October 1st was the end of what is called "Buddhist lent", which is the rainy season in Thailand when the monks must remain in their temples and not travel. This practice dates back to when roads were not paved and travel was difficult. In modern times, it has marked the beginning of the "high season" when seasonal tourists return to Thailand as the rains end and the temperatures cool and humidity is lower, especially here in the north of Thailand.
However, 2020 is a year unlike any other. Later this month, Thailand will experiment with permitting several hundred tourists to enter from areas with low-to-no Covid-19 to go to designated areas where they must quarantine for two weeks. Chiang Mai is not one of those areas and the economic devastation continues. Every day, more and more businesses close for good as they lose the struggle to remain open. Let's hope the experiment in admitting tourists from low-risk areas goes well and the Thai government permits more to come. Sadly, it looks like our members stranded overseas will be there for many months since they are in high-Covid areas.
Yet, those of us remaining have launched a new project and continue with our current projects to improve children's health, safety and education. Pour your favorite beverage and settle in to read this month's Bulletin. You can better enjoy each story if you click on the story's title, where you'll be taken to a webpage where it is displayed.
Well, this was something I was not planning on doing during the month of September. Clarence Shettlesworth resigned from our club for personal reasons not associated with any dissatisfaction with the position of president or the club. We hope to have Clarence return to the club sometime in the future. As many are aware John Schorr served as President in RY 2018-2019 and then agreed to fill the position in RY 2019-2020 when Colin Jarvis had to resign the position. Dylan Thomason is the current President Elect preparing to assume the president’s position in RY 2021-2022, but he has not yet been through the President Elects' training. Our club is young and has a limited number of members who have served as presidents and are qualified to assume the role.
As some know, I was the president during the formation of the club. As the charter president, I served during RY 2013-2014 and RY 2014-2015. I think I have filled every position in the club with the exception of Treasurer. So, it seems that I am the logical replacement for the remainder of this Rotary Year. Hopefully, this will be my last time coming out of presidential retirement. I still retain responsibilities as Chair of both Foundation Committee and Public Image Committee.
In most clubs, the expectation is that every member will serve as president at least one time. I think it strengthens a club to have leadership roles filled by different people. This brings a diversity of views into leadership and sometimes can challenge out-of-date thinking.
Several of our service projects have begun again with the opening of schools and the loosening of restrictions for domestic travel. A new project has started – the CMIRC School Vision Screening Project. This project, led by John Schorr, requires participation support from our members. In addition, a modified BEAM program will start which will use remote ZOOM one-on-one sessions.
We are faced with the fact that one-third of our club membership is “locked out” of Thailand due to Covid-19 travel restrictions imposed by the Thai government. Presently the Thai government appears to be focused on planning for entry of high spending tourists from selected countries, with low Covid-19 infection cases. Hopefully, in the near future they will begin admitting those who reside long term in Thailand but it appears this will likely require Covid-19 hospitalization insurance that may be difficult for some of our older members to obtain. We want our “locked out” members back just as much as they want to come back.
Great news! We have already completed three of our CMIRC survival swim and water safety classes at our Bronco Kids Sport Club pools! Sixty 4th-graders from the Wat Sridonchai and the Wat Pa Phaeng Municipal Schools and another thirty-five 4th-graders from the Wat Suan Dok School have completed 10 swim and water safety lessons (90 minutes each). We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Chiang Mai-Wattana and the Safe Child Thailand Foundation for their help with our new program at the Wat Suan Dok School.
In addition to our programs in Chiang Mai, we are working with the Warm Heart Foundation to conduct programs in Phrao. Our partners there have identified seven schools with very poor students where we will conduct our CMIRC Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program this year. With the support of a grant from the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (BCTFN) and our great Phrao-based swim instructor team, we will train at least 170 4th-graders at seven schools in Phrao this year. The first two schools, Ban Khun Jae and Tha Magieng, are already in the water.
The news from our Banya Migrant Learning Centre program in Phuket is still uncertain. Thanks to a very generous donation by Rotarian Bob Ashley, and our partnership with the Rotary Club of Patong Beach and their swim instructor team led by Kru Gob, we are ready to train their 4th-graders. Unfortunately, the Thai authorities have not yet permitted the reopening of the migrant learning centres. We are hoping that we can start our program at the Banya MLC this month.
So, we have a busy year ahead with nine more schools in Chiang Mai, five more in Phrao, and our migrant learning centre in Phuket yet to teach!! This year, possibly as many as 700 children will benefit from our programs in Chiang Mai, Phrao, and Phuket!
We are also supported by the Thai Thaim Foundation of Park Rapids, Minnesota, USA and Rotarian Bob Ashley and of course all the generous donors to the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club.
We started this program in 2015 and we are still going strong and serving more children every year thanks to our wonderful sponsors and CMIRC volunteers!
‘Tis the season again, and the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club is launching its annual Children’s Winter Clothing & School Supplies Appeal. We collect warm winter clothes, shoes as well as essential stationery and donate it to hill tribe and migrant children living in the hills of Northern Thailand.
The mountainous areas can be surprisingly cold from November to January. Temperatures can drop down to close to the freezing point. This can prove especially tough for those sleeping rough or unable to afford proper clothing. We would like to offer a hand to those in desperate need of help and warmth.
Please consider popping into your nearest thrift store and buying fuzzy warm onesies, puffy jackets, sweaters, pants or leggings, socks, tights, shoes and other warm pieces (even hats and gloves!) for young children.
If your kids have outgrown some of their winter clothes and they’re just sitting in the back of the cupboard unused and unloved, then you can take them to one of the many donations drop-off points throughout Chiang Mai between October 15 – December 1, 2020.
Please don’t forget to ask your friends to donate winter clothing items too. We welcome donations of much-needed stationery and school supplies as well.
Many government schools in Thailand do not have the basic resources at their disposal to meet their educational needs. They lack pencils, paper, books, and lots of items critical to learning effectively.
The Stationery & School Supplies Donation Initiative, part of the Winter Clothing Appeal by Chiang Mai International Rotary Club, is dedicated to helping these institutions throughout Northern Thailand by collecting and distributing essential supplies they need to provide quality education to their students.
We hope that together with the generous help of yours and our volunteers, we will be able to improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities.
As BEAM Education Foundation prepares the 2020 -2021 semester, with fine tuning the online classes, resolving the logistics of time and WIFI connections, spare a thought for the students (about sixteen) from last semester who were not able to complete the GED exam process as exam centres were closed due to Corona 19. Some were relocated, upgraded and are now preparing for a second time to write the one or two final exams; success means they will be awarded their GED Certificate. Unlike a Presidential candidate in waiting, their destiny is in their hands
On the good news side, students who successfully completed exams, and received the GED Certificate are moving on with their life. Some lucky to get sponsorships or scholarships are now attending university.
In Cultural Sharing, all CMIRC members have a new opportunity. Would YOU like to write about a topic of your choice for the students to increase their knowledge in understanding and gaining confidence in the use of the English language and at the same time increasing their general knowledge of the world? Some of the topics in which the students have indicated interest include: fashion, reading, arts, impressionists, and music.
If interested, please contact me for details so we can share with students and BEAM personnel.
The new approach to learning -- on line learning -- is new for all with advantages and disadvantages. To me the biggest disadvantages are losing the support of fellow colleagues, the interaction in the classroom particularly at question time and doing group studying. These are all interpersonal interactions, relationships and skills. However on the flip side it forces one to look at what support, resources are around you, it will save time in travel, potentially reduce their accommodation costs with that saving partly offset by Wi-Fi and technical needs.
With all these challenges, changes in a BEAM students life, their passion, desire to achieve their dream of obtaining a recognised education certificate, the ultimate goal of having a university education has not diminished, it’s just another challenge. Exciting times ahead, for all.
Good Luck to those writing exams in October 2020!!!! And with fine tuning the online classes for 2020 -2021
Great news to report about the restarting of our CMIRC School Vision Screening Project for poor children in Chiang Mai. We have now trained a team of over twenty members, including Dylan and Nick (right), and are ready to begin our screening and prescriptions program for poor school children in Chiang Mai. We will begin by screening children in cooperation with our partners in the project at Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Wattana at the Wat Suan Dok School. Planning visits to the school show all is ready to begin to screen all 3rd and 5th-graders at the school on Thursday, October 8. Those children who exhibit vision problems during the screening will then see our optician partner Khun One from Wen One Optic for an on-site examination and prescription, if needed.
After screening at the Wat Suan Dok School, we will provide vision screening for all 3rd and 5th grade students at the eleven Tessaban (Municipal) Schools in Chiang Mai, during the rest of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. The schools where we screen are those where the poorest families send their children. This program is being made possible by the very generous donation from the Rotary Club of Spokane #21; their gift to the children of Chiang Mai will cover all costs with the exception of the children’s frames. One thousand, high quality New Balance children’s frames have been donated by Eyewear Designs Limited of Bethpage, NY, USA.
We made only one visit during the month of September to the Burma Children Medical Fund's B.K. Kee Patient House due to an illness but it was an exciting one, as BCMF was able to transport a sizable number of new patients and family members. We had a full table of folks of all ages for our leisure activity and snack time, (pictured right).
I’m also pleased to announce that we have a date set and approved by BCMF director, Kanchana Thornton, for our annual Christmas party. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, December 20th for this special occasion. We have allotted two hours for the event; it will begin at 11:00 am and end at 1:00 pm. As the time gets closer, I will be coordinating with members and Patient House staff to obtain as accurate a count as possible for the number of patients, family members and staff as well as ages of the children and young adults who will be present. If you plan on attending this year, could please email current Project Champion Bill Pierce at depeche41@aol.com (As fast as this year seems to be going, it seems it’s never too early to begin planning.)
Next Sunday we will make our next visit and I’m pleased that volunteer Mwe Kham will be joining us. Her presence and participation help to facilitate communication which make the visits much more meaningful and enjoyable.
If any Rotarians are interested in joining us on our every other Sunday visits, please reach out. (See above email address) We are required to wear face coverings during the entire visit. We leave Shell station on Huay Kaew Rd. at 11:00 am and usually complete our visit around 12:30 pm.
The Chiang Mai International Rotary Club is delighted to announce the launch of our new website at www.cmirotary.org.
Maintaining a fresh, vibrant brand image and a continuously updated, informative web presence is a critical factor for any organization. We are hopeful that a visually appealing, well-structured website will enable our club to reach a wider audience, tell our story more effectively, and encourage visitors to get engaged and/or support our causes.
Would you like to know more details about our service projects? Please visit the “Projects” section of our website and find all the latest news about each CMIRC project. Prospective members can now find comprehensive information on membership types and how to join the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club. Are you looking to get involved in our Youth Programs, check out upcoming events, or read the latest CMIRC Bulletin? You have it all at www.cmirotary.org.
As we do so much more in the community than what we are able to include in our monthly news bulletin, we integrated social media posts and videos to ensure that the website remains engaging and up to date. In an era when people move and react fast, we made sure that our website is responsive and works perfectly on mobile devices.
Last but not least, the new site facilitates quick and secure donations. Donors may choose “Giving Once,” “Giving Monthly,” or “Giving To A Project” to support the cause closest to their hearts while being assured that their privacy and information are protected.
We hope you’ll enjoy browsing our new home on the internet. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
Our success as a club in performing service projects helping the children in Northern Thailand is made possible with the help of many people and organizations in our community. On Tuesday evening, the 29th of September, we held a Service Recognition Event at the beautiful and historic Gymkhana Golf Club.
Rotarians from other clubs recognized: PDG Waewdao Limlenglert, PDG Chamnan Chanruang, PDG Suparie Chatkunyarat, PP Elsie Choy, and PP Jerry Nelson
A big “THANK YOU” to the CMIRC Rotarians who participated in making the event successful. Also, to Kuhn Nontalee Ya-Anan, the Managing Director of The Gymkhana Golf Club and Mr. Paul Drew of the Committee of The Gymkhana Club. Below are some photos from the enjoyable evening. More are posted on our Facebook.
Good fellowship with our service partners Recognizing the Swiss Lanna Society
Viki & Charlotte The Philanthropy Connections Team Sarah Dodoo from BEAM
Anne & Nancy Welcome Guests Phijitra Charms as She Sells Wine
Our chartering sponsor club, The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, is holding their annual Bully Bowl fundraiser on Saturday, 24 October from 10:00 - 17:00 hours at the Bully Bowl on the 4th floor of Central Kad Suan Kaew Mall. There will be food and prizes. A ticket for a team of two persons is 1500 baht. You don't need to stay for the entire length of the event -- you and your partner come, bowl your game, enjoy some food and fellowship and can leave whenever you're done.
Please contact CP Roger president@cmirotary.org or 0894308067 if you wish to participate. At right is a photo of our representatives from last year, Brian, his wife May and IPP John. Every year we've had at least one team enter the contest and some years they even win a prize.
Preparing for a Prevention Project: One of the highlights of our September trip was a meeting we had with Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) staff about a future project to train migrant children about the dangers of human trafficking and how to avoid being trapped. The training will be a separate phase of a larger project throughout Thailand. It will be sponsored by several Rotary clubs and coordinated through the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS). (More information about RAGAS can be found in the story about RAGAS below.)
The prosthetic lab at Mae Tao Clinic finished the training for technicians who have gone back to Burma and are setting up two prosthetic labs, one in Karenni State and one in Karen State. We also had an opportunity to see Burma Children’s Medical Fund staff using 3d printers to build prosthetic limbs. Sadly, there are many land mines in Burma and much need for prosthetic limbs.
As of this writing the Child Development Center (CDC) will re-open and school will begin on 1 October. Part of the explanation for the delay is that the border remains closed due to COVID-19. Most of the students have family ties in Myanmar. The Thai Government schools in Mae Sot have been open for some time.
On our brief visit to the MTC training department we saw first-hand one of the consequences of COVID-19. Normally they would have four or five training sessions in progress, but there have been no new classes since March, except for the Mother Child Health Care (midwife) training which is in progress.
The Unclear Future: We will be discussing possible support activities going forward and we know and very much appreciate that Rotarians and friends of Mae Tao Clinic from around the world are anxious to help. As of now, the next tour dates are undefined. We hope to return in December, but will hold off making any commitments this early.
Editor's note: Jerry Nelson is the RAGAS (Rotary Action Group Against Slavery) Coordinator for Thailand, Charter Member of the The Rotary Club Ending Trafficking, an Honorary Member of Chiang Mai International Rotary Club, and a Mae Tao Clinic Volunteer. Contact him at +66 (0) 89 556-4293 or jnelson.ragas@gmail.com
There are some 25 Rotary Action Groups around the world. You can learn more at https://my.rotary.org/en/take-action/empower-leaders/rotary-action-groups The Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS) is composed of Rotarians from all over the globe. We are loosely united with one common goal; stop human trafficking and modern slavery. One way to look at the fight against slavery is to use categories to classify effort; one common approach is:
Prosecution – The work done by government agencies and supporting organizations to catch and punish perpetrators.
Protection – The work done to protect rescued victims, help them recover and re-integrate into society.
Prevention – The work done to prevent people from being caught up in modern slavery or human trafficking.
Here in Thailand the RAGAS team has chosen to focus on prevention, especially with children. Other organizations and government entities are working hard in the areas of prosecution and protection. So, what are we doing, and how can you help?
We are raising awareness by making presentations to Rotary Clubs and at Rotary events. Since the campaign began several weeks ago, we have had the privilege of speaking at several clubs, all in District 3360. We are now scheduled to speak at clubs in other parts of Thailand and also in the United States (Zoom is a wonderful thing).
We are making prevention presentations at schools. Most recently at Tammarat School, Wat Phrasing, Chiang Mai, at a session led by CP Pongsawart, (pictured right). Our goal is to expand our reach through the Buddhist Community as well as Christian and other communities and of course the government schools.
We are preparing presentations and projects designed to teach children, their teachers, and their parents about human trafficking and what they can do to protect themselves.
We are planning an awareness/fundraising events in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Details and exact dates are currently being considered. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is a factor.
Specific Help Wanted (Contact me if you are interested):
Rotarians and Rotary Clubs will be given an opportunity to participate in all of the events we are creating. Without your help, we cannot help endangered children.
We are meeting with Rotary Clubs in preparation for choosing partners for larger projects, including Global Grants.
We would appreciate introductions to other organizations that are involved in the fight against human trafficking or may want to be.
There is a wonderful sign in Bella Goose Coffee shop in Chiang Mai. Allow me to share it with you.
Editor's note: Jerry Nelson is the RAGAS (Rotary Action Group Against Slavery) Coordinator for Thailand, Charter Member of The Rotary Club Ending Trafficking, an Honorary Member of Chiang Mai International Rotary Club, and a Mae Tao Clinic Volunteer. Contact him at +66 (0) 89 556-4293 or jnelson.ragas@gmail.com
The CMIRC Nomination Committee is composed of the Immediate Past President John Schorr, the current President Roger Lindley, and the President Elect, Dylan Thomason. After consulting with members and potential candidates the CMIRC Nominating Committee nominates the following candidates to join President Dylan Thomason on the 2021-2022 CMIRC Board Directors:
President Elect (2021-2022): Viki Thomason
Secretary: Nick Dale
Treasurer: Nancy Lindley
Foundation Chair: Roger Lindley
Membership Chair: Viki Thomason
At the CMIRC Club Meeting on November 3, the floor will be opened for additional nominations for the above positions. The election of the 2021-2022 CMIRC Board will take place at the CMIRC Annual Meeting on December 1, 2020.
Candidates for three Board-level positions have not yet been identified for 2021-2022. We need a Service Projects Committee Chairperson, a Fundraising Committee Chairperson, and a Youth Programs Chairperson. If you wish to volunteer to serve in one of these positions or, if you wish to nominate another CMIRC member, please contact P Roger or IPP John.
Other non-Board leadership roles for RY 2021-2022 where volunteers have been identified include:
Sergeant-at-Arms: Bill Pierce
Public Image: Roger Lindley
Web Master: Viki Thomason
CMIRC Bulletin Editor: Nancy Lindley
The Nominating Committee wants to thank all who have agreed to have their name placed in nomination for leadership roles in 2021-2022. We hope that other members who have an interest in any of these roles will also step forward to seek these offices. We have not yet identified leadership for Service Projects, Fundraising, and Youth Programs, please consider volunteering to have your name placed in nomination for these important leadership roles.
Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. Our members promote economic and community development and reduce poverty in underserved communities through training, well-paying jobs, and access to financial management institutions. Projects range from providing people with equipment to vocational training. Our members work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Rotary supports investments in people to create measurable and enduring economic improvement in their lives and communities.
The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to invest in people by creating sustainable, measurable and long-term economic improvements in their communities and livelihoods by:
Building the capacity of entrepreneurs, community leaders, local organizations, and community networks to support economic development in impoverished communities;
Developing opportunities for productive work;
Reducing poverty in under-served communities; and
Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to economic and community development.
There is a Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development (ragm.org). The mission of the Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development (RAGCED) is to be a source of knowledge and expertise that helps Rotarians plan, implement, and manage impactful and sustainable economic development projects and create lasting change in poor and underserved communities.
The CMIR Line account is a great tool for friendly banter, general information and updates. However I do have a small request: that for communication on club official matters you use email. It helps to keep club data, communication on projects and events centralized in a format that can be searched. Not everyone has or uses Line. Thanking you.
The regular every other Sunday morning visits by club members to the patients and their families at Burma Children Medical Fund's B.K. Kee Patient House here in Chiang Mai have resumed with visits every two weeks. See Bill's story, above.
On the first and third Fridays of the month, club members attended theChiang Mai Expats Club breakfasts to promote CMIRC and swap "Change for Children" owl banks. Also, we promoted CMIRC at CEC's first monthly General Meeting since before the pandemic on September 26. A stuffed owl bank was returned by club supporter Preston, (pictured left with Treasurer Nancy).
Tuesday, September 1 at our regular club meeting at the Royal Peninsula Hotel, the program was presented by Rotarian Niwatchai on "The Avocado Garden Project: Sustainable Agriculture in Mae Hong Song."
Wednesday, September 9 our monthly 9at9 ZOOM meeting at 9 PM to stay in contact with club members who are presently isolated in overseas, unable to return to Thailand.
Tuesday, September 15 at 7 PM our CMIRC regular club meeting at the Royal Peninsula Hotel where BEAM Deputy Director Ko Phyo (pictured right, with CP Roger) spoke about the vocational and higher education preparation and scholarship programs for migrants at BEAM's Chiang Mai center.
Tuesday, September 22 at 1:00 PM, we had our monthly Board Meeting at the Royal Peninsula Hotel.
Friday, September 25, we conducted the training session for the CMIRC School Vision Screening Project at The Royal Peninsula Hotel. This was in preparation for weekly screening sessions starting on October 8th at the Wat Suan Dok School and later at the eleven tessaban schools in Chiang Mai for all 3rd and 5th graders.
Friday, September 25, was the last Friday of the month “Let’s Talk Rotary” informal lunch gathering at The Royal Peninsula Hotel.
Tuesday, September 29, we enjoyed the Service Recognition Dinner at the Gymkhana Club.
The needed protection measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have caused the cancellation of many events. Others are being conducted online and others have been postponed. Below is a list of events and their status, as we currently understand them. Please remember the situation is extremely fluid and things change daily. Some of our scheduled speakers may be willing to participate in online meetings. The latest news for CMIRC events is at: https://cmirotary.org/events/calendar
Here are just a few of the important dates for members of Chiang Mai International Rotary Club (CMIRC). These are opportunities to meet some of us and to meet other Rotarians from around the world!
Every other Sunday visits by club members to Burma Children Medical Fund's (BCMF) B. K. Kee Patient House have resumed. Interested? Contact Rotarian Bill Pierce.
Most School Vision Screening Programs will be conducted on Thursday mornings, starting on 8 October 2020 and running for twelve weeks. Interested in helping? Contact IPP John.
5 October 2020 PP Colin Jarvis' Birthday
6 October 2020 CMIRC Regular Club meeting, 7 pm. Regular club meeting at Royal Peninsula Hotel. Sallo Polak to discuss The Work and Mission of Philanthropy Connections Foundation in Thailand. Gather at 5:45 pm for an optional dinner.
7 October 2020 Nick Dale's Birthday
9 October 2020 CMIRC "9 at 9" 9 pm Thai time. A Zoom social meeting for everyone in and out of Thailand. Contact IPP John.
20 October 2020 CMIRC Regular Club meeting, 7 pm. Regular club meeting at Royal Peninsula Hotel. PP Siriluk, District Chair of the Rotary Youth Exchange program will speak. Gather at 5:45 pm for an optional dinner.
27 October 2020 CMIRC Board Meeting at Royal Peninsula Hotel, 1:00 - 3:00 pm Contact CP. Roger
28 - 29 November 2020 District 3360 Intercity Meeting at the Pang Luang Resort, Lampang. Dress: club/business casual. Registration cost is 1,100 baht/person before November 15, after that date it is 1,300 baht/person. Contact CP Roger president@cmirotary.org or 0894308067
Rotary is not free; we give our hearts, we give our time and to some extent we give our money. Most of our heart, most of our time and most of our money goes to support our children’s projects. Yet we have operational expenses, for example, our website with its powerful tools such as this bulletin. We ask that you consider our sponsors for your needs.
The Lila Thai Massage Ex-Inmate Employment and Skill Development Center was established in 2014 by "Naowarat Thanasrisutharat" to help and support women being released from prison. The ladies receive a massage training course from certified massage instructors (ex-inmates who work for Lila Thai Massage); these programs are endorsed by and meet the requirements of the Chiang Mai Public Health Department. This project reduces the women conviction rates in Chiang Mai and helps to solve the societal problems that perpetuate the situation, bringing about our long-cherished dream for a better community. The quality of massage at Lila Thai Massage is consistently superb.
Royal Peninsula Hotel is an excellent international standard hotel located in the heart of Chiang Mai. They have 150 guest rooms with all amenities including free wi-fi. There is ample onsite, covered parking. The outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi are available to guests. There is both an indoor restaurant, featuring Thai cuisine and outdoor beer garden next to the swimming pool. The Royal Peninsula Hotel has two conference and banquet rooms, well decorated, with good acoustics. The staff at Royal Peninsula are very accommodating. The Chiang Mai International Rotary Club meets at the Royal Peninsula at 7:00 PM on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, with many members and guests gathering about an hour before the meeting in the hotel's restaurant for fellowship and an optional meal, ordering from the restaurant's menu of reasonably-priced Thai food.
Our sponsors donate money that supports our operational expenses, freeing funds for the projects we love. Please give them your support.
‘Tis the season again, and the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club is launching its annual
Great news to report about the restarting of our CMIRC School Vision Screening Project for poor children in Chiang Mai. We have now trained a team of over twenty members, including Dylan and Nick (right), and are ready to begin our screening and prescriptions program for poor school children in Chiang Mai. We will begin by screening children in cooperation with our partners in the project at Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Wattana at the Wat Suan Dok School. Planning visits to the school show all is ready to begin to screen all 3rd and 5th-graders at the school on Thursday, October 8. Those children who exhibit vision problems during the screening will then see our optician partner Khun One from Wen One Optic for an on-site examination and prescription, if needed.
We made only one visit during the month of September to the 
Next Sunday we will make our next visit and I’m pleased that volunteer Mwe Kham will be joining us. Her presence and participation help to facilitate communication which make the visits much more meaningful and enjoyable.
Please contact CP Roger president@cmirotary.org or 0894308067 if you wish to participate. At right is a photo of our representatives from last year, Brian, his wife May and IPP John. Every year we've had at least one team enter the contest and some years they even win a prize. 
We are making prevention presentations at schools. Most recently at Tammarat School, Wat Phrasing, Chiang Mai, at a session led by CP Pongsawart, (pictured right). Our goal is to expand our reach through the Buddhist Community as well as Christian and other communities and of course the government schools.
There is a wonderful sign in Bella Goose Coffee shop in Chiang Mai. Allow me to share it with you.
Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. Our members promote economic and community development and reduce poverty in underserved communities through training, well-paying jobs, and access to financial management institutions. Projects range from providing people with equipment to vocational training. Our members work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
On the first and third Fridays of the month, club members attended the
Tuesday, September 15 at 7 PM our CMIRC regular club meeting at the 
