The Rotary Four-Way Test
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Rotary is an organisation of business people, professionals and other well-meaning citizens who volunteer their time and effort to helping those who are less well off in the community.
By helping to build sustainable prosperity, Rotarians hope to help raise people to the level where constructive dialogue, rather than destructive conflict, is the choice for our generation and for generations to come. Service projects provide the vehicle for members to become involved with one another. Rotary became the first all-volunteer service organisation. There are now some 1.2 million members in more than 33 thousand clubs in over 200 countries worldwide.
In 1930 a visiting Canadian to Bangkok established the first Thai club. Since then, over 300 clubs have sprung up all over the Kingdom. Â Today, it is a rare town that does not boast at least one Rotary club. Naturally, all but a handful of these clubs are Thai-speaking. Â Up until recently, there have been English speaking clubs in only Bangkok, Chang Mai, Pattaya, Samui and Phuket. Â Hua Hin has been long overdue, given its large foreign community.
The Rotary Club of Bangkok South with some former members now living in Hua Hin, teamed with the Rotary Club of Hua Hin to establish the newest Rotary club in Thailand, now called The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin.
With the assistance of Past Presidents, Alex Mavro from Bangkok South and Khun Suvit Reanroongraung from Hua Hin along with ex Bangkok South members living in Hua Hin, Mike Smith and Alan Cooper, the first informal gathering of interested persons took place in Khao Takiab on September 11th 2009. Things progressed and the club achieved provisional status on December 18th 2009. The club was formally Chartered as the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin on April 12th 2010, with 36 members. A 12 member Charter Board of Directors was elected by the club.
Through fundraising events and sponsor donations, the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin has several ongoing as well as completed sustainable development projects in the locale of Hua Hin, Thailand.
The projects are designed to assist those in our community who are poor, ill or disadvantaged in various ways, with a specific emphasis on projects that provide direct benefit for children in rural schools and low income communities. Each project must pass a rigorous assessment and approval process before it is undertaken, so sponsors, donors and supporters can be assured that their contributions are used both wisely and productively.
Since official Charter in 2010, Rotary has installed 7 reverse osmosis water purification systems to provide clean drinking water for local schools. Thailand is generally blessed with ample water resources, but the availability of clean drinking water is often an issue, particularly in undeveloped areas. Many students in rural Thailand drink either untreated or poorly treated water at their schools, which could make them ill and cause them to miss their classes.
A standard RO system produces sufficient water every day for up to 400 students. An annual budget is provided for regular, professional maintenance so each system is able to provide clean water for up to 10 years or more.
In collaboration with the Rotary Club of Bangkok, a continual facility renovation project including the canteen and toilets is underway at the Rotary Bangkok School in Hua Hin.
Our Rotarians also participate in Christmas parties for children with disabilities, activities for Thailand’s National Children’s Day, and local beach clean-ups.
The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin partners with other Rotary Clubs for various events as well. An example being the Rotary Club of Bang Kapi’s handicapped children’s outing annually held in Thailand.
MEETINGS:
Each Friday at 12:00 noon, with the 1st Friday of every month at 6:00 pm, at Baan Laksasubha Resort at 57/3 Naresdamri Road (Hua Hin beach next to Sofitel). Members try to arrive 15 or 20 minutes before the meeting starts to enjoy the fellowship of other members.
Interested, prospective members can get a feel for the club activities by reading through the newsletters ‘News & Views’ and are invited to contact the club for additional information.
