CROSSROADSRotary Club of Singapore Vol. 48 / 28

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“Singapore’s New Business Model – Will It Work? ”SPEAKER: Rtn. Phillip OvermyerLunch meeting of the 1st february 2012

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Joke of the week“What are a woman’s four favorite animals ? A mink in the closet, a Jaguar in the garage, a tiger in her bedroom and a donkey to pay for it all.” From the book of Humour compiled by Rewa MirpuriHAVE MANY LAUGHS AND HELP THE NEEDYhttp://www.rotary.org.sg/bookofhumour.html

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Introductory remarks

President Tapan Rao welcomed members to the first meeting of “World Understanding Month” celebrated by Rotarians in the month of February. He added that Rotary came into existence on 23rd February 1905 and to commemorate this event, a World Understanding and Peace Day Dinner will be held at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel, hosted by the Club. President Tapan advised that the expected Guest of Honour was the President of Singapore.He was pleased to welcome the Speaker, none other than our member, Rtn. Phillip Overmyer.

Welcome of visiting Rotarians and guestsRtn. Matei Iurascu welcomed our guests and visiting rotarians

- Guests :Mrs. Arpita KumarDr. Sanjay N.Mr. Chirang SamtaniMr. Tim LeongMr. Dennis Lee

Visiting Rotarians :PP Dr. Ved Bali – Rhondda, WalesV.P. Merle Rickliffs – Mt. Beauty, AustraliaGeorge Hartung – University District Seattle, USA

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ToastRtn. Michael King called upon PP Dr. Ved Bali to address the Club. PP Ved advised that his club, the Rotary Club of Rhondda was located in Wales, in Rotary District 115. He was in Singapore visiting his son who worked in Singapore. PP Ved was pleased to be able to locate the Club and added that he would continue to visit our Club.

Speaker of the week

President Tapan called upon Rtn. Uttam Kripalani to introduce the Speaker, Rtn. Phillip Overmyer. Rtn. Uttam noted that Rtn. Phillip need not have a formal introduction since he has been a member of the Club since 2007, however for the sake of newer members, a brief introduction was given. Rtn. Phillip is the Chief Executive of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) since 2003. He has spent many years in the USA and Asia working with Samuels International and AT&T during which period he was Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce and later Chairman of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce.Rtn. Phillip’s talk highlighted three main focus of the Government’s plan:Jobs – the security of and the creation of jobs.Productivity – on the firm level from low value, labour intensive industries to knowledge-based and high value industries. On the individual level – for employees to do high value work to achieve wage growth.Economic Growth – measures to be taken to enable long term growth.

Rtn. Phillip also spoke of the concerns of businesses, particularly the availability and cost of foreign manpower. He informed members of the Government’s clear direction to significantly reduce foreign staff. He further highlighted SICC’s areas of focus for the Budget. In his vote of thanks, PP Peter Tan noted that as expected with Rtn. Phillip’s stature in the business world, Rtn. Phillip’s talk had given thought-provoking information on the possible economic slowdown as well as some of the Government’s policy changes. He also added that one of the objectives of Rotary was to support high ethical practices as we deal with the community and the government.

New member

President Tapan had the pleasant task of inducting a new member to the Club. He invited PE Jimmy Ooi to introduce his candidate, Mr. James Lee Huan Siak, to members. Rtn. James was a graduate from NTU with an accountancy degree and was a previous Rotaractor. PE Jimmy advised of Rtn. James’ interest in music as he was a music teacher as well as a choir director before becoming the Deputy Principal of Geylang Methodist School (Secondary). Rtn. James’s classification is “Education: Administration”. Upon his induction, President Tapan called upon Rtn. James to address the Club. Rtn. James stated that it was a privilege to be a member of the Club which supported such worthy causes and briefly shared his experience as a Rotaractor. He looked forward to enjoying the Club’s activities and fellowship.

PETS& District Assembly

President Tapan had the pleasant task of inducting a new member to the Club. He invited PE Jimmy Ooi to introduce his candidate, Mr. James Lee Huan Siak, to members. Rtn. James was a graduate from NTU with an accountancy degree and was a previous Rotaractor. PE Jimmy advised of Rtn. James’ interest in music as he was a music teacher as well as a choir director before becoming the Deputy Principal of Geylang Methodist School (Secondary). Rtn. James’s classification is “Education: Administration”. Upon his induction, President Tapan called upon Rtn. James to address the Club. Rtn. James stated that it was a privilege to be a member of the Club which supported such worthy causes and briefly shared his experience as a Rotaractor. He looked forward to enjoying the Club’s activities and fellowship.

Board of Directors 2012-13

President Tapan announced the Members of the Board of Directors for Rotary Year 2012-2013 as follows: President Jimmy OoiImm. Past President Tapan RaoPresident Elect: Dr. Shahul HameedVice Presidents: Koh Juay Meng and Dinesh SharmaHon. Secretary: Noshir Mistri Hon. Treasurer: Dr. Mark EgerDirectors:Robert CraiuIrina FranckenSirish KumarShalini SharmaShamin Vaswani

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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 celebrantsThere are no Birthday celebrants this week.

Anniversary CelebrantsRC sends best wishes to Wedding Anniversary celebrants: February 8 – Atul & Bella Merchant

This weekFebruary 8th 2012

Reception Desk duty: PP Chiang Shih Fang, T K ChewSunshine Box duty: PP Mansoor Hassanbhai, VP Brigitte Holtschneider

Speaker: Our very own member, Rtn. Chan Chong Beng, President of ASMETopic: “ASME for the SMEs”

Vocational Service Date: Thursday, 9th FebruaryTime: 7.30pmVenue: Senior Police Officers’ Mess, 153 Mt. Pleasant Road, S296153.Hosts: Rtns. S “Mali” Malaiappan, Bharat Mandloi

Next week February 15th 2012

Reception Desk duty: PN Dr. Shahul Hameed, Robert CraiuSunshine Box duty: Uttam Kripalani, Michael Boegli

Speaker: Prof. P N AvadhaniTopic: To be advised.

International Service Date: Thursday, 16th FebruaryTime: 7.30pmVenue: To be advised.

COMING ROTARY EVENTS FebruaryWorld Understanding Month

February 22nd

Meeting cancelled in view of the World Understanding and Peace Day Dinner

February 23rd World Understanding and Peace Day

March

March 22nd – 25thDistrict Assembly and PETS at Grand Paragon Hotel, Johor Bahru

AprilMagazine Month

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

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?