Celebrating Mid-year Success in "Making Dreams Real"
Speech and Accomplishment Report - District Mid-year Review
January 30, 2009, Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City

To my fellow Rotarians in Rotary International District 3830 I express my profound thanks for coming together today, January 30 and tomorrow, January 31 for this Midyear Review - our celebration of tremendous success during the first six months of our year of service. To you I share this special message.

When you go on a journey, there's a familiar place midway where you love to rest for a while. As you sip a cup or two of coffee, your mind rolls back to where you started and begin to realize how far you have gone in your journey.  In Rotary, that familiar place is this midyear review. It is a pleasant time to enjoy a two-day respite from our year's journey. And as we come together for fellowship to celebrate our success, we look back to where we started and see how far we have gone in the pursuit of our plans and objectives. Our Midyear Review, my friends, is a wonderful time to assess our accomplishments in giving meaning to our year's theme, "Make Dreams Real."

Today, halfway through our year, we look back and ponder on the wisdom of the words, "It is wise to rest, see where you are, and regain strength to continue the journey." We realize that we have done so much – even more than we had planned -  to pursue Rotary's thrusts for the year: the reduction of child mortality in the world through Rotary's emphases on water, health and hunger, and illiteracy, and the protection and conservation of the environment. Realizing that some 30,000 children worldwide die every day from preventable diseases even before they reach the age of five, we implemented and accomplished projects in the areas of nutrition for children, vaccination of children against many diseases, clean water, and many other related projects. We have also undergone joint undertakings with local and city governments as well as other Rotary districts in projects aimed at protecting and conserving the Paranaque River, Laguna de Bay, and other areas affected by man's destruction of the environment. We have also implemented tree planting projects as well as projects for the protection of our coral reefs, proper garbage disposal, etc.

Through these we have done so much to make the difference in Rotary's dream of building a better world. We truly deserve a well-earned rest to seek a second wind, to be able to move on with even greater resolve and finish our year with a resounding success.  Today, we are proud to announce to the world that District 3830 is a strong Rotary movement of some 2,500 committed Rotarians serving Makati, Taguig, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, and Palawan.  As we gather as this scenic Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay to celebrate our accomplishments in the first semester of our year, join me in extending our district's expression of gratitude to the Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo, headed by President Chacha Camacho, for hosting this auspicious event.  At his point let me express my heartfelt congratulations to all my real good presidents for your accomplishments. You have led with the heart, you were led by your vision. You were inspired by your dreams.

Let me  reveal our success stories for the year.

At the beginning of our year we set our common purpose: Building Effective Clubs for a Stronger Rotary. And to achieve this, we committed ourselves to be guided by the hallmarks of strong and effective clubs:

• Significant membership growth
• Meaningful service projects
• Important contributions to The Rotary Foundation
• Committed leaders that will be serving beyond the club
• Well governed clubs that are accountable to their members and compliant with RI policies and guidelines

Based on this common goal, we set specific goals for our district:

• A total membership of 3,000 Rotarians – to be achieved through an increase of 1000 new Rotarians  and organization of 33 new clubs.
• Total contributions of US$300,000 to The Rotary Foundation
• 100 percent of clubs will receive the RI Presidential Citation.

We committed to two legacies that should become our district's foundations for a strong Rotary District:

1. To make our District 3830 the Premiere District in Philippine Rotary.
2. To make our District 3830 Number One in terms of Membership and Number One in terms of TRF Contributions by the end of 2008-2009 - all Clubs to have at least one Paul Harris Fellow and make the District a 100 percenter PHF.

What have we reached in terms of membership?

We started the Rotary year with 2,050 members and inducted 500. We would have been number one if all 500 inducted members during our joyous inductions were all reported and paid for with RI.

Since only 183 were officially reported. We are now ranked number 6  in the Philippines with membership reported at 2,233.  For your information, our district recorded an average of 28 per club at the beginning of our year, the highest in average membership among the 10 districts. With additional members reported we average 30.6 per club as of December, still number one in average member per club.

Five months after our term begun,  we marked the fastest and had the biggest net growth  of 8.93%  in the zone as of the first semester . This I thank each of you for your effort.  Let us give a round of applause to all of us for this accomplishment.  RI official record ranks us 6th  biggest in the zone as of December 2008.  (We were also ranked as number one in terms of submission of first semester SAR at 97% and should have been 100% only because two clubs, RC Taguig and Parañaque West, have not yet been officially terminated by RI due to non payment of SAR.)

With much encouragement let us pay our SAR and let those whom we inducted now become official Rotarians of your club and Rotary International.  As your district governor, I am appealing for you to pay your SAR and let our new members become official Rotarians.  Thus attaining our target of  3,000 members for the district must be a dream realized.  My prodding and increasing your club targets seemed a hard task… to many of you was an impossible task…   yet  you made good,  my real good presidents and it will  be good for the rest of the year.

Congratulations for the 500 new members and the next 500.

Club Extension

District 3830 takes the lead in the strengthening of existing Clubs, in response to Pres. DK Lee's challenge.  Our  stretch target was to charter 33 new Rotary Clubs. As of now two clubs are now in the process of being chartered. We expect 8 more clubs to submit their application by February.  Hopefully we will have their chartering expedited before our term ends as it takes 4 months for RI to approve our application.

1. RC of Alabang Lampara with 40 members by RCMakati West
2. RC Paranaque St, Andrew with 40 by RC Palanyag- Paranaque (for submission)

We are waiting for the formation of:

3. RC Paranaque Merville by RC Palanyag-Parañaque
4. RC Paranaque B.F. Homes by RC Palanyag- Parañaque
5. RC Global City Central by RC Makati
6. RC Makati Essensa by RC Makati Bel Air
7. RC Makati Kamagong by RC Makati Poblacion
8. RC Makati Guadalupe Nuevo by RC Makati Poblacion
9. RC Taguig Metro by RC Parañaque Metro
10. RC Makati Metro West by RC Parañaque Metro Makati, Dasmariñas, and Makati West

The extension of clubs will also help bring our district to our targeted 3,000 membership.

Another strategy we are doing to increase membership is the revival of district fellowship and invitation of inactive Rotarians, formation of CPs group and GSEs.  We need to attract more members and increase our roster.

Dreaming on but moving on, my real good presidents…

The Rotary Foundation

We started our campaign for Paul Harris contributions as early as your PETS in March, if you will distinctly remember.  Then, more campaigns for Paul Harris Contributions  during your induction and more during your governor's visits.  We had 88 Rotarians who contributed $500 dollars and  became new Paul Harris Fellows by the matching of PDG Alex Huang. By TRF recognition dinner in November, we garnered a running total of 120 new Paul Harris, 28 were real good presidents. We recognized five major donors, Ed Limon, Sonie Zamora, Butch Francisco, Gilda Lim, Carlos del Rosario, not to mention the many contributions to the sustaining PHF.

Todate, RI records total of about $120,000 for the district's annual giving.  We were number one  during the first quarter of our term.  Today, we rank 2nd among the districts in the Philippines, next to District 3810 but this will not stop us from striving to be number one again.  Are you with me?  Short by $180,000 from our target of $300,000, we can still catch up with your pledges and encouraging commitments during my governor's visit.

Committing to become another 100 percenter Paul Harris club, after RC San Lorenzo and RC Muntinlupa Filinvest, is RC Paranaque East , Alex Ty during the governor's visit paid additional 10 PHF. Also the Rotary Club of of Parañaque South, my home club is committing to be a 100% PHF.

I am so overwhelmed by the pledges I received during the governor's visit:

• RC Parañaque Lakambini, Pres Arlene Cañas with 8 PHF
• RC Alabang, Pres Raffy Villanueva with 20 new PHF
• RC Parañaque Midtown, Uye Flores with 8 new PHF
• RC Makati Northwest., Lilly Kho with 11 new PHF
• RC Muntinlupa North, Menchi Muana with 5 new PHF
• RC Las Piñas North, Ike Atanacio with 9 PHF (3 have paid)
• And more …

We still offer matching of PP Raffy Garcia at $500.  This will be good until Feb 15, 2008.  As we are reminded that RI requires each club for a per capita of $100, let me thank you for your support to the Rotary Foundation, the life and blood of  Rotary service.

Benefits of PHF

Our contribution to the Rotary Foundation comes back a hundredfold.  Today we have received about  $1 million in applications for matching grant, excluding matching grant proceeds during Gov Ato's term.  Matching grant applications for humanitarian grant include:

1. 3H applied during our term: 2 projects for total funding of $555,423.  Clubs who will benefit from this 3H grant are:

• RC Makati San Lorenzo for their 5 year project to improve condition of 350 poor families in Calwis, Antipolo.
• RC Parañaque for their prevention or reduction of Neural tube defects including installation of modern equipments in National Children's hospital.

2. Matching grant applied and implemented this term – 2 projects for total funding of $60,300.  This will assist the clubs of:

• RC Makati for their Anti TB project and
• RC Makati West fro their Save a Life Children with congenital heart diseases.

3. Matching grant projects submitted and to be implemented by 4th quarter with total funding of $281,100.  This will help:

• RC Makati to address the growing literacy problems of the youth and improve reading and writing techniques of poor students.
• And  another project of RC  Makati on micro financing for 200 families
• RC Makati West's feeding project for 600 malnourished children
• RC Makati Salcedo's feeding program for 415 malnourished children ages 3-6 yrs
• RC Makati Ayala 's implementation of the Jaipur Foot project
• RC Puerto Princesa's Alternative Learning System for out of school youth
• RC Narra's livelihood for 100-150 fishermen  and mangrove rehabilitation
• RC Narra Central's feeding and nutrition program
• RC Makati East's Training the Trainers of the Development Center for the Handicapped Foundation Inc., Stepping Stone, and program for the continuity of Special Education Program of Persons with Disabilities
• RC Makati Buendia's project addressing the psychosocial needs of pediatrict patients. Also their Toy and Multi Media Library project
• RC Las Pinas North's project "Helping Life Create Life" prenatal program for mothers and nourishment for their children
• RC Alabang's out of school youth and street children assistance and educational program.  Also for their Tuloy Foundation skills and training on Automotive Servicing
• RC Parañaque South's feeding program

4. DSG Grant

This Rotary year, your projects were supported by DSG funding from the TRF.  Total of 32 humanitarianprojects were approved amounting to $640,000. Out of which 17 were already granted, 4 lack documentations and 11 just waiting for your supporting documents.

5. Gilda Lim Foundation

We have also been blessed by the generosity of PP Gilda Lim who has donated through a foundation P1 million to support projects on child mortality and environmental protection.  Total funds released as of today for 35 clubs is P875,000.

District Projects  and Partnerships

Our district has joined hands in giving meaning to our RI Theme  "Make Dreams Real" for our children.

Child Mortality

National Children's Hospital – Signed with Dr. Roberto Enriquez

Environment

City of Paranaque – "Linis Ilog Project for Paranaque River" Signed with Paranaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe

Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) – Signed with GM Edgardo Manda and two other districts, D3800 (DG Ferdinand Fuentes) and D3820 (DG Felino Noguera) for the Save Laguna Lake Projects

71 clubs today will join me in calling the attention of the MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando to have a joint environmental project to preserve and save the rivers surrounding the cities of Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Parañaque and Las Piñas.

MOAs among 30 Club Presidents were signed for the implementation of the Bamboo Projects and planting of Malungay in the areas of Taguig and Laguna Lake where 18 RCCs will be adopted to implement environmental preservation projects.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines – Signed with its president, David O. Valdes and the other nine RI districts in the Philippines represented by their respective district governors.

Haribon Foundation, Inc. – Signed with its chairman, Jesus P. Francisco and the other nine RI districts in the Philippines represented by their respective district governors.

Matched District Agreements

• RI District 2840 (Japan) – Signed with DG Koichi Yokohama
• RI District 3620 (Cheonan, South Korea) - Signed with DG Eun Soo Moon
• RI District 3860 - Signed with DG Billy Parilla
• MOA with 20 clubs from Korea - 20 Clubs from our District will enter into sisterhood agreement with Korean clubs

District  Events and Projects

Our District is bursting with events and our tireless district officers under the headship of PP Joji Tan, Edna Sutter, Rhoda Salas, Sally Tongson, PDG Tony, PDG Sonny and PP Chochit to provide our district members meaningful appreciation of the four avenues of service.  We conducted seminars to strengthen our Rotary learning.  We undertook district events and observed Rotary's monthly theme.

1) Rotary Academy:

• International Service Workshop
• Membership Recruitment seminar
• TRF Matching Grant Seminars
• District membership Retention
• Public Relations Workshop
• Service to Youth Workshop

2) Youth:

• DRIA
• Lipad Noypi New generation Conference
• Youth Solo and Choral competitions
• Pinoy Idol and Choral competition
• Participation of Rotaracts to Asia Regional Rotaract Conference

3) TRF and International Service:

• TRF Dinner
• On to Birmingham Launch
• 11th Model United Nations Assembly

4) Fellowship and Sports:

• District Bowling and badminton tournament
• District monthly fellowship, Halloween Party, Christmas Party
• Bingo Bonanza

5) Vocational:

• Mega Job Fair
• 2nd Pinoy Nurse Expo
• Adopted RCCs in Taguig and Paranaque

6) Community Service:

• We conducted district wide medical mission and value formation teaching children Rotary values and implement four way test.
• District Advocacy on Water, Crime Prevention and 4-Way Test
• We campaigned for the prevention of children's mortality.
• Launched environmental projects to save Laguna Lake and Paranaque Rivers to address our district thrust of environmental protection.
• We started conducting projects to save the Butandings and provide training and livelihood to fishermen of Calayo.

7) Public Relations:

The district's efforts dwelled on both internal and external communication.  The efforts started in earnest during the PRE-PETS where four media platforms where identified. There were:

• Electronic Media - the RI District 3830 RY 2008-09 Website, and the District Email Group, are the vehicles for communication and has been the digital repositories and archives of club and district news, documents and photos.  About 46 of the District 3830 Rotary clubs have their own website and e-mail group.  It is anticipated that the goal of 100% before June 30 will be achieved.

• Rotary Publications - the district sponsored the maiden issue for RY 2008-09 of the Philippine Rotary Magazine.  The Governor's Monthly Letter is an RI mandated printed communication. Its contents - the governor's monthly message, the monthly theme and the critical monthly clubs' report statistics on membership, new Paul Harris fellows and attendance.

• TV and Radio and Print - we are profusely grateful for the support of our Rotarians (Cory Quirino, Sweetie Gardiner CP Marissa del Mar, IPP Patty Santos, Pres. Klink Ang of the media  providing not only in their air time but the use of their production capabilities.  We were featured in the Manila Times, Inquirer, BizNews Asia Magazine.

District 3830 has been fortunate to qualify for a PR Grant by Rotary International.  The district will launch this thrust starting on Feb. 23.  Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed Executive Order (EO) 877 declaring Feb. 23 to 28 as the "Rotary International Week."  The district intends to feature public service announcements (PSAs) in the following media:

• Free-to-air television (GMA7, QTV, ABS-CBN, ANC, etc.)
• Main Road Arteries Billboard (EDSA, SLEX, etc.)
• Mobile Posters (EDSA buses, etc.)
• Bumper stickers (Rotarian vehicles)
• Coffee-table book

8) Bingo Bonanza

Bingo Bonanza was a smashing success. We were expecting 9,000 participants and 12,000 attended. Our district sold 2,400 tickets.  PAGCOR will provide us report on the financial results of this event and will distribute club shares. The funds will finance the start up of our dream office. Time and again, I told you that it is very ironic that we have provided houses for GK and Habitat, when we ourselves do not have our own homes.  Let us pursue this dream.  Let us start to build a home of our own.

Now its your turn.

Your clubs have many interesting projects that our district is proud to wit.  I for one have been awed by your resourcefulness, creativity and efficiency.  Congratulations.

Our district officers and I can't wait for your group reports, each of them, I am sure, were done with labor of love.

Your AGs and Operations Area Heads who have diligently and patiently spent effort to make sure that you are guided and that your report come on schedule and proficiently done. Let's all show them our acknowledgement.  Give them our deep appreciation for their support.

My fellow Rotarians, as we dream on, lets catch the dream..., let us together Make Dreams Real.