“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu
Time runs so fast. I’m on my 9th year as a Rotaractor and 7th year as a Rotarian. I could still remember the day I started being a Rotaractor in 2015. The love for service and passion in photography are the reasons why I became a Rotaractor. From being a very silent, very shy member and photographer always at the back, Rotaract molded and made me become what I am right now.
I was elected as the Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Chairperson Nominee that will originally serve Rotary Year 2023-2024 last April 8, 2022 during Pilipinas Rotaract Convention (PROCON) Iligan. I should be having a year to prepare during Rotary Year 2022-2023 as I will be the President of the Rotary Club of Metro Bacolod. Last September 24, 2022, an unfortunate scenario happened that led me to step-up being the Chairperson of the Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO ahead of time. It was a leap of faith for me to be both the Rotary Club President and Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Chairperson. I need to move forward and be positive all the time amidst the uncertainties. It made me think very deep if kakayanin ko ba?
The goals and objectives that I carry through implemented in Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO were inspired since my leadership when I was the President of the Rotaract Club of University of St. La Salle-Metro Bacolod. Those set of guiding principles have been carried throughout my journey as the President of the Rotaract Club of Metro Bacolod, District Rotaract Representative of the Rotaract Clubs of Rotary International District 3850 and President of the Rotary Club of Metro Bacolod.
3 Major Guiding Principles:
A. 10 Point Goals and Thrusts:
1. Continuing and Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Management Process Flow through Empowerment.
2. Financial Management and Cost Affordability that will expand and attract more Rotaractors to be part our network of active Rotaractors in the Country.
3. Trainings and Workshops for Rotaractors
4. Cultivating the Synergy as One Rotary Family.
5. Avenue for Progression in Growth and Development.
6. Giving proper Recognition, Appreciation and Citation due to each Rotaractor and Rotaract Club
7. Soar High by Continuing in Expanding Horizons and Linkages through External Connections and International Partnerships
8. Enhance and Strengthen the Push of the People of Action Public Image Campaign
9. Sustain the Inventory, Analysis, Forecasting and Strategic Planning
10. Various Sustainable Service Oriented Projects and Fellowships.
B. Micro to Macro Perspective (Club-District-National)
C. System User and System Implementer
Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Calendar of Activities for Rotary Year 2023-2024:
The Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Team are composed of dynamic and passionate leaders in making Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO goals, plans, initiatives and activities a reality. A lot of Pilipinas MDIO Officers have served 2 consecutive years from the previous Rotary Year for continuity. Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Officers are well represented for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Our Learning and Development Team even have most of its members from Visayas and Mindanao. For this year, each committee have a Committee Administrator that serves as a Secretariat that aides the Committee Chairperson and Members that improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the committee. I believe that more brains and hands will have a better result and outputs. What matters most is that everyone made a contribution and produced an output.
Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Strategic Planning was conducted to revisit the pathway direction of the organization. Super Typhoon Egay Disaster Relief Tracker for the calamity was established. Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Twin Club Signing Day was a formal event for the club to have a smooth and seamless signing process and ceremony in recognition of the Twin Club Recognition between 2 Rotaract Clubs. Merkado: The Pilipinas Rotaract Market Hub was launched as the Official Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Merchandise Market Platform in order to raise funds for the prestigious GEAR Awards Ceremony. Rotaract Song United Remix Version: A Gift to Pilipinas Rotaractors and Rotaractors Around the World was also produced showcasing the 7 Areas of Focus Service Projects conducted in Barangay 1, Bacolod City. Rory Anakotta, the original composer of the 1979 Rotaract Song, granted approval for us to do a United Remix Version and I personally visited the Rotaract Club of Victoria in Hong Kong for the presentation.
Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO is a One-Stop Shop for Center of Information. Personally, visiting the district is one way to know how to improve the system with the vast diverse cultures of the Philippines. Within the 21 Months of Journey as the Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Chairperson, I have physically visited each of the 10 Districts of Rotary Zone 10A Philippines at least once. Each district is unique and I truly enjoy the warm welcome.
Partnership outside the Rotary Family is one way to expand our Rotaract Brand. “Sponsor a Child: School Supplies Giving Drive” was our kick-off project in partnership with Kidzoona Aeon Fantasy in Circuit Makati last July 2023. Mainstream Television Appearance as Live Studio Audience as MDIO Goes to Eat Bulaga, the longest running noon time show in the Philippines, last March 8, 2024 in Celebration of the World Rotaract Week. Alliance with Toastmasters through Speechquest: Charting Your Path to Effective Communications and Speechcraft Program.
Collaboration within our Rotary Family such as the 2nd National Youth Peace Summit Voice of the Youth with Rotary Club of Manila Bay. Constant coordination meeting with our End Polio Zone Regional Leaders. Each of the hosted Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Activities delegated will not be possible without the support of the District Rotaract Representatives, Rotaract District Committee, Rotaract Clubs, Rotary Clubs and Rotary District.
Self-Growth and Development should not be neglected. Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO offered various learning sessions and training for Rotaractors to grow such as: Mental Health Symposium: Mental Health is a Universal Right, Awareness Session: Polio Eradication, Pilipinas Rotaract Branding Academy, Conscious Conversations, Speechquest: Charting Your Path to Effective Communications.
Rotaract is not just only for trainings but also for FELLOWSHIP! Membership Engagements Events such as National Rotaract Kahoot Quiz Bee, New Generation Summit (Meet Stephanie A. Urchick Rotary International President-Elect), Bingolio: “Yes to Bingo! Yes to End Polio!, 12th Pilipinas Rotaract Convention, Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Goes to Eat Bulaga, World Rotaract Week Celebration and Pilipinas Rotaract Sportsfest were conducted.
Congratulations to the Exemplary Districts, Exemplary Clubs, Exemplary Projects, Special Citations and now the expanded Exemplary Rotaractors that are recognized during the GEAR Awards Ceremony. Around 700 Awards are bestowed to the deserving ones that have been exemplary throughout the year. I do believe each one truly deserves it!
Within the 21 Months of Journey as the Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO Chairperson, I could say that what I envisioned is already a reality. It’s a Mission Accomplished! The experiences of sleepless nights waiting for the connecting flight in the airport, sleeping during the flight on the plane & traveling in Grab Car and also the Day Round Trip Flight from Bacolod to Manila are truly memorable.
There are no regrets getting into this journey but everything is with a purpose. Everything is all worth it for the Pilipinas Rotaract. The organization is now back on track and will much be in a better hand with our Next-In-Line Leaders Chair Elect Philip and Chair Nominee Stephen!
It’s not a goodbye but 再见 “Zai Jian” ! Thank you and see you again Pilipinas Rotaract!
Together Let us be United as One Country, One Rotaract!
In Service Above Self,
Richard Jeric L. Chua
MICB, RCA, CTT, CAT, MRITax
Chairperson, Pilipinas Rotaract Multi District Information Organization (MDIO)
Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Metro Bacolod
Past District Rotaract Representative, Rotary International District 3850
Founding Chairperson, New Generations Leadership Clubs (NGLC) Council
Past President, Rotaract Club of Metro Bacolod
Past President, Rotaract Club of University of St. La Salle – Metro Bacolod
