(updated 29 October 2020)
40th Annual General Meeting of District 330
The 40th District Annual General Meeting (DAGM) was a much awaited event after the COVID-19 pandemic saw relaxation in the lockdown and life was beginning to return to normalcy. About 155 Inner Wheel members attended the DAGM that was held in Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, Kuala Lumpur on 26 September 2020.
Although there was a slight concern with the surge of new COVID-19 clusters in Kedah and the Movement Control Order (MCO) until the day before the event, IWC Alor Setar, Kedah members attended the DAGM enthusiastically.
The day started with registration and breakfast where members were happy to meet and catch up with friends from other clubs following the lockdown. The 40th DAGM started at 10 AM when Organising Chairman cum emcee District Vice-Chairman Datin Shamini Nair warmly welcomed the members. The roll call of clubs was duly conducted by District Secretary Krishnaveni and members later adjourned to a group photo session.
District Chairman Shanti Menon delivered her opening address thanking all members for their time and effort and officiated the DAGM. She also addressed the need for change to adopt new norms for a more efficient and vibrant Inner Wheel. The District Chairman further stressed on membership development to meet one of the IIW goals for the year 2020-2021.
Deputy National Representative Ambika Menon who is also the Guest of Honour for the DAGM was invited to deliver her speech next. In her speech, she mentioned that we have to keep pace with the changing times, and must take initiatives to adopt a structured approach to continue fulfilling our programmes and ideologies. She also informed members that the International Inner Wheel Convention in Jaipur next year is officially cancelled. However, according to the IIW President, a Zoom meeting may be considered if there are many members worldwide interested to join. She also mentioned about the ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut, Lebanon causing deaths, injury, missing people, property damage and about 300,000 people were made homeless. IIW President and board members have made an appeal to Inner Wheel Clubs around the world to extend help for the Lebanon Cry for Help Project.
Then IPDC Padmini Menon presented the certificates of one of the District’s 2019-2020 Vision Programmes, the Blue+Yellow=Green Project, which was carried out in January and February 2020. IWC Johor Bahru emerged as the winner and all the participating clubs also received certificate of appreciation.
The first highlight of this 40th DAGM is the launching of guidelines for district exco by Past IIW Board Director Joy Sundram. This new guideline has been in progress for the past six months and it was indeed a memorable take home gift from the DAGM.
Subsequently, guest speaker from the National Cancer Society, Dr Murali gave a short and very informative talk about cancer. The erstwhile cheerful atmosphere became solemn and members listened attentively to Dr Murali’s talk, injecting some humour while explaining some facts and myths about the disease.
Another highlight of the day was the talk by Extension Chairman Juanita Lee on membership development. EC Juanita had prepared hard copies of brochures for all the clubs and explained how and where they can use the brochures to help promote Inner Wheel. Much effort has been put to prepare the brochures and will later be followed by zoom workshops for membership development which is another goal set for this Inner Wheel year.
EC Juanita Lee also shared with members about the Water Poverty Challenge Project embarked by IWCKL. She invited all the clubs to collaborate in making it a success to achieve the goal of Water and Sanitation which was initiated by IIW President Dr Bina Vyas. She also made a brief demonstration of the Nano Water Filter that their club had already delivered to the aborigine community in need of clean drinking water.
Taking a breather after all the official matters, was the much anticipated talk by well-known Malaysian couturier Bill Keith, a true aesthete, as well as an arbiter of good taste and elegance. His talk was very engaging and interactive that had the hall full of women in stitches.
We would not have realised that the time had passed while listening to the talks if not for the growling stomachs and the arrival of a humongous cake. After many photos and the cake cutting ceremony, the ladies adjourned to a scrumptious lunch and, of course, the delightful cake.
After lunch, the ladies had a wonderful shopping spree at the booths selling wares ranging from sarees, designer masks, straw bags by Penans from Sarawak, handmade jewellery to homemade pickles and sweetmeats and many other items.
The business session started at 2 PM. The meeting went on smoothly where minutes and accounts were passed respectively. The meeting ended an hour and half later and Inner Wheel members once again gathered and had a field day taking photos before bidding goodbye.
~ Vimalavathi TP Thayaman Pillai, District Editor
Save the Date
26 September 2020
40th Annual General Meeting of District 330
Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA)
Jalan Damansara, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
RM50 per pax
PROGRAMME
| 9:00-10:00 am | Registration and Breakfast |
| 10:00-11:00 am | Opening Ceremony and Group Photo Session |
| 11:00-12:30 pm | Workshop and Talk Show with fashion designer Bill Keith |
| 12:30-1:45 pm | Lunch |
| 2:00-4:00 pm | Annual General Meeting and Tea |
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