Elfi Seitz
Pattaya lays claim to being home of 6 Rotary Clubs.
Unique in themselves, the clubs conduct their meetings in Thai, English,
German and French.
Traditionally during the months of May and June Rotary
clubs around the world hold ceremonies to install new presidents and board
of directors to administer their clubs for the 2011-12 year which begins on
July.
Carl Dyson is already planning humanitarian projects as he is installed
as President of the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard.
Installation ceremonies can be simple affairs but usually
it’s a time to celebrate and congratulate the outgoing presidents for their
leadership, sacrifice and commitment to humanitarian service throughout the
year.
On June 4, joint installation ceremonies were held at the
Diana Garden Resort whereby Carl R. Dyson was installed as president of
Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard; Hubert Meier, president of the Rotary Club of
Phoenix Pattaya; and Gerard Gerber, president of Rotary Club of Taksin
Pattaya.
Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome congratulates Hubert Meier, President of the Rotary Club
of Phoenix Pattaya.
In his speech, President Dyson said when he retired in
Pattaya he planned to simply take it easy. But after a friend invited him to
a Rotary Club meeting, he became increasingly involved.
“I hope I can live up to the expectations and follow the
footsteps of the seven former presidents of the club,” Dyson said. “Projects
for the coming year will focus on clean tap water, which is almost not
available in rural areas of Thailand. Furthermore we will be aiming to
improve education for children here in the Chonburi area and among hill
tribes, teaching them English to enhance their job opportunities.”
Dyson added that the “Christkindl Market” will be held at
the Diana Garden Resort December 3.
President Meier, of the Rotary Club of Phoenix Pattaya,
in his address, said he is fully aware of the responsibilities of being
president of the club. He wants to create a more interesting club life to
enhance the members’ enthusiasm and attract new recruits.
District Governor Thongchai Lortrakanon installs Gerard Gerber as President
of the Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya.
He said the club will continue to focus on long-term
projects, including a senior citizens home in Pattaya, water purification
and school computers.
“We also have a new AIDS project that is already
supported by Dr. Pillippe Seur, but still needs more support from the
general public,” he said. “Prevention and treatment for underprivileged
members of society who could not pay for medication will be the main focus.”
Gerard Gerber, the Swiss president of Taksin-Pattaya,
revealed that he never wanted to join a club in his life and definitely did
not want to become a president.
President Carl Dyson (centre) and his board of directors for 2011-12.
(l-r) IPP Jan Abbink, PAG Stefan Ryser, PP Marliese Fritz, PP Peter
Schlageter, Ferenc Fricsay and Dieter Becht.
“But one day, friends who are club members took me
up-country and delivered goods to poor people in need, many of them being
sick. I saw how our donations made adults and children happy. I saw the joy
in the face of a 12-year-old girl who took care of her family because her
mother was very sick and could not take care of herself,” he recalled. “That
changed my way of thinking, my attitude and my life. And now I’m standing
here in front of you as the new president of the Rotary Club of
Taksin-Pattaya.”
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and presidents of the Rotary Club of
Thongphaphum in Kanchanaburi congratulate the new presidents.
A week later, on June 11, at the Pullman Aisawan Hotel in
Naklua, the French speaking Rotary Club of Pattaya Marina installed Yves
Echement as their new president.
President Echement introduced the board, which included
wheelchair-bound Vice-President Francois Lecomte. In his speech, President
Echement told members not only to celebrate his ascension to president, but
the “Rotary’s continuity and everlasting persistence. It is also a
celebration night for all those who will donate their efforts and time for
another year to this magnificent organization,” he added.
President Hubert Meier, (3rd left) Rotary Club Phoenix Pattaya with his
board of directors. (l-r) IPP Peter Aisleitner, PP Trutz Fikkidow, Michael
Wnsche, Otto H๖nerbach and Johann Conzen.
PDG Premprecha Dibbayawan congratulates President Gudmund.
“People,” Echement continued, “can always achieve more by
working together.” He warned that as a “typical technocrat,” he may not
always be the most diplomatic and has to sometimes hold his tongue when he
wants to do otherwise.
President Echement wrapped up by previewing upcoming
projects, which will focus on helping underprivileged children.
President Gerard Gerber, (2nd left) Rotary Club of Taksin Pattaya with
his board of directors. (l-r) PE Wilaiwan Barlow, IPP Albert de Wilde, AG
Bob Denzel, Peter Drescher and Tony Rogge.
“Sometimes our club is too small to help efficiently and
therefore we need more support. We are looking for more new members to join
and help our efforts,” he said. “I made three goals for the club: One, to
always recruit new members; two, to always offer good food and interesting
lectures on the meetings; and, three, to always raise money for a good
cause.”
PDG Peter Malhotra presents the chain of office to President Yves
Echement of the Rotary Club of Pattaya Marina.
The Jomtien-Pattaya club, the area’s second-oldest and
the first English speaking club in Pattaya with Thai and foreign membership,
celebrated its installation in traditional style at the Royal Cliff Grand
Hotel.
In his acceptance speech, President Gudmund Eiksund told
the Rotarians that a club can only be as strong as its members and,
therefore, he needed help not only from the board members but from all
members.
“I’m totally enthusiastic about my new duty and I promise
that I will do my best,” he said. “If everyone is ready and joins in our
efforts, we will reach our goals.”
PDG Peter Malhotra congratulates President Gudmund Eieksund after
installing him as President of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya.
Gudmund also wants to help to fulfill Rotary
International’s goal of increasing membership.
“I’m proud that we have three new members on our board
and I am putting my faith in them,” he said. “I also want to establish a
‘new generation’ to ensure the future of our Rotary District 3340.” Part of
that was appointing PDG Peter Malhotra as a public relations director.
President Gudmund Eiksund stands proudly with his first lady Linda.
Wrapping up the evening, past President Dennis Stark
honored PDG Peter Malhotra, Jan Chris von Koss and Past President Helmut
Buchberger with the Paul Harris Fellow award for their dedication to the
cause of doing good in the world. The Pattaya Mail newspaper was also
honored for its loyal coverage of all Rotary events in Pattaya and in the
district.
PDG Peter hails outgoing President Eric Larbouillat (left) and incoming
President Yves Echement, Rotary Club Pattaya Marina.
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2
million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary
clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high
ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the
world.
President Yves Echement (2
nd
left) with his board of directors. (l-r) Dr. Olivier Meyer, Daniel Dandoy,
IPP Eric Larbouillat, PE Joseph Roy and VP Francois Lecomte (seated front).
There are 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical
areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures,
races, and creeds. As signified by the motto “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s
main objective is service in the community, workplace and throughout the
world.
President Gudmund introduces the board of directors of the Rotary Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya. (l-r) Dzenana Popin, PE Dieter Reigber, Reidar Andersen, PP
Helmut Buchberger, Bill Gustafsson, PDG Pratheep Malhotra, Philip Wall
Morris, PAG Dennis Stark and AG Brendan Kelly.
