February is Rotary’s Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month. Peace through Service was the Rotary International Theme for 2012-2013 and while Chiang Mai International Rotary Club’s signature theme is Child Safety, Health and Education the ideas are embodied in what we are doing and will be doing over the coming months.
Our current effort to support the Mae Tao Clinic is a fundraising campaign to allow students at their Child Development Center to take the American G.E.D. test allowing qualifying them to apply for university study. Given the opportunity, many of these students will attend university and return to their community with skills necessary to make a positive impact on the future.
CMIRC is in the process of establishing an English Language Cultural Club where participants will be able to learn about each other’s cultures. Understanding is perhaps the most critical element to finding Peace and avoiding conflict.
We are also working on establishing Children’s Vision Screening Project and establishing a Rotary Community Corps in the 11 Tessaban (government) schools in Chiang Mai district which may become an avenue for the English Language Cultural Clubs to take hold.
CMIRC is in the process of establishing an Interact Club and a Rotaract Club.
Perhaps the very best thing about our club is the great service opportunities we provide; service is our greatest membership benefit!! The coming additions of the English Language Cultural Exchange Club, the Rotary Community Corps, the Interact Club and the Rotaract Club will require effort from our members and will certainly contribute to the betterment of our community. If you are a Chiang Mai resident or soon may be, and you are looking for an opportunity to give back to the community please contact us. One of my favorite things to do is have lunch with prospective members. Would that be you?