October marks a change in seasons in Northern Thailand. The rains become more intermittent, the green rice fields begin to turn yellow as the rice grains ripen and there is a touch of a coolness in the morning air. By the end of the month, the rice harvest will start and the seasonal visitors will begin to return to Chiang Mai. If that's you, please consider bringing some warm children's clothing from the local thrift store in your luggage for our annual Winter Clothing Appeal.
Meanwhile, settle in to read our latest CMIRC bulletin. We've been busy. You can better view each story by clicking on the story's title where you'll be taken to the story on our website, displayed in a full-page, easy-to-view format.
Have you noticed how the nights are drawing in? It gets dark now at about 6:30 PM rather than 6:45 PM. The rain seems to be a little less frequent and the air-conditioning needs to be switched on less often. Winter, if you can call it that, is on the way.
Calling it winter in Chiang Mai is laughable, the coldest it gets is like a perfect English summer day. However, up in the hills it does really get cold. Frost is not unknown and the nights, in particular, can be agonising if all you have is a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Sadly, many of the people who live in the Hills are very poor and have a very limited wardrobe. This is particularly so with children as they have not had time to build up a bank of clothing for use in all temperatures.
That is why, some years ago, we started to collect children’s clothing in order to give the children in the Hills a warm winter. Over the years the project has grown from a very informal, unstructured community service project to a major logistical exercise. We have to publicise the scheme, design, make and distribute the collection boxes, empty the boxes on a regular basis, sort all the clothes, parcel everything up, identify recipient villages, schools, et-cetera and then take the clothing up into the Hills in order to complete the job.
This last part can be very exhausting yet on return everyone who takes part is grinning from ear to ear having had a great day helping children.
Dylan and Viki Thomason, new members, have taken up the challenge and are organising the programme for this year. They are organising more professional collection boxes and intend to launch the collection mid-October.
A number of other Rotary clubs like the scheme and have indicated they would like to work with us in making this programme even more successful than it has been in the past. Perhaps we can eventually make this a district-wide activity.
This project is not the only one in which we are working with other clubs. The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Wattana started a programme to improve the English-language skills of teachers in Chiang Mai. Our club has been helping them by providing teachers to teach the teachers. This programme is now in its second semester and looks as though it will grow larger in the third.
None of our many and varied activities could take place without the volunteer efforts of members. Recently we have inducted several new members, all of whom are already contributing substantially to our efforts. Members and potential new members are on the horizon and I am confident that the club will grow substantially over the next few years. This is despite the fact that many members are lost as they need to “go back home”. Luckily, we have many members, such as myself, who see Chiang Mai as home and who are truly grateful for the opportunity to live here with our splendid Thai neighbours.
September was a busy month for the CMIRC Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program; school is in session, so we had swim programs going in Chiang Mai, Phrao, plus a swim instructor training program in Phuket.
Swiss Lanna Society Chiang Mai
The Swiss Lanna Society-funded CMIRC Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program in Chiang Mai is under way. With Swiss Lanna Society help we have already taught 90 municipal school 4th-graders survival swimming and water safety at our home facility at Bronco Kids Sports Center. After the October school break, we will be back in the water with 60 more children! Special thanks to Swiss Lanna Society members Eveline and Heinz Willi (pictured at right) for support. Swiss Lanna Society members Herbert, Esther (pictured below), and Manuela helped distribute Swiss red caps on the last day of class for one of their sponsored groups.
British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy
The Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program in Phrao this year is being sponsored by the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (BCTFN). (U.K. national P. Colin at right with new publicity sign). We have already conducted three swim programs for the 4th-graders at the Ban Chaeng Khu Ruang School (ร.ร.บ้านแจ่งกู่เรือง) in August and September, with about 90 children completing the course. We plan classes for another 90 children when the school break ends in late October. In Phrao, we organize the survival swimming and water safety courses with our partner organization, the Warm Heart Foundation. This year we plan to find a way to include the 40 students boarding at the Warm Heart Foundation foster care/dormitory facility in our survival swimming program.
Chiang Mai, CMIRC-Sponsored Program The CMIRC-sponsored Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program classes will start in the spring this year. Because we have had so many generous donors this year, we are planning expansions in our Northern Thai program.
Patong Beach The Rotary Club of Patong Beach (RCoPB) Larry Amsden Swim Safe Programme, under the leadership of program chair, Johan Storck, participated in the swim teacher training program conducted September 12 to 16 when Eve Fraser and her trainer-volunteers from the Oz Swim Aquatics/Global Swim Aquatics provided Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association international certification-level courses for our Larry Amsden Swim Safe Programme team in Patong Beach. The program was conducted at the J.D. Pool facility in Phuket owned by the Past President of the Rotary Club of Andaman.
Australian Direct Aid Program Grant
On September 26, we submitted our final report for the 2018-2019 Australian Aid Direct Aid Grant. With their help we taught almost 250 children survival swimming and water safety. THANK YOU Australian Embassy in Thailand for your help!!!
‘Tis the season again, and the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club is launching its annual Children’s Winter Clothing Appeal. We collect warm winter clothes and shoes and donate them to hill tribe and migrant children living in the hills of Northern Thailand.
The mountainous areas can be surprisingly cold from November through January. Temperatures can sometimes drop down to the freezing point and below. 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.
If you are returning to Chiang Mai from overseas, we would greatly appreciate if you could bring some children's winter clothes back with you. 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 donation drop-off points throughout Chiang Mai between October 15 – December 1, 2019.
Please don’t forget to ask your friends to donate winter clothing items too. Also, we welcome donations of much-needed stationery and school supplies as well.
Click here to check out the details on different ways you can help and locations of the collection boxes, decorated with the poster, below.
We hope that together with the generous help of you and our volunteers, we will be able to improve the quality of life for vulnerable communities.
From my experience with military service, I learned that you never volunteer!!! If you do it’s to your detriment. That being said, the CMIRC Cultural Exchange Program at BEAM Educational Foundation needs volunteers. Contact Roger or Nick.
From January 2020 to March/April 2020 the focus of our involvement at BEAM changes from Cultural Exchange to GED. You may well ask what is GED? I know that not being an American, I asked about it the first time I heard "GED at BEAM".
Basically, a GED is a series of tests used to show if you have a high school level education or not..... Once you've earned your GED certification, it's practically as good as an actual diploma. Studies say in America 96% of employers accept a GED as being equal to a diploma. College and universities in Thailand with English-speaking programs will accept GEDs as equivalent to a Thai high school diploma for entrance.
At BEAM, CMIRC helps the students with the GED modules in Social Studies. Topics are: History – Geography – Economics – Civics and Government.
Our current team Roger Lindley and Bob Carroll would not only love you to join them, so would our students -- new faces, opinions, the desire to share, new additional support in achieving their goal of a better education with that comes exciting, rewarding opportunities: to be recognized as individuals accepted and appreciated together with improved earnings for the graduates.
Classes provisionally are as below:
Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Friday Time: 13h30 to 15h00 Location: At BEAM Educational Foundation, just south of the Old City Website: beamed.org They are also on Facebook Beam Education Foundation
Meanwhile, the debates continue in this semester's Cultural Exchange:
During class this week in preparation for their debate on Friday “Girls are better at studying than boys” we watched the video on Greta Thunberg at the UN talking on Climate Change.
We were all amazed at her composure, the content, structure, deliverance of presentation but most of all her passion. Skills needed for their up and coming debate.
In conclusion we had a small debate about the desire to achieve their goal of a better education, fired by a visit to Payap University, Chiang Mai last week. Points that came up were very interesting.
So, I invite you to write and give me your thoughts, views, experiences on any of the topics I would love to share these with the students.
Proposed Debate Topics:
Have Governments moved with the changing times?
Do Governments represent themselves or do they really represent the People?
What is freedom?
Has racial equality improved today or is it going backwards?
How has the role of a mother and father changed?
How do we improve the availability of education?
I look forward to your contributions.
REMEMBER WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR 2020. Please put your best foot FORWARD!!
Rotarians Aree and Clarence visited Samoeng Hospital and Yang Moen Kindergarten in September to present Developmental Surveillance and Promotion Kits.
Developmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, are common and have a large impact on children and their families. These disorders can cause a high degree of disability for the child, and families and carers may also experience a large burden, including financial strain and experiences of social isolation. Early intervention and appropriate support can improve healthy outcomes for these children, but this requires early detection. The engagement of parents and carers is crucial to the effectiveness of early intervention and screening.
A recent assessment of early childhood development (age 0-5 years) found that 22% of children aged 0-2 years and 34% of children aged 3-5 years have delayed development. Language delay is crucial as it will impair learning.
In Thailand, a national universal Developmental Screening Programme (DSPM) for children was initiated in 2015 (http://thaichilddevelopment.com) to enable early detection of developmental disorders. The programme is implemented by health workers at primary-care clinics, from where children can be referred for further diagnosis and treatment by specialists.
Chiang Mai International Rotary Club is privileged to support the Ministry of Public Health Project to promote child development to honor HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
The Developmental Surveillance and Promotion (DSPM) kit is used by trained personnel to provide an early diagnosis of childhood development problems.
A Brief Introduction: Child Protection Department/Child Development Center at Mae Tao Clinic is the oldest project of Chiang Mai International Rotary Club. Historically we have organized awareness tours and have done fundraising on their behalf. You may want to read a more detailed story of our long relationship with The Mae Tao Clinic History. (Pictured at right is the Child Recreation Center at the Old Campus. Very prone to flooding!)
First Quarter (Rotary Year) Progress: Our plan for Rotary Year 2019-2020 is to:
1. Conduct no less than four tours. So far, we have completed one: July 25 and 26. The tour was very successful and demonstrated that we should stay two nights in Mae Sot, rather than scheduling three as we have in the past. Firm dates for future tours include October 17 & 18 and January 2 & 3. We have also scheduled tours for March 5 & 6 and June 4 & 5. Details about future tours will be published as the time grows closer.
2. Conduct at least one fundraiser. With an original goal of raising 100,000 THB in 100 days, the campaign ended on September 8th and raised 151,525 THB. A workshop on Child Protection will be hosted by Committee for the Protection and Promotion of Child Rights (CPPCR), one of Mae Tao Clinic’s partner organizations on Saturday 30 November 2019. This workshop will be partly funded by Mae Tao Clinic Children’s Protection Department; a gesture that could not have happened without the success of the 100 days campaign.
Next Trip: The van will leave Chiang Mai the morning of Wednesday October 16th. We will tour Mae Tao Clinic and supported organizations on October 17 & 18, 2019. As of this writing, there are ten people booked; final arrangements are being made. We could accept one or two more on a stand-by basis in case of last-minute cancellations. CMIRC members will have first choice. People coming from other locations will meet us in Mae Sot.
A tentative schedule is:
Wednesday 16 October – Travel to Mae Sot and in the evening have dinner at Khao Mao Khao Fang Restaurant
08:00 start picking up passengers in Chiang Mai 15:30 Arrive at hotel in Mae Sot 18:30 Rendezvous with tour members coming from other locations and go to dinner
Thursday 17 October – (Times and details are tentative; we need to be flexible).
09:00 Tour Mae Tao Clinic beginning with the Old Campus. We will see CPPCR, Mae Tao Clinic Burma Operations team, and more. 13:00 Tour Migrant Learning Center or another related project.
Friday 18 October – (Times and details are tentative; we need to be flexible).
09:00 Tour New Campus of Mae Tao Clinic including Child Protection Office and Burma Children’s Fund. We hope to receive briefings from several departments. 12:45 - Briefing and then a tour of the Child Development Center. 14:00 – 15:30 Depart for home base
Forward Planning:
Increasing Awareness is our priority for Mae Tao Clinic. Both the fundraising campaigns and the tours accomplish those goals. Every tour brings unexpected information. However, it’s time to take a serious look at what can and cannot be accomplished. The planning schedule is:
* Thursday, 21 November 11:30 – 13:30. Brain Storming Session at Phrasing Village. We will invite people who have been on a Mae Tao Clinic tour. The idea will be to come up with different ideas of how CMIRC can support the Mae Tao Clinic, and perhaps how we can involve more CMIRC members in the Mae Tao Clinic project. * Thursday, 28 November meet with Mae Tao Clinic Staff and discuss possibilities for Rotary Year 2020-2021 * December 2019 – Write Mae Tao Clinic Project Plan for Rotary Year 2020-2021 and submit to CMIRC for consideration and approval.
The Mae Tao Clinic supports Burmese Migrants and citizens through health care, training, child protection. Everyone is invited and encouraged to support this marvelous organization!
We visited the Burma Children Medical Fund's B. K. Kee Patient House every Sunday in September to socialize with the young patients in Chiang Mai for medical treatment from Burma, the border area and the border camps. We have a regular group of Gordana, who will be back in November, Bill Pierce who will be back in October, Raphael and myself.
We welcome the chance to include other members of CMIRC, especially since Gordana and Bill (at right) are gone for a few weeks. We try to have about four people go each week. If we have many patients, we can have more visitors, but we know week by week. CMIRC members have first choice to go, but it's possible for others to come as well. You may email bcmfproject@cmirotary.org for any questions or suggestions. All members of CMIRC have already signed the Child Protection Policy. Visitors are required to sign the same document. It is available at on the CMIRC Website. I will have copies available.
We visit the house most Sundays, usually meeting at pump Shell on Huay Kaew Road at 10:30 a.m. We usually stay at the house until 12:30 or a bit later. Check the CMIRC Calendar to be sure. Sometimes the time may vary, even the day.
As of 22 September there were twelve patients at the house, two adults and ten young people, seven of them have heart problems. Two have cancer and one boy has swelling on his brain. They are all wonderful, warm people and it’s good to spend time with them. Sometimes activities are structured and sometimes not, depending on the patients. Puzzles and games are very popular. We are planning projects that will involve both Rotaract and Interact students in the future.
Here are patients with their new Trekker Teddies, made by ladies in Australia.
Posted by Dylan Low, President & William Churchill, CMIRC Liaison on Sep 28, 2019
September with the Rotaract Club of Payap University (RCPYU) saw some special activity in addition to course finals. As a follow-up to the August 27, 2019 meeting, two projects were initiated during September.
The first project was to participate in the Payap Millennial Sales Fair on September 13, 2019. The Hospitality Industry Management (HIM) students at Payap International College organized a “Millennial Sales Fair” event on the 13th of September 2019, with proceeds to be donated to the Wat Don Chan Orphanage. The RCPYU saw an opportunity in conducting a fundraising activity at the event, especially since we had previously discussed the prospect of raising funds on behalf of the Wat Don Chan Orphanage. Furthermore, funds were needed to cover the costs of our planned book drive for Mae La Refugee Camp schools (delivery, transport, etc.), as noted below. We decided to conduct a face painting experience at our booth with a “donations” model.
The fee for reserving the booth was 250 THB and the face painting materials cost 750 THB. Thus, the financial goal was to exceed the initial 1000 THB costs. In addition, our purpose was to increase awareness of our Club on campus through this activity. Half of the funds raised from the activity would be donated to the Wat Don Chan Orphanage and the other half used to fund the Mae La Refugee book drive and future RCPYU activities.
Total receipts including donations and in-kind contributions totaled 3332 THB. After a deduction of 750 THB of seed funding from the CMIRC Rotaract budget allotment, our net revenue was 2582 THB. Fifty percent (50%) of this amount was donated to the Wat Don Chan Orphanage.
The second project is a book drive for the children of the Mae La Refugee Camp. Funding for this project derives from revenue from the Millennial Sales Project. In addition, members would solicit book contributions from ACTSCO Bookhouse. This store, located in Chiang Mai, provides free books to those who seek them. Contributions were also solicited from other sources such as CMIRC Interact Clubs and CMIRC members. Certain members of RCPYU have local contacts with the Refugee Camp staff. After collections are made, the books will be presented to the Mae La Refugee Camp schools for distribution. The book drive ends on September 30th. Any last-minute contributions of English language books for adults and teenagers are welcomed. Contact Rtn. William Churchill via email at wbcalj@msn.com. Delivery to the Camp is scheduled for mid-October, after final exams.
Administrative activities during September also derived from the August meeting. The members and Board finalized and approved the Club’s Constitution and Bylaws and presented both to the CMIRC Board for its affirmation/vote of consistency with its policies and those of RI. The CMIRC Board approved the Club's Constitution and Bylaws during its September 25, 2019 meeting.
The Interact Club of Chiang Mai International School (CMIS) is now up and running. Each year the club season starts with the school's Activities Fair. There were more than twenty clubs represented at the Fair. The Interact Club had the most students signing as interested -- thirty-five. The past two Mondays the club has met to organize and elect officers. Each week there were twenty-five or more students in attendance. At the most recent meeting they elected officers. The new board is exploring an ongoing project at the Blind School in Chiang Mai. Decision by club as to that project will be at next Monday's meeting.
Click Here to read the original post on the Rotary Awareness Facebook Group (an interesting group to join).
Most Rotary clubs ring a bell to call a meeting to order and/or to adjourn a meeting. Both bells and gavels have a long association with Robert’s Rules of Order, the definitive manual of parliamentary procedure in North America. Early Rotary leaders adopted Robert’s Rules as a way to govern meetings.
The use of the Rotary bell has never been mandated.
One of the earliest published stories about using a bell at a Rotary meeting is from a 1915 Ladies’ Night meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. A sign commanded attendants to “sit down when the bell rings.” By 1919, the Kansas City club had acquired a large bell which they referred to as “the Gavel,” which was fashioned out of a horse-drawn streetcar gong and rung with a large wooden mallet (made from the wood of a German bayonet).
In 1922, the Rotary Club of London presented a bell to the Rotary Club of New York City; the bell was a prize over a long-running attendance contest between the two clubs. In December 1923, a decorative bell was advertised in The Rotarian for use by clubs. Called the Rotary Bell No. 29, this bell was marketed for use at Rotary meetings, as “A unique table ornament, a sight prettier and infinitely more agreeable than the harsh gavel.”
Much of Rotary’s rich history informs today’s practices. Many traditions, while never officially mandated or sanctioned, are such a part of current Rotary culture that most Rotarians could not imagine their Rotary experience without these long-standing practices.
With this tradition in mind, Rotary International marked its centennial with five bells that traveled the world in 2003-2005. One bell traveled to the first 100 clubs to join Rotary International, while the others went to the first Rotary club formed in each country of four regions: Asia and the Pacific; Latin American and the Caribbean; Africa; and Europe and the Middle East. All five bells returned to Chicago to call the 2005 convention to order.
Editor's note: It's been my observation that in Asia it's common for Rotary clubs to use a gong, some quite large and elaborate, instead of a bell. CMIRC follows this tradition with a gong that was a gift from its sponsoring club, the Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North.
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:
1. Building the capacity of entrepreneurs, community leaders, local organizations, and community networks to support economic development in impoverished communities; 2. Developing opportunities for productive work; 3. Reducing poverty in under-served communities; and, 4. Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to economic and community development.
Throughout October, Rotary Economic and Community Development Month, we’re celebrating our progress and commitment to helping grow local economies.
To promote growth and development of local economies and communities, the United Nations (U.N.) Millennium Development Goals encourage us to focus on eradicating poverty, uplifting and empowering women, creating global partnerships for development, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
According to the 2014 U.N. progress report, extreme poverty has been reduced by half, women’s status in the labor market is improving, the debt burden on developing countries remains stable and the use of technology continues to grow with almost three billion people online and seven billion mobile-cellular subscriptions.
The regular every Sunday morning visits by club members to the BCMF B.K. Kee Patient House here in Chiang Mai.
Each Monday, Tuesday and Friday, club members participated in the English Language Cultural Club at the BEAM Educational Foundation.
Tuesday, September 3 we conducted a regular meeting of our club where John Hulme and Brahm Press gave a compelling presentation about migrant workers.
Also, at the same meeting on September 3, we inducted new members Viki and Dylan Thomason.
Tuesday, September 17 we had a pre-induction meeting with Tabatha Lee.
Later that day, we inducted new member Raphael Djemal (far left, with P. Colin) at our regular meeting.
On September 17, the speaker for the regular meeting was Neil Blacknell who presented a program on Aikido.
On Wednesday, September 25, the FUNdraising Committee meet at the Royal Peninsula Hotel over lunch.
Later that day,there was the monthly CMIRC Board Meeting at the hotel.
Friday, September 27 was the last Friday of the month, so the tradition continued with some club members meeting for an unstructured "Let's Talk Rotary" lunch at The Food Factory at Kad Farang in Hang Dong (right).
Saturday, September 28, was the monthly General Meeting of the Chiang Mai Expats Club (CEC). CMIRC President Colin had an opportunity to speak about volunteer opportunities with Rotary and club members and supporters turned out to talk up Rotary to CEC members.
For a complete and up to date list of events, check our online 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 Sunday at 10:30 am, regular visit by club members to Burma Children Medical Fund's (BCMF) B. K. Kee Patient House. Interested? Contact Rotarian Maliwan.
1 October 2019 - Regular club meeting, 7 pm at the Royal Peninsula Hotel. The program will be presented by Maia Mounsher of Urban Light. Gather at 5:45 pm for fellowship and an optional dinner; order from the menu of Thai food at the hotel.
5 October 2019 Rotary Club of Chiang Mai, 60th Anniversary Celebration.
11 – 14 October 2019 – District RYLA meeting, Uttradit.
15 October 2019 - Regular club meeting, 7 pm at the Royal Peninsula Hotel. The program will be presented by Khun Sudarat Sereewat of FACE (Fight Against Child Exploitation). Gather at 5:45 pm for fellowship and an optional dinner; order from the menu of Thai food at the hotel.
17 - 18 October 2019 - Tour of Mae Tao Clinic contact Jerry Nelson
Posted by Jerry Nelson and Nancy Lindley on Oct 01, 2019
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.
Pern's Restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant on Huey Kaew Road, near Central Kad Suan Kaew mall, is located across from the Shell Petrol station. Brian Pern and his friendly staff (including the legendary Mickey) 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.
Fashion King is the best tailor in Chiang Mai. They have been in the same shop for over 12 years and receive the highest ratings from Trip Advisor and others. They feature authentic craftsmanship, superior materials and a great value! Their success is measured in customer satisfaction. The owners, Frank and Vanita will personally guide you through the entire process: design, material selection, fitting and delivery. CMIRC members -- this is the place to order a custom-made CMIRC dress-shirt or have a CMIRC emblem embroidered on your casual polo shirt. Frank and Vanita are the sponsors of the famous Chiang Mai fundraising event called “Bollywood Night”. They do a lot to give back to their community, helping the underprivileged in and around Chiang Mai.
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.
That is why, some years ago, we started to collect children’s clothing in order to give the children in the Hills a warm winter. Over the years the project has grown from a very informal, unstructured community service project to a major logistical exercise. We have to publicise the scheme, design, make and distribute the collection boxes, empty the boxes on a regular basis, sort all the clothes, parcel everything up, identify recipient villages, schools, et-cetera and then take the clothing up into the Hills in order to complete the job.
Swiss Lanna Society Chiang Mai
The Swiss Lanna Society-funded CMIRC Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program in Chiang Mai is under way. With Swiss Lanna Society help we have already taught 90 municipal school 4th-graders survival swimming and water safety at our home facility at Bronco Kids Sports Center. After the October school break, we will be back in the water with 60 more children! Special thanks to Swiss Lanna Society members Eveline and Heinz Willi (pictured at right) for support. Swiss Lanna Society members Herbert, Esther (pictured below), and Manuela helped distribute Swiss red caps on the last day of class for one of their sponsored groups.
British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy
(U.K. national P. Colin at right with new publicity sign). 
We have already conducted three swim programs for the 4th-graders at the Ban Chaeng Khu Ruang School (
Chiang Mai, CMIRC-Sponsored Program
Patong Beach
Australian Direct Aid Program Grant
‘Tis the season again, and the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club is launching its annual 
From my experience with military service, I learned that you never volunteer!!! If you do it’s to your detriment. That being said, the CMIRC Cultural Exchange Program at 
Developmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, are common and have a large impact on children and their families. These disorders can cause a high degree of disability for the child, and families and carers may also experience a large burden, including financial strain and experiences of social isolation. Early intervention and appropriate support can improve healthy outcomes for these children, but this requires early detection. The engagement of parents and carers is crucial to the effectiveness of early intervention and screening.
Child Protection Department/Child Development Center at 
Forward Planning: 
The first project was to participate in the Payap Millennial Sales Fair on September 13, 2019. The Hospitality Industry Management (HIM) students at Payap International College organized a “Millennial Sales Fair” event on the 13th of September 2019, with proceeds to be donated to the Wat Don Chan Orphanage. The RCPYU saw an opportunity in conducting a fundraising activity at the event, especially since we had previously discussed the prospect of raising funds on behalf of the Wat Don Chan Orphanage. Furthermore, funds were needed to cover the costs of our planned book drive for Mae La Refugee Camp schools (delivery, transport, etc.), as noted below. We decided to conduct a face painting experience at our booth with a “donations” model.
The fee for reserving the booth was 250 THB and the face painting materials cost 750 THB. Thus, the financial goal was to exceed the initial 1000 THB costs. In addition, our purpose was to increase awareness of our Club on campus through this activity. Half of the funds raised from the activity would be donated to the Wat Don Chan Orphanage and the other half used to fund the Mae La Refugee book drive and future RCPYU activities.
The second project is a book drive for the children of the Mae La Refugee Camp. Funding for this project derives from revenue from the Millennial Sales Project. In addition, members would solicit book contributions from 
In 1922, the Rotary Club of London presented a bell to the Rotary Club of New York City; the bell was a prize over a long-running attendance contest between the two clubs. In December 1923, a decorative bell was advertised in The Rotarian for use by clubs. Called the Rotary Bell No. 29, this bell was marketed for use at Rotary meetings, as “A unique table ornament, a sight prettier and infinitely more agreeable than the harsh gavel.”
1. Building the capacity of entrepreneurs, community leaders, local organizations, and community networks to support economic development in impoverished communities;
Later that day, we inducted new member Raphael Djemal (far left, with P. Colin) at our regular meeting.
Friday, September 27 was the last Friday of the month, so the tradition continued with some club members meeting for an unstructured "Let's Talk Rotary" lunch at 
