President’s Message for June 2020

---

My dearest Rotarians and fellow members,

This marks the last president’s message for the Rotary year 2019-2020. I am truly blessed and humbled to be given the wonderful opportunity to serve as your club president for the year.

It was an unforgettable year for many of us I am sure. Challenging yet interesting times. As a Rotarian, I would prefer to focus on the positive of what Covid19 has brought to us. As the saying goes “When life throws you a lemon, make lemonade”. It bonded many families, upgraded our life skills, discovered our hidden talents for some, and most of all, it introduced Zoom into our lives like never before.

The ability to bring so many people into one space is simply amazing. We don’t have to toggle with travel arrangements to have our fellowship and connection. We just accomplished our beautiful club installation to usher in the 17th President of RC Eclub of 3310 via zoom. This is yet another milestone for our club.

First of all, I want to thank PP Ong Chee Wee for creating the wonderful video for the installation. It beautifully captured our major projects and events over the year. For those who did not have the chance to enjoy the event that evening, we have it recorded and uploaded on our website for your viewing pleasure. It has been a great year and we have done many meaningful projects, fund raising events and participated in many joint club events as well.

A year ago, I made a speech where one of the main focus was to build stronger bond with our Rotaractors from ITE College East. And so we did. In the first half of the Rotary year alone, we partnered to bring joy to a few communities at the yearly International Community Outreach in Manila. We also jointly engaged Lee Ah Mooi Home for the Aged together, co-organized a Christmas Celebration for the elderly at Peacehaven and celebrated Christmas party together. I want to thank the Teacher Advisors, Mrs Devi and Ms Grace Angel for their unwavering commitment and enthusiasm and the very passionate youth I came to know.

I also shared on the vision of having more joint club collaborations and indeed we had the privilege to participate in many events with many clubs in the district. The fellowship was priceless.

As echoed by many, we could have done more but Covid19 came along this year. However, nothing stops Rotarians right? We may have slowed our pace but we continue to contribute in little ways. We raised money for the much needed medical supplies to Lee Ah Mooi Home and we also did a joint collaboration with Rotary Club of Johor Straits View and Rotary Club of Pasir Gudang, in the purchasing of materials to produce PPE gowns and wearables for Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor.

One of our club’s signature projects is Gift of Sight. We were all ready for Gift of Sight Indonesia and this year, we even applied an additional grant for Gift of Sight Bangladesh. These two were slated for this year but with the ongoing pandemic, we will now look forward to rolling them out under the great leadership of our incoming President, Eddie Ho and his new Board. We are also looking to gifting school uniforms to an orphanage in Ipoh once we are able to do so.

All these would not have been possible without the commitment from our members. Hence I would like to thank everyone of you who has contributed in one way or another, as well as all my excellent BOD members for your support. I am very grateful for all your encouragement, advice, help and just being you. Special thanks to my mentor IPP Richard Ong and my CP Chew Ban Seng, and my senior Rotarians who have been the greatest guiding light and pillar during my term.

We will always be a vibrant club because of all of you.

Once again, I would like to congratulate Incoming President Eddie Ho and the new board members. I am sure our club will soar to greater heights with your great leadership, your expertise and your dedicated heart.

With gratitude and love,

Terissa Rafaelle Tan
Club President 2019-2020