We survived April and are now welcoming the occasional wind and rain storm that is starting to clear the skies of Chiang Mai. Hopefully, these will soon become daily occurrences of short duration and we can enjoy the "green season" of northern Thailand. Meanwhile, you can better enjoy each story if you click on the title of the story where you'll be taken to the story on our website, displayed in easy-to-view, full-page format.
The month of April here in Chiang Mai is known for two things: heat (38 to 40 C or 100+ F) every day and the 5-day Songkran Thai New Year water festival. So many of our members were either celebrating or trying to stay dry and near the aircon! In spite of all that, we managed to accomplish quite a bit!
We solidified our agreement with our new, we hope, permanent home at the Royal Peninsula Hotel by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with them (May 1, 2019 - July 1, 2020). This MoU provides for meeting facilities on the first and third Tuesdays of every month and for storage facilities on-site for our equipment and furnishings. This new meeting facility is by far the best we have had, and the staff there have been wonderful!
Our first meeting of the month on April 2nd was a Club Assembly that gave the membership an opportunity to discuss plans for our projects and activities for the last quarter of the current Rotary Year and for the coming 2019-2020 Rotary Year, beginning July 1. Our second club meeting for the month was cancelled, since it fell in the middle of the Songkran festivities, as you can see from my activity near the Old City, at right. We met on the 30th at Duke’s in Maya Mall for a social meeting focused on introducing potential new members to our club and our many service projects.
On April 3rd, a group of our club officers visited the Payap University International Campus to meet the newly-elected officers of our CMIRC-sponsored Rotaract Club of Payap University. It was wonderful to see the Rotaractors’ enthusiasm and commitment to service. We all left the meeting feeling there will be many ways we can work together to give service to our community.
April 5-7, CMIRC had one of the larger club contingents at the Rotary District 3360 Conference in Chiang Rai. Our past president (Jerry) current president (me), President-Elect (Colin), President Designate (Clarence, who came with his lovely wife, Aree), and new member (Brian, who came with his lovely wife, May) were all there. So, CMIRC was very well represented! On our way to Chiang Rai some of us took the opportunity to visit with Carol Acosta of the Rotary Club of Mae Chan at their orphanage project (Baan Saan Rak) which CMIRC has supported. (P John, PE Colin and PP Jerry are shown outside the orphanage's library, at left.) At the meeting we had the opportunity to meet with Rotary leaders from most of the sixty-eight clubs in District 3360. I met with District Governor Roongranee Sangsiri to obtain her signature on our charter application for our new Interact Club at Unity Concord International School, and PP Jerry, P John, PD Clarence had an opportunity to chat with Past Rotary International President Bhichai Rattakul. We all enjoyed the Lanna Thai cultural show with music and dance at the conference banquet.
As part of our club’s continuing efforts to support the High School Equivalency Exam (GED) program at BEAM Education Foundation, we have begun to turn our attention to helping them raise money to provide scholarships for the BEAM students who pass the GED and are accepted into universities here in Thailand. On April 11, we met with the BEAM leadership staff and our visiting Rotarian Gordana (Rotary Club of Zagreb-Centar). Rtn. Gordana has donated over $2,000 for one scholarship student and CMIRC has now agreed to help BEAM with the administrative costs associated with this and future scholarships. We are all confident that Rtn. Gordana’s gift is the first of what will be many over the course of the coming year. CMIRC has been asked by BEAM to be the liaison with and representative of the scholarship donors on the BEAM Scholarship Selection Committee. We are honored to play a role helping these highly-motivated young scholars from very poor backgrounds. By the way, we just learned that the RC of Chiang Mai Tin Thai Ngam has offered to provide scholarships for living expenses (4,000 B each) to two of the BEAM students currently studying at Chiang Mai University and that Gordana received a donation of 500 Euros from an individual when she spoke about this program to her Rotary club in Croatia.
Meanwhile, during April the CMIRC members who had been meeting with the BEAM GED students to help them prepare for their GED exams were idle as the BEAM students actually took this four-part exam at a test center in Chiang Mai. Our members followed their progress with online progress reports from BEAM, and so far, it appears that twenty-four of the thirty students have passed all four modules, including the dreaded module of U.S. history, civics and government. (How many Americans could pass that test?) Some of the students didn't pass a module by just a point or two and are busy studying in hope of taking a retest.
After the Songkran break, the CMIRC Board met on April 23. Much business was conducted, but probably most significant for readers of the Bulletin is that we decided to create a Board-level position within CMIRC that focuses on youth programs. The position will be called Director of Youth Programs and will begin on July 1, 2019. The Director of Youth Programs will facilitate and coordinate CMIRC Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange (in-bound and out-bound), RYLA (leadership), and possible new programs such as Early Act. Since our club focus is Child Safety, Health, and Education, this role is long overdue. PE Colin will be contacting members to determine their interest in leading this youth programs effort.
CMIRC always tries to help other clubs with their fund raisers, especially when they are fun. So, when RC of Chiang Mai asked us to field a team at their annual Mini Golf Fundraiser, we sent Gary, Mike G., Colin, and me. Gary did 18 holes with a score of 50, he was our champion, Mike was second and Colin 3rd. Both Gary and Mike won ceramic cups. My score was 91 and LAST!!! But it was fun!
Finally, we ended the month with the CMIRC Social Evening on April 30 with the opportunity to meet many potential new members on that evening. Many of the Payap University Rotaractors joined us for pizza and fun, using the event to recruit potential new members also.
So, a BUSY month in spite of the HEAT and Songkran WATER throwing!
How readers of our Bulletin can help: Please read the project reports in this Bulletin to learn more about how CMIRC has expanded and strengthened its focus on Child Safety, Health, and Education this month.
I will end with an appeal. We are getting ready for a very productive 2019-2020 year. Our club’s mission to improve the lives of children in Northern Thailand through our club projects focusing on Child Safety, Health, and Education, demand a great deal of effort and commitment from CMIRC members and friends. There is much to do, and if you would like to help us by joining the club, or if you know someone who might like to join, please let me know: john@cmirotary.org or 08 5030 2143 .
If you wish to make a financial contribution to the CMIRC, please contact treasurer@cmirotary.org .
If you wish to make an in-kind contribution. We especially need children’s toys, sports equipment, and school supplies, please contact president@cmirotary.org or 08 5030 2143.
April was a great time for both visitors and patients at the Burma Children Medical Fund's (BCMF) B.K. Kee Patient House. Our frequent visitor and partner Rotarian Gordana Nardini returned to Croatia and Mike Lake visited the US for most of the month. So, I was doubly grateful for the help of BEAM students during the month. Rotary is all about giving back to the community because in helping others we all rise! The young women and men of BEAM don’t need to be taught that; they approached me asking where they could help.
Due to air quality issues in Chiang Mai, a painting party planned by the Interact Club of Chiang Mai International School for the back wall of the B.K. Kee compound was cancelled unfortunately. That didn’t bother BEAM students Siang Sint or Mwe Kham who joined with me to do the painting. While I had a brush in hand and pretended to help, they painted the back wall while wearing breathing masks. They even painted the spirit house as part of the project (left).
During the month of April, we only had three regular Sunday visits due to the Songkran holiday, but they were all productive for everyone. I am very happy to report that the 17-year-old young lady with heart problems had her surgery (hopefully her final one) and returned to Mae Sot earlier than anticipated after being at the house since January. The 22-year-old young woman also with heart problems had her surgery this week and may return home on Thursday. In the meantime, we have had several new patients including a returning baby with eye problems, another with a brain tumor and children with several issues for the hospital.
At one point during the last year, I almost dropped out of participation in the weekly visits because I didn’t feel like I had anything to do there other than distribute sanitary kits, fruit and snacks. Then we started English language sharing (right). I realized this week that this is the most important thing we do with our visits. Anyone that has ever been in a hospital situation knows the feeling of isolation from the rest of the world. That is doubly so for these patients and families who are far from home in a strange city. So us being there for a couple of hours a week, showing we care, is a gift. I think we do a little to improve English language skills for the patients and their family members, but the important thing is that it gives us something to talk about. I realized how important the visits were when I remembered that virtually any time during the week when we would come for any purpose, to deliver supplies, to talk to our contractor or anything else, everybody will come out to the common areas and often start setting up the chairs around the tables we use for our visits, hoping for an English conversation session.
This month with the BEAM students, it was a special gift because the students are from Myanmar and the Mae Sot area, just like the patients and their families. It was great to see them interact.
Our Mae Tao Clinic efforts for April 2019 were highlighted by a fact-finding trip to Mae Sot where I met with representatives from Migrant Education Coordination Center (MECC),TeacherFOCUS Myanmar, Help without Frontiers Thailand Foundation (HwF) and, of course, Mae Tao Clinic (below). We are fine-tuning the scope of the project that we hope to fund through a Rotary International Global Grant. In very general terms we have identified a critical need for a Resource Center for Migrant Learning Centers and their boarding houses. In very broad terms: The Project's Objective is for vulnerable and displaced children along the Thailand-Myanmar border to have access to quality education, well-being and protection services. The objective will be reached through achieving the following goals:
Realize better cooperation and alignment of education, well-being and protection programs through centering activity coordination and planning in the Education, Well-being and Protection Resource Center;
Develop education modules on child health and well-being and integrate them in the curriculum of the migrant learning centers;
Monitor and improve child protection and well-being in boarding houses by implementing a standard of care;
Monitor and improve students’ health and well-being through the school health program;
Ensure all developed materials and methods are freely available and expand to other migrant learning centers and boarding houses.
Rotary Districts, Rotary clubs, organizations and individuals interested in participating in this interesting project are encouraged to contact us by email at mtc-gg@cmirotary.org We are tentatively scheduling our next organized tour for 8 – 11 May. We are expanding the tour to ensure time to visit the Committee for the Protection and Promotion of Child Rights (CPPCR), The Burma Migrant Teacher’s Association and the office of Burma Operations at Mae Tao Clinic. It promises to be two days full of information to satisfy your curiosity about the real situation along to Thai-Myanmar border. Of course, we will also schedule some delightful meals and fellowship along the way.
Interested in joining us? Please let me know as soon as possible, time is slipping by.
22 June 2019 is the date to celebrate thirty years of meaningful work, trust in the good hearts of people, and compassion to those in need by the Mae Tao Clinic, founded by Dr. Cynthia Maung, above center during the early years of the clinic. You are cordially invited to celebrate this milestone with us.
On June 22nd, Mae Tao Clinic hosts the Grand Opening of the new Community Resource Center (morning time) and MTC’s 30th Anniversary Celebration (afternoon). You can register here. If you are in Chiang Mai and wish to join us, please let me know. We plan to depart Chiang Mai on Thursday 20 June and return to Chiang Mai on Sunday 23 June. Much like our regular tours, I will secure a block of rooms at PP Residence and suggest some dining opportunities. If there is enough interest, I will also arrange for a van, the cost of which would be shared by those who participate. The exact agenda won’t be known until published by Mae Tao Clinic.
Take a look at young minds and character development in action! About fifteen students from Unity Concord International School ("Unity) went to Connie's Home on Thursday, May 2nd. The facility has about twenty kids ranging in age from one to ten year old awaiting adoption.
The Unity students had a lot of genuine energy and enthusiasm:
* engaging with and spending time talking with the kids;
* sharing snacks that the school provided; and
* doing much-needed yard work and clean up (in +100 deg F heat, no less) caused by the recent storms.
The Connie's House aquaponics project is in a state of disrepair following the storm, but I'm going back soon to ascertain where a helping hand might be needed. I also asked them to consider to what use (if any) they could put up to a half dozen able-bodied Rotary members for a one-off volunteer morning ... should said members avail themselves to a worthy (kids-based) cause.
Things remained quiet for the Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program (CWSDPP) in April. March and April are school summer holidays in Thailand, and since all our programs are school-based, this is our slow season.
Australian Direct Aid Program Grant In April, our Australian Aid-funded CWSDP program in Phrao continued working with Warm Heart Foundation, our NGO partner there. We are planning the last three courses for this grant period. They will be offered from May 27 to June 7, June 10 to June 21, and June 24 to July 5. We will offer survival swimming and water safety instruction to the last 80 of the 140, 4th grade students at the Ban Chaeng Khu Ruang School (ร.ร.บ้านแจ่งกู่เรือง). We have already taught sixty of their students survival swimming and water safety.
We continue to work with Evelind Schecter and Khun Nian, who are our local CWSDPP representatives in Phrao. Evelind is co-founder with Michael Shafer of the Warm Heart Foundation.
Petchabun Training of local instructors in Petchabun will take place in May and the program will begin in late-May and run until July. We anticipate between 100 and 140 4th-grade children will be taught survival swimming and water safety. Our Rotary contacts at the Rotary Club of Petchabun Muang and Rotary Club of Lom Sak are actively planning for our training courses. We will be sending two of our best swim teacher trainers (Kru Benz and Kru Garn) and they are already planning for the trip.
Patong Beach The Rotary Club of Patong Beach Larry Amsden Swim Safe Programme, under the leadership of program chair, Johan Storck, will continue the program with the Ban Sai Nam Yen School this year, with approximately 100, 4th-graders. We are also planning a special swim teacher training program for May/June when Eve Fraser and her trainer-volunteers from the Oz Swim Aquatics/Global Swim Aquatics will provide Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association international certification-level courses for our Larry Amsden Swim Safe Programme team in Patong Beach.
Chiang Mai, CMIRC-Kru Payu Sponsored Program We are now working with Khum Tomm at the Municipal Schools to plan a certificate ceremony for approximately 200 children who completed the CWSDP program between October and February. The ceremony is planned for July; visitors and donors are welcome to attend.
We have requested CMIRC funds to continue the program for the next Rotary Year beginning in July and the CMIRC Service Projects Committee and Board have approved the request.
Brian Pern, co-owner of CMIRC sponsor Pern's Bistro & Bar and also co-founder of "One Chef at a Time", invites CMIRC members, family and friends to join in the "Big Night Party" on Monday, 13th May, 6:30 - 9:30 PM at Tulou Restaurant. Enjoy a huge Chinese buffet at what is considered by many to be the best Chinese restaurant in Chiang Mai, Chef Peking Duck and dim sum demonstrations and live entertainment. Charity raffle with proceeds going to support One Chef at a Time. Tickets are 699 baht at the door; 599 baht in advance -- available at Pern's Bistro & Bar on Huay Kaew Rd., across from the Shell Petrol Station or by calling 086 111 7766 .
The ladies of the Yale University a cappella senior women's choir Whim 'n Rhythm return to Chiang Mai in June for a series of charity concerts at places like a school, hospital, nursing home and elephant sanctuary arranged by CMIRC. During their stay, they will perform a public concert to raise funds for CMIRC children's charity projects at Royal Peninsula Hotel. The concert is Tuesday, June 11 from 6 - 8 PM, with a yummy spread of European-style hors d'oeuvres prepared by CMIRC sponsor Pern's Bistro & Bar served during the intermission. Wine is available by the glass or bottle. Former Rotarian Shana (who has sadly relocated to Bangkok) promises some nice raffle prizes for upscale hotel stays. Tickets will be available in mid-May, priced at 450 baht in advance, 500 baht at the door. These are an amazingly talented group of ladies and this year we have the perfect venue to enjoy their music!
Rotary has a long history of working with youth from providing scholarships, encouraging youth leadership and student exchange programs, to sponsoring youth-based service clubs. Youth Service is one of Rotary's five official Avenues of Service.
Rotary International's Structured Programs for Youth Service are: Interact, Rotaract, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and Youth Exchange. The month of May is designated as “Youth Service Month” to focus on all Rotary activities that support the development of young people up to the age of 30.
Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people. Made up of members ages 14-18 or secondary-school age, Interact gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends. NOTE: During Rotary Year 2018-2019, CMIRC sponsored the formation of two Interact Clubs in Chiang Mai – the Interact Club of Chiang Mai International School and the Interact Club of Unity Concord International School. (At left, District Governor Roongranee Sangsiri with P. John at the recent District Conference after signing the charter application for the Unity Concord International School.)
Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are either community or university based, and they're sponsored by a local Rotary club. This makes them true "partners in service" and key members of the family of Rotary. NOTE: at the recently completed 2019 Council on Legislation the Council elevated the status of Rotaract clubs. The change broadens the definition of membership in Rotary International to include Rotaract clubs. The change is intended to increase the support that Rotaract clubs receive from RI and to enhance their ability to serve. NOTE: During Rotary Year 2018-2019 CMIRC sponsored the formation of the Rotaract Club of Payap University. (below, CMIRC member William Churchill and PYU Rotaractor Dayton Estes participated in the Joint District Conference and 50th Anniversary celebration of Rotaract in Thailand in early April.)
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership program coordinated by Rotary Clubs around the globe. Each year, thousands of young people participate in this program. Young people ages 13–30 are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to attend the event run by the club's district committee. Participants are chosen for their leadership potential. Rotary Clubs and the Rotary District cover all expenses for the participants. The format of the events vary from district to district, but commonly take the form of a seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event's curriculum.
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is a Rotary International student exchange program for students in secondary school. Since 1929, Rotary International has sent young people around the globe to experience new cultures. Currently, about 9,000 students are sponsored by Rotary clubs every year. Typically, students are sent to another country for a year-long stay, generally living with multiple host families during the year and being expected to perform daily tasks within the household as well as attend school in the host country. Short term exchange programs are also quite common. These typically involve direct student exchanges between two families arranged through Rotary to coincide with major school holiday periods.
I think one of the reasons motivating people to join Rotary is to give something back to the community by making the community a better place to live. Or in simpler terms “giving something back”. This is one of several motivators for joining in addition to networking, building leadership skills and social interaction.
The key behind accomplishing what a Rotary Club does is membership. Without motivated membership a club will not have successful leadership, fundraising or service projects. This is one of the reasons clubs globally have a Membership Chair.
Over the years/decades the membership of Rotary International has seemed to be stagnant at about 1,220,000 people. With approximately 120,000 people joining Rotary every year and approximately 120,000 people leaving Rotary every year. The Rotary geographic population center has been moving from North America and Europe to Africa and Asia.
If you look theoretically at what would happen to Rotary globally if no new members joined, the organization would reach zero members in ten years. (1,220,000/120,000 = 10)
If you look at CMIRC through the same lens, the club has approximately 20 members with a hopeful gain of 10 members per year to replace the approximately10 members we lose every year. The same calculation (20/10 =2) would indicate approximately 2 years until membership equaled zero.
So why do so many people leave? It would appear not to be a case of the club not meeting member expectations but primarily one of having a highly transient English-speaking population in Chiang Mai. People leave due to changing personal situations.
But where does the primary responsibility lie within a club regarding membership? I would suggest it is NOT the Membership Chair. It is NOT the Membership Committee. It is NOT the Club President. The ultimate responsibility lies with each and every individual member of a club.
In our club some members have been in Chiang Mai for many years and many for many months. The longer termers may have seen their circle of friends shrink over the years. This has been my personal experience based on aging and a transient population. The newer termers are freshly arrived and in the process of exploring their new community and forming new acquaintances and friendships. They are probably engaging with people who are like them and their circle of friends is growing.
Consider our Payup University Rotaractors: They used the April 30th CMIRC Social Night as a recruiting tool and also a chance for fellowship and to enjoy free pizza just ahead of studying for their exams. Several prospective Rotaract members attended and had a good time. Maybe they helped CMIRC to look a little younger and hip, also! Perhaps we should invite them to more CMIRC functions.
For all of us, I would suggest that when we meet someone resident in the Chiang Mai area or moving to the Chiang Mai area, we engage them with a short two-minute sales pitch on Rotary and what CMIRC does in our community. Invite them to attend a meeting. If there first answer is “no can not attend” make the offer to invite them whenever there is a meeting they might find of interest.
Tuesday, April 2, there was a Club Assembly at The Royal Peninsula Hotel.
The weekend of April 6 and 7, several club members attended the District 3360 District Conference in Chiang Rai (shown at the conference banquet, left).
Sunday, April 7, the club members had their regular Sunday weekly visit to the Burma Children Medical Fund's (BCMF) B.K. Kee Patient House.
Tuesday April 9, the Membership Committee met at My Secret Café in Town.
Sunday, April 14, the club members had their regular Sunday weekly visit to the Burma Children Medical Fund's (BCMF) B.K. Kee Patient House. (pictured at right working on puzzles)
Tuesday, April 16, there was no CMIRC regular meeting due to Songkran holiday.
Sunday, April 21, club members had their regular Sunday weekly visit to the Burma Children Medical Fund's (BCMF) B.K. Kee Patient House.
Tuesday, April 23, the CMIRC Board had their regular monthly meeting(minutes available for review by all club members at cmirotary.org which requires member login to view in member area of the website).
Thursday, April 25, the Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention (CWS&DP) Committee met at Bronco Kids Sports Complex.
Sunday, April 28, club members had their regular Sunday weekly visit to the Burma Children Medical Fund's (BCMF) B.K. Kee Patient House.
Tuesday, April 30, the fifth Tuesday in a month Social evening at The Duke’s Restaurant at Maya Mall. (photo left, courtesy of Steve Yarnold of CityLife magazine.)
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 9:30 am, regular visit by club members to Burma Children Medical Fund's (BCMF) B. K. Kee Patient House. Interested? Contact Rotarian Gary Herman.
7 May 2019 - Regular Club Meeting, 7 PM at Royal Peninsula Hotel. Programs by Evelind Schecter and Nong Saa of Warm Heart Foundation and Ellen S. Yellin of the Rotary Club of New Orleans. Gather at 5:45 PM for fellowship and optional dinner; order from the menu of Thai food in the restaurant of the hotel.
21 May 2019 - Regular Club Meeting, 7 PM at Royal Peninsula Hotel. Program by Yadfon Boonlab on the Phalang Jai Scholarship Program. Gather at 5:45 PM for fellowship and optional dinner; order from the menu of Thai food in the restaurant of the hotel.
25 - 26 May 2019 - District 3360 District Training Assembly, Phayao.
31 May 2019 - Last Friday of the Month, "Let's Talk Rotary" informal lunch, 11:30 am at Le Bistrot de Chiang Mai, 42 Kampang Din Rd Lane 2, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100
Posted by Jerry Nelson and Nancy Lindley on May 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.See the stories above about "The Big Night Party" at Tulou Restaurant to support "One Chef at a Time", co-founded by Brian Pern and the CMIRC Whim 'n Rhythm fundraising concert, catered by Pern's.
Lanna Lawyersis an expat-focused professional general practice law firm in Chiang Mai.They provide detailed and focused legal advice and services to expats and Thai nationals.Specializations include: Family, Business/Corporate, Property/Real Estate, Wills and Estates, Civil, Contract and Criminal Law. Other services include immigration, notary services, translations and accounting.Lanna Lawyers prides itself on the ethical, high quality and standard of care. Lanna Lawyers is a leader in providing pro bono services to a significant number of clients who are both in need of legal assistance and do not have the financial means and ability to pay for them.
Fashion Kingis 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.
Our first meeting of the month on April 2nd was a Club Assembly that gave the membership an opportunity to discuss plans for our projects and activities for the last quarter of the current Rotary Year and for the coming 2019-2020 Rotary Year, beginning July 1. Our second club meeting for the month was cancelled, since it fell in the middle of the Songkran festivities, as you can see from my activity near the Old City, at right. We met on the 30th at Duke’s in Maya Mall for a social meeting focused on introducing potential new members to our club and our many service projects.
April 5-7, CMIRC had one of the larger club contingents at the Rotary District 3360 Conference in Chiang Rai. Our past president (Jerry) current president (me), President-Elect (Colin), President Designate (Clarence, who came with his lovely wife, Aree), and new member (Brian, who came with his lovely wife, May) were all there. So, CMIRC was very well represented! On our way to Chiang Rai some of us took the opportunity to visit with Carol Acosta of the Rotary Club of Mae Chan at their orphanage project (
Due to air quality issues in Chiang Mai, a painting party planned by the Interact Club of 
At one point during the last year, I almost dropped out of participation in the weekly visits because I didn’t feel like I had anything to do there other than distribute sanitary kits, fruit and snacks. Then we started English language sharing (right). I realized this week that this is the most important thing we do with our visits. Anyone that has ever been in a hospital situation knows the feeling of isolation from the rest of the world. That is doubly so for these patients and families who are far from home in a strange city. So us being there for a couple of hours a week, showing we care, is a gift. I think we do a little to improve English language skills for the patients and their family members, but the important thing is that it gives us something to talk about. I realized how important the visits were when I remembered that virtually any time during the week when we would come for any purpose, to deliver supplies, to talk to our contractor or anything else, everybody will come out to the common areas and often start setting up the chairs around the tables we use for our visits, hoping for an English conversation session.
Take a look at young minds and character development in action! About fifteen students from 
Australian Direct Aid Program Grant
Petchabun 
Chiang Mai, CMIRC-Kru Payu Sponsored Program
Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people. Made up of members ages 14-18 or secondary-school age, Interact gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends. NOTE: During Rotary Year 2018-2019, CMIRC sponsored the formation of two Interact Clubs in Chiang Mai – the Interact Club of 
Consider our Payup University Rotaractors: They used the April 30th CMIRC Social Night as a recruiting tool and also a chance for fellowship and to enjoy free pizza just ahead of studying for their exams. Several prospective Rotaract members attended and had a good time. Maybe they helped CMIRC to look a little younger and hip, also! Perhaps we should invite them to more CMIRC functions.
Tuesday, April 2, there was a Club Assembly at The Royal Peninsula Hotel.
Sunday, April 14, the club members had their regular Sunday weekly visit to the 
Friday, April 26, the last Friday of the month “Let’s Talk Rotary Lunch” met at the 
