PETS & SETS - 4th April, 2010

Dear Friends,

Yet another success - shall I say a 'Golden Feather in the cap of RCBM!' Under the Chairmanship of AG Alok Desai and Presidentship of Dr. Sharmishtha Desai, RCBM successfully hosted PETS & SETS. The total number of delegates present were 124.

Hotel Surya Palace saw a flurry of activities from 6.45 a.m. in the morning. Nearly 20 Club Members and 3 Annets were present from 7.30 and taking care of their assigned jobs. At 8.15 a.m. delegates started arriving. Pictures will tell you the story of our success. Annets of RCBM who were traditionally dressed welcomed the Guests with tikka and spouses with rose buds. Leaders arrived and everybody enjoyed breakfast till 9.00.a.m.

Time Management was its best with DT Ashok Panjwani and DGE Devang Thakore. Dot at 9.00 a.m. they started the meeting without worrying for the late comers and absentees. Speakers did a marvellous job. Chairman Alok welcomed every one in his unique style highlighting Baroda's importance in many other fields including cricket.

DGE and DT were to the point and delivered their crisp speeches in time. Discovery of the day - Chief Guest PDG Dr. Ulhas Kolhatkar from Mumbai delivered master piece on the subject of Leadership. His speech will be remembered for a long time to come. He was flawless in English, Hindi and Marathi with Sanskrit Shlokas and anecdotes - not to forget history as well. Spontaneous standing ovation was testimony of his beautiful speech.

All the Speakers did a good job and after lunch for nearly two hours Group Discussions were held with each AG and four to five Club Presidents with PDGs as Resource Persons. A successful new experiment. All Presidents have filled up the required forms - hands on experience works wonders! Finally, it was the time of 45 minutes interactive session on 'Manage Your Time and Improve Communication Skills by PDG Dr. Manoj Desai, who lived upto the audiences' expectations with subtle examples without losing focus on Rotary.

Concluding Session was short, which was followed by distribution of certificates to the Presidents. President Sharmishtha proposed vote of thanks.

One more time KUDOS to RCBM Clan.

TODAY'S MEETING - BUSINESS MEETING at 7.30 - HI-TEA FOLLOWED BY MEETING AT HOTEL SURYA PALACE.

Dr. Manoj Desai

Bulletin Editor

METRO MUSING 23

Dear Friends,

LAST MEETING

It was a Sleek and Effective Meeting of 60 minutes was appreciated by all. There were 28 participants. After the crisp Opening Remarks, President felicitated four youngsters namely:

Milan Vyas

Dharmesh Vyas

Dhruv Pathak

Harshil Khatri

Their contribution at the time of NID was excellent. They moved house to house and managed the booth well till the close of the day. In fact some of the Members requested them to start an Rotaract Club with their friends. They are thinking about it. Keep your fingers crossed, we might have yet another baby!

President thereafter introduced 2 new Members - (1) Rtn. Sudhir Shethi and (2) Rtn. Leena Smart. Their classification, bio-data, phone numbers and address will be posted on the blog later.

Then President invited AG Alok Desai to formally induct both the Members to RCBM Clan. They were welcomed by everyone present.

President briefly touched upon Project Atmanirbhar for which President (E) Premal is going to chalk out the plan. For the want of Chairman Nileshbhai dicussion of plan could not take place.

Then President invited Chairman for PETS & SETS Alok Desai to give update about the job on hand for PETS & SETS on 4th April. Chairman Alok appraised members about the team work which is going to get us success. He briefly narrated the names of Volunteers with their responsibilities and updated about the happenings.

At 9.10 p.m. the meeting was over after singing the national anthem. It is heartening to see wonderful fellowship over the dinner for nearly an hour.

Dr. Manoj Desai

Bulletin Editor

LAST MEETING 18/03/2010

Dear Friends,

LAST MEETING - 18th March, 2010

Family Fellowship Meet hosted by Rtn. Dilip Shah and Ann Sandhya Shah was certainly a class apart. A new milestone in hospitality was created by Shahs'. Nearly 40 persons enjoyed the fellowship. Those who did not come missed out in a big way. Italy was flown into their house for the evening which lasted till 11.30 p.m. Spirits of RCBM soared so high that no other spirits were called for.

President showed a beautiful DVD on Polio - A Short Film which was nominated for Oscar last year. It is Rotary's polio efforts and the video has been filmed in collaboration with Google.org.

Rtn. Rachna, Rtn. Ashish and family put in lot of efforts to make it more entertaining with Quiz and Tambola. The food was so good that everyone wanted to say Yeh Dil Mange More - Dilip you need to think about our request.

Kindly find three pictures of fellowship below.

NEWS MAKER

Hearty Congratulations to SiddharthVrajesh Shah for being selected for short term IYE for France. Congratulations to proud parents as well.

IMPORTANT - NEXT MEETING - 25/03/2010 - Dinner Meeting - Hotel Surya Palace

1. Two new Members will be inducted into Rotary fold - (i) Sudhir Sethi & (ii) Mrs. Leena Smart.
2. Briefing Session by Chairman Alok Desai about PETS & SETS.
3. Yet another polio patient from Dediapada camp has been admitted for operation - Ankita Bharat Vasava. She will be operated tomorrow. Don't you think friends it is our earnest duty to care for these underserved ones? - That's the real Rotary Spirit. Arpan welcomes you at your convenient time... A cup of teach is guaranteed if it is between 3.30 to 5.30 p.m.

REMEMBER it is a dinner meeting so all please come to welcome new members and plan for upcoming PETS / SETS.

Dr. Manoj Desai - Bulletin Editor

METRO MUSING 22

Dear Friends,

Board of Directors' Meeting was held at PP Sunil Vakil's residence on 3rd March, 2010 in which 9 members remained present. President concluded the meeting with sincere thanks to Ann Nanda and PP Sunil Vakil . Gist of the same is as under:

PETS / SETS PROGRAMME - 4TH APRIL

• Discussed about preparation for District Event - PETS & SETS - Central Zone under Chairmanship of AG Alok Desai. Final discussion on 25th March in the regular meeting at Hotel Surya Palace.
• It was decided that we need about 10-12 Volunteers for the event.
• The venue for the same will be Hotel Surya Palace on 4th April from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
• The Logistics for PETS - Registration charges - Rs.350 per participant as decided by the District (spouses free). [Rs.100 per participant will be given in the next Rotary year to the club by DG 2010-11]. Rs. 8000 - Rs.10,000 will be the expense from Club budget.
• Programme has been sent by DGE Devang and DT Ashokbhai. Separate programme for spouses is also planned.
• First intimation will go from Host Club President to Members of Faculty (already executed four days back).
• Personal calls to Faculty and Presidents (E) by AG(E) Pinky and PE (P) Premal.

ATMANIRBHAR CAMP

• Mega Camp is to be held on 23rd to 25th April at Chhotaudepur / Pavijetpur (with Shroff Foundation) and on 26th to 28th April at Godhra (with Rajesh Zaveri).
• Premal Smart will arrange a meeting with Shroff Foundation Social Workers for Planning, Advertisement, etc.
• We need Volunteers for administration of the camp. The suggested names are: Sharmishtha Desai / Pratima & Anil Bordavekar / Nileshbhai Patel / Vijay Bhatt / Sonal & Alok Desai / Nandkishor / Utkarsh / Manisha R. Bhatt / Meenaben Kothari.
• We also need Doctors for the camp.

MARCH - Literacy Month

It is decided to donoate books to the Library of M.P. Patel High School, Dashrath where we have formed Interact Club 'Divine.'

In the last two years the club has got Rs.45,000 - Rs.50,000 as admission fees from new members. It was decided to invest the same in FD to build a corpus.

IMPORTANT NEWS

• Accounts for last year (2008-09) have been passed in BoD and then in the General Body.
• Our Project Sanjeevani is covered (with photo) in the March 2010 issue of The Rotary News.
• Our Rotaract Member Ms. Niyati who went to Sri Lanka as a GSE Team Member has come back and will be invited to our Club for giving her impressions.
• Three boys from Interact Club 'Divine' participated in RYLA at Jetpur, Saurashtra.
• We are hosting a District Event - PETS / SETS of Central Zone on 4th April, 2010.

Polio Patient Kantaben Jivabhai will be discharged tomorrow (6th day) after two successful operations. She would have appreciated if Members would have shown their care and concern as per our earlier discussions.

Dr. Manoj Desai

Bulletin Editor

METRO MUSING 21

Dear Friends,

I am back from USA after successfully training Rotary Coordinators at 2010 Rotary Coordinators Institute, Chicago. The photo shows RI President Elect Ray Klinginsmith with the Facilitators' Team.

IMPORTANT

1. Don't miss Family Meet today at Rtn. Dilip & Sandhya Shah's residence - sharp at 8.00 p.m.
2. 2nd patient of Dediapada Camp for Polio Corrective Operation - Kantaben Jeevabhai is admitted at Arpan Hospital. Operation at 12 noon today.

See you in the evening.

Dr. Manoj Desai

Bulletin Editor

HOLI, BIRTHDAY & WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WISHES

METRO MUSING 20

Dear Friends,

SECOND NID - 7th February
House to house immunisation was held. Rotarians participated in large numbers and gave vaccines to children in Fatehgunj area. Total 350 vaccines were given. Following Students of Social Works were present in our team alongwith their friends. They were a real force. Pictures will show you the committed Rotarians of RCBM.
1. Milan Vyas
2. Dhruv Pathak
3. Dharmen Vyas
4. Harshil Khatri

LAST MEETING - 18th Febuary

President Sharmishtha welcomed everybody and Chief Guest gave overview of the projects of recent past, namely Polio Plus Immunization and Conference Details. She complimented the then IPP Rajan Bhatt and the then Secretary Nandkishore for the great performance and winning as many as six awards which were displayed on the table. She also highlighted the upcoming project of Training Teachers to educate the children with learning disability (Tare Zameen Par). She appreciated the hard work of Chairman Manisha Bhatt, Mitesh Bhatt and President Elect Premal Smart and requested all the members of our club to remain present in large numbers.

Interventional Cardiologist of Baroda Dr. V.C. Chauhan was the Guest Speaker. As expected, he came little late due to emergency and he suggested that why not have dinner first. So RCBM Clan had dinner first and the meeting started at 8.40 p.m. Those who did not remain present missed something special. So much of wits and humour and of course intersting photographs. Some people never wanted me to move the slides!? He took RCBM Clan by surprise and gave his talk nearly for 50 minutes intervowen by many, many interesting questions. It was good that we had dinner first as otherwise after the talk the same dinner would look like committing a sin!

IPP Rajan Bhatt proposed Vote of Thanks in his usual unorthodox style befitting the class talk that we had.

OUR AMBASSADORS

• PP Pinky Patel attended AGTS, DTTS and RLI at Saputara.
• PDG Manoj Desai was the Keynote Speaker on Areas of Focus in 2010-11 at Saputara.
• Bon Voyage to Manoj for this trip to USA as Assistant Moderator, 2010 Rotary Coordinators Institute, Chicago.
• Bon Voyage and Best Wishes to Iqbal Hakim and family and Ahmed Munnavari & Family as they are leaving for Pilgrimage.

SEMINAR & WORKSHIP FOR SENIOR MUNICIPAL TEACHERS ON LEARING DISABILITY IN CHILDREN - 20th February
Out of 105 schools under Nagar Prathmik Sikshan Samiti's, 89 teachers from 89 schools of Baroda remain present in workshop of AWARENESS OF LEARNING DISABILITIES FOR SCHOOL TEACHERS. Around 65% lady teachers took part in the programme.

Mr.Jitendra Joshiji, Nagar Prathmik Sikshan Samiti's - Aditional District Project Co-ordinator and Sasanadhikari lighted the lamp.

Rtn.Dr.Sharmistha.desai , Tyrrel Leith Lodge No. 43's worshipful master Dr.Bibhas Shah , Faculty Rtn.Manisha Bhatt,Faculty Dr.Sumita Shankar also lighted the lamp.

Rtn.Premal Smart conducted the programme with beautiful prayer by Rtn.Manisha.R.Bhatt.

Introduction of Rotary was done by President Dr.Sharmishtha Desai. Introduction of Tyrrell Lodge was done by worshipful master Dr.Bibhas Shah, and introduction of Speakers was done by IPP RTN.Rajan Bhatt.

Good educative lectures were given by Rtn.Manisha M Bhatt and Dr.Sumita Shankar.
A great speeach by Professor Sapatwala and vote of thanks by Rtn.Mitesh Bhatt.

Around 11 Rotarians and 10 Tyrell lodge members remain present.
Pictures of the Seminar are uploaded below:

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
3rd - BoD Meeting at Rtn. Sunil Vakil's place.
7th - Project Atmanirbhar
11th - Business Meeting
13th - Project Camp at Chhotaudepur
18th - Family Meeting
25th - Speaker Meeting

Friends, today I will leave for USA for 12 days for Rotary Coordinators Institute at Chicago. I will be able to see your comments but will not be able to write another blog. Hope you would bear with me ( or have a sigh of relief).

Dr. Manoj Desai
Bulletin Editor

METRO MUSING 19

Dear Friends,

Today my bag is full of news (bad & good) as well as Board's decisions. Let me go in the order President selected:

BAD NEWS

Resolution of Condolences for the sad demise of - Shri Amritlalji - Father of Rtn. Vrajesh Shah and Rtn. Ramanbhai - Father of Rtn. Nilesh Patel was passed and all the Board Members have signed the letters, which would be sent today.

GET WELL SOON SIRJI

Speedy recovery to Rtn. P.S. Grover who has undergone Angioplasty. This was so sudden that most of us did not even know or visit him at the hospital. He is back home and is in good spirits. President and Board Members have conveyed their happiness about his recovery.

VOW!

1. It is an honour to have Rotary International assignment. This assignment calls for a big celebration. PDG Dr. Manoj Desai has been invited by President (E) Ray Klinginsmith to serve as Assistant Moderator for training the first batch of Rotary Coordinators (2010-11) at Chicago from 26th February to 5th March, 2010.

2. Thanks to Rtn. Pinky Patel for bringing her Uncle, a Philanthropist - Shri Jayantilal J. Choksi, to Project Sanjeevani. He is a large-hearted man who continues to donate money for Nadiad. Our efforts were on to meet him for a long time, but he came to Vadodara and President (E) Premal and Rtn. Pinky took him to Project Sanjeevani. You know the results? He has whole-heartedly agreed to donate one Dialysis Machine to Project Sanjeevani (donation of nearly Rs.5.00 lacs).

3. Two new members are to be inducted in the next Family Meeting - (1) Mr. Sudhir Sethi and (2) Mrs. Leena Smart. This makes us a strong contingent of 46 Members.

4. Nearly 14 RCBM Members enjoyed Conference JALSA and had great fellowship. Kudos to IPP Rajan who received the following trophies and awards for RCBM:

Trophy
1. Diamond Club
2. Best Club - 1st Runner-up.
3. Best Secretary - 2nd Runner-up.
Certificate
1. Contribution in excess of US $ 100 per capita to annual giving to Rotary Foundation.
2. Recognition of Distinguish services & active participation to "Make Dreams Real" by achieving > 10% membership Growth. (This year we are leading by adding maximum 13 + 2 members).
3. Presidential Citation for outstanding efforts to reduce Child Mortality and Make Dreams Real for world children.

LAST MEETING

Area Coordinator Pinky Patel did a fantastic job of steering not only the programme but also the Joint Meeting of all the Clubs of Vadodara. The programme was attended by more than 60 Rotarians and their family members. It is heartening to see that our club remained present in large number of 23. Congratulations to Area Coordinator Pinky and President Sharmishtha for motivating our Members.

Rtn. Savir and Kavita's hard work in hosting GSE Member was applauded very well when they conveyed their thanks.

MEETINGS OF THIS MONTH

7th - NID

9th - Joint Meeting of all 7 Clubs of Vadodara for GSE Team from Sri Lanka

18th - Family Meeting - Do not miss it

20th - Much awaited Project Meet - Awareness Training for School Teachers on Learning Disability. This will be held jointly with Free Mason Club from 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. at Masonic Hall, Alkapuri.

25th - Hi-tea Meeting for planning Project Atmanirbhar Camp in Chhotaudepur, Pavijetpur and Dang.

IMPORTANT

Our Club is hosting PETS for next year in April 2010. It was unanimously decided in the Board that AG Alok Desai be appointed as Chairman for PETS and SETS. He has eagerly accepted the responsibility. All the best.

Club's financial guidelines need to be incorporated in the heads of Tally for easy compliance as well has standards. Everyone agreed to request both the Chartered Accountants of our club Rtn. Sunil and Rtn. Sudhirbhai to do the needful and give us the format for the club.

President proposed that for monitoring the Club's corpus a 3 Member Committee should be formed. Rtn. Sunil Vakil has provided untiring support for a long time, which has yielded wonderful results on the investments. It was decided in the Board that the 3 Member Committee should be formed. President proposed name of Charter Member of the Club and certainly a senior PDG who has helped the club in thick and think and most knowledgeable as far as Rotary is concerned - Dr. Manoj Desai to be Member of this Committee. Majority supported the same. The 3rd Member will be the serving President of that year.

Dr. Manoj Desai

Bulletin Editor

BIRTHDAY & WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WISHES

SAD NEWS

Dear Friends,

Rtn. Nilesh Patel has lost his father. Cremation would be at Durga Mandir Crematorium, Dashrat at 10.00 a.m. today.

We all join him in praying to Almighty to give his family members and him courage to bear this shock. We also join in praying to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to his soul.

Dr. Manoj Desai

Bulletin Editor

GOOD TIMES OR BAD TIMES

GOOD TIMES OR BAD TIMES - RCBM CLAN STAYS TOGETHER !
THANKS & ONE MORE TIME CONGRATULATONS TO BHARATBHAI AND BHABHI.

BREAKING NEWS

RI THEME 2010-11

"Building Communities -- Bridging Continents"

RI President-elect Ray Klinginsmith addresses district governors-elect at the 2010 International Assembly.

After taking the stage to the tune of "California, Here I Come," RI President-elect Ray Klinginsmith announced the 2010-11 RI theme, Building Communities -- Bridging Continents, during the opening plenary session of the 2010 International Assembly .

Klinginsmith said he arrived at the theme after reviewing RI themes of years past. He noticed that only a few spoke to non-Rotarians.

"As a result, I decided to search for a briefly stated theme that would fulfill two objectives: the first to explain Rotary to non-Rotarians, and the second to validate our work for Rotarians," he said. "The words I have selected to describe Rotary's current mission and to highlight our achievements are what we do best: Building Communities -- Bridging Continents. "

The president-elect described how his 50 years of Rotary experience have contributed to his focus on communities at home and abroad. For example, as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar, he studied for a year in South Africa, becoming the first student from his small town of Unionville, Missouri, USA, to study abroad.

The timing of the theme announcement, which took place in the evening, was a break in tradition from past assemblies and a reflection of Klinginsmith's willingness to embrace change. He encouraged district governors-elect to reexamine traditional procedures that were no longer best practices and to begin new traditions where appropriate.

He also paid homage to Rotarians of the past who helped raise Rotary to a place of prominence on the world stage. He urged district governors-elect to meet the past RI presidents and other former officers in attendance to deepen their connection to Rotary's past.

NEXT MEETING

Hotel Surya Palace - Friday - 22nd January - 7.30 p.m.

"Meet the GSE Team from Georgia, USA"

Joint Meeting of Rotary Clubs of Baroda followed by Dinner.

METRO MUSING 18

Dear Friends,

LAST MEETING - CLOSE BUSINESS MEETING

It had a thin attendance. The decisions taken in the Board were ratified in the meeting. President (Elect) Rtn. Premal Smart declared his Board which is as follows:

POLIO PULSE IMMUNIZATION - Sunday - 10th January, 2010

Our Club was assigned booth near S.T. Depot and the action pictures are uploaded. Some of our Members have done this for the first time and they were really thrilled with the performance. More than 180 children were immunized from 9.30 a.m. to 1.15 p.m.

Kudos to Chairman-Polio Plus Manisha, President Sharmishtha and Secretary Pratima - Women Power, who have really performed well in comparison to many other Clubs who are not even taking part in the most important activity - A Marathon of Rotary.

SAD NEWS

Rtn. Vrajesh Shah lost his father due to acute illness. All the Members of Rotary Club of Baroda Metro joined the bereaved family members - during cremation as well as Besna and prayed to Almighty to give them strength to bear this shock and to rest his Soul in peace.

IMPORTANT NEWS

Regarding trip to AASHTHA & NISHTHA Projects on 16th and 17th January, 2010, as many of our members have sent their regrets, it looks that we have to postpone the trip to a later date. Details will be announced later in the bulletin.

Dr. Manoj Desai

Bulletin Editor