Dear Fellow Rotarians,

Let me share to you an inspiring quotation from our DG James which says: “If you do something and it CHANGES you, you’ve made PROGRESS but if you do something and it CHANGES others, you are changing the COMMUNITY.”

This is indeed true from the words and testimonies of Ms. Engalgado, Principal of Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School. The little effort we did to rehabilitate their clinic and a few books we have donated brought big hope and new inspiration to the poor school children to survive and take the chance of better education. This is a continuing challenge for us not only to sustain the efforts to reach out but to do more to help the poor. There is indeed JOY in giving and HELPING. Corollary to this, the Board affirmed to continue our drive not only to donate books but also to gather old toys and used clothes as well to be given to the school children.

Recently, I have received the list of malnourished pupils from Arevalo Elementary School which the latter recommended for sponsorship in the Feeding program. We will request the school administration to formally present our beneficiaries in our regular meeting next week.

Last Board meeting, each committee chairman in four (4) club avenues of service were requested to review the criteria for presidential citation. It is important to evaluate and determine the tasks the Club needs to be done not only to meet the RI requirements but to know that our plans are implemented and goals are achieved. Our Club has been consistently complying with the Presidential citation all throughout its existence.

Our joint sponsorship with the Food aid program with Iloilo Red Cross and Dinagyang Foundation is still in progress. At 3 PM today, the feeding is scheduled at Montes II Elementary School, while the last one is scheduled at 9 AM, 20 January 2010 at Molo Elementary School. Please find time to join us in any of these feeding activities.

Finally, I would like to reminded again that the deadline of payment our membership fee to RI is on or before Jan. 31, 2011. Kindly settle your financial obligations before the deadline. Also, it is my continuing appeal to everyone to please help campaign for our attendance.