The Beginning

Rotary Year 1998-99

The inauguration of the Club was in May 1998 and at Radha Park Inn, Chennai. Attended by a large number of District Officials and other Rotarians while DG Krishnan V. Chari was the Chief Guest.. Rtn. Hari Ratan the Charter President of the Club while speaking at the function said that the Club would duing its first year build on its membership, stressing on quality rather than quantity. The 25 would be Charter members were introduced to the gathering. The sponsoring Club, RC of T. Nagar committed itself to the new club.

The Club received its Charter from RI on 17th June 1998. The first Charter Night and the Installation of the Charter President Rtn. Hari Ratan was celebrated at Hotel Breeze at a glittering function on 24th July 1998. With 25 members of which only 2 were Rotarians the Club started with the objective of taking on more members.

During the Charter night Charter President Hari Ratan unvieled the logo of the Club. Departing from the normal practice of choosing a landmark in the locality where the Club exists its members had chosen a smiling face with the words "Happiness all around" as their logo since it represented what they wanted to be and achieve. The logo was designed by Sreevatsa a Charter Member. He was also responsible for designing the masthead for the Club's bulletin "The Chatter".

Wanting to make a difference, be different, think different was upmost on the member's minds. The first year of the Club required a lot of work in terms of membership, administration, planning and of course fellowship. Rtn Hari Ratan during this period was also having to contend with 3 seriously people at home his father, mother and brother. All three of them succumbed to their illness during the year. However, the Charter members stood by him and ensured that all objectives of the club were met during the first year.

The following events took place during the year:

Club Service:
Regular meetings were well attended and the Chairman - Samuel Eddy was able to find eminent speakers within and out of Rotary. The Club managed to have a Fellowship evening every month building comraderie amongst members. 

Anne's evenings were at various locations, which would be of interest to members and their children, Marina Beach, Thirusulam Hills to watch aircrafts landing and taking off, beach near Kottivakkam to watch the dolphins and planktons, Go Karting, visit to a farm near Red Hills, the idea was to provide varied experiences and all Anne's evenings were Pot Luck, not only were there a variety of dishes both vegetarian and non vegetarian the cost too was very low. 

The Chatter, the Club's bulletin was published regularly. Rtn sreevatsa was a Editor and members ensured that there was enough revenue from advertisements to bring out the Chatter regularly - every fortnight.

Community Service:
Spastics: The Club with the help NIIT provided educational software to a spastics support group. The software helped the special children learn new skills and improved on their learning abilities. Director of Community Service - Rtn Shanti Samuel Eddy.

Rtn Vijay Karnam identified a slum in Shenoy Nagar with the objective of adopting the slum and providing service to its residents. Ee were able to conduct few medical camp for residents. Rtn Karnam talked to the Headmaster of the Thiru Vi Ka School situated close to the slum to provide us space and give permission to conduct the medical camp in the school premises, the camp was a huge success and we were able to conduct 3 camps during the year at the school.

Youth Service
Each one get one: The objective of this project was to identify school drop outs and children who were not going to school. Children of well to do families participated in the project. Children in schools were provided with pamphlets which was also a letter of recommendation from the student to the Corporation school to admit the child who had dropped out or was not going to school. Children were enthusiastic in talking to their servants and others who had children, not going to school and signing a letter of recommendation. All recommended children were admitted to Govt, (corporation schools) schools and during the year over 30,000 students were enrolled.

International Service
A sister club arrangement was entered into with a Rotary Club in Israel.

The Club filed an application for a Matching Grant alongwith RC Escondido Sunrise for organising and providing Artificial limbs.

Treasurer Velu Muthu applied for registration of the Charitable Trust under the FCRA.

 

Vocational Service
Two public servants - A postman and a nurse were identified and recognised for their commitment, dedication and sincerity to their work. The award consisted of a cash prize and a citation.

Records of the Club were maintained and reports filed on time with the District by Secretary Siva