A Review of the First Nine Months of Rotary Year 2003-04 

ROTARY CLUB AMMAN WEST

We have reestablished a structured communication with our Twinned Club of Amman West.  During our weekly communication we exchange publication such as our weekly bulletin and Notes and their weekly gazette.  You may obtain their weekly gazette from the Vocational Director  Rtn Massis. 

VISIT TO ARCHIBISHOP MAKARIOS III HOSPITAL 

On the 4^th of August we have visited the Archibishop Makarios Hospital for children on the occasion of July’s literacy month.  We talked to the children about the importance of literacy in their future life and we donated to them books offered to us by Kyproepia Publishing House. 

BOOKS AND MAGAZINES TO GREEK CYPRIOT OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES 

The Magazines and books donated by all members were delivered to old people’s houses in South Africa on the 13^th of August 2003.  Both myself and our Community Director Rtn Lilian Shiaftacola  received their sincere thanks and deep appreciation of the Greek Community.  I personally thank all members who kindly offered the material. 

CLOTHS FOR CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA 

We would like to thank Rtn Carol Xenophontos for gathering clothing which was donated to the Johannesburg Girls Preparatory School.  This school has approximately 1000 students (girls 6-17 years old).  We have received several touching letters from the Deputy Principal and the children of school thanking our Club for the clothing donated to them.  

YOUTH EXCHANGE

During the last week of August we have hosted Yazan Naffa, son of the Incoming President  Munther Naffa of Rotary Club Amman West.  This visit by Yazan was part of the youth exchange scheme between our twined clubs.  Yazan soon after his arrival became very close friends with Emilianos Ellinas.  The two of them are of the same age and with lots in common.  We have taken Yazan around Cyprus.  We sincerely thank Rtn Katerina Kalavas for taking Yazan together with my sons and her son Leonidas to the Waterpark in Ayia Napa, where they spent the whole day.  Yazan left thrilled with his visit to Cyprus and has invited Emilianos to visit Jordan next year.

His father called to thank our Club for this excellent initiative from our side, that brings the two Clubs closer to each other.  I sincerely thank my son Emilianos for being an excellent host to our guest.  Both boys expressed their appreciation for Rotary especially for giving them the opportunity to meet each other.

RTN KETI’S  POOL PARTY 

On the 29^th of August, the Rotary membership extension and fellowship month, Rtn Keti Chrysostomou kindly offered her house for a Pool Party, during which a recipe competition took place.

Members of our Club arrived with their specialties.  The jury consistent of our members of weight of more than 100 kilos.  The results were:

Best salad – Vart Mahdessian

Best Main Dish – Patrick Elston and Jenny Avraam (joint winners)

Best sweet – Stalo Papaioannou

We would like to thank Rtn Keti and her husband Costakis for kindly offering such a wonderful evening with excellent music in the exquisite atmosphere of their home.

Many thanks also to Rtn Alexandra Matsis, Club Service Director for her brilliant idea to organize the recipe competition.  She worked hard to bring many people to this event.  The amount raised during the evening was £440 .  The winners received special awards. 

TELETHON 2003 

We attended the Ayios Dometios checkpoint on the 7^th of September where we have managed to collect £202.00 in two hours.  

GALA DINNER 

During the Gala Dinner that took place on the 19^th of September at the president’s residence the amount of £2173 was raised.  The night was enjoyed by all who attended, during which fellowship and Rotary awareness were developed.  Special thanks to Rtn Lilian Shiaftacola, Community Service Director, for all her assistance in organizing the event.  

CENTENNIAL  PROJECT

As you are all aware our Club is participating in both the Centennial Projects in Cyprus.  Rtn Massis has participated in the meeting of the organizing committee for the Cord Blood Bank Project.  Our Board decided to commit £3,000 for this project.   

DR LYGEROS SEMINAR

On the 30^th of September the Seminar by Dr Lygeros on “Strategic Management” took place at the Headquarters of the Bank of Cyprus.  The Seminar was attended by 250 employees from 51 companies paid £100 each.  The amount collected will go to our Scholarship Fund.  The event enhanced Rotary Awareness through the president’s  presence on four TV and Radio programs during which we talked about the Seminar and the importance of our Scholarship Fund.  We also took the opportunity to promote the rest of our activities of the year.  We would like to thank Vocational Director Massis and Community Director Lilian for their help in organizing this event.  We would like also to express sincere thanks to our members that paid for their staff to attend the Seminar. 

PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP

The Project on public speaking has started on the 18^th of October.  The Ministry of Education has already forwarded to us the names of the students.  We have also forwarded an invitation to the Presidents of the other Nicosia Clubs offering the opportunity to send their children aged 15-17 years old to the above workshop.  The Workshop will take place between the 18^th of October until the 20^th of December every fortnight.  It will last for three hours between 9.00am until 12.00am.  SFS Group Public Co Ltd sponsored the Workshop provided the venue, the equipment and the snacks.  The winning team of four will be sponsored by SFS Group for an educational weekend in Athens.  The whole event was under the auspices and supervision of the Ministry of Education.  Community Service Director Lilian was  the co-coordinator of the project. Members of our Club volunteered and attended each Saturday seminar and assisted with the execution of the project. 

CHRISTMAS CHOIR

On the 14^th of December 2003 our choir performed jointly with the Mundana choir under the direction of Yianna Thalassinos.  The proceeds for the performance went towards our scholarship fund.  All choir members were at the Mundana Music School every Wednesday at 7.00pm for rehearsals as from the 15^th of October 2003.  A sweets Bazaar has also taken place for fund raising. 

ROTARY CLUB OF LARNACA

The President visited the Rotary Club of Larnaca as a guest speaker on the subject of Women’s entrepreneurship.  The meeting was well attended in a warm fellowship environment.  Views were also exchanged in relation to the possibility of organizing joint fund raising – fellowship events in Larnaca and Nicosia in the future. 

IP MUNTHER NAFFA – ROTARY AMMAN WEST 

We welcomed to Cyprus the parents of Yazan (the Youth exchange program) IP Munther Naffa and his wife Abeer.  We exchanged ideas regarding the further development of our relationship with our twined club of Amman West.  We were told that they are trying to organize an exceptional district conference in Amman during May 2004.  They expect as many of us in Aspelia to attend.  Munther and Abeer are planning to organize a special party at their house to welcome all the Aspelia members.  

MEETING OF ALL NICOSIA CLUBS 

On the 24^th of October the joint Rotary Nicosia Clubs event took place.  We have hosted Mr Kikis Lazarides, Chairman of the Cyprus Olympic Committee and member of the International Olympic Committee who was the speaker on the subject “Three hundred days before the Olympics Athens 2004”.   Our Club’s involvement was very evident and our contribution to the success of the event was noted by all those attended.  It was our club’s initiative, in collaboration with all the Nicosia Rotary clubs. 

PAINTING EXHIBITION

Our Club supported the painting exhibition of the artist Mr Doloros Pitsillides.  It has taken place at the Hilton Hotel on the 25^th of February.  The First Lady Mrs Fotini Papadopoulou  opened the above exhibition.  More than three hundred people attended. 

SALE OF GARMENTS 

Our Rotarian Vania Vasiliades has kindly donated beautiful clothes from her boutique L’Aiglon in order to be sold to members of our Club and friends at special prices.  The proceeds of the sales will go towards our environmental project.  We thank Vania wholeheartedly for her very big contribution.  

BRIDGE COMPETITION

It took place at the president’s residence on the 6^th of November.  The event was very successful with 40 players taking part in the competition.  All players were entertained from 09.30 hours until the afternoon.  The amount of £444.00 was raised for our Community Fund.  The players were also informed about all our Projects of the year.  A number of our members joined us during the day.  I would like to thank all of them for their support.  Also many thanks to Nitsa Ioannides wife of PP Lefkios who helped enormously.  Many thanks to PP Haig for organizing the bridge tables free of charge and to Vart Mahdessian wife of PP Kevork for organizing the players.  The following companies kindly offered the prizes for the Competition to whom we are grateful, L’ Aiglon,  Electricplus and Top Kinisis.  

BIRTHDAY PARTY

The birthday Party of our Club took place of the night of the 6^th of November at China Spice Restaurant.   The environment was very pleasant, the food was marvelous and the fellowship as usual was unbeatable.  The amount of CY 190.00 was raised.  The Club’s birthday cake depicting number 8 was kindly offered by Sugar Cane Confectionery.  Many thanks to our Secretary Michalis Avraam for the excellent organization of the event. 

SCHOLARSHIP TO PANTELIS CHRISTOU

We have visited the Intercollege and presented the Scholarship cheque to student Pantelis Christou who is studying Computer Sciences.  Pantelis is an 18 year old who suffers from the Duchenne Myopathy since he was 13 years old.  A very simple presentation took place at the office of the General Manager of the Intercollege Mr Emilios Solomou.  The other five students collected their scholarships on the 19^th of December during our Christmas luncheon. 

VP BOB McCLURE’S TREK

VP Bob concluded his sponsored trek raising the amount of CY 520.00 which will go towards our environmental project due to commence in April 2004.  We really thank Bob and his wife Kathleen and all those who sponsored them. 

CENTENNIAL POSTER CONTEST

We were informed by Rotary International regarding the above contest.  Eligible were children ages between 10-12 years old.  The Design Theme should express the concept of providing service to others in the Community and in the World.   Rtn Nazo Davidian presented to the membership the drawing selected as our club’s nomination and was sent to Rotary International on the 30^th of January 2004. 

VISIT TO THE FIRST LADY AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE

On the 14^th of November we have visited Mrs F. Papadopoulou at the Presidential Palace.  The purpose of our meeting was to request her assistance for our project – People with special skills at work.  We have also informed Mrs Papadopoulou about our plan and other projects of the year.  During the meeting we presented her with flowers and a letter congratulating her on her election as the Cypriot Woman of Europe.  

Visit by MINISTER OF EDUCATION to the Workshop for PUBLIC SPEAKING

Mr Pefkios Georgiades visited the workshop on Public Speaking.  He witnessed a number of interesting presentations by the youngsters and he was briefed by Mr Panayides secondary educational inspector for the Ministry.  The children and the instructors also informed him about their experiences so far.  He advised the students to take full advantage of the whole programme, so as to acquire such skills that will help them in their future careers.  He finally thanked our Rotary Club for implementing this very special idea and SFS Group for sponsoring it.   

MOBILE DRUGS UNIT

During the meeting of the 21^st of November, 2003 the Chief of Police received on behalf of the Drug’s Enforcement Unit the specially converted Van.  The Van will be used for educational purposes at schools and army establishments so as to create the relevant awareness among the youth for the destructive results of the use of drugs.  The Van was parked outside the Hilton Hotel and all members attending the meeting had the chance to view the Van and the equipment installed.  The whole ceremony was covered by the media.  The first two test runs of the antidrug prevention program has taken place during the 29/11 and 6/12 at 12.00 o’clock.  The Van visited the premises of SFS Group where the students attended the Public Speaking workshop and were informed by the Police on the dangerous repercussions of drugs use. 

PEDIKI STEGI

A team of our club and other friends of our Rotary Club visited Pediki Stegi.  The team went to celebrate the birthday of two children and the name day of another two abandoned children.  We took sweets with us.  Presents were donated by Sophocles Eliades Ltd and we thank Rtn Patrick for arranging it.  Caterways provided the Balloons and the make up artist who painted the kids faces.  The Management of Pediki Stegi requested that we assist them in securing a foster home for a five-year-old girl whose mother died last year.  The children ages 4-12 years old expressed their wish to visit McDonalds Restaurant, a wish that we promised to fulfill sometime. 

DG Samir Seykali’s visit to our Club on the 28^th of November

DG Samir visited our club on the 28^th of November and had a meeting with the members of our board the Past Presidents and some of our members.  He was informed in detail about our current projects, our plans for extending our membership and our contribution towards the centennial projects.  He was impressed with our performance and urged us to continue our efforts.  He advised us of his wish to visit Jordan during the District Conference in May with a substantial representation from our club. 

Thalassemia Project in Albania

PP Nina Sadek informed the membership about the meeting she had in the States with our twinned Club of Mandarin in Jacksonville, who agreed to proceed with a Matching Grant for the above Project.  She also managed to secure one more Matching Grant for the Cyprus Centennial Project regarding Alzheimer.  

Gynecological Endoscopy Seminar 

During the above Seminar, which will take place in Cyprus in March 2004 under the auspices of the European Society of Gynecological Endoscopy, our Club will sponsor 13 doctors coming from a number of Countries from our District and the rest of the world.  Our aim as a club is to assist doctors from underdeveloped countries without sufficient funds to train in Endoscopy and Labaroscopy.  In addition women from these underdeveloped countries will benefit from the improved medical attention to be received from these doctors.  The total cost to the Club will be £3,000. 

Launching of our Project “Induction of People with Special Needs in the Work Place” 

On Monday 2^nd February we attended the TV Programme “I Dare” on Sigma Channel where were expanded on our project, provided general information and discussed with MP George Perdikis and a girl with special abilities, the problem of introducing such people in the workplace.  Our presence on the programme proved successful since we have already been informed of 9 cases requiring job placement. 

Visit little Constantinos at Makarion Hospital

PPs Kevork & David and the President visited 6-year-old Constantinos, the cancer patient, to whom 18 months ago we donated his room furniture.  Constantinos’ medical condition is deteriorating and is considered terminal.  His parents appreciated our visit.

Open Debate on the Annan Plan

Although Rotary is a non Political organization it is required by both Rotary International and our District that members and clubs work towards the enhancement of peace in the region and the world in general.  During the District Conference, a Special Award called “The Peace Performance Shield” is awarded to a club that has worked towards the propagation of peace in the region.  The club Service Director proposed to hold an open debate with the participation of the public to discuss the various details of the Annan Plan, since most of our members and the public in general are evidently not aware of its technical details.  The panel speaker are:  Alecos Markides ex Attorney General, Dr Panos Passiardis, Professor of Economics at the University of Cyprus, Eleni Mavrou MP, Yiouli Taki of PRIO and Kalliopi Agapiou Iosifidou, European Chair Jean Monnet, University of Cyprus.  The debate will be monitored by our own Rtn Masis Der Parthogh. 

The event will take place on the 22^nd of March 2004 at the National Bank of Greece in Makarios Avenue at 6.30pm. 

Sudan Medical Convoy

Due to the change of the dates our candidate Dr Vasilios Tanos will not be able to participate but the Club has sent the amount of $1,000 as contribution towards the very good cause of the project. 

Honour to the First Lady

Many thanks to our member Rtn Keti Chrysostomou who gave us the opportunity to present to the First Lady and 50 other esteemed Ladies our Club’s projects and action. We have honoured Mrs Fotini Papadopoulou with a special gift, design of Giannopoulos Jewelers.  The First Lady in her reply stressed that she is so touched by our work therefore she will support and help our Club always.