tournament

8th – 11th August 2013

(Host by The Singapore Island Country Club)

Table TennisRaintree Invitational Inter-Club Table Tennis Tournament 2013

17th August 2013

DartsSSU Kelab Aman 4th Inter-Club Invitational Darts Tournament

30th August – 1st September 2013

(Host by Selangor Sikh Union Kelab Aman)

DARTS

TABLE TENNIS