CROSSROADSRotary Club of Singapore Vol. 48 / 29

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13th

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. 201

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“ASME for the SMEs”SPEAKER: Rtn. Chan Chong BengLunch meeting of the 6th February 2012

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Joke of the week“Before marriage, the man yearns for the woman he loves. After marriage the “Y” becomes silent.” From the book of Humour compiled by Rewa MirpuriHAVE MANY LAUGHS AND HELP THE NEEDYhttp://www.rotary.org.sg/bookofhumour.html

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Introductory remarks

President Tapan Rao commenced the meeting and welcomed members to the second meeting of “World Understanding Month”. He was also pleased to welcome our Speaker, none other than our member, Rotarian Chan Chong Beng, who is the President of the Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME).

ToastRtn. Michael King called upon Sergeant-at-Arms and President Nominee Rtn. Francoise Thiebault-Roger to say a few words about her club, Rotary eClub of Southwest USA, which was formed 10 years ago, in Phoenix Arizona with 101 members. Rtn. Francoise advised that her club was the biggest eClub in the world with members from India, Mexico, Europe and the USA. She added that the club has meetings on the website and physical meetings at the Rotary Conventions and Conferences.

Welcome of visiting Rotarians and guestsPP Peter Tan welcomed our guests and visiting rotarians

- Guests :Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, Ms. Judith KokeschMs. Jean LeongMr. N.G. ChanraiMr. David ChewMr. Thomas Nouvian

Visiting Rotarians :Francoise Thiebault-Roger – Rotary eClub Southwest USAGeorge Hartung – University District Seattle, USA

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Speaker of the week

President Tapan called upon PN Dr. Shahul Hameed to introduce the Speaker, Rtn. Chan Chong Beng, who joined the Club in November 2009. He advised that Rtn. Chong Beng founded Goodrich Global in 1983 and has built Goodrich Global into Southeast Asia’s leading supplier of interior wallcovering. Rtn. Chong Beng was also awarded the “Overall Winner for The Entrepreneur of The Year Award 2007”. Rtn. Chong Beng gave an overview of ASME’s mission and role in advancing the interests of SMEs in Singapore. He summarised some interesting facts about Small Medium Enterprises (SME) in Singapore, which made up of 99% of all enterprises and contributed about 60% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, whilst employing 63% of the workforce. Rtn. Chong Beng highlighted some of ASME’s events such as the Entrepreneur of the Year - A Rotary-ASME Award, Singapore Prestige Brand Award and programmes such as the EDC@ASME which offered a one-stop integrated centre as part of SPRING’s EnterpriseOne

network to assist SMEs on their business needs. He also took the opportunity to inform members of the various Government schemes which were available for SMEs. To conclude his presentation, Rtn. Chong Beng graciously answered the questions put forward by members. President Tapan called upon Rtn. Joseph Chia to extend the Club’s vote of thanks to Rtn. Chong Beng. Rtn. Joseph noted that judging from the overwhelming number of queries from members, that Rtn. Chong Beng’s presentation was very good and well received. He further added that with Rtn. Chong Beng at the helm of ASME, it would bring our joint project – “The Entrepreneur of the Year”, to greater heights.

Club Assembly 19th Jan 12

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New member

President Tapan invited Rtn. Robert Craiu to introduce his candidate, Dr. Sanjay Nalachandran. Rtn. Robert informed members that he has known Rtn. Sanjay for 10 years and had the impression that Rtn. Sanjay was already a Rotarian. Similarly, he added that PP Mansoor Hassanbhai thought that Rtn. Sanjay was a member of another Rotary Club, as well. Rtn. Robert advised that Rtn. Sanjay was a member of various professional bodies. He added that Rtn. Sanjay was bestowed a “courage award” in 2003 for his efforts at Tan Tock Seng Hospital during the SARS epidemic. Rtn. Sanjay’s classification is “Medicine: Vascular Surgery”.Upon his induction, President Tapan called upon Rtn. Sanjay to address the Club. Rtn. Sanjay thanked Rtn. Robert for his introduction and noted that he had the gift of making any CV sound impressive! Rtn. Sanjay informed members that he had always an inclination towards helping others and his work as a vascular surgeon allowed him the satisfaction of doing so, but he felt that he could and should do more. He added that over the last few visits to the Club, he enjoyed the fellowship, made

friends and saw the good work that the Club was doing, with the added blessing of good food! Rtn. Sanjay assured members that he would do his utmost to maintain the standards set and to practice Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”.

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The Guide to Daily LivingBefore doing the things we want to do, consider first, the precept of the guide. Ask ourselves these 4 questions and act upon them:First: Have I spent some time in self-examination?Second: Have I spent quality time with my family?Third: Have I given my best to my work?Fourth: Have I given some time to someone near and far?The Guide, in fact, encompasses the 4 parts of the Object of Rotary.

MARK YOUR DIARYBirthday celebrantsThere are no Birthday celebrants this week.

Anniversary CelebrantsRC sends best wishes to Wedding Anniversary celebrants: February 14 – Nirmal & Rajani SinghFebruary 16 – David Ong & Mai LinFebruary 19 – Hassan Moosa & Amrita SindhuFebruary 20 – Sirish & Arpita KumarThis weekFebruary 15th 2012Reception Desk duty: PN Dr. Shahul Hameed, Robert CraiuSunshine Box duty: Uttam Kripalani, Michael Boegli

Speaker: Prof. P N AvadhaniTopic: “Nature and Role of Some Interesting and/or Useful Trees”

International Service Date: Thursday, 16th FebruaryTime: 7.30pmVenue: Moghul Mahal Restaurant, 177A River Valley Road, Novotel Hotel, Liang Court Shopping Centre, 6th floor, S179031Hosts: Rtns. Bharat Mandloi, Kunal Sharma, Dr. Ekkehard Wiek, Marcel Schobinger

Next week February 22nd 2012

Meeting is cancelled in view of the World Understanding and Peace Day Fellowship Dinner on 23rd February at 7.00pm at The Tanglin Club, 5 Stevens Road, S257814.

New Generations Service Date: Wednesday, 29th FebruaryTime: 7.30pmVenue: 237 Arcadia Road #04-06, The Arcadia Block B, S289844Host: Rtn. Uttam Kripalani

COMING ROTARY EVENTS FebruaryWorld Understanding Month

February 22nd

Meeting cancelled in view of the World Understanding and Peace Day Dinner

February 23rd World Understanding and Peace Day Fellowship Dinner at The Tanglin Club at 7.00pm

March

March 22nd – 25thDistrict Assembly and PETS at Grand Paragon Hotel, Johor Bahru

AprilMagazine Month

Queries, comments and articles request can be sent to Jean-Philippe Lionnetbulletin@rotary.org.sg

The Four-Way TestOf the Things we think, say or do:* Is it the truth?* Is it fair to all concerned?* Will it build goodwill and better friendship?* Will it be beneficial to all concerned?