Commit. Connect. Communicate

“We as Rotarians must raise our voice to proclaim our values,
for they are values to live by.”- 2009-2010 R.I. President John Kenny

Last Saturday, August 22, 2009, the RCDE contingent led by Pres. Mario, IPP Boy, PE Nick, Sec. TonyPats, Dir. Sundie, Treas. Ruben, Aud. Jonathan, Rtn. Joel, Rtn. Manda, New member Angelo and I attended the Multi-District PR Seminar at Hotel Stotsenberg, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. The Districts who were represented there were Philippine Districts 3770, 3780, 3790, 3800, 3810, 3820, 3830, 3850, 3860, 3870 and 3400 Indonesia. The event was hosted by Cluster 3B, District 3790 Pampanga.

The following are the Seminar Topics and the respective Resource Speakers:

Keynote Address Year in Review and Looking Forward – PDG Line Abanilla Zone 7 Coordinator PR Resource Group, RI’s Directions on Public Image – PDG Rob Crabtree PR Coordinator for South Pacific District 9920 New Zealand, Personal Salesmanship for Rotary – Ma. Soccoro “Baby” Jamias, Rotary Watch – PP Albert Garcia RC Forbes Park District 3830, Facing the Media – PE Marilen Lagniton RC Cubao EDSA District 3780, RI PR in Progress – District PR Chairs, Importance of the , PDG Mac Hermoso, District 3790, and Commit, Connect, Communicate – Cory Quirino TV Host, Columnist and Past President, RC Makati legaspi District 3830.

The seminar encapsulated that there is a need to increase Public Relations for Rotary to increase membership and increase knowledge about Rotary in order to gather more funds for the different community projects and to eventually eradicate polio forever. The resource speakers also reiterated that Rotary’s most valuable asset is our reputation and that Rotary symbol should be promoted like the well-known brands. Let us make the Rotary symbol synonymous to Sharing and Service. They have also shown that this could be done through innovative and interesting ways.

And yes we can do it. Because we are Rotarians!

Addendum: May I again solicit your support for our RCDE Basketball Team as we are going to the Finals against the Coca-Cola Team. The best-of-three series will start this Tuesday. Go RCDE!

Classification Principle

"Rotary is so simple that many people do not understand it,
and some even misunderstand it.
Rotary is not a philosophy...
not an all-embracing world point of view which answers every question...
and satisfies all the dictates of the heart and mind.
Rotary is merely an association of business
and professional men united in the ideal of service."
– 1937-38 R.I. President Maurice Duperrey

When a lawyer named Paul Harris, a coal dealer, a mining engineer, and a merchant tailor first met in l905 in Chicago, they gave birth to Rotary and, by the nature of their diverse occupations, to the association’s most distinctive feature – the classification principle.

Last Monday, the new members had their Classification Talk during the weekly RCDE meeting. It was such an animated and interesting episode in which the new members presented to the club their personal profile, business and professional service, who sponsored them, why they joined the Rotary, what can they offer to the club and what do they expect in joining RCDE.

What is exactly is the Classification for?

According to the ABC’s of Rotary, virtually all membership in Rotary is based upon a "classification." Basically a classification describes the distinct and recognized business or professional service which the Rotarian renders to society.
The principle of Rotary classification is somewhat more specific and precise. In determining the classification of a Rotarian it is necessary to look at the "principal or recognized business or professional activity of the firm, company or institution" with which an active member is connected or "that which covers his principal and recognized business or professional activity."

It should be clearly understood that classifications are determined by activities or services to society rather than by the position held by a particular individual. In other words, if a person is the manager of a bank, he or she is not classified as "bank manager" but under the classification "banking."

The goal is professional diversity, which enlivens the club’s social atmosphere and provides a rich resource of occupational expertise to carry out service projects and provide club leadership.

Friendship in RCDE

"Friendship...
the craving for which brought Rotary into existence
is the thing that will keep Rotary a living,
vital force in the world for all time,
the very foundation of our organization."
- 1919-20 R.I. President Albert S. Adams;
Address to 1920 Rotary Convention,
Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Friendship. That is what RCDE is for me. It is the bind that keeps us stronger as a club. It is also the foundation that glues us together. Through thick or thin, through trials and hardships... It is the recurrent theme that probably sets us apart from other clubs.

One of the dearest Rotarian who was more than a friend to all of us was RTN. George “Utol” Castillo, who passed away recently. I could vividly remember how he warmly treated us with candor and intimacy. If you call him sir, he would vehemently disagree and correct you. Just call me “Utol”, he would always say. His presence in the club offered us a friendship amidst the superficiality of this world. What amazes me is how he knows all members regardless of stature or whether if you are new or not. He is the first to offer his gentle handshake whenever he sees you. Utol, you will definitely be missed!

On a less somber note, I would like to congratulate my fellow RCDE Basketball teammates for winning two games in a row in the Inter-commercial Basketball tournament at the St. John School Gym that we have joined in. Teamwork was the spelling factor that led us to success. “Ang RCDE, hindi lang pang-Service, pang-Sports pa!

Kudos also the RCDE members who painstakingly made an effort to trek to and monitor our year-long Supplemental Feeding program in Brgy. Talibaew, Calasiao, Pangasinan last Friday.

Mabuhay ang RCDE!