June is usually a very busy month for Rotary clubs
everywhere in the world. Traditionally, the Rotary year begins on the 1st
of July and ends on the 30th of June. This is when new presidents and the
board of directors take over to plan and implement new or ongoing projects
for the benefit of the underprivileged in their respective communities.
Last month, there were installations held in Pattaya,
Panat Nikhom, and in Sattahip.
Past
Rotary International President Bhichai Rattakul lovingly congratulates
President Nutcharee Thanomsuksant of the Rotary Club of Sattahip.
The celebrations began at the Ambassador City Jomtien
on June 23 when Past Rotary International President Bhichai Rattakul
presided over the celebrations for the Rotary Club of Sattahip’s 20th
anniversary, combining the festivities with the installation of President
Nutcharee Thanomsuksant and her board of directors.
PDG
Surat Buawan inducts Amorn Kwatra (left) as a Rotarian in the Sattahip
Club.
Three days later, at a joint function in Panat Nikhom,
7 new presidents of their respective clubs were installed: President
Pranee Chamwej of Sriracha, President Amphol Thitithirakorn of Ban Bueng,
President Boonjan Ruengkhanawong of Panat Nikhom, President Saharat
Thirakamporn of Bangsaen, President Than Pipathanakul of Laem Chabang,
President Pasin Kulthonroj of Chonburi and President Susiree Chanchailert
of Pattaya.
Past
District Governor Rathprateep Kirati-urai congratulates President Susiree
Chanchailert of the Rotary Club of Pattaya.
The month ended with the installation of Orn-anong
Siripornmanas as the new president of the Rotary Club of Phutaluang. The
club also took the opportunity to kick off celebrations of their tenth
anniversary.
District
Governor Surat Buawan installs Orn-anong Siripornmanas as the new
President of the Rotary Club of Phlutaluang.
The year 2005 is a historic year for Rotary. Rotarians
all over the world are celebrating Rotary’s centennial, which falls on
February 23, 2005. This year Rotary hopes to realize that through their
efforts, hard work and hundreds of millions of dollars of contributions,
they may finally rid the world of ‘polio’, the dreaded disease that
has crippled thousands of children throughout the ages. The dream has
almost come true. Most appropriately the new Rotary International theme
for 2004-05 is Celebrate Rotary-100 years.
Past
district Governor Prasert Chaimano presents Khanchit Makhrakul with the
past presidents chain as Pranee Chamwej awaits to be installed as
president of the Sriracha club.
Charter
President of the Rotary Club of Phlutaluang relates the achievements of
her club in the last 10 years.
Outgoing
and incoming presidents anxiously await the changeover of the guard.
This year’s Pattaya Sports Club (PSC) party on July 7
at the Town in Town Hotel was a party to end all parties. Ken Crow, who is
bowing out after many years as social/party chairman, excelled in his
final duties.
Anxious
anticipation during the lucky draw led to much relief and rejoicing
afterwards.
When doors opened at 7 p.m., over 400 members and
guests strolled in to fill the hotel ballroom, terrace and foyer to
partake in the lavish buffet laid out by the hotel and volumes of liquid
refreshments served by diligent hotel staff. Those who did not make it to
the ballroom were privy to the night’s entertainment via video screen as
the band and Mike Gerard entertained the audience with great fervor. Mike
even brought a few PSC members on stage as back up singers, complete with
costumes.
Ken
Crow says thanks and farewell as social/party chairman after many years of
service.
Gerry Carpenter, in his first official role as PSC’s
newly elected president, welcomed everyone to the party and remembered
friends and fellow members who had passed away over the year, mentioning
upcoming memorial golf tournaments in their honor.
Gerry also introduced a special guest, Admiral Prakorb
Nicrodhanon, from the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. Admiral Prakorb is also a
member of the Thai National Lawn Bowling Team and has participated for
Thailand in numerous international tournaments including World Bowls. The
admiral was brought in by avid lawn bowler and lawn bowling chairman,
Glenn ‘Jeep’ Holthaus.
Gerry
Carpenter, Pattaya Sports Club president welcomes members and guests to
the PSC summer party.
Jeep revealed that Admiral Prakorb was quite impressed
with the PSC when he learned of the large amount of money being spent on
charities and the number of members, now totaling over 18,000 worldwide.
The band played on as some more active people hit the
dance floor whilst waiting for the ‘main event’, the raffle draw. The
Montgomery and Engel girls were on hand to sell raffle tickets to those
lusting after the main prizes, namely gold.
Carl
Engel takes it easy this year after serving his term as president.
Shortly after 9.30 the lights were turned on and the
draw began with the blossoming Jackie Montgomery taking the microphone to
call out the lucky winners for the usual hodgepodge of draw prizes,
including appliances and all that glitters. Many lined up their tickets,
waiting for the numbers to be called in, and the lucky ones who collected
their night’s winnings were delighted with the booty.
Mike
Gerard (far left) performs a number with some ‘stunning’ backup
singers from the audience.
Ken Crow took to the microphone to say farewell as
social chairman saying, “This is my last party and I could never had
done it without the help of La, Jim and Jackie Montgomery, and my son
James also lent a hand. After many years, it’s now time for me to take a
break and welcome the new chairman, Gert Hansen.”
(l-r)
A lucky gold winner with James Crow, La and Jackie Montgomery following
the final draw.
Frank Collins, former fishing chairman echoed the
sentiments of all partygoers over the years and thanked Ken for doing a
wonderful job, bringing a round of applause from all present.
Special
guest Admiral Prakorb Nicrodhanon, from the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and
Glenn ‘Jeep’ Holthaus, PSC lawn bowls chairman enjoy the night.
Karyn Thompson, daughter of Bill, took to the stage to
perform for the audience. At such a tender age she has a powerful voice
and has now become a regular at the parties, and is a credit to her
parents.
Ken
Crow (far left) and his helpers, with Gert Hansen, new social chairman
(second left-back).
With the night still young and the main attractions
over, some guests left earlier while the party stalwarts continued their
festive mood until lights out, many leaving in a dream after the copious
amount of liquid aperitifs, mains and desserts, in between courses.
Karyn
Thompson, now a regular at the PSC parties, performs on stage as part of
the night’s entertainment line up.
Gerry Carpenter, PSC president in an interview on
Pattaya Mail Plus said, “This is my first function as president and
I’m pleased with how the night has gone. Tonight’s been different and
we’re always looking for something different for the members. I’ve
personally enjoyed the entertainment, as have the members tonight. I’m
happy with the executive committee, many of whom are longstanding members
and committee members, especially Bernie who does such a wonderful job
with the charity section.”
So ends another half-year party for the Pattaya Sports Club. Stay tuned
until December for the Christmas party.
Sue K.
As part of the ongoing program on Occupational Health,
Safety and Environment (OHSE) at TGI, the institute held a one-day seminar
on July 2 (see related story this page).
After the two directors, Narong Warongkriangkrai and
Walter Kretschmar gave their welcome speeches, the day commenced,
including three major sessions: First Help, an Employees Health program
from Siemens, and a Basic Life Support demonstration.
Communications
trainer Sue demonstrates basic life support on a dummy.
Dr. Stockmann, director of medical services at Siemens
in Germany, also informed the various companies in attendance about what
Siemens medical services does for their short term and long term delegates
around the world, and especially in Thailand. These include vaccination
recommendation, information on diseases, SOS-access-program, and even
advice on food consumption.
Learning
the best way to perform CPR.
After lunch, participants were able to join in with Dr.
Beckmann on a hands-on practical exercise applying first-aid measures on a
dummy.
The objective was to demonstrate how to perform basic
life support (BLS) as a single rescuer according to the latest European
Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines.
The exercise included the following steps:
* Recognize a victim who has suffered a cardiac arrest
* Perform BLS according to ERC guidelines
* Be aware of the common causes of a cardiac arrest
* Know how to place a victim in the recovery position
* Know how to manage choking in an adult
“When the heart stops, damage occurs to the brain in
less than 5 minutes. Every Minute Counts - start BLS early and keep doing
it until professional help is available,” concluded Dr. Beckmann.
She went on to say that if uncertainty should arise as to how to do it
correctly, just keep in mind that this may happen to anyone at anytime; it
could be your parents, friends, or children. Therefore it is important to
try to do something. Anything you do gives the victim a chance of
survival. On the other hand, to do nothing can only mean death.
