Letter from the Editor Meet Jonathan Majiyagbe Rotary World Press Lend a Hand The RYLA 2003 Wonder Island Adventure Rotary International Appointments Introducing the 2003-04 RI Board Jun Cortes - The Man, His Dreams, His Visions

A realist by heart, Jun Cortes is not one given to pipe dreams or unrealistic thoughts. He likes to call a spade a spade, “I shan’t paint a rosy picture of what is to happen this coming year, but as I disclose to you my plans and intentions, I hope you are with me and together let us visualize what every one if us should do to make 2003-2004 a meaningful year. Perhaps the best reason for having plans is that it offers hope. We need fresh starts and new chances, the conviction that beginnings remain available, no matter how many we’ve blown. And the yearly clock can start anywhere along the line.”

“Yes, I like things to happen. I want to work in a way I should get things done. I like to work, I feel that’s the key to everyone’s success and happiness, once you work well you ca live life better. I cannot stop working. I want to make the most out of life by constantly working, as life is too short to just have fun, though I do make time for fun,” he says.

Presently undersecretary for Air, Water and Railways at the Department of Transportation and Communication, (DOTC) he was recently appointed as president of the North Luzon Railways Corporation. DG Jun Cortes has also been appointed to various government positions as private sector representative or trustee, among them Land Bank of the Philippines, National Steel Corporation and the Philippine National Railways. He has more than 30 years of diversified experience in the various fields of industry including cement, steel, banking, construction, mining, property development and travel. He is a member of the exclusive “The conference Boards” a New York/Europe business group and is listed in the “Who’s Who of Professionals”.

Though born to a well-off family in Surigao, he toiled on his own and traversed the path to success where few could have negotiated easily. In his youth, he labored tirelessly until he managed to achieve the success he richly deserves.

He admits that life is incomplete without having to share his blessings with others. In 1985, he joined the Rotary Club of Makati Central as a charter member. He became president of the club from 198701988. It was an entirely new dimension he indulged himself in. In rotary, he found a different kind of fulfillment. He committed himself to the many projects that the club implemented and pursued them with relentless zeal. He proved his worth as a true Rotarian and his involvement in Rotary activities was south.

With a proven track record as a dedicated civil servant, Governor Jun Cortes is slated to lead his Star Team through another challenging year. He intends to do this by leading through example. “As governor, I hope that the Rotarians can understand that my job is not to be physically present every minute of the day, rather to see to it that they can identify their problems and solve them. I can’t do it alone. I need all the Rotarians’ help. I might be a leader as you say, but I’m more of an example. I’d rather do things for the district than lead the district. I have to show what it is to be a real Rotarian by reaching out to everyone.

And first on his list of things to do, is to offer total support to RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe. The ‘Lend A Hand’ theme of RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe speaks of a very simple, straight forward natural impulse that all Rotarians feel when they come face to dace with human need.

Governor Jun adds, “These three words express the fundamental instinct we all share – to reach out in fellowship and service, to Lend A Hand wherever it is needed – in our clubs, in our vocations, in our communities, and in our world.”

In Rotary Year 2003-04, I will ask you to be one with me in pursuing with relentless zeal these dreams, these goals; so that we can help our Rotary clubs in the district pursue their noble goals and objectives.”

	To help Rotary clubs in their undertakings so they could qualify for the RI Presidential Citation Program. “I would wish them to be duly recognized for the outstanding efforts they will be doing. Certainly we would be the happiest to see them recognized at the RI convention and in other international recognition form of RI.”
	For Rotary Clubs to maintain an average of at least 20 members and a new gain of at least 5 new members. “We all know that the strength of a club lies on its members as they serve to be the helping hands and strong arms to pursue their projects.”
	To help clubs be “financially empowered” to pursue meaningful community service projects by looking for opportunities for funding their projects aside from assistance offered by TRF matching grants and WCS programs.
	To extend at least 5 new Rotary Clubs in rotary Year 2003-04, so the district can grown and provide more service to the community.
	To strengthen Rotary Education by encouraging Rotarians to attend the Rotary Academy or by holding club-level Rotary education seminars.
	To celebrate the Star Year of Rotary in the district by registering at least 50 percent to the Star Discon 2004 before December 30 and to bring all new members of Rotary Clubs to the conference.
	To ensure that Rotary clubs will be able to organize, activate and support at least one Partner-in-Service.
	To activate or link-up with at least one foreign club and have a joint WCS or TRF matching grant project.
	To make it possible for clubs to have at least $50 per capita unrestricted contribution to TRF.
	The activation of a District 3830 foundation wherein funds from various sectors could be placed in one entity which would provide the much needed financial capability to clubs for their projects.
	And finally, to motivate each and every Rotarian in the club to personally “Lend a Hand” in service to others.

“ These wishes I hope to become a reality”

He then implores his district members to service as example not only to the clubs, but to the community in general, “All of you were chosen, not only on the basis of your knowledge, experience and dedication to Rotary, but also because your are the models exemplar of professionalism, integrity, wisdom and more. You were chosen because I sincerely believe you will help me carry on the principle and ideals of service, and our other fellow Rotarians and the community will know and judge Rotary by our embodiment of it in character and service.”

Governor Jun, a true leader also acknowledges that there are significant challenges that need to be worked out within the organization to turn his dream into a reality. “I call on you, on all of us to extend a hand of friendship. We all know that friendship is the cornerstone of Rotary. “We are the looked upon as models. Let us not waste this image that we have worked for nearly a hundred years now. I sincerely believe we can attain this. Let’s start with ourselves. To lend a hand is also to extend a hand of friendship.”

Possessed by a will to perform, Governor Jun makes an appeal to all the members of his district to heed his call. “The times today are critical. And the friendships we have established are the ones that shall tide us over in future times of challenge. Let us all take a stand for friendship, cooperation, unity and goodwill. This is where it should start before we can move on. As members of my Star Team, let us be the models, the leaders by example.”

He would like the members of his district to realize the reason behind his vision, the raison d’etre for all the efforts they are about to undertake.

“First, this vision is for our Rotarian, for our fellow club members. For our colleagues in other Rotary clubs and districts and for our guests, and spouses and children.

Second, this vision stands for excellence in the profession, in business, in education and in government, and

Third, this vision is for the poor, the sick, and the weak.”