"...To Sow the Seeds of Love is to find opportunities to serve every day, every moment of our lives. To Sow the Seeds of Love is to think of others first, and ourselves in terms of what we can do for others..."
Bhichai Rattakul joined the Rotary Club of Dhonburi in Bangkok as a charter member in 1958 and has served Rotary International as district governor, international assembly group discussion leader, committee member and chairman, trustee of the Rotary Foundation, director and chairman of the Executive Committee of Rotary International. He is the recipient of The Rotary Foundation's Distinguished Service Award and Citation for Meritorious Service for his support of its international humanitarian and educational programs. Currently, he is serving as president of Rotary International, 2002-2003.
On Thursday evening, January 23, 2003, the Rotary Club of Westwood Village hosted a reception and dinner honoring the President of Rotary International--Bhichai Rattakul. Mr. Rattakul prefers to be addressed by his first name of Bhichai. He is a man of elegance and grace. He embodies the qualities all Rotarians should strive to attain. Please enjoy the poem, "And God Said No", which Bhichai read to the audience (located at the end of the pictures).
The Rotary Club of Santa Monica was well represented at the Riviera Country Club dinner. Thank you to all of our friends at the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, including President Ted Ihnen & President-Elect Peter More.
|
|
Pictured are: Director Jim Menzies & Dee Menzies (President-Elect, 2003-2004); Elza & Lionel Ruhman; Kathy & Bill Crookston; Kai-Li & Hal Quigley; and, Ambassadorial Scholar Masahiko Tanaka. |
| The newlyweds, Kathy & President Bill Crookston, are smiling brightly. Bill and Bhichai exchanged business cards and it turns-out that the grandson of Bhichai is a student of Professor Bill. Therefore, Bill was duly acknowledged during Bhichai's speech. It truly is a small world. |
|
|
|
Enjoying the evening are Elza & Lionel Ruhman.
Lionel will be the President during 2004-2005, which coincides with the
100th anniversary of Rotary International.
|
| Tom Loo is the Vice President of Committees. Tom is sitting with Masahiko Tanaka, Incoming Ambassadorial Scholar, and Heidi Nyman, the President of the Rotaract Club of Santa Monica College. |
|
|
|
Kai-Li & Past President Hal Quigley are with Rotaract President Heidi Nyman. |
| Past District Governor Bill Goodwyn, Rotary International President Bhichai Rattakul and PP Hal Quigley. |
|
And God said, "No," He said it was not for Him to take away,
But for me to give up.
And God said, "No," He said her spirit is whole,
Her body is only temporary.
And God said, "No," He said patience is a byproduct of tribulation,
It isn't granted, it's earned.
And God said, "No," He said He gives blessings,
Happiness is up to me.
And God said, "No," He said suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
And brings you closer to me.
And God said, "No, " He said I must grow on my own,
But He will prune me to make me fruitful.
And God said, "Ah, finally, you have the idea."
