" E " as in Elite - 5 years on...

"E" as in Elite -- 5 years on...


Henry Ford once observed, "Whether you think that you can or that you can't, you are usually right."

Clearly, it is not simply a matter of how capable you are. Rather, it is also a matter of how capable you believe you are. Empirical studies show that optimism is related to adaptive benefits, including positive goal orientation and use of learning strategies, whereas pessimism is associated with negative outcomes and with learned helplessness.
As such, I would like to think that the "E" in Rotary E-Club of 3310 – the only Rotary Club in District 3310 with an extra "E" – represents Enterprising, Enthusiasm, Enlightening... to name but a few.

The seed of Rotary E-Club of 3310 was first planted in December 2001 when President Choy Kah Kin of Rotary Club of Bukit Timah, PDG Gerald Minjoot, the late PDG Dr MG John and PP Chew Ban Seng (1st District Internet Communication Coordinator) met at Goodwood Hotel, Singapore, to discuss the possible framework on the first prototype Rotary CyberClub in our District.Nothing much happened for the next two years. On 10 January 2004, DG David Tong invited me to make a presentation at the 13th District Conference in Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore. Things moved very quickly after the adoption of the resolution to charter a Rotary E-Club in District 3310 the following day. In a matter of months, we held two provisional (physical) meetings at OCBC Executive Club.

On 15 June 2004, Rotary E-Club of 3310 received its charter from Rotary International with 21 founder members. We became the 8th CyberClub in the Rotary World, and the 1st operating Rotary E-Club in Asia! Today, we have four Past Presidents, namely, Chew Ban Seng, Shirin Ghadiali, David Jenkins and Edmund Chew. Susan Wong is our 5th Club President.

As a small Club, we have been exceptionally active -- thanks to the strong support from the membership. Our activities spread from within the boundary of Singapore to Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia. During the Tsunami Relief Efforts, we extended assistance to far away places like Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Following are the diversity of projects undertaken by Rotary E-Club of 3310 over the years.

Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) -- Since our inception, Club members have helped out as trainers and facilitators. RYLA is a 4day/3night residential programme for youth aged 15 to 25. Many past participants have reported life changing experiences.

In December 2008, we are the organising chair for RYLA 2008. We are hoping to put this together with our Sister Club, Rotary Club of Bandar Utama, District 3300, and increase the number of participants to 300.

Rotary-YLO Youth 2008 – In partnership with Youth Life Ownership (YLO) and Rotary Club of Suntec City, we are bringing together some 1000 youths (age 14-17) from neighbourhood schools for a high energy 2-day "ROCK IT!" experience. The event offers diverse learning opportunities and seeks to help youths find purpose driven life.
Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) -- For the third year, we have been involved with Rotary Club of Makati Jose P Rizal, Philippines. Youths work in pairs and represent one country other than their home country as ambassadors. They engage in lively debates on current world issues. Over the Chinese New Year, International Service Director Noel Sinco led a 10-member team from ITE College East to participate in Manila.

Brookside Mission Trips -- Each year, since our charter, we continue to lead a team of youths to do community service work at Brookside International Village in Philippines. We have contributed funds towards the building of the Brookside Children's Center as well as some houses for the destitute. The Children Center is equipment with computers. This is an ongoing project and we work closely with Rotary Club of Loyola Heights. West Timor Mission Trip -- In the first year, we had a team of 18 youths to have hands-on involvement at the Roslin Orphanage with local residents. Presently, we are exploring possibility of sending another delegation from ITE for a similar mission in the new year.
Literacy & Water Projects -- We have completed two Matching Grants to provide a mobile library and to stock up books for the libraries in West Timor. These projects are undertaken with Rotary Club of Kupang.

We have received Matching Grant approval to put in a boring well since the country has an acute water shortage problem (it rains only two months in a year). Together with an Australian Rotary Club, we intend to send in several Rotary Volunteers to teach English.

We are also working with our northern neighbour to provide boat transportation, drinking water, medical aids and infrastructure improvements for children of Jehai Orang Asli in Perak, Malaysia. A possibility includes setting up an environmentally friendly eco-system within their habitat. Natural Disasters Relief Efforts -- Our Rotarians have collected cash and donations-in-kind to help relief works for flood victims in Philippines and Malaysia. During Tsunami disasters, we gave assistance to distant lands like Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand.

Recently, from collections received, Shelterboxes were purchased and shipped to victims in Myanmar (Cyclone Nargis) and Sichuan, China (Earthquake).

We helped co-ordinate the distribution of 500 wheelchairs to beneficiaries in Singapore.
Avoidable Blindness Programme -- Eye screening and preventive talks for senior citizens were held at Rotary Family Service Centre, Clementi, and Rotary-Ayer Rajah Students Care Centre. Our Partners-in-Service included Singapore National Eye Centre, and Optometry Department, Singapore Polytechnic. Similar event was held for ITE College East's staff, lecturers, parents and friends. ITE Interactors have pledged to make this an annual affair.

In conjunction with Rotary Club of Singapore, we are participating in a Matching Grant to provide eye screening equipment and van at Rotary Eye Centre, Pasir Gudang, Johor.
Calvary Victory Centre – This is a day care centre located in Johor Bahru which caters
for autistic children. Through the efforts of Rotary Club of Armadale, Western Australia, and Rotary Club of Puteri Lagoon, we donated some seed money to Johor Autism Care Association to help train teachers from the centre to enhance their skills.
Shine On Singapore Award for Unsung Heroes – We initiated a District Vocational Service Award to recognise ordinary people who have demonstrated Rotary's ideals of "Service Above Self" to make a difference in their daily lives. 5 winners were selected. They ranged from a Junior College student to a 79 year old retiree. The Unsung Heroes Awards were presented at Conrad Centennial Singapore during RI World Understanding and Peace Day Celebration.
"My Wish" Project -- The funds is used to help terminally ill adults fulfil one final wish before passing on. It facilitates closure for both the patients in the final journey, as well as their families. A Charity Golf Tournament was organised as a fund-raising event. In total, we raised S$47,000 for this project. Rotary Flag Day – It is the second such Rotary event. This year, together with Rotary Club of Bukit Timah and Rotary Club of Singapore South, we managed to mobilise 1800 youths through the schools. Collections are partially used to fund the operations of Rotary Family Service Centre. Two years earlier, we also participated in Rotary Carnival Day @ IMM which included the Family of Rotary.

ITE College East Interactors and eRotaractors – Both helped our members to remain focused and to play the role of mentors to these youths. Interact Club of ITE College East won District 3310 Best Club Project for their eye screening and career forums. Last year, we chartered Rotaract E-Club of District 3310 which became the 1st Rotaract CyberClub outside the United States of America.


CHEW Ban Seng
Charter President


Awards and Recognitions from Rotary International and District 3310
RI Presidential Citation - 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008
RI Membership Development & Extension Awards 2005/2006, 2006/2007
RI Recognition for Rotary Volunteers 2007/2008
Best District Website of the Year 2004/2005
Best Public Relations Effort - Commendation 2006/2007
Best Interact Club Project - Rotary E-Club of 3310 2007/2008
Best Interact Club Project - Interact Club of ITE College East 2007/2008
Best Guide to Daily Living Project - Commendation 2007/2008
Best Vocational Service Project - Commendation Best New Initiative 2007/2008