A reminder that you can better enjoy each story if you click on the title of a story in the bulletin where you'll be taken to the story on our website, displayed in easy-to-view full-page format.
July was the first month of the new Rotary year, and it was my first month as the CMIRC President. I am truly honored to have been selected by the club for this leadership role and hope that I will live up to the faith and trust the club has put in me. I am the fifth president of our young club and am following in the footsteps of our Charter President Roger Lindley, PP Joe Evans, PP Shana Kongmun, and PP Jerry Nelson. In their own ways, all are impossible acts to follow and have contributed to the strong and vibrant club we have today.
We begin the year with twenty-one active members and two honorary members; five excellent service projects -- all focused on child safety, health and education; and, a record of charitable giving that reached 1,000,000 Baht (US$30,000) in the past twelve months! Our club and members have been active participants in Rotary events, workshops, and meetings at the international, national, district, and local level. I believe we have demonstrated that the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” is a guiding principle for our club and our members! But, as one of our members recently told me, “ [just because we are doing something well] does not diminish [our] opportunity to improve…!” That statement captures the spirit of CMIRC, so with that in mind, here are some goals for Rotary Year 2018-2019: (Bulletin readers who are not members of CMIRC, we welcome your ideas and support concerning these goals):
Service: Let’s grow and get more members directly or indirectly involved in service projects. Let’s be sure that every CMIRC member has an opportunity to contribute in some way to the wonderful service we are doing to improve child safety, health and education. Project champions, find creative ways to increase member involvement. Also remember that Rotary is a huge network; there are 16 clubs here in Chiang Mai and over 330 clubs and 9,000 Rotarians in Thailand. Community members reading this, what are the unmet needs for children here in Chiang Mai and in Thailand, and are there ways Rotary can help?
Membership: As PP Jerry has often said “as a club, we are fighting above our weight class.” It’s true! Our record of accomplishment certainly exceeds what would be expected from a young, small club like ours. But, even the toughest fighters tire, we currently have twenty-one active members, but past club discussions have focused on thirty-five members as an ideal number. Let’s try to add 5 of the 14 members we need to reach that ideal size this year.
Giving: Let’s remember there are many ways to give. We have reached the 1,000,000 baht level of charitable giving this year, but I would maintain that we have given far more than that through our voluntarism. When we say “please give what you can” to our members and our community, let’s keep in mind that there are many ways to help improve child safety, health, and education, and some of the best examples do not involve dollars or baht!
So, the message this month ends with an emphasis on what we can do this year to make our great service even better, to expand membership opportunity for more Chiang Mai residents, and to plan to give more this year in the ways that best suit our resources of time, skill, creativity, and, yes, money.
to join us on our next tour of the Mae Tao Clinic and surrounding vicinity! The purpose of the tour is to give you an opportunity to learn more about the Mae Tao Clinic and the Mae Sot area. We plan to leave Chiang Mai on Wednesday 15 August and return on Saturday 18 August (See tentative agenda below). We need just two more people to confirm travel by a comfortable van. The more the better! The people who join us will decide where we eat, and in addition to the Mae Tao Clinic, what we see. Many decisions can be made at the last minute.
Travel Options
From Bangkok and Other Locations: There are many options including bus and air. Come to Mae Sot the way that is best for you and we'll met for dinner on Wednesday 15 August in Mae Sot. People coming from outside of Chiang Mai will share local transport costs with the rest of the group.
From Chiang Mai: Transport will be arranged based on the number of people who enroll. Options are:
Rent a van for the entire trip. The approximate cost is 13,200 THB divided equally by all van passengers. This cost will cover travel to and from Mae Sot plus all local travel in Mae Sot. We have a van and driver reserved but must confirm with a down payment no later than Wed. 8 August.
Arrange car pools and share expenses.
Travel on the Green Bus. (We must hire local transport, shown right, while in Mae Sot).
Lodging in Mae Sot
There are two options:
We have reserved a block of rooms at PP Residence. Our cost is only 500 THB per night. Let me know if you want to stay at PP Residence and I’ll confirm your room. Payment is made directly to the hotel. This hotel has an excellent reputation for cleanliness.
Some may wish to stay with local friends or make their own reservations at a different property.
Tentative Agenda:
Wednesday, 15 August 2018
Travel to Mae Sot.
18:00 – Meet at parking lot of PP Residence.
18:05 – Go to dinner at Khaomao - Khaofang Restaurant, Maesot.
Thursday 16 August 2018
07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast. Border line Café, Casa Mia, Canadian Dave’s ??
09:00 – Meet at parking lot of PP Residence.
09:30 – 12:00 Tour Mae Tao Clinic, likely the old campus and perhaps the Child Development Center. (birth registration shown at right)
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch, Vegetarian Restaurant (seems to not have another name, but the food is good) or The Pot restaurant.
13:00 – 16:00 Tour Mae Tao Clinic, likely the new campus and perhaps the Child Development Center.
18:00 – Meet in the parking lot of PP Residence for dinner.
18:05 - Go to dinner at Passport Restaurant.
Friday 17 August 2018
Agenda is open and will depend on the desires of the people who come on the tour. Some possibilities include: The Morning Market, several different Community-based Organizations (CBOs), several Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), the big market by the river. As people reply, I will make contact and coordinate. Some people may choose to return to their homes on Thursday as well.
Saturday 18 August 2018
Agenda is very flexible until travel commitments are known.
Perhaps a walk through the morning market.
Perhaps breakfast at Borderline Café, or another place.
Depart from Mae Sot.
Final coordination will begin on Thursday 9 August.
Financial Cost:
Every person on the tour is responsible for their own expenses. Anticipated expenses include:
Travel - If we go by van the cost will be about 13,200 THB shared by all who go. For example, if we have 8 people the cost will be approximately 1,650 THB each, but the cost could be slightly lower depending on fuel consumption. This would include all local transport while on the trip.
Lodging – For those staying at PP Residence, the cost will be 500 THB per night. Most of us will stay three nights.
Food - Depends on where we decide to eat. Khaomao Khaofang is the most expensive place I’ve suggested, and it is quite reasonable.
Souvenirs & Miscellaneous - Up to you.
Final Comment .....
Please let me, Jerry Nelson (Jerry@cmirotary.org) know as soon as possible if you can make this trip and your thoughts regarding the agenda. I need to commit to both the van company and to PP Residence no later than Wednesday 8 August. I do hope you take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the Mae Tao Clinic, its neighbors and the fascinating border town of Mae Sot.
The Secretary of the Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) Board, Nway Nway Oo (at left with the author of this story), has been working at MTC for over ten years. She uses her vast skills and experience in the area of Child Protection where she was the programme manager from 2006, before becoming Deputy Director of Child Protection in 2017. She has a certificate in Business and Administration from Payap University and a Master in Public Health from Khon Kaen University. None of this would have been possible had she not been able to earn a GED (General Equivalency Diploma) that allowed her to continue with higher education.
Many Thai and international universities accept the GED as equivalent to a high school diploma and, sadly, in Thailand many "stateless people", i.e. those living in Thailand without documentation of their nationality, are not permitted to attend Thai primary and secondary public schools. This status applies to many of the people served by MTC -- thus the need for the Child Development Centers and GED training at MTC.
Going forward, CMIRC will focus its support for MTC on the Child Protection and Education Department which includes Child Protection Training, The Child Development Center and Birth Registration efforts. Learn more at the Mae Tao Clinic Website. We hope to announce two fundraising events soon; one will be in Chiang Mai the other in Mae Sot.
Hope you come to see it for yourself -- please see the article about the Mae Tao Clinic Tour above.
Our fundraising efforts last Rotary year supported Mae Tao Clinic’s Child Development Center, especially their program to provide GED testing to qualified students studying both in Mae Sot and Chiang Mai. We just received news that both of the students we funded in Chiang Mai have passed their GED. Here is what they have to say!
Dear Jerry and your colleagues,
Hello, my name is Nant Marlar Tun (right). I studied in Pre-GED class at CDC school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in funding for the school year of Pre-GED class. Students are trying hard to study for the GED certificate. And without your help and your support, we may not accomplish to study in Pre-GED class.
Furthermore, your generosity supports us to get on step closer to our goal. Thank you very much for your support. I successfully finished my GED exam with 623 out of 800 marks. At first, I thought I could never enter university since I could not afford the exam fee. Without your help, I will not have the chance to sit the GED Exam. In order to study in university, passing the GED exam is the first and prominent step. To get on next step, I’m trying to apple scholarship to study in University majoring in business.
The reason is students are trying hard for higher education to get a good job and help back their community. Although you could support your community with your effort, it will be more effective to support with money. For instance, students need exam fee to sit the GED exam and teachers have to find for the exam fee. Therefore, I’m choosing business major to working for my community and support them.
Thank you for your endless support. Thank you for giving me a chance to pursue my dream.
Best wishes,
Nant Marlar Tun
Dear Jerry and all of his friends who support us,
Hello, I am Naw Grace Myint Swe (left) from CDC school in Pre-GED class. Pre-GED class was founded in 2017 for the first time and this is the class that you were always wanting all of the students to pass the GED exam and supporting the students to be able to take exam.
My dream of taking GED exam is coming true. Started from my school year till finished my school, Jerry, you always care about us and visited to my school even you were busy and your back pain. Thank you for finding budgets for our students and giving us the opportunity to take GED. Moreover, I passed my GED exam with 636 out of 800 marks in the first try in Pre-GED class in 2017.
Students such as myself would be unable to pursue this exam. My educational pursuits come from your supports. So I really thank you for your enabling this opportunity to me and to all of the other students without hesitate. After passing my GED, one of the though came to my mind that I have one step closer to continue my further career. My future plan is to go to university majoring in Economic and I want to become a managing accountant. Once again, thank you for having confidence in me and all of the other students and supporting us.
Best wishes,
Naw Grace Myint Swe
The challenge at Mae Tao Clinic can be summarized by saying that while many major donors have stopped supporting organizations on the Thai side of the border, the migrants and refugees are still here and still need our support. You may be interested in MTC's 2017 Annual Report. It’s heart breaking because of the need and encouraging because of the great efforts that go on every day!
The month of July was a quiet at the Burma Children Medical Fund's B.K. Kee Patient House with relatively few patients, including only a few new patients. However, that allowed Rotarian Mike, CP Roger and me the opportunity to work closely with the patients and their family members on English language conversational skills. Although the house is primarily focused on children it is open to patients of all ages needing treatment in Chiang Mai hospitals.
We are blessed to have an ongoing friendship with a 15 year old and her mother (below, left). The teenager is a long-term patient whose leg was crushed in a house fire. She is becoming more and more confident in her English language skills and is more outspoken every week!
CP Roger has been able to give special attention to a 55 year old gentleman with eyesight problems (below, right). The man is very excited to be able to participate and came to Chiang Mai with no English language skills. During the short time Roger has been able to work with him, he has been able to learn a lot of the basics.
Most often you will see mothers accompanying their babies; there are two babies being treated right now. In the picture at left are: Rotarian Mike Lake, Mi Aye who has worked at the house for three years, a two month old baby with Mama, the inquisitive teenager, a ten-month old baby with a back tumor and Mama.
Our big contribution this past month was a new high capacity washing machine to replace one that broke beyond repair several months ago. Large capacity is needed to wash blankets and other bedding.
Many thanks to Rotarian Mike and his wife Sunee for their generous donation that made the purchase possible.
This year we begin our third year of offering water safety and drowning prevention classes to every fourth grade student at all eleven Chiang Mai Municipal Schools (that's the Chiang Mai municipal seal at left). By the end of this year we will have provided 15 hours of survival swimming and water safety instruction to over 1,000 municipal school fourth graders! This CMIRC project has succeeded and continues to succeed thanks to the wonderful partnerships we have with Kru Payu Swim for our instructors, the Municipality of Chiang Mai for the coordination with the schools and for the transportation of the children to and from the pool and finally to the Bronco Kids Sport Club for providing the pool and all of the support services to keep the kids equipped, healthy, and safe.
This month we want to recognize our number one supporter in the municipal school system, Deputy Municipal School Administrator, Ajarn Adul Krueyot. Without Ajarn Adul’s early support and continued encouragement, our drowning prevention program would not have succeeded. CMIRC's Board of Directors has recently voted to honor Ajarn Adul (shown center, below) and to recognize him for the inspiration he is for doing good in our community. Ajarn Adul has been recently selected to become the Minister of Education in the Nong Khai Municipality and he will leave us this month. We will miss him!
The CMIRC partnership with the Safe Child Thailand Foundation in the U.K. (SCT) has allowed us to expand the children’s water safety program to other cities and regions in Thailand. Drowning is the leading cause of children’s deaths in all of Thailand, so it is important to teach survival swimming everywhere in Thailand. Our plan has been to use the Rotary network of chapters and volunteers in Thailand to organize and build sustainable children’s water safety courses. We fund, provide training, and support for the pilot program and then the local Rotary chapter takes over to continue the program into the future.
This month we have learned that as a result of pilot programs funded by SCT and supported by CMIRC, the Rotary Club of Lampang intends to sponsor the continuation of the water safety program in Lampang using their own funds. (Drown-proof graduates, below.) Thanks are due to RC of Lampang PP Kritsada Pornrattanapitak for taking the lead on this project. We also recently learned that the Rotary Club of Patong Beach plans to continue its program in Patong Beach, Phuket using their own funds after the SCT-funded program is completed in mid-August. Thanks are due to Rtn Larry Amsden of the RC of Patong Beach for taking the lead on the project. We have also received an initial favorable response from the Rotary Club of Bangkok South to start a pilot program in Bangkok.
Finally, this month we learned from SCT that they have received additional donations to support children’s water safety programs in Thailand. They have decided to grant CMIRC an additional 4,000 GBP (175,000 THB) to develop those projects in cooperation with local Rotary clubs and NGOs in Phetchabun Province. Thanks are due to SCT Programme Director Charlie Drury, Acting Programme Director Rob Whitelaw and Child Sponsorship and Donor Engagement Manager Laurel Jansury for all of their support for our children’s water safety projects.
We thank you for taking time to look at our bulletin, and hopefully you have a positive interest in CMIRC or in one or more of our projects.Would you give us a little help, just a little, please? There are many small, but important ways to help. Possibilities include:
For those traveling from a country that has winter, consider going to a thrift store such as Salvation Army or Goodwill and purchasing some children’s winter clothing. One idea that we like is bring them in a suitcase dedicated to the children’s clothing and that way you have an empty suitcase to pack all the wonderful Thai souvenirs to take home for your family and friends.
For those traveling from Australia to Thailand, please contact us and see if it’s possible for you to bring some hand-made Teddy Trekkers (right, shown with Nel, her husband --the Australians who bring them into Thailand -- and PP Jerry) to Thailand for delivery to the children we serve.
If you stay in hotels, please collect the unused comfort items provided by the hotel -- tooth paste, tooth brush, soap, shampoo and so forth. We will use them for patients at our BCMF B.K.Kee Patient Safe House project.
The first quarter of the Rotary Year (July 1 – September 30) the CMIRC raffle ticket income is donated to the global Polio Plus Project for the global eradication of polio. This year’s World Polio Day will be on October 24th and is Rotary’s best opportunity during 2018 to shine the spotlight on our top goal of eradicating polio. Some useful information from the www.endpolio.orgwebsite:
Polio
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. The poliovirus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike at any age but mainly affects children under five. Polio is incurable, but completely vaccine-preventable.
PolioPlus
In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. Rotary has contributed more than $1.7 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $7.2 billion to the effort.
Today, there are only three countries that have never stopped transmission of the wild poliovirus: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Just 37 polio cases were confirmed worldwide in 2016, which is a reduction of more than 99.9 percent since the 1980s, when the world saw about 1,000 cases per day.
Challenges
The polio cases represented by the remaining one percent are the most difficult to prevent, due to factors including geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks.
Ensuring Success
Rotary will raise $50 million per year over the next three years, with every dollar to be matched with two additional dollars from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These funds help to provide much-needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents. Governments, corporations and private individuals all play a crucial role in funding.
Rotary in Action
More than one million Rotary members have donated their time and personal resources to end polio. Every year, hundreds of Rotary members work side-by-side with health workers to vaccinate children in polio-affected countries. Rotary Members work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute mass communication tools to reach people in areas isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty. Rotary members also recruit fellow volunteers, assist with transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support.
I have gone through and reviewed items that CMIRC uses to publicize our club’s great work both within the community and to other Rotary Clubs. Out-of-date banners and pamphlets have been removed from storage and destroyed. Several banners we will use in the short term will need updating due to the fact they display the RY 2017-18 Presidential theme logo.
Some club members may have out-of-date public information items in their possession. In particular, any items referring to: the Babar Elephant Project, The Children’s Sight Project and One World Play Project should be destroyed. Thank you for reviewing CMIRC pamphlets and other publicity information in your possession.
Inspired by Kris Nordstrom McBride - A Rotary Moment selectively extracted from August 16, 2015 article in The Courier newspaper of Montgomery County.
The world’s oldest service organization, Rotary International, is not the world’s largest — that honor goes to our friends in the Lions Club, but our membership of 1.2 million dedicated men and women around the world is a pretty special deal. Rotary is a global organization of neighbors, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world. Within our clubs, we have members who are vastly different, people who, without Rotary, might never become friends. And then we have people who shake hands at a meeting and feel like they have just met a best friend, or the sister or brother they never had. Across the table we share a passion for service, regardless of religious or cultural beliefs; our diversity is part of our charm and definitely part of our formula for success.
Back to Membership Month. We all, including retirees, lead busy lives, and at times we all wonder why we are going to this fundraiser, or this work day, or even this meeting at 6:30 in the morning, or in the middle of my work day? The answer is simple, but not easy — because we should. We should give back to the communities that have been good to us, that have given us good neighbors and good friends. We should give to those who need help, across the street or across the world. Rotary works to put every dollar raised to good use, to make every hour volunteered worthwhile and meaningful. And we have a really good time doing it.
As President John Schorr said at our last CMIRC general meeting, as our club is presently lacking a Membership Committee Chair, John will temporarily assume that role BUT every member of the club should act as part of the committee and also think about stepping up to fill the role as Membership Chair. We are a small club with a high membership turnover rate, due to the transient nature of the local expat community. So, we can never become complacent about bringing new members into our club.
Rotarians Craig and Ann bring word of a CMIRC banner making an exciting journey. They sent photos and the exciting news that our club banner participated in a fund raiser for ShelterBox, traveling from the headwaters of the Mississippi River down to the Gulf of Mexico in a canoe. They sent photos and the news that there was interest in doing a similar joint fundraiser using the Ping River. (Hmm, it's the editor's understanding that the Mighty Ping isn't navigable. Something about a 500 foot tall dam and many smaller dams.) Anyway, a nice idea and good to know all the interesting places where our banner has gone.
And, while we don't often see Rotarian Craig at CMIRC meetings, he achieved 100% attendance for the 2017-2018 Rotary year, due to his faithfulness in attending meetings at other clubs while away from Chiang Mai (and reporting those meetings to the CMIRC secretary) and participating in CMIRC events beyond just regular meetings while in town.
Other club members with 100% attendance for the year include Rotarians Gary, Maliwan, PP Jerry and CP Roger. And for the 4th quarter, Rotarians Ken and Nancy had 100% attendance.
It's the "make-ups" that can make the difference and also create better understanding and fellowship when members attend committee meetings, events like Social Nights or Fourth Friday lunches or, especially, the meetings of other Rotary clubs.
Our club certainly has been the destination of many visiting Rotarians, as evidenced by the many colorful banners from Rotary clubs throughout the world that decorate our meeting room.
On the 30th of June the Chiang Mai Area Rotary Clubs held their 22nd Joint Installation at the Empress Hotel Convention Center. President Nominee Colin Jarvis filled in for President Elect John Schorr who was in North America for the RI Convention and for a holiday.
The CMIRC English Language Cultural Exchange Club took the month off at BEAM Educational Foundation due to administrative requirements there.
The club was represented at the Chiang Mai Expats Club (CEC) two Breakfast Club meetings on the first and third Fridays of the month and at the fourth Saturday regular meeting of the CEC. We placed Owl banks (above left) with adoptive owners, swapped Owls full of Change for Children from Owl owners, giving them empty refurbished Owls (the little darlings don't part with change easily; CP Roger is a certified Owl wrangler, skilled in a process that's best done behind closed doors), and talked with potential new members.
On the 3rd of July, at our regular meeting, Past District Governor Jason Lim of D3350 (shown at right, receiving a MTC mug and CMIRC banner from PP Jerry)moderated a session on “The Value of Rotary”. We were joined by a large number of visitors from local Rotary Clubs.
On the 7th of July some members of the club attended the open house at the BEAM Educational Foundation.
On the 10thof July the CMIRC Fundraising Committee met at My Secret Café in Town. New sponsor Brian Pern of Pern’s Restaurant attended for brainstorming ideas on potential new fund raising projects.
At the 17th of July at the CMIRC regular meeting Jamie Knapp presented a program on “The Evolution of Thai Money”.
On the 24th of July the CMIRC Board had their first meeting for Rotary Year 2018-2019. The members of the board are: President John Schorr, President Elect Colin Jarvis, Immediate Past President and Secretary Jerry Nelson, Treasurer Nancy Lindley, Fundraising Chair Shana Kongmun, Foundations Chair William Churchill, and Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Herman. Board meeting minutes are assessable to club members at the members area of the cmirotary.org website.
On the 25th of July the Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Project committee met at Bronco Kids to discuss the evaluation process for the program being carried out by the Rotary Club of Patong Beach. Afterwards, a lunch get-together was held at Fern Forest Restaurant to thank Ajarn Adul for his support of the program at the eleven municipal school in Chiang Mai. The Ajarn is transferring to Nong Khai.
On the 27th of July, the last Friday of the month, the informal “Let’s Talk Rotary” lunch group gathered at the Salsa Kitchen Restaurant for fellowship.
On the 31st of July, the fifth Tuesday of the month, a Social Night(left) was held at The Dukes Restaurant at Maya Mall. A number of members and guests attended. Hopefully some potential new members were in attendance.
CMIRC members continued their weekly Sunday visits to BCMF B.K. Kee Patient House.
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 Sunday at 9:30 am, regular visit by club members to BCMF B. K. Kee Patient House. Interested? Contact Rotarian Gary Herman.
07 August 2018 – Regular CMIRC Meeting, 7 pm Hong Kong Lucky Restaurant with program by Don Linder, screenwriter.
16 August 2018 - Tour of Mae Tao Clinic, Mae Sot. Contact Jerry Nelson for details.
21 August 2018 – Regular CMIRC Meeting, 7 pm Hong Kong Lucky Restaurant with program by Shayne Rochfort on World Clean Up Day, September 15.
25 - 26 August 2018 - Rotary Foundation & Membership & Public Image Seminar, Phrae.
31 August 2018 - "Let's Talk Rotary" informal lunch for all club members at Fern Forest Café, 11:30 a.m.
02 October 2018 – District Governor’s Official Visit to CMIRC.
30 November - 2 December 2018 - Rotary Zone 6B & 7A Meeting, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
09 December 2018 - Rotary Intercity Meeting, Uttaradit.
01 – 03 March 2019 - Multi-PETS, Hatyai.
23 - 24 March 2019 - District 3360 Conference, Chiang Rai.
01 – 05 June 2019 - Rotary International Convention, Hamburg Germany (www.riconvention.org/en).
23 June 2019 - District Governor’s Salute, Phitsanulok.
06 – 10 June 2020 - Rotary International Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
12 – 16 June 2021 - Rotary International Convention, Taipei, Taiwan.
04 – 08 June 2022 - Rotary International Convention, Houston, Texas, USA.
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 such as our website with its powerful tools such as this bulletin. We ask that you consider our sponsors for your needs.
This month we welcome our newest sponsor, Pern's Restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant on Huey Kaew Road, near Central Kad Suan Kaew mall, across from the Shell Petrol station. Brian Pern and his friendly staff (including the legendary Micky) create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for diners to enjoy steaks, seafood, chicken, pasta and vegetarian offerings. There are nightly specials and half-price house wine on Wednesdays. Most Wednesday and Sunday evenings you can enjoy smooth jazz while dining. First time diners receive a free glass of house wine when they reserve through Pern's website. Book here.
Lanna Lawyers is a Thai law firm with a heart for pro-bono work, especially when it concerns the marginalized people of South East Asia. Their Expat Division can serve the needs of resident expats with native English speaking law partners.
Fashion King is reputed to be the best tailor in Chiang Mai. The owners Frank and Vanita are the sponsors of the famous Chiang Mai fundraising event called Bollywood Night. They do much to help the poor and the needy.
Hong Kong Lucky is a unique Hong Kong Chinese dining experience. The food is wonderful, and they host our Rotary meetings at their location in the Old City.
Our sponsors donate money that supports our operational expenses, freeing funds for the projects we love. Please give them your support.
Rent a van for the entire trip. The approximate cost is 13,200 THB divided equally by all van passengers. This cost will cover travel to and from Mae Sot plus all local travel in Mae Sot. We have a van and driver reserved but must confirm with a down payment no later than Wed. 8 August.
Thursday 16 August 2018
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For those traveling from Australia to Thailand, please contact us and see if it’s possible for you to bring some hand-made Teddy Trekkers (right, shown with Nel, her husband --the Australians who bring them into Thailand -- and PP Jerry) to Thailand for delivery to the children we serve. 
Rotary in Action 
I have gone through and reviewed items that CMIRC uses to publicize our club’s great work both within the community and to other Rotary Clubs. Out-of-date banners and pamphlets have been removed from storage and destroyed. Several banners we will use in the short term will need updating due to the fact they display the RY 2017-18 Presidential theme logo.
And, while we don't often see Rotarian Craig at CMIRC meetings, he achieved 100% attendance for the 2017-2018 Rotary year, due to his faithfulness in attending meetings at other clubs while away from Chiang Mai (and reporting those meetings to the CMIRC secretary) and participating in CMIRC events beyond just regular meetings while in town. 
On the 3rd of July, at our regular meeting, Past District Governor Jason Lim of D3350 (shown at right, receiving a MTC mug and CMIRC banner from PP Jerry) moderated a session on “The Value of Rotary”. We were joined by a large number of visitors from local Rotary Clubs.
On the 27th of July, the last Friday of the month, the informal “Let’s Talk Rotary” lunch group gathered at the Salsa Kitchen Restaurant for fellowship.
