Archive for the ‘ News ’ Category

Microcredit Fund formed

Responding the Rotary International’s emphasis on Microcredit / Microfinance, Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty has formed a Microcredit Fund.

When I met Dr Ali Raza through a common friend the agenda was very different, yet very similar: Philanthropy. He was unfamiliar with Rotary, All he knew was about my Ali Free Clinic project. But as we continued to meet and I became more and more aware of his passion for philanthropy, I was amazed by the fact that he had been running a a microcredit project in association with some of his likeminded friends for several years. And, to my utter surprise there was only one default case in all those years.

To me he was a perfect case for being invited to Rotary. And to be requested to help build our microcredit program. Rest, as they say, is history,… in the making!

Rotary District 3270 is putting alot of energies into mobilizing microcredit in this region and has assembled 15 clubs across the districtto lead the initiative. We are proud to be the 16th in that list!

Two New Paul Harris Fellows

Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty is proud to have two new Paul Harris Fellows, its Charter President, Rtn. Noor ul Hasan and Past President Rtn. Aslam Alam.

Speaking to me. Rtn. Noor ul Hasan expressed exictement while he awaits the arrival of the official Paul Harris medallion and lapel pin.

DISCON 2009 Concludes

The District Conference of Rotary District 3270 successfully concluded yesterday here in Lahore. The concluding session witnessed some emotional moments by both the sitting District Governor as well as the incoming nominees.

Discon 2009 had participation from a record number of 146 clubs. Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty had the honour to handle the Registration Desks of the conference where over 600 registrations were processed in a smooth and friendly manner. The desk was run by a team of club members and student volunteers. This occasion gave them a first hand opportunity to witness what a great organisation Rotary is, and several of them agreed to work for Rotary in future.

Lahore Liberty to support ASF

RC Lahore Liberty has decided to support Acid Survivors Foundation with their efforts and as a first step will rebuild their website.

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre

Rotarians from several clubs of Lahore visited Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. The visit was organised by DGN Shahzad Ahmed with the purpose of exploring ways that Rotary can help Shaukat Khanum Hospital. The visitors were accorded a warm welcome and a comprehensive tour of the hospital.

The tour was followed a presentation cum Q&A session by Dr. Faisal Sultan, CEO of the Shaukat Khanum. He also discussed some of the future plans and highlighted some projects where Rotarians can possibly help raise the funds.

Speaking at the occassion, DGN Shehzad Ahmad said that he hopes to present SKMCH&RC as the main focus and most important matching grant project when he becomes the District Governor in 2010-2011. But he does not intend to hold this good work till then and therefore wants to initiate the work and efforts from now. Also, he wants to include other clubs of the district in these efforts who are often asking a common question: What project should we do?

Included in the visitors were many young people who keenly expressed their desire to volunteer as well as help the hospital with its fund raising.

The Rotary Foundation

 

AG PP Tehseen Gardezi recognised by DG Saeed Shamsi at TRF seminar

AG PP Tehseen Gardezi recognised by DG Saeed Shamsi at TRF seminar

The Rotary Foundation seminar for the Northern region of District 3270 was held on Sunday November 2nd, 2008. A team of Rotarians from The Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty attended the seminar. The event was chaired by the District Governor, Rtn. Saeed Shamsi, while the key speakers of the event included IPDG Aziz Memon and PDG Faiz Kidwai. 

The event was very well organised and hosted by The Rotary Club of Lahore Jinnah, with the credit going to the its current President Rtn. Nadia Hashmi and her team.

The speakers emphasized the need for Rotarians to contribute to The Rotary Foundation and explained various ways in which the clubs can financially benefit from the foundation.

Rotarians who have personally contributed to The Rotary Foundation were recognised including

  • Paul Harris Fellow Sustaining Members
  • Paul Harris Fellows
  • Paul Harrid Fellow Society Members
  • Multiple Paul Harris Fellows
  • Major Donors
  • Multiple Major Donors
  • Major Donors Level 1, 2 and 3

The Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty had the distinction at the seminar of winning 2 prizes in the quiz held at the end of the event.

The Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty was represented at the occassion by AG PP Tehseen Gardezi, PP Rtn. Noor ul Hasan, PP Rtn. Seema Arif, President Rtn. Raza Jaffri, Club Secretary Rtn. Ijaz Yousuf, Rtn. Noor us Saba Baqar, Rtn. Ghulam Dastagir, as well as three guests of these Rotarians.

DG Saeed Shamsi visits

DG Saeed Shamsi with the Members and Guests of RC Lahore Liberty

DG Saeed Shamsi with the Members and Guests of RC Lahore Liberty

Rotarian Saeed Shamsi, District Governor of District 3270, came to the club on his official visit. The dinner meeting was held at Sichaun Restaurant. In addition to DG Shamsi, Rotarian PP Dr. Mansur and Rotarian Kashif Khan, the current Secretary of the District were also present alongwith their spouses.

The meeting was invoked by President Rotarian Raza Jaffri. This was followed by tilawat by Rotarian Ghulam Dastagir.

This was followed by by the national anthem sung by all the members and guests present in the meeting.

In his welcome address to the meeting, President Rotarian Raza Jaffri enumerated the achievements of the club, and the projects being planned.

Highlighting the achievements he listed:

  • Fund Raising for Depliex’s Smile Again project
  • Sponsoring of 4 needy children to the annual National Children’s Mountain Conservation Meet
  • Hoisting of the club flag at K2 Base Camp by Rotarian Ammar Ali Arif
  • Paper presented by Rotarian IPP Seema Arif on energy conservation at an international conference on energy problems held in Karachi
  • Distribution of wheat to the needy by Rotarian Naeem
  • Dowry assistance projects run by President Raza Jaffri, IPP Seema Arif, and Secretary Ijaz Yousuf
  • Ali Free Clinic project assisted by President Raza Jaffri
Included in the plans are:
  • Polio vaccination camp at Ali Free Clinic
  • Provision of Water Cooler (sabeel) at Ali Free Clinic
  • Literacy Centre being planned by PP Aslam Alam and Rotarian Noor us Saba Baqar
  • Water Hand Pumps at various locations
  • Medical Camp at Shakargarh planned by Rotarian Jameel Arshad and PP Rotarian Amir Ali
  • Job hunting and career counselling seminars by President Rotarian Raza Jaffri
  • Job hunting and career counselling e-package for distribution and sharing with Rotary clubs around the world by President Rotarian Raza Jaffri
  • Seminar on the role of Baitul Maal
Next, PP Rotarian Chaudhry Atiq introduced the chief guest. Highlighting the long, and warm friendship and cordial relations between the Rotarians of Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty and DG Saeed Shamsi and his home club, Chaudhy Atiq insisted that there was no real need to “introduce” the chief guest. However, keeping in line with the traditions of Rotary and hospitality, he counted DG Shamsi’s many achievements at personal and Rotary level.
District Governor Saeed Shamsi addressed the gathering and emphasized the need for Rotarians to come forward and play their role and shoulder their responsibility to the community and the country. He also brought to notice the staggering loss of life and property in Quetta due to the massive earthquake that struck the same morning and the needs of the suffering people there. DG Shamsi appreciated the list of club’s achievement and insisted that the club should communicate their projects and activities to the district as they will be an encouragement and inspiration for other clubs of the district.
His address was followed by presentation of mementos to the guests.
Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty also used this occasion to recognise and confer a shield of appreciation to IPP Rotarian Seema Arif for her efforts to significantly raise the club’s membership from 12 to 21 during her tenure.
The meeting was concluded with a vote of thanks presented by the club’s Charter President PP Rotarian Noor ul Hasan.

Seminar on Microfinance

Rotary Club of Lahore Sharqi, the club that has the distinction of being the home club of the current District Governor, Rotarian Saeed Shamsi organised a joint meeting seminar on Microfinance yesterday.

 

DG Saeed Shamsi, DGN Shahzad Ahmed and President Rtn. Asim Qadri

DG Saeed Shamsi, DGN Shahzad Ahmed and President Rtn. Asim Qadri

Guest speaker from SMEDA presenting on micofinance

Guest speaker from SMEDA presenting on micofinance

The joint meeting was attended by rotarians from a number of clubs of the District 3270, including The Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty, represented by the President Rtn. Raza Jaffri.

The guest speaker was from SMEDA – Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority which is described on its website as “Premier institution of the Govt. of Pakistan under Ministry of Industries and Production, SMEDA was established in October 1998 to take on the challenge of developing Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan”. The speaker stressed on the need to have proper plans as well as checks and balances in place to obtain desired results from any microfinance project. He likened a microfinance effort to a typical commercial bank’s operation and insisted that only good management can ensure effective and efficient functioning of the project.

Change of Guard

The torch of leadership of the club has been handed over by the Immediate Past President Rtn. Seema Arif to the new President of the club Rtn. Raza Jaffri. He will remain the club’s president from July 2008 to June 2009.

Rtn. Raza Jaffri served as the Secretary of the Club during the tenure of IPP Seema Arif July 2007 – June 2008.

President Raza Jaffri is supported by Rtn. Ijaz Yousuf as the club’s Secretary for the same period.

New Team Takes Charge

Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty welcomes President Rtn. Seema Arif as the new president of the club. She takes over the club’s leadership from Immediate Past President Aslam Alam who remained at the helm of the club from July 2006 to June 2007.

President Seema Arif’s second in command as the club’s Secretary is Rtn. Raza Jaffri