Exactly seven hundred and twenty days. That’s how long I’ve been the President, and I am a changed person. I remembered starting out as an idealist. I used to believe that everyone around me are selfless, and that if we persevere enough, we all can make changes we have aspire to in this world.

Two years on, I am no longer an idealist. I have become a pragmatic idealist. While still believing that deep down inside all of us, we are all altruistic beings, I have come to understand that more often than not, practical and social circumstances will serve as a hindrance to us being selfless and benevolent. Rotaract has taught me to channel my ideals into workable schemes in the real world. The best illustration is the manner in which the club is organized.

With the way our lectures and tutorials schedules are structured, it is near impossible for us to find the perfect time for everyone to meet. We have also the disadvantage of being unable to participate in other Rotaract clubs’ activities due to our tight schedules. We do not have the luxury of going through lengthy brain-storming session, deep discussion and detailed planning for every project. But we did not allow all those obstacles to get in our way. We improvise, and allow each Service Avenues to work on an ad-hoc basis. We reduced to number of activities to one per Service Avenue per term. It has increased our effectiveness.

Of course, I am not suggesting that this is how all Rotaract Clubs should be organized, and by no means am I saying that this is how a good Rotaract Club should be. What I am suggesting is that the Rotaract movement as a whole needs to be able to adapt to changing circumstances for it to stay relevant. Rotaract must be able to condition itself to the community it is in.

Sadly, not everyone embraces this fact. For example, there were murmurs when RAC ATC were not able to send any participants to last term’s Rotaract Conference when it clashes with our college’s revision period. Those murmurs came from the people who do not understand the condition that RAC ATC has to grow in – a constant delicate struggle between keeping the club active and ensuring, adhering to the college’s code of conduct and ensuring that our studies are not affected. I believe it is a struggle for most, if not all institution-based clubs.

But such struggle should not stop Rotaract from growing in colleges and universities. Such institutions have proved to be a fertile ground for Rotaract to grow. But I have also seen many institution-based clubs come and gone for the last two years, probably because students are just afraid to join a club that demands so much of them. These students are eager to contribute and to advance themselves holistically. They are idealistic like most Rotaracters are. For these students, I hope they realize that they do not have to sacrifice their studies for Rotaract. Be smart. Improvise. You can have your cake, and eat it too

Just my two cents worth.

Last week, I met two people who told me about their negative perception on Rotaract. One is a young lawyer from KL Bar Young Lawyers Association, and another is my lecturer. Generally, the words they used implied that Rotaract is a club for posers and people who like clubbing. I did not enquire further the reasons for they have formed such perceptions, as I perfectly understand the disease that has been plaguing the Rotaract organization, especially here in Malaysia.

When Rotaract was first conceived in 1968, it was meant to be a vehicle for young adults to serve the community, develop their professional skills and to nurture these young adults into responsible citizens. No where in the Rotaract constitution and by-laws provides for the requirement of “fellowship”. Nevertheless, taking into consideration the importance of good networking for young adults, and the necessitation of good networking to ensure the smooth running of projects, the idea of fellowship was readily embraced by Rotaracters. Then, the motto “Fellowship through Service” took centre stage.

Notice how the motto is worded as “Fellowship through Service”, rather than “Service through Fellowship”. The message is simply loud and clear, to serve first, and to have fellowship alongside that, and not the other way around.

However, forty years on, the concept of “service”, and even leadership and professional development is being slowly taken over by the idea of “fellowship”. Slowly, people with wrong intentions and motives are trickling into the organization. We have allowed Rotaract to be used as a vehicle to self-gratification and self-promotion. Rotaracters look upon themselves as elitist, and have forgotten their primary objectives. The young lawyer I met, scoffed at Rotaract and said, “We are different (referring to KL Bar Young Lawyers), we do our work, rather than just talk”.

Worst still, this negative culture is also much much alive in Interact (a Rotary service club for school students aged 14-18), and I can testify to this fact through my years in Interact, and as Group Discussion Leaders in the previous Interact Conference. We cannot blame them for this. They lack proper guidance, be it from Rotarians or Rotaracters.

I must qualify myself: that there are many good Rotaracters and Rotaract Clubs out there, who have stayed true to the spirit of Rotaract. They are the sincere ones, who put the needs of others above their own and they are inspiration to other youth. I am inspired by them. As I ask myself the need to sacrifice my time and energy on an organization that is potentially losing its way, I am reminded by the reasons Rotaract Club of ATC was formed a year ago, to make changes, to better ourselves, and to inspire others to better themselves.

I am thankful that the Rotaract Club of ATC have not digress from its true purposes. I have seen how my fellow Rotaracters have progressed in person, and how Rotaract have changed them for the better bit by bit. Of course, along the way, we all did have our dose of fun. However, despite the many things we have done, there are still some people who perceive Rotaract as a “drinking, clubbing, party” club. Perhaps, it is because the club itself is not totally free from what I would call the “Rotaract Dilemma”. There are people who want to be in it just for the fun the benefits of it, never for the work and sacrifices.

It is perhaps that Rotaract is trying too hard to be everything, that we have become lost in translation. I have met former Rotaracters who left because they find it hopeless to be in Rotaract. Many former Interactors refused to join Rotaract as they cannot find inspiration from the organization.

We need to define ourselves by looking back at our origin, the real reasons of our existence. I believe that Rotaract have the capabilities to be better than what it is now, and that Rotaract can live to inspire people, especially youth. Let us not be engulfed by this Rotaract Dilemma

This is a continuation of the previous blog on the Charter Celebration and First Installation Charity Banquet of the RAC-ATC last Friday, but rather than giving you guys a low-down on what happened that night, I shall give you my personal reflection on the event.

The weeks leading up to the event was very stressful, to say the least. But the whole club stuck together despite all the obstacles, and we managed to pull through. Indeed, all those hours we spent drenched in the rain, under the sun, on the phone, into the night, in the nasi lemak stall, in the college, and getting sick together; have indeed bind us close together like a family. Despite having to deal with some difficult people and difficult situations, we did not give up, true to the RAC-ATC spirit.

The time I have spent with the organizing committee has made me realize my inadequacies more, and it has made me more humble. Indeed, the value of teamwork was never SO prevalent to me up until then. It is a paradox really. I have come to understand that I am only a normal human, and there is only so much I can do. Yet, I realize that I (or rather, WE), can do extraordinary things if we set our hearts and minds to it.

I thank all those who have assisted in the success of the event. Every drop of sweat was so precious to us on that day, and I thank you all for that.

extracts from the RAC-ATC Blog (Yes…I’m too lazy to write my own)

It was an evening filled with fun, good food and great entertainment as the children from Rumah Chrestus and Rumah Nur Salam joins the Rotaract Club of ATC and its guests in the club’s Charter Celebration and First Installation Charity Banquet on 10th October at Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel.

The event was jointly organised by the club and Best Western to celebrate the club’s charter and installation, to raise fund for charity, and to celebrate Hari Raya with children from Rumah Chrestus and Rumah Nur Salam. Both homes have been adopted by the club and the hotel respectively.

The District Governor, Dr Rajindar Singh was present as the Guest of Honour together with First Lady Surendra Kaur. Also present were President Sunny Low and Ann Pat of Rotary Club of Ampang, District Rotaract Chairman PP Arthur Yeong, District Rotaract Representative, DRR Leik Hong, Chief Operating Officer of ATC, Mr. Rueben de Rozario and General Manager of ATC, Ms. Betty Chin. The newly crowned Miss Malaysia Indian Global 2008, Ms. Fiona Zuzartee was also present as the club’s special guest and Charity Ambassador for the night.

Rtr. Rachel Adriana was entertaining the crowd with her piano recitals prior to the start of the event. The event started with this cool intro video of our two Masters of Ceremony, Jagan and Rebecca.

Members of the Rotaract Club of ATC were formally inducted as Rotaracters by DG Dr Rajindar Singh and President Sunny that night. CP Kwong Chiew Ee was then installed as the Charter President by the DG followed by the installation of the Board of Directors by CP Kwong.

The crowd was entertained throughout the night by Guest Emcee, Mr Andrew Netto, Malaysia’s youngest stand-up comedian. Ms Janoah and Ms Joanna, both students of ATC, and a three-piece band led by Mr Brendan de Cruz serenaded the audience with their melodic and soulful voice. Funnyman and magician, Mr Frankie Tan was at his top form entertaining everyone with his mind-boggling tricks and great showmanship. Ending the entertainment for the night was a performance by a jazz orchestra from former students of SMJK Chong Hwa.

The children from Chrestus and Nur Salam were given goodie bags with items sponsored by Staedtler, Gardenia, Vitagen and Tesco. They were also presented with duit raya by the club and the hotel.

Raffles tickets were sold throughout the night to raise funds. The Board of Directors generously offered themselves as prizes for the raffles draws. Three lucky winners won the service of the Board of Directors to spring clean their houses, another two winners won hampers sponsored by Nestle.

The proceeds from the event were channeled to the club’s Community Fund and RAC-ATC Fund for Chrestus Home. The Rotaract Club of ATC would like to thank all those who have contributed to the success of the event.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

Come and enjoy the food, fun and fellowship. Support your favourite blogger

All proceeds will go to Rotaract Club of ATC Community Fund and Chrestus Home Fund

The Rotaract Club of ATC presents to you, the ROTARACT STATION

Say goodbye to sleepy heads in classes. Grab your freshly brewed Nescafe here!

Is your stomach grumbling? Fear not! We have a variety of food available to you, from the all-time Malaysian’s favourite nasi lemak, fried noodles, curry puff and egg tart. 

Feeling lucky today? Buy your lucky draw tickets at RM1.00 each and stand a chance to win RM50.00.

Are you bored? Play an array of Playstation 2 games at RM1.00 for half and hour, or try your shooting skills in the Shooting Range.

So, hurry up! The Rotaract Station is located at the Student Lounge, ATC KL Campus and will be open from 4th August to 29th August at 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

“Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

Helen Keller, The Simplest Way to be Happy

Sometimes, it is the simple things in life that make your day worthwhile. Sometimes, being happy is not really so much about making yourself happy, but by making others happy.

You know you have found satisfaction in the things you do when you go home smiling even after having to do “hard labour” for whole morning, plus another 8 hours work.

So, a group of us from Rotaract Club of ATC went to Chrestus Home, the home for neglected and abused children that we have adopted last year to do some painting work, together with the Rotary Club of Ampang.

So, while others are painting the rooms;

I made the children do this to keep them occupied so that they wouldn’t distract the painters. Keeping thirteen hyperactive kids occupied, is very energy-consuming I must say.

But it was fun!

We can’t promise to make everything alright for them…

But we promise to make things a little bit better than before.

Because not only Rotary cares; but Rotaract cares as well!

p/s: I would like to thank all the people who made this happen (including my collegues at Body Glove who are willing enough to take over my morning shift so that I could be there).

*photos courtesy of Daniel

Seriously!

I am still very much exhausted after days of non-stop activities. I have not gone home for the past five days and I finally hit my sack yesterday night. Whew!

I was in Penang a few days ago. USM Penang to be precise, for the RI District 3300 Interact Conference  from 23rd to 25th Nov. No, I was not there as a participant (I am no longer an Interactor, sigh). I was there as part of the D3300 Rotaract team who were helping out in organizing and coordinating the event. What an amazing experience it was. Believe me, 30 Rotaracters trying to coordinate over 600 Interactors full of adrenaline is no easy meat.

I was given the responsibility to be the Group Discussion Leader (or in short GDL) for Group 17, a.k.a Ickythump (tonight we’ll dine at McD.. lol). There were all in all 25 Interactors in the group. As a GDL, I was supposed to only give my advise, guide them and do nothing more (incredible ain’t it).

It may sound boring but it wasn’t; not when you have a bunch of teens with you. They reminded me of my good old days as an Interactor, only that they seem less shy and more energetic. Geez I feel old! And on top of that, they are suberbly creative as well (human layers burger @ McD?)

Well, you must be wondering what did I do for the three days I was there other than advising and guding the Interactors. Well, as we were all in USM, we had to abide strictly to USM rules and regulations, although we are part of the organizing team. No nights out for us. But you can never count on Rotaracters to abide by those rules. We managed to sneak out on the first night, just like how they did in Mission Impossible (jumping fences etc, but it turned out that we only had to act coolly and walk out through the front gate)

We weren’t that lucky though on the second night. Half way through our walk to the front gate, we were stopped by one of the staffs of USM.  After two phone calls and much drama, we were allowed to go out for supper.

Rebels we are.

After three days in USM, I think that the sight of curry chicken will induce vomit from me.

I’ll upload some of the conference photos later. By the way, another major rally happened in KL while I was in Penang. If you want to know more about it, my friend, Daniel  has an amazing first-hand account of the event in his blog.

Till then, cheers!

The Provisional Rotaract Club of Advance Tertiary College

I haven’t been blogging for more than a week, and there is no better way to restart than to do something different. Pictorial Blog. So, here it is people; the First General Meeting of the Provisional Rotaract Club of ATC and Official Signing Ceremony with the Rotary Club of Ampang

Our guests and Rotaracters.

The signing of documents with President Fiona from RC Ampang

Exchange of documents with President Fiona

Our Rotaracters with Rotarian Advisor, PP Donny and PP Henry Soh

Installed as the Provisional President

Our Treasurer, Jeka went home $$$$ richer on that day

Club Service Director, Jeff and VP Chris showing off their collar badges

Commencement of the First General Meeting; Secretary, Giri on my left

… and finally, WE ARE OFFICIAL!

as endorsed by President Fiona and Mr. Rueben, COO of ATC

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Ampang for accepting us to your family.

and…

a BIG THANK YOU to Rotaracters of ATC and my ever-excellent Board of Directors.

Everyone seeks validation. Even I do.

I ponder upon this as I was speaking to a friend today about doing what’s right, and what’s fair. I realise that sometimes, when I make decisions, especially when it involves something personal, I tend to seek out for people to validate my actions and decisions.

It turns out, that the root of the problem lies in there; that I always tried to make everyone satisfied and happy and my believe, a wrongful believe was that if everyone’s satisfied, it will be a good decision. But it is just not possible. You can’t make everyone happy.

As I wonder what I should do, and what shall be the best solution to the problem that I have now, it occurs to me that the the guide to my solution has always been here beside me; the four way test:

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendship?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

This test was introduced by former Rotary International President, Herbet J. Taylor as a guide to ethical practice in all the things we said, think or do. In all our actions, we should ask ourselves the four questions above and if the answers are of the affirmitive, we shall go on with the solution. Of course, we may dispute, in a modern and materialistic world that we live in today, it would be impossible for us to strictly follow the test. But I believe that this is of your own will, as no external force can make you disapply the four way test, but yourself.

What comes first for us? Humanity or materialism? I admit it, I would sometimes be swayed to materialism. This, I would say is the result of lack of “spiritualism”. Of course, when I talk about spiritualism, I do not mean religion, as I believe even free-thinkers can be more humane than religious people in many instances. By spiritualism, I meant compassion, forgiveness, selflessness, tolerance and humility. It is what shape our humanity and I believe these four-way test can be the guide to our spiritualism. Without spiritualism, there would be no humanity, and without humanity, we are just some lost souls.

And I call for all of you to at least try this four way test at some point of your life. I happen to chance upon a blog about the four way test, and I would like to share it with all of you, my readers. It is something really inspirational. You may think of it as naive, but I think the blog can provides us with so much optimism that we all badly need. Have a peek at it! http://thefourwaytest.wordpress.com/