With the partial easing of Covid restrictions, August has seen more activity in our projects as described below.

Four and one quarter of us attended the District 3360 Vibrant Club Workshop in Uttaradit: myself, Foundation Chair Roger, Membership Chair Viki, Rtn Aree and our Inspiration Officer Areeya (right). To learn more about Rotary International Foundation's Global Grants see Roger's contribution, below.  And to be inspired about new membership options, see Viki's contribution about "Expanding the Rotary Family", below.

My key takings from the workshops are that CMIRC must be prepared to innovate, that Rotary International is recognizing this in allowing more flexibility in procedures, and that membership is of paramount importance.

We are aiming to be more involved in District events such as the one above and also to work more closely with local Thai Rotary Clubs. In relation to the latter, visits were made to meetings of RC Chiang Mai Airport and RC Chiang Mai.

At left, I'm with Rtn Aree, Inspiration Officer Areeya and PP Pinyo Duangcham of RC Chiang Mai Airport.  And, at right with CMIRC Secretary Nick and P Yada Thamprasert of RC Chiang Mai. 

August gave us two great presentations, Joey Tell of the Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development (RICD) on the Wheelchair Project and Past President Jerry Nelson on Preventing Human Trafficking and the work of the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery. 

At left, Secretary Nick talks with Joey Tell of RICD and at right, Jerry Nelson shares the stage with CP Pong of RC Wattana, his partner with RAGAS education projects.

Cultivating a Peace Culture in Ban San Pakwan School, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai

CMIRC is the local coordinator and key institutions involved are the Peace and Culture Foundation led by Rotary Peace Fellow Dr. Sombat Tapanya, the Rotary Club of Bangkok and Rotary Clubs in Taiwan.

Aikido training is now underway for students at the school. This will provide students not only with skills for self defence but also for self discipline and non-violence.

Future meetings are planned with parents and teachers, teachers to respect the rights of students, and change their approach towards discipline, and parents will be taught that there are other ways to get children to obey other than by shouting at them, hitting them or through corporal punishment.

As we have written in the CMIRC Bulletin over the last few months, the national lockdown response to the Covid-19 pandemic has created an economic disaster in Northern Thailand. While the measures to restrict travel to Thailand have been successful in preventing the spread of Covid-19 here in Thailand, they have created huge spikes in unemployment and poverty. As described in past Bulletins, CMIRC has led several initiatives to help alleviate hunger among those families who lost their incomes due to the collapse of all tourist and travel related jobs in Chiang Mai and surrounding areas. In the process, we have helped to distribute meals and staple food supplies to thousands of people.

The problem of hunger persists, and we continue to hear from Rotarians and friends of Rotary who wish to help us continue our efforts to feed those in need. At our recent CMIRC Board meeting we discussed how best to continue our efforts where they might have the greatest impact. It was decided that since our Club’s mission is to improve child safety, health, and education, we should direct our efforts to feeding children. CMIRC already has a relationship with Philanthropy Connections and the Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN) and they had helped us identify the Koung Jor Nursery School close to a Shan refugee camp near the Myanmar border in Chiang Mai Province.

With the help of the Road to a Better Life Foundation we have been able to fund a school lunch program there for 120 small children for a period of 5 months. The CMIRC Board decided that since our initial funding for the lunches would soon expire, all future donations to our food initiative would be used to extend the nursery school lunch program at Koung Jor Nursery School. CMIRC Rotarians have visited the program and they were all impressed with the meal program, so we know all donations given for this purpose will be well spent!

So, for those who wish to help these 120 children have at least one good meal each day, please donate to our CMIRC Food Initiative. A 10,000 Baht (US$320) donation will feed 120 kids for one month, a 2,500 Baht (US$80) donation will feed 120 kids for one week, and a 500 Baht (US$16) feeds the kids for one day. The meals are simple but nutritious and the staff prepares everything on site.  Please contact our club treasurer Nancy NLLindley@msn.com  for details about how to donate or reply to the email bulletin.

Drowning is a major cause of death for children in Thailand and we are currently teaching survival swimming and water safety to all fourth graders in the eleven Chiang Mai Municipal Schools.

A major problem is that some 15% of children who could participate in the program cannot proceed because they have head lice.

CMIRC will coordinate with Bronco Kids Sports Club who provide the training and the eleven Chiang Mai municipal schools involved in the project to eradicate lice.

CMIRC has purchased lice detection combs to donate to the project and the Chiang Mai Municipal hospital has kindly donated 36 bottles of scabicide emulsion to eradicate lice.

The photo at left shows Hospital Director Paragorn Phakphoom passing on the gift to Rtn Aree and Inspiration Officer Areeya who appears to look forward mistakenly to enjoying a good drink.  Editor's note: Inspiration Officer Areeya does not suffer from head lice, the photo above left is a stock image of a very bad case.

The Rotary District 3360's Foundation, Membership, and Branding Workshops were held on 22-23 August 2020 at the Seeharaj Hotel in Uttaradit. Rotarian dignitaries DG Somchai Kerddecho, DGE Jirayuth Hirunyawat, CP Charin Adthaora-ake, PDG Waewdao Limlenglert, PDG Kamolsak Visitsakulchai, PDG Anurak Napawan, and PDG Suparee Chatkunyarat – amongst others - shared their insight and extensive knowledge with an audience of around 200 Rotarians from clubs all over Northern Thailand. The topics were ‘How to increase the Rotary membership,’ ‘Members Retention,’ ‘Club Health Evaluation,’ ‘How to maintain club alertness at all times?’ and ‘Membership planning and setting up new clubs in RY 2020-2021.’ The takeaway from the two-day seminar was that innovation and flexibility are the key when it comes to expanding Rotary membership in the post-COVID-19 era.

Be Vibrant. Be Alert.

Rotary is a 125-year-old organization, a legendary “brand,” that continuously must develop and adapt to maintain its relevancy in today’s age. Our district has demographics that are somewhat better than Rotary's as a whole, as presented at the meeting, at right.

It’s a common misconception that Rotarians belong to the middle-aged or elderly generation. So how do we get our message through to the younger crowd? This is where digital innovation comes in handy. Social media channels (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) may help us reach a wider audience. They’re great for promoting events, accomplishments, and club or District activities. We want to be where our audience is. Having a well-structured, informative website, where visitors can read more about the things we do for our community, also helps spread the word about Rotary and our causes.

We also must be resourceful when it comes to attracting new members. We shouldn’t forget to reach out to our family members, friends, and neighbors and talk to them about Rotary, or hand out our business cards when we’re out and about in town.

Branding, PR & Projects: The Correlation To Membership

However, membership acquisition cannot only be observed separately from branding, public relations, and service project management as they are in constant interaction. Visual presentations, photos, videos, bulletin articles, websites, media mentions all serve the same purpose of raising awareness of a club and its service projects and, at the same time, promote Rotary.

Maintaining a meaningful project portfolio that provides true value to the community encourages prospective members to join. It’s important to emphasize to new members that we cannot do everything, so they will avoid burnout. Being in Rotary is not the same as being an employee.

Member engagement is imperative, and the retention of existing members shouldn’t be overlooked. According to statistics by Rotary International, 30% of Rotarians leave their clubs due to cost or time issues, 23% leave because of the club environment, and 19% leave due to unmet expectations.

Flexibility is another key factor when it comes to membership acquisition and retention.

Passport Membership: The Flexible Option

The new Passport Membership category allows prospective and existing members who find it difficult to attend regular meetings - due to work, family, travel, or residence changes - to remain/become members of CMIRC with flexible attendance requirements. A Passport Member is only obliged to perform at least 18 hours of Rotary-recognized service during each 6-month membership period.

Rotaractor = Rotarian

The 2019 Council on Legislation amended the constitutional documents of Rotary International to include Rotaract clubs as a membership type. This means that Rotaractors are now included in the total count of Rotarians.

Other major changes include:

· Rotaract clubs will be able to establish a new club with or without a sponsor.

· Rotaract clubs will able to choose other Rotaract clubs as their sponsors.

· Rotaract clubs will be open to all young adults at least 18 years old.

· Rotary districts are encouraged to include Rotaractors in every district committee.

Corporate Membership For Community Conscious Organizations

Corporate membership allows Rotary clubs to involve any business, nonprofit, or government entity in Rotary by offering an alternative membership package to up to 4 employees. Having corporate members increases the club’s membership while expanding its network and visibility in the community. Members gain access to the fellowship and service opportunities of Rotary with the possibility of a shorter time commitment.

We can undoubtedly state that innovation and flexibility will pave the way for Rotary’s future. If we are serious about expanding the Rotary family and attracting new members from all demographics, we must come up with progressive solutions.

It has been a treat to be able to resume our visits at the Burma Children Medical Fund's B. K. Kee Patient House and engage with the patients and family members. Rotarian Nick Dale, myself and Pat and Bob have all gone in twice during August to deliver supplies and play some of our usual games with the residents. During our first return visit we played the popular “Bingo for prizes” game (left). This is always a B.K. Kee Patient House favorite.

At the most recent visit on the 23rd there were only three residents (right) but we made the most of the visit and played our “pass the ball” game where everyone sits in a circle while music is being played. The “DJ” has his back to the group and stops the music at random intervals. Whoever has the ball once the music stops has an opportunity to grab a prize from the prize bag. Once the limit of prizes has been reached, then the person has to do a short dance, or sing a song. Our group played along (no prizes of course) but everyone was a trouper and there were many smiles and much laughter. And when those things occur, the trip has been a successful one.

Our first full visit back on the 8th we brought a large collection of oral hygiene supplies as the B.K. Kee staff requested as well as laundry detergent. Rotarian Nick continues to support their gardening efforts and this past visit brought some organic fertilizer which they needed for their vegetable gardens.

BCMF director, Kanchana Thornton has indicated that she has tentatively made plans to transfer new patients to the house on September 3rd. Stay tuned and if any Rotarians are interested in joining us on our every other Sunday visits, please reach out to Bill Pierce, B.K. Kee Patient House Project Champion. We are required to wear face coverings during the entire visit. We leave from the Shell station at 11:00 (on Huay Kaew Rd.) and usually complete our visit around 12:30.

The new semester is about to begin, early September, exciting, oh yes there are challenges ahead. It’s not plain sailing, ask any round the world yachtsmen; it would be boring if there weren’t some obstacles.

The big obstacle is the internationally-known Covid-19 virus. The bottom line is that BEAM Education Foundation is going technical with online teaching; the only attendance at a BEAM classroom is for Mathematics. The conclusion was you need the physical group interaction for that subject. Students on-site in Chiang Mai amount to twelve, give or take a pair of arms and legs. Other students are located within Thailand and Myanmar will be totally online students! A new experience for all with a built-in process of self-teaching with the use of a computer, internet, live interaction and applications.

Amidst all the controversy of different elections around the world there is good news for BEAM, a replacement for Lulu who supported the English Teaching and Admin has been found; now in the hot seat. Her name is Sarah Dodoo. Below is an introduction from Khun Ko Phyo.

Introduction: Sarah Dodoo

The BEAM Education Foundation’s most recent team member is Ms. Sarah Dodoo. Sarah comes on board as the Higher Education Program Associate where she will work to support the Community Youth Leadership Development (CYLD)/General Educational Development (GED) Program at BEAM, a program that seeks to support and empower marginalized youth to access higher educational opportunities here in Thailand. Alongside her role at BEAM, Sarah is also an English Language Instructor at the School of Promise here in Chiang Mai. Prior to both roles, Sarah was based in the United States for two years where she completed a Master’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences at the Eastern Illinois University.

Originally from Ghana (West Africa), Sarah’s involvement in international and community development started when she joined the staff team of the United States Peace Corps post in Ghana. One of her favorite duties then was providing programmatic support to the post by serving as the Gender and Youth Development Working Group staff liaison. In this role, she worked with different Peace Corps volunteers across the many rural communities in Ghana to manage clubs and organize camps for the young people of her home country. Such clubs and camps were designed to educate, empower and mentor young people. Sarah is excited to be at BEAM where she has such a similar opportunity to engage with and support determined young people in the CYLD/GED program.

With storytelling as one of her passions, Sarah is an active member of the Chiang Mai Toastmasters Club, currently serving as the Vice President for Membership.

From the August 2016 issue of The Rotarian

Many people don’t know much about Rotary. Together, we can change that.

Despite more than a century of Rotarians creating change in communities around the globe, many people don’t understand what Rotary is, how we’re different, and why they should engage with us. To thrive in the 21st century, Rotary needs a strong identity. And while every Rotarian’s experience is unique, how we tell Rotary’s story should be consistent. You can help by following these simple steps.

Celebrate our new look and feel

How can you help keep Rotary’s identity strong?

Around the world, you find the Rotary wheel along roadsides, in parks, and on sponsored projects. While no two clubs are exactly alike, our wheel signals that what Rotary represents – people coming together to move our communities forward – is the same everywhere.

Like the Nike swoosh, the power of the Rotary wheel is in its consistency. When an organization refreshes its logo, as Rotary did in 2013, using the updated mark is critically important.

That’s why Rotary International created the Brand Center to help clubs use Rotary’s refreshed logo consistently and correctly. Visit www.rotary.org/brandcenter often to find:

• High-resolution logos and graphics you can download
• A quick start guide to refreshing your club website
• Photos and videos you can use on your website and on social media to promote membership, Rotary’s areas of focus, and polio eradication
• Templates for brochures, newsletters, press releases, and other materials that you can customize to promote your club, project, or event
• Sample ads for print, billboards, and television

When someone asks, “What is Rotary?” we have a clear, compelling, and consistent answer: Rotary joins leaders from all continents, cultures, and occupations to exchange ideas and take action for communities around the world.

Define the value of what your club does

Do the people in your community know about your club’s work?

An international survey found that 40 percent of the public has never heard of Rotary. Another 40 percent say they recognize the name but don’t know what Rotary does.

This means they don’t understand all that your club has achieved in your community. Or how, together, we’re tackling global challenges. Like German and Sri Lankan Rotarians rebuilding a maternity hospital after the 2004 tsunami, so mothers and their children can be healthy and strong. Or Austrian Rotarians welcoming refugees to their small town. Or clubs in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras working on sustainable ways to bring clean water to more people every day.

Or how we’re uniting the world to end polio once and for all.

That makes it harder to attract and inspire new members, prospective donors, and volunteers.

To help you get the message out, we’ve created a messaging tool kit, which offers clear principles and compelling talking points that you can adapt and make your own. Spread the word in your community. Find the messaging tool kit at www.rotary.org/brandcenter.

Share your story with the world

What makes Rotary different?

Every Rotarian brings something distinct and indispensable to our community, whether it’s personality, passion, or professional experience. That multidisciplinary perspective allows us to see and solve challenges in ways others can’t.

We represent our local communities but tackle projects of every scale and on every continent, and inspire our friends, neighbors, and partners to join us. We do this by connecting different points of view, exchanging fresh ideas, forging lifelong friendships – and taking action. Because we are people of action who are tackling our communities’ most persistent problems with fresh thinking and enduring solutions.

So what is changing? Only how we tell our story. As Rotarians, you are Rotary’s strongest champions. And Rotarians have all experienced life-changing moments when they realize the extent of our impact. These personal moments are why people join and stay with Rotary.

Take the first step: Share your Rotary experience with two friends and colleagues this month – in person, on social media, or at the office – and encourage them to visit www.rotary.org for more information. And learn other ways you can share your stories at www.rotary.org/brandcenter.

Basic education and literacy is one of the Rotary Foundation’s seven areas of focus. We know that basic education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace.

Globally, more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population. Rotary’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.

From UNICEF October 2019:

Literacy rates among youth (aged 15 to 24) and adults are the test of an educational system, and the overall trend is positive, thanks to the expansion of educational opportunities. Globally, the youth literacy rate increased from 83 per cent to 91 per cent over two decades, while the number of illiterate youth declined from 170 million to 115 million. Regional and gender disparities persist, however. Literacy is lowest in least developed countries and higher among males than females. In the most recent years for which data are available, young women accounted for 59 per cent of the total illiterate youth population. From http://uis.unesco.org/en/country/th

In 2018 Thailand had reported illiteracy numbers for 15-24 years of age: 111,239 (M) and 65,111 (F); for 15 years of age plus: 1,330,429 (M) and 2,258,859 (F).

What is CMIRC doing in the area of education and literacy?

• Providing assistance with the BEAM Foundation's GED Education Program
• Funding GED testing for BEAM graduates this past school year
• Donating school supplies as part of the Winter Clothing Appeal
• Donating school supplies as part of a Covid-19 food program to Shan villages and schools
• Providing room and board for Gai, a student at Warm Heart Foundation