Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North

Let’s get our hands dirty.

Dear Fellow RCMNers,

Many members said they joined Rotary to get involved in community projects, but at the same time, there has been a decreasing tolerance to give financial contributions for club programs.

Our meeting today features a presentation of the long-term plans for one of the club’s major projects, the Gawad Kalinga village in Tanay, Rizal. I confess that I did not appreciate – much less know – what was going at the Ave Maria Village until I was compelled by duty as President Elect to attend the turnover of the first five houses there on May 24. Many of our members have not been to Tanay, and I suspect there are others who are willing to offer support – if they knew more about it.

Instead of forcing you all to make the trip to the mountains of Tanay, the club has invited the mountain to our weekly meeting. Besides from being educational and informative, I hope today’s discussions will make you feel the need to serve the Ave Maria community. The people there certainly need it.
Let’s get our hands dirty.

Serving on community projects means several things. There are members who prefer to whip out their wallets and checkbooks. For those who can afford, this project is certainly worthy every peso you can spare.

But some members want to give their time and energy, which they feel are equally valuable as the monetary contributions. That is fine, too.

In this regard, I propose we organize a working visit to Tanay on September 6 (a Saturday).

Members are encouraged to bring their Anns, other family members, former RCMNers, friends and others willing to contribute time and labor to work at Ave Maria Village for one day. This activity will be considered a fellowship and attendance is purely voluntary.

We will probably hear during the presentation today that one of the challenges to realizing our target of 100 plus houses is the lack of the lack of labor. There is a cost constraint involved that we can address by donating our time and sweat.

So how about it?
Play hard, work hard

As they say, all work and no play makes for a boring Rotarian.

Remember that we have a fellowship dinner at 7 p.m. this Saturday (August 9) at Hooters restaurant in the SM Mall of Asia complex. There is no agenda – just good company and clean fun.

A tour of the mall may be arranged for the spouses. Please let us know how many will attend.

See you all there.