DisCon 2024: Another Milestone Achieved for the Rotary Club of Ibaan

DisCon 2024 was a resounding success, thanks to the indefatigable members of the ExeComm, Deputy District Governors, and Assistant Governors of RID 3820.

Bringing together dedicated Rotarians from the four areas of District 3820, the convention served as a platform for collaboration, inspiration, and celebration, not only of impactful service projects, but also of friendships.

A highlight of the convention was the opportunity for Rotarians to showcase their successful service projects and initiatives. Action photos were displayed at the lobby for everyone to draw inspiration from.

The success of the District Convention serves as a testament to the organization’s enduring impact and the dedication of its members. By fostering collaboration, sharing success stories, and celebrating achievements, Rotary continues to be a beacon of hope and service to everyone.

As Rotarians continue their journey of service, guided by the principles of fellowship, integrity, diversity, and service, the spirit of Rotary will continue to thrive, making a difference in the lives of countless individuals and communities for generations to come.

RC Ibaan’s Hope Creating President represented the Club to the convention, and she also dispensed her duties as the club’s elector during the business meeting.

For the first time in the Club’s history, RC Ibaan was able to submit a Club Resolution, and thankfully, the said resolution was approved, which marks yet another milestone for the club.

Sharing here the full copy of the resolution that the Club submitted.

ROTARY CLUB OF IBAAN
DISTRICT 3820
CLUB RESOLUTION No. 2324-001

RESOLUTION
To request the RI Board to consider establishing corporate partnerships that will support one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus, the Environment.

WHEREAS, RI empowers communities to embrace local solutions, and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

WHEREAS, RI can foster partnerships with corporations and international organizations working on waste management issues. By leveraging collective expertise and resources, we can implement larger-scale projects to address waste management challenges globally.

WHEREAS, RI can collaborate with corporations to advocate for extended producer responsibility (EPR), or incentives for recycling and waste reduction. Rotary can also explore opportunities for public-private partnerships to address waste management challenges at the local, national, and international levels.

WHEREAS, by involving corporations in waste management initiatives, RI can leverage additional resources, expertise, and networks to expand the reach and impact of its projects, ultimately contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that RI take into consideration partnering with big corporations involved in production of consumable products and encourage them to look at EPR as part of their CSR.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that copies of this Club Resolution be furnished to the Office of the District Governor for their information, perusal, and dissemination to all Rotary Clubs in good standing.

RESOLVED FINALLY, that this Club Resolution be presented and deliberated on the Business Meeting of the District Conference for approval.

APPROVED. March 2, 2023, Ibaan, Batangas, Philippines.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

signed
MARGARITA T. ABERASTURI
Club President, RY 2023-2024

ATTESTED BY:

signed
GLANDO ANACLETO PEREZ
President-Nominee, RY 2023-2024

Achieving a Milestone: RC Ibaan is 100% EREY Club

In the vast landscape of humanitarian organizations, few have left a mark as profound and lasting as Rotary International. At the heart of Rotary’s global impact lies The Rotary Foundation, a beacon of hope and transformation. Among the many initiatives it undertakes, the concept of 100% Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) Clubs stands out as a testament to Rotary’s commitment to service and its ethos of making a difference in communities worldwide.

Established in 1917, The Rotary Foundation has evolved into a powerhouse of philanthropy, supporting a wide array of humanitarian projects aimed at tackling the world’s most pressing issues. From eradicating polio to promoting peace and conflict resolution, The Rotary Foundation has continually adapted its programs to meet the evolving challenges of our time.

At its core, The Rotary Foundation is driven by the contributions and dedication of Rotary members. Through financial support, volunteerism, and expertise, Rotarians around the globe contribute to the Foundation’s mission of advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace.

What is a 100% EREY Club?

A 100% EREY Club is a Rotary club in which every member contributes to The Rotary Foundation every year. This commitment reflects Rotary’s belief in the collective power of its members to effect positive change. By ensuring that each member contributes annually, 100% EREY Clubs demonstrate their unwavering support for Rotary’s humanitarian efforts.

Being a 100% EREY Club goes beyond simply meeting a financial target; it embodies the spirit of service that defines Rotary. It signifies a shared commitment to making a difference in the world, one contribution at a time. Regardless of the amount contributed, each donation plays a crucial role in funding life-changing projects and initiatives.

Impact of 100% EREY Clubs

The impact of 100% EREY Clubs reverberates far beyond the confines of individual Rotary clubs. By coming together to support The Rotary Foundation, these clubs enable Rotary to undertake larger and more impactful projects, reaching communities in need around the world.

Through their contributions, 100% EREY Clubs empower The Rotary Foundation to provide grants for projects in areas such as disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. These projects address critical needs and create sustainable solutions, leaving a lasting legacy of positive change.

Furthermore, the culture of giving fostered by 100% EREY Clubs strengthens the bonds of fellowship among Rotary members. By working together towards a common goal, members forge meaningful connections and deepen their sense of belonging to the Rotary family.

A First in RC Ibaan’s History

This Hope Creating Year, RC Ibaan recorded an all-time high of 4 new Sustaining Members, 4 new Paul Harris Fellows, and 1 Paul Harris Fellow+1, with all of its members contributing to EREY and the Polio Plus fund.

Our grateful appreciation to the following Rotarians who stepped forward and answered the call to contribute to the Foundation:

Hope Creating President Marge Aberasturi, Paul Harris Fellow+1
Hope Creating Treasurer Isabel Aberásturi, Paul Harris Fellow
Past President Rogelio Ceradoy, Paul Harris Fellow
Past President Gilbert Kalalo, Paul Harris Fellow
Past President Cesar Marasigan, Paul Harris Fellow
President Elect Wendyl Torralba Pateña, New Sustaining Member
President Nominee Glandoanacleto Perez, New Sustaining Member
Rotarian Jun Suarez, New Sustaining Member
Rotarian Rj Glenn Eden Suarez, New Sustaining Member

The Club also recorded the highest total contributions ever in its history.

We also acknowledge our Hope Creating President, Marge Aberásturi, for becoming the club’s first member to join the PolioPlus Society. The PolioPlus Society was formed to encourage Rotarians to commit to a minimum of $100/year to the PolioPlus Fund until polio is eradicated from the face of the earth.

May this milestone be just the beginning of many more!

St. Jude Science and Technological School Interact Club: Champions of Waste Management’s 5 R’s

Today is a day of celebration for the Rotary Club of Ibaan, as we receive the Certificate of Formation for the St. Jude Science and Technological School Interact Club.

The St. Jude Science and Technological School Interact Club is dedicated to championing the 5 R’s of waste management. With a fervent commitment to reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose, and refuse, this club emerges as a beacon of change, fostering a culture of responsible waste management within the school and its surrounding community.

The formation of the Interact Club marks a pivotal moment in the school’s journey towards environmental stewardship. Led by passionate students and supported by dedicated faculty members, the club aims to raise awareness, educate, and implement practical strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of waste.

At the core of the club’s mission lies the promotion of the 5 R’s:

Reduce: By advocating for the minimization of waste generation through conscious consumption and lifestyle choices.

Reuse: Encouraging the reuse of materials and products whenever possible, thereby extending their lifespan and reducing the demand for new resources.

Recycle: Establishing efficient recycling systems within the school and fostering a culture of recycling among students and staff, thereby diverting waste from landfills and promoting the circular economy.

Repurpose: Inspiring creativity and innovation by finding new purposes for items that would otherwise be discarded, transforming waste into valuable resources.

Refuse: Empowering individuals to refuse single-use plastics and other non-biodegradable materials, advocating for sustainable alternatives and promoting mindful consumption habits.

Through a variety of initiatives, including awareness campaigns, workshops, waste audits, and community outreach programs, the Interact Club aims to instill a sense of responsibility and environmental consciousness among its members and the broader school community.

By embracing the principles of the 5 R’s, the St. Jude Science and Technological School Interact Club aspires to not only reduce the environmental footprint of the school but also to cultivate a generation of informed and proactive global citizens committed to safeguarding our planet for future generations. With determination and collective action, they stand poised to make a meaningful difference in the realm of waste management and environmental sustainability.

District Kick-Off with Bibo Negosyo and the Approval of Our RCC

We are official! The RotaFit SAHMs is now a Rotary Community Corp.

Last month, the Rotary Club of Ibaan participated in the District Kick-Off activity in Tanauan. With us were the ladies of RotaFit SAHMs, a group of energetic women bonded by their passion for fitness, and connected by their common need to earn additional income for their respective families. Today, we can officially say that the Club has its own very first Rotary Community Corp.

The first in a series of livelihood training workshops was already conducted during the Club’s kick-off activity, and we are continuing these trainings until all members of the RCC have undergone the workshops and received their Kabuhayan Kits.

At the District Kick-Off, we featured products made by the first batch of SAHMs, and we are looking forward to more!

And of course, the Club, represented by HCP Marge Aberásturi, signed the memorandum of support to our beloved District Governor’s Bibo Negosyo Legacy Project.

RC Ibaan’s First Female President and the Club’s 5th Induction Ceremony

Her name is Marge Aberásturi, and she is the Rotary Club of Ibaan’s Hope Creating President.

She is also known on cyber as The Happy WAHM.

And if you ask ChatGPT, this is what it has to say….

Far from being “popular” and a “notable figure,” Marge leads a simple and happy life with his husband of 24 years and three children, one of whom is also a Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow like her mom.

She’s a happy, and fulfilled, work-at-home, homeschooling mom. She was pushed to become a WAHM after her third child was born prematurely.

Before she became a WAHM, she worked as a middle management executive in a conglomerate. She rose from the ranks and became a regional manager for credit management in a telecommunications company. Her goal was to be the division’s next vice president, but God has better plans.

Her son is now 18 years old, and she’s still very much passionate about the career that she started right beside his crib.

She usually works at home, but she’s also been known to work outside the doctor’s office, in the car, at the piano teacher’s house, and in restaurants.

As a Virtual Assistant with an entrepreneurial mindset, Marge is resilient, resourceful, and solutions-oriented. She sees challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, and what really keeps her going is knowing her “why.”

Her road to presidency is not what the usual presidents take, as she details in her inaugural address.

But Marge is committed to make it work, knowing that she has the support of her husband and their three children.

Her four words for 2023 will carry her through her term to 2024:

Connection
Creation
Gratitude
Service

Take a peek at her Inaugural Address here!

Thank you, my favorite middlechild, for the introduction.

Good afternoon, fellow Rotarians! Protocol observed.

I stand before you today with a heart filled with gratitude and apprehension, humbled by the trust bestowed upon me as the Hope Creating President of the Rotary Club of Ibaan.

I am grateful for the confidence you have in my capability to lead, but apprehensive in the most part because you see, mine is not the usual journey that one takes to a Rotary Club presidency.

In Rotary, you first get to be elected as a president nominee designate. After a year, you get elevated to become the president nominee. Then on the third year, you become the president elect. Only on the fourth year will you get the honor of finally becoming the leader of your club.

So each president has 3 years of preparation, in mind, body, and finances.

I was given 7 months.

It was a week before the PrePETS when I was cajoled (or should I say budoled?) by past presidents Allan Caringal, Gilbert Kalalo and Rodel Abogne to accept the president elect position from our then sitting president elect, twice past president Cesar Marasigan, who expressed his desire to relinquish the position to someone younger.

With the promise and commitment that they will contribute to The Rotary Foundation if I accept the position, I directed them to talk to my husband.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, my husband readily agreed.

So here I am, and believe you me, PP Allan, PP Gilbert, I will collect on those promises.

Your confidence is not just a validation of my commitment to this incredible global organization but also a testament to the inherent potential for growth and progress we have as a collective.

Let us not forget the foundation upon which our club stands: “Service Above Self.” These three words are not just our motto; they are the pillars that have guided us for over a century. It’s about looking beyond ourselves and understanding the true value of giving. The endeavors we undertake, the projects we set out to complete, are all driven by this guiding principle.

We are a global network of neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. And as your Hope Creating President, it is my duty and my honor to lead us towards this vision, to create hope in the world.

During my term, I intend to further our commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact. I believe that every small step we take today will lead to a significant change tomorrow. With that in mind, I would like to express my support to the district’s goals and thrusts, beginning with its legacy project for the Rotary Year 2023 to 2024, which is to develop sustainable income generating projects in and for the community. Our club’s projects will also give heavier focus on community and economic development, basic education and literacy, maternal and child health, environment, and disease prevention and treatment, but we will not neglect our commitment to peace and conflict prevention, and water, sanitation and hygiene.

In the spirit of our four-way test, we will approach every project with integrity and strive to build goodwill and better friendships.

Moreover, we will seek to strengthen our partnerships and collaborations, both locally and internationally. We will engage more fully with the community around us, building relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. We will strive to be a club that is known not just for its deeds but also for its heart.

The world around us is continually changing, and we must be ready to evolve with it. To this end, we will strive to leverage the latest technologies and innovative ideas, ensuring our projects remain relevant and impactful.

This club is built on the hard work and dedication of each of its members. And so, I invite you all to join me in this endeavor. I encourage you to share your ideas, to volunteer your time, and to actively participate in our projects. Let us work together, let us learn together, and let us serve together.

I want to conclude by saying, being chosen as your president is an immense honor. I promise to serve with dedication, to lead with integrity, and to always keep the principles of our great Rotary Club at the heart of everything I do.

Here’s to a fruitful year ahead, filled with service, friendship, and impact. Together, we can create hope in the world.

To my family, thank you for the love and support. Jojo, you are the wind beneath my wings. You are my number one fan and you are my perfect pair. Without you, I can’t do all the things I’m doing. Xia, Bea, Jude… thank you for rolling with all the punches. You know I love you to GN Z11, with a few trips round and back.

To everyone here tonight, thank you, and good evening.