District Governor Bernadette “BH” Herrera-Dy and her Champions of Service Team of Officers and Club Presidents marked their first month in office with remarkable results.
Gov. BH once again raised the bar in total amount of annual giving contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Within 30 days from the start of the new Rotary Year last July 1, R.I. District 3780 recorded US$390,000.00 in TRF pledges and collections from only the first 17 clubs visited by Gov. BH. This amount represents 86 percent of the district target for this Rotary year. District Rotary Foundation Chair Past District Governor (PDG) Rey David and TRF Annual Giving Chair Past President (PP) Paul Galang both expressed enthusiasm for this phenomenal accomplishment. “It looks like another record-breaking year for D-3780 because Rotarians now understand the benefits in giving to the TRF through the District and Global Grants,” said David. “Gov BH is able to motivate and inspire our fellow Rotarians to give their support for the Foundation. It’s the ‘in-thing’ now and we’re happy about it,” said Galang.
The big clubs of D-3780 were the first to rally behind Gov. BH in her call for greater support for TRF. Top TRF “Giver” was RC Midtown Quezon City whose members pledged a total of $112,500.00, during their Governor’s Official Visit last July 19 at the Seda Hotel. The district’s most recent Arch Klumph Society (AKS) member, PP Sarah Deloraya-Mateo, is from RC Midtown QC. The Rotary Club of Cubao QC was another top TRF “Giver” with $86,000.00 in contribution pledges, led by no other than District Governor Elect (DGE) Johnny Gaw Yu and Lady Veronica Ho, the first AKS members of the district.
The Rotary Club of San Francisco Del Monte (SFDM) also pledged a record $54,600.00 led by its President Arnel Mateo, an AKS Member himself. The biggest Global Grant last RY 2018-2019 for D-3780, in the amount of $90,000.00, was awarded to RCSFDM in partnership with RC Daejon, Korea, and RC Isesaki, Japan.
The Rotary Club of Quezon City, the mother of all Clubs of QC, together with RC Timog and RC New Manila East—all pledged record amounts in terms of their annual giving contributions to TRF. There are still 83 other Rotary clubs to visit in the Governor’s calendar who still have to commit their pledges to contribute to TRF. As Bing Crosby crooned, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” in July in D-3780!
ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM THE YOUTH
The so-called Millennials, Gen Z, NextGen, NewGen, the youth, the future of Rotary—our young partners-inservice— are all enthusiastically connected with Gov. BH. They came in record numbers to attend and participate in this year’s District Interact Training Assembly (DISTAS) and Rotaract District Assembly—both very successfully held and spearheaded by the District Interact Committee led by PP Marcia Salvador and the Rotaract Committee led by PP Nikko Cayaga.
The Interact DISTAS 2019 held last July 20 at the Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science-Technology High School had a record attendance of 264 Interactors and 34 Advisers from 40 Interact clubs in the District. Some 30 Rotarians, among them senior District officers and Champion of Service Presidents, came to support and cheer on their youth partners.
District Youth Committee Chair PP Veronica Ho inducted this year’s District Interact Representative (DIR), Abdullah “Abs” Kusain who, in turn, swore into office all the Interact club presidents. How does Rotary and InterAct connect to the world? This was the topic of guest speaker, PDG Rufino “Penny” Policarpio. He said that with Rotary and Interact working together, we can move a step closer to bringing about lasting change in the world, in our communities, and in ourselves.
The inspiring story of how our Champion Governor BH found her way into Rotary as young student leader, and how Rotary helped her to become a better leader resonated with the young audience. “Follow your dreams but focus on studying very well because that is your investment for a bright future,” Gov. BH advised the Interactors who cheered and expressed their admiration for the youthful District Governor.
The Rotaract District Training Assembly (RAC DISTAS) was held last July 27 at the D3780 Rotary Center, Roces Ave. corner Mother Ignacia with a record attendance of 300 Rotaractors from the 42 Rotaract clubs of District 3780 led by District RAC Representative Solomon “Cholo” Hermoso, RAC Balintawak. The day-long program was attended by all Rotaract Club presidents and officers who were trained in the rudiments of leadership and club management. It featured District Trainer PDG Dwight Ramos, PDG Rey David, and Rotary Academy Dean PDG Policarpio as guest speakers and resource persons.
Gov. BH, guest of honor and keynote speaker, touched the hearts of our young partners in service as she talked about how Rotaractors are being prepared as the future leaders of Rotary. “Your experiences today will prepare you for the future, so learn from your mistakes and successes, and always do your best,” Gov. BH said as 300 Rotaractors applauded enthusiastically.
This was published in the September 2019 issue of the Philippine Rotary Magazine.
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