Bali Post Article – Thursday, 25 February 2010.

It's time for the Bali Community to join the 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide
Denpasar (Bali Post)

The total number of Rotary Clubs and Rotarians continues to increase throughout the world. Since Rotary International was founded 105 years ago, the total number of Rotary Clubs in the world today is 32,000 with more than 1.2 million members. The Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak (RCBS) is an English speaking club and currently has 44 members. It was chartered in May 2002. Besides the RCBS, there are 14 other Rotary Clubs in Bali, i.e Denpasar - 1983, Sanur - 1987, Kuta - 1989, Taman - 1991, Nusa Dua - 1992, Ubud - 2001, Denpasar Kota - 2002, Jimbaran - 2003, Niti Mandala - 2003, Lovina - 2007 (Club # 100 in District 3400), Ubud Sunset - 2008, Kartika - 2008, & Legian - 2009.

"Rotary International is an organization that consists of business and professional people. Rotary Clubs are open to whomever wants of help poor people," said Club President B. Patricia Jamieson on Wednesday, 24 February 2010 at their weekly lunch meeting at the Sofitel Seminyak.

President Patricia continued by saying, "Our members meet every week to discuss how we can help disadvantaged people around Bali. In the past, we have supported projects that have included: cleft lip/palate operations, student scholarships, school libraries, supplying clean water, etc."

"We hope that members in the Bali community will join our Club soon. Together, we can help poor people in Bali and other areas in Indonesia," stressed Club President-elect Robert B. Kempner, who will become the 2010 - 2011 Club President on 1 July 2010.

PE Robert proudly said that there are Rotary Clubs in 170 countries around the world. According to him, the lack of news about Rotary's humanitarian work is one of the reasons why more community members are not Club members yet. He said hopefully next year the RCBS will put more emphasis on telling the community about Rotary here in Bali.

Club Vice President Handy Saputra remarked that even though the RCBS mainly consists of foreigners who are living and working here in Bali, Indonesians were very welcome to join. "The local community needs to show that it cares about the poor and unfortunate people around Bali. Those who are reading this article should consider joining this wonderful, humanitarian, International organization TODAY," said VP Handy.

Lastly, Club member I Made Ariawan said that Rotary had given him a great opportunity to meet many interesting businessmen and professional people who sincerely care about improving the lives of people here in Bali who have not been so luck in life. He said he was grateful that the RCBS had accepted him as a member, so he could have the opportunity to give something back to his community. (Kmb)

ROTARY CLUB – President Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak shook hands with PE Robert B. Kempner accompanied by VP Handy Saputra and PR I Made Ariawan, Wednesday (24/2) yesterday at the lunch meeting with members at Sofitel