Members and guests were upbeat and ready to create a good meeting and that we did!
Good to see Richard and Andy back in the fold, always a pleasure to have Sergio join us and engage with the stalwart members of Johnathan, Walter, Jaspal, Richard, Johan and of course P.P Karen. We were especially blessed tonight with four guests as well as the guest speaker.
(Johan’s photos will attest to the full tables of smilers.)
The guests sign in sheet will be more accurate about who our guests were, but my flawed memory takes a guess at:
- Dieter: fine gentlemen from Germany, guest of Andy and in his second visit to the Club.
- O.B.’s guests were:
- Daren from NZ, trainer and promoter of all things Rugby Seven with a focus on “authentic living”
- Michael of Maui who has graced the halls of RCoPB on several occasions and is preoccupied with tennis, staying fit and being nice which he succeeds at well.
- “Bunny” Gray, who is deservedly famous in Phuket for many good things – not the least of which are being a musician, yachty, reef saver, and being able to keep score in tennis in six languages.
Guest Speaker was introduced to P. Karen by PP David. He wanted to be addressed as “Sinton”
All of the guests were introduced prior to the scrumptious dinner being devoured.
At pretty much 8:00 sharp, PP Andy asked President Karen to call the meeting to order she did so with a ceremoniously bong of the gong which commenced some sincere, but slightly whispy singing of the National Anthem.
Club Business: (abbreviated notes of well-presented materials)
P. Karen on R.I. P. Karen summarized a R.I. council which is held every three years to look at the RI constitution and recommended and bylaws. The idea is to keep the Clubs participating in and helping R.I. keep the Club systems contemporary. The districts were all represented and over 100 suggestions by the district reps were heard, weighed and folded (as appropriate) into the updated R.I. by laws.
There were suggestions as to attendance percentages which were rejected, increase in the support for Rotoract clubs, which was approved, as well as a limitation of the number of people on the board removing the Past Presidents of RI in particular.
Dr. Johan on Water Safety:
Water safety program begins on June 26 and continues til Aug 21. There were volunteers to help with this program and it was noted that the money has been set aside for this great project. Dr. Johan is working with the lifeguards (PADI certified) and kid organizers and will keep us informed.
Dr. Johan on Installation Night:
July 12 is the installation night at Holiday Inn…the cost is 500Thb per head with PP Arnaud graciously topping up the costs so that the Event would be more elegant for Pres. Johnathon and our members. The dress is semi-formal because the District Governor and his Wife will be in attendance.
Dr. Johan on Dive Instructors Instruction:
12 September there will be PADI certifiers in Patong certifying instructors.
Richard on Helmets for Kids:
This program is alive and well -AND- will be re-invigorated by Richard and the Andaman Club. Richard wishes to name this program on behalf of GARY who’s dedication to supporting the quiz night fund raising and hard work was very significant in this program.
Dinner Out 04 June:
Andy announced the dinner out at Euro Café on 04 June. Organized by Walter – please register with your choice of menu.
Speaker on 11 June:
OB will speak on Ageing Authentically
Guest Speaker Sinton:
President Karen then warm and briefly introduced guest speaker Sinton
Well spoken “Sinton” told us all, more rather involved us all in his meditative journey of self- discovery. Dispensing with lecterns and notes and microphones, our evening’s speaker simply and delightfully narrated his story as though talking of how one makes pasta.
“born in Georgia (USA), always liked music, was only pretty good on the piano, became a D.J., moved to Japan, where I’ve spent 3 years working with a Master who plays the Shakuhachi –oh, and I have one here, would you like to hear it?”
-and play he did:
We were shrouded in a place where music is personal – not so much heard, but felt. And not so much liked, but known. Sinton kindly shared his journey of self-discovery with us.
Sinton went on to share: “my playing/meditation is called “blowing Zen” and is not about the goal of becoming good, but just about the doing. The feedback I get from hearing my instrument is about myself. My teacher immersed me into myself while guiding my blowing in often unspoken ways. I am having fun
Some people seem to appreciate that, in my cultural immersion – in my sound meditation -- I’m also preserving the Shakuhachi in my limited way.
-and then he played again:
For me, the room had no visuals, only audio and even the audio seemed to come from within. There was something haunting and other-worldly about what I experienced. I believe it was Karen who said the music would be great to fall to sleep to. I would agree, especially if sleep was just beyond enlightenment.
Big Thanks to Sinton
P Karen closed with a fine toast to peace, after Johnathon cajoled many hundreds to go in the box.
Report: PP O.B. Wetzell Photos: Dr. Johan Storke
Thank you ed
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