2nd Tri-District Seamless Seminar

by MEGS S. LUNN

RC Kalibo delegates

The Rotary International Districts 3850, 3860 and 3870 jointly held the 2nd Tri-district Seamless Seminar on August 10 & 11, 2012 at La Proa Ballroom, L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City. Some 300 Rotary club members and officers from the Visayas and Mindanao attended the seminar. 

RC Roxas City delegates

The District Governors of the three RI districts led in the seminar. They are Rafael “Biboy” Jocson of RI D3850, Peter “Perok” Rodriguez of D3860, and George “George” Hamoy of D3870.

R.I Director John Boag of District 9650 RC of Tamworth North, Australia and Rotary International Director for Rotary Year 2012-2014 was the keynote speaker. Past District Governor Herminio “Sonny” Coloma was the guest of honor. The Past District Governor Rolando “Oyan” V. Villanueva, Past District Governor Ma. Consuelo “Chit” L. Lijuaco and Past District Governor Roberto “Bobby” F. Viray who are seasoned speakers facilitated the conduct of the said seminar. 

Director John Boag, wished “everyone to be a keynote speaker, to speak about his experience as a Rotarian and how he was touched by Rotary. May this seminar will be an opportunity to advance Rotary in its greater course,” he said.

PDG Coloma shared how social media users are being helpful to the cause of Rotary. Therefore, the communication for development is now based on those who can utilize the social media to promote Rotary. Like for example the catch phrase for volunteerism is always linked up with government and volunteers from the community organizaton. “We need to look beyond ourselves and look for target members efficiently. We need to re-design Rotary that the challenge is greater than our skills, to understand what we do, that real happiness is in serving others and to enjoy Rotary, most of all,” Coloma pointed out. 

The break-up sessions discussed topics on Strengthening Rotary Clubs and its Membership with facilitators like Asst. Rotary Coordinator/Past District Governor Raymund “Ray” Patuasi of District 3860 and Past Rotary Coordinator/Past District Governor David “Dave” Villanueva Club Strategic Planning with facilitators Past Rotary Coordinator/Past District Governor Rolando “Oyan” Villanueva and RIPC/Past District Governor Consuelo “Chit” Lijuaco, and Public Image with facilitators Asst. Rotary Public Image Coordinator Lilu “Lilu” Alino. 

During the 2nd day, Past District Gov. Roberto “Bobby” Viray shared “The Rotary Foundation: Where We Are Today and Where We Are Going” and “Your Support to the Foundation: Ensuring the fulfillment of our Mission”; Past District Governor Dave Villanueva shared on “Our Foundation Programs: Full Steam Ahead”. Past District Governor Jose Ma. Luis “Toto” Cupin shared on “Transition to the New Plan: Future Vision Plan”; and Past District Governor Jose Francisco “Jess” Cifra presented on Rotary Community Corps.” 

Past District Governor Deguiller “Guiller” Tumungan, the Philippine Coordinator for the 2013 Rotary International Convention encouraged all Rotarians “On-to-Lisbon 2013 RI Convention.” Past District Governor Teodoro “Ted” Locson served as the moderator during the lively open forum. 

In the evening, host district 3850 prepared a fellowship night that will be remembered by the delegates. The theme: MasskaRotary was featured with the famous Masskara Festival of the City of Smiles - Bacolod. Everyone enjoyed wearing their mask and dancing to the beats of the drums, the rhythm and festive mode of the festival.

Rotary International theme for Rotary Year 2012-2013 is Peace through Service. Therefore, during the tri-district seamless seminar, the participants were encouraged to send delegates to the the Rotary Young Leaders Peace Summit on February 22-24, 2013 at Waterfront Hotel, Davao City. /MP