From left: Rtn Alvin Chong, Rtn Cornelius Koh, Rtn James Quek, IPP Hj Zainie Acusa, PE Warren Chan, President James Jupinon, Rtn Amrullah Kamal, Rtn Andrew ChongThe International Understanding Bazaar 2008 was held at the Palm Square, Centre Point, this morning. It was organized by the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu. Seven schools participated in the colourful display of numerous dances.
My regular readers would know by now that this is not exactly the kind of entertainment that I enjoy. But well, I suppose I can live with the loud noises for a couple of hours. Perhaps if I had an ear-plug on, it would've been perfect! I don't mind the colourful costumes though.
This was the stunning display by S.M. All Saints. They emerged the overall champions. They took home only RM300, but you should have seen the way they reacted when they were announced as the winners. The behaved as if they won a million dollars! I could actually feel their exhilaration.
S.M. St Francis Convent was the Runner-Up, but I prefer the above performance by S.M. La Salle. The colours and dance were more to my tastes, but of course not many people are like me!
Overall, it was a good show. It dreads me that it will be my turn to chair the organizing committee for next year. What do I know about these things!? Keeping my fingers crossed... God help us, please!
13 comments:
Oh yes! I forgot to mention about the banner for the occasion. Click the top picture, and you will notice that the spelling for the word "BAZAAR" was wrong.
I think Rotarian Jack Ong will be fined during the meeting tomorrow!... hehehe. Jack, if you are reading this, better be prepared for an excuse!
Why fret! Plan something more educational (ahem ahem) for the kids (and include the public). Ala Celcom "the power is in your hands".
Did someone twisted your arm to join Rotary? Judging from your various remarks about the Rotary activities, you don't seem to enjoy it very much.
All the Rotarian I know are always very upbeat and positive about their community projects.
2R1I,
No doubt I shall try my best. I'm just worried that I don't have it in me, that's all.
delurk,
I'm fine with the notion of community projects. I should've reported more widely on my Rotary activities. The ones reported here just happened to be the kind of projects I personally don't enjoy. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy all of them, otherwise I would've quit Rotary long ago.
But for as long as these activities can raise funds, I guess we have achieved our objectives. It's never really been about personal enjoyments, although if we can get that too, then it'd be ideal.
2R1I,
I was rushing for the Rotarian meeting just now and had to keep my response short.
Actually, 2R1I, we did incorporate the "educational" and "public involvement" elements in the IU Bazaar. The students learned a lot of stuff about foreign cultures, e.g. food and handicrafts etc; apart from the performances. Hence, the "international understanding".
On the day of the event, each school set up booth where they sell food (e.g. Japanese, Korean etc) and handicrafts. This event is open to the public too. So it's a good avenue to raise funds. That's why this is one of our annual pet projects. I am OK with the whole idea, but just that I personally don't enjoy the loud noises... hehehe. However, those loud noises are just one part of the event.
i think 2R1I was hinting at doing a treasure hunt!!.
that's right, the part YOU don't like is just one part. the whole event is ok and beneficial.
you have a powerful communication tool here. I think you can do a world of wonders for Rotary and general public if you choose to highlight the positive rather than the negative. or at least a balance
No.3&4 of the Four-Way Test should be a good guide.
Oh! treasure hunt again!? Nah... perhaps I will cool it down after KK Challenge 4. I will still continue clerking hunts, but probably limit it to once a year around July/August. It is becoming increasingly difficult for me to find the time to do it.
I did not realise that I gave a negative impression on our Rotary projects, delurk. In my opinion, to be able to organise something like the IU Bazaar is in itself an amazing feat. And I am also sure that it's an enriching programme for the students. I did not suggest otherwise, but perhaps I should've highlighted the "positive" aspects of the event.
By saying that I don't enjoy those loud noises, I'm not saying that others feel the same way too. In fact, quite on the contrary, many people seem to enjoy it no matter what I say about the loud noises!
When I started this blog, I had no intention to use it as a promotion tool, although I have occasionally included some news about upcoming hunts etc. And yes, I have promoted my KK Challenge hunts here too. But I never thought of this blog as a platform for me to "sell", if you know what I mean. I have therefore not inserted any advertisement links despite wanting to do that for a while now, so that this blog would look more "normal".
Having said that, however, I hear you, delurk. There is of course no harm to promote the Rotary projects here too. The next time I report on our activities, I will try to present a more balanced review. But I will still not say that I like loud noises... hehehe
By the way, delurk, you must forgive me, but I'm not familiar about the Four-Way Test. Perhaps you'd care to enlighten us?
mmm.. that's funny. I thought you guys, have these printed print your cards!
The Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do
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?
mmm.. that's funny. I thought you guys, have these printed on your Rotary cards!
The Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do
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?
Oh! that Four-Way Test!
Damn! I thought you were referring to some sort of special formula of marketing techniques! I didn't expect you to know that much about Rotary, delurk.
Indeed the Four-Way Test was created in the 1930s by a Rotarian named Taylor, but I can't remember his full name.
Not all of us Rotarians have those printed on our cards—I don't have them on mine. But I am aware of its use on many letterheads and name cards.
I believe a more popular tagline for the Rotarians these days is: Service Above Self.
Speaking of negative impression, a reader of this blog has enquired about us Rotarians getting "fined". This was raised because of the first comment above.
Let me explain.
When I said "fine", I didn't mean it like getting a speeding ticket from the police.
We Rotarians have a fun way of raising money amongst members. Each time during our meeting, we collect a small amount of money from each member into a pool known as the "Sunshine Box". The money so collected is meant for charity purposes.
There is a short session which is loosely termed as the "fining session". The Sergeant-At-Arms would come up with all sorts of amusing ideas to "fine" members in good humour. For example, members have been fined for forgetting to sign the attendance book; or because their cellphone rang during the meeting; or for not having a tie on; or for missing several meetings etc. The fines are very small; only a few RM per session.
We poke fun at each other, and each time someone gets the fine, we would laugh at him; sometimes only to get laughed at when it's our turn to get the fine! In spite of the word "fine", we look forward to the "fining sessions". It's such a fun way to add humour into the meeting; and all for a good cause.
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