District Membership Seminar Plus
Rtn. Reggie Gloria, RC Marikina East
Another valuable seminar for leaders, the District Membership Seminar Plus was held last May 22, 2010 at the Valle Verde Country Club hosted by the Rotary Club of Marikina East. It was pre-opened with a Member Access demonstration by IDS Tomas Rocamora Jr. and PP Dindo Santos.
The formal opening of the Plenary Session was started with community a singing of the Rotary hymn. Our dashing and vibrant DG Rodolfo San Felipe called the meeting to order, then turned over the proceedings to DGE Virgilio Farcon, Jr. who gave an overview of the seminar and what each member, specially club leaders, have to do and exemplify. This was followed by welcome remarks from Visionary Pres. Jane dela Rosa of the host club.
The Discussion session was led by PDG Roberto Viray of D-3780 which revolved around the important aspects of Rotary. He challenged everyone to build a Bigger, Better, Bolder Rotary clubs. PDG Miguel Ortigas Jr of D-3800 touched on the Public Image of Rotary - how we can make Rotary the Service Organization of choice. He said that this can be done through excellent service and action images, showing that we really care and not simply for photo opportunities. The Revised Rotary Strategic Plan and Rotary Regional Coordinator Program was discussed by PDG Dave Villanueva of D-3850.
The participants were grouped per zone for a round table discussion and given cases on Membership Recruitment and Retention. PDG Pepe Peralta facilitated for Zones 6, 7 and 8; PDG Edison Ang for Zones 1, 2 and 3, PDG Mac Hermoso for Zone 5 and DGND Lirio Sandoval for Zone 4. Organizing New Clubs was facilitated by DG Rudy San Felipe. Afterwards, each group presented their consolidated reports through rapporteurs, picked personally from the participants by the facilitators.
PE Renato Santos of RCME then heartfully thanked everyone who participated in the seminar and its preparation. After the adjournment, raffle soon followed and big prizes were at stake. A bell and gavel of the Global theme made personally by PE Nante was won by PE Baby Martinez of RC Pillila Central. Other prizes included a coffee maker, set of Marks and Spencer wine and groceries from Ajinomoto and UFC.
The hosting of this important seminar, a first in the District is another huge success for the RCME Family. The members and participants demonstrated agility , commitment, patience and efficiency in the preparation and on site participation in all the proceedings. RCME once again proved that working as one big committee can overcome the odds and turn what seemed to be an insurmountable task into a success story. The seminar was held barely one month after the DISTAS 2010 and just more than a week after the May 10, 2010 National Elections. With the proximity of both big events, promotion and campaign for attendance was thought to be an issue. However, with the constant prodding of DGE Jun Farcon on the internet and through text and fax messaging by the members, specifically PE Nante and Dir. Joanne to mention a few, and direct invitations and announcement by Event Chair PP Jun Abellar, we were able to pull through. As per registration folders the number of participants totaled 311. This attendance record is unprecedented considering the time and the nature of the seminar which has a historical attendance average of only about 150 in recent years. This was personally attested to by one of our principal speakers PDG Dave Villanueva who came directly from a similar seminar in Davao stating that the attendance there was only one-fourth of the number that attended the D-3800 seminar.
Proof that in Rotary and RCME, we indeed make dreams real, for the future of rotary is in our hands and in the coming months, we will build communities, and we will bridge continents.
