JOHOR BAHRU: Rotarians are a people of action, ready to turn our ideas and vision into lasting change, by creating opportunities, supporting those who need it most and transforming their lives.

They are a group of people who tap into their professional skills, expertise and knowledge to make a difference. As people of action, they use their time, energy and passion to mobilise their communities to get the job done.

Being part of Rotary is more than just giving back to the community by volunteering. It is also about bringing their skills, experience and enthusiasm to help it thrive, whilst making some great friends along the way.

Rotarians support communities, both at home and other places too. And that is the key part of Rotary with most of their members helping to support the most vulnerable people in the country and around the globe.

Rotarians must have sufficient Rotary knowledge in order to serve efficiently. Its quality, rather than quantity, mattered most.

As Rotarians pledge to continue serving society, they also continue their services to the community and try their best to bring about positive changes to the society.

ApaKhabar TV spoke to six presidents-elect of the various Rotary Clubs in Johor on what’s in store for their respective clubs when they take office this July.

President-elect Brian Kuek Chek Chin from the Rotary Club of Johor Straits View says his immediate plan when he takes over will be mobilizing his members for a beach cleaning in Desaru.

The programme, aims to raise environmental awareness, especially among youngsters and members of the club.

“We hope the programme will instil awareness of the importance of protecting the environment,” he said.

According to Brian the club also intends to collaborate with other NGOs to assist autistic children by providing care, education and therapy for these children from low-income households.

Also, in store is a tree planting project which the clubs plans to collaborate with schools. They have yet to identify the place.

The Rotary Club of Pasir Gudang is going to make the eye-screening for needy people their top priority.

President-elect Annie Leong says the club already has a centre and wants to ensure people get their eyes checked always.

“We also plan to raise funds for our eye-centre especially those who have to go for cataract surgery,” she said.

She said many can’t afford the surgery and needs help hence the club plans to foot the bill for them.

“There are many adults and children who need spectacles and the club plans to provide them with free spectacles,” he said.

Annie said they plan to join with other NGOs to conduct a medical camp for needy people.

Steven Wu Wan Pok who is the president-elect of the Rotary Club of Johor Bahru says he is considering to create an environmental awareness programme through a tree planting project.

“The venue has yet to be decided but planting a tree is a commitment to the future and by planting a tree captures the imagination,” he said.

Steven said environmental sustainability is one of Rotary’s area of Focus. Rotary hopes that this hands-on action will spark further awareness about sustaining our natural environment on our one and only earth for our future generations.

Also, in the pipeline is the setting up of a centre for fish and vertical farming to use as a training and education facility for the B40 youth.

The Rotary Club of Tebrau intends to conduct a medical camp by doctors from ATS Medical Centre sometime soon.

Its president-elect Kala Lakshmi Annamalai said the medication will be provided by the club.

Also, she said, they plan to hand–over provisions for the Orang Asli in a place to be decided at an appropriate time.

“We also plan to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which is a lifesaving technique that’s useful in many emergencies in which someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped,” she remarked.

For example, she said, when someone has a heart attack or nearly drowns, then the CPR is used.

“This CPR training is for teachers in schools is a collaboration with the Johor Bahru Red Crescent Society”, she said.

Kala Lakshmi also said they intend to celebrate festivals with an orphanage in Saleng coinciding with a medical camp, adding that, “the medication will be sponsored by the club.”

President-elect Calvin Teu Yong Chien of Rotary Club of Impian Emas said his club intends to set up a physiotheraphy centre.

“Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury, post-surgery rehab, or a chronic condition that impacts physical function, physical therapy can help get you back on track and feeling good again,” he explained.

He made it clear that the club will collect a minimum fee and will engage professionals to come and provide assistance.

Calvin said they intend to also conduct a mental health awareness seminar.

He said often, because of misconceptions about mental health and mental fitness, people often suffer in silence and their conditions go untreated. Mental health awareness is an important social movement to both improve understanding and increase access to healthcare.

They also aspire to provide uniforms, school bags and stationery for needy school going students in primary and secondary schools.

Dr. Kate Chan Sook Cheng of Rotary Club of Puteri Lagoon did not mince her words when she said they plan to have a training programme for special needs children and family such as autism and intellectual disability.

“We plan to give then training so that they are able to make some hand-made craft or food,” adding that we will then promote the product to the public.

Also, in her agenda is the after school programmes for the underprivileged home alone students where they conduct the extra curriculum activities for them.

Dr. Kate said for students in rural areas they plan to conduct speech and drama educational programmes for these students.

“We want them to gain some confidence when speaking in the English Language and avoid pitfalls,” she added.

For all Rotarians they will continue to play an active role to assist and provide assistance when needed. They are ready to tackle challenges at home and abroad.

Hence, their motto “Service Above Self” will take a greater meaning when they see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.