About RC Chennai Akshaya
During last week of June 2020, PHF Sushil Sharoff had mooted the idea of forming a new rotary club having members with a flair for Vegetarianism. Accordingly, it was decided to initiate the process of chartering a new club.
Process of identifying potential members started with all seriousness. We discussed at length keeping in mind the experience we gained. We have taken effective steps in this direction. In two weeks time, we have organised a meet virtually and invited many potential friends for the meet.
Rtn. SM Balaji, District Annets Chairman from Rotary club of Guindy was invited to address, motivate and orient the participating members about Rotary and its role in the society. He gave a brilliant speech explaining the origin of Rotary, classification principle and various projects undertaken by Rotary international.
The momentum picked up by organising weekly meetings making the prospective members to speak. We have had meetings each week. Slowly, the members evinced more interest in the proposed new club.
Simultaneously, we have contacted the District Membership Development and Extension chairs inviting them to meet our members virtually. Rtn. Raghavendra rao, Rtn RR Srinivasan, and Rtn. Vasumathi Marimuthu have participated and spoke during the meeting. Members’ profile were shared as a power point presentation.
PDG and District Trainer, Rtn R Srinivasan, Rtn Natarajan, have played pivotal role and impressed upon the District Governor to give in principle OK to proceed in the matter.
Rotary Club of Madras Silverbeach gave its consent to the District Governor to sponsor the new club. The GSR Rtn Dr Mahender, was appointed to oversee the process of formation.
Three Construction meetings were organised by the District Membership Dev & Extn- Chairs.
These meetings were held virtually . We were fortunate to have DGN Dr Nandakumar, PDG Raja Srinivasan and PDG ISAK Nazar to have chaired the meetings in seriatim and motivated the members and assessed the new club’s potential.
Some of the highlights of the club are:
Two projects for Covid victims, namely free distribution of groceries and a Hand was system installation were taken up; Three Speaker meetings; Two Project meetings, Three Board meetings; a Preliminary meeting with District Membership Dev committee; and three important Construction meetings were held.
Decisions through consensus including, the name of the club, Rotary club of Chennai Akshaya as well as the choice of the Charter President and Charter Secretary and the adoption of bye laws were taken unanimously. The name Rotary of Chennai Akshaya was perfect considering the current uncertain situation due to Covid and was an unanimous choice. Akshaya means “Endless giving” in Sanskrit. The members felt that the positive name is a step in the “right direction”, be it through meaningful service projects or bonding through fellowship.
The members also nominated PP Ethirajulu as its Charter President. He was past president of RC Vuyyuru (AP) durng 1996-97 and RC Madras Silverbeach during 2017-18. Charter President proved his mettle by being an effective motivator of all the members all the time. He has been instrumental in introducing many new members to this club.
We have chosen other two founders namely, Dinesh Sethi and Sushil Sharoff as Club Trainer and advisor cum Treasurer respectively. They happen to be Past presidents of RC Madras Silverbeach.
The Charter Club Secretary, Anand Kumar was a perfect choice because of his young age, meticulous work and experience in a corporate atmosphere.
The Board of Directors and respective Avenue Committees have been formed by unanimous decisions by members.
I’m sure in the times to come the new club will do wonders and will set the “Akshaya” for other clubs to emulate. ~
Charter for the club was applied and with the swift action taken by our DG, we could obtain Charter within a week from the Rotary International on 27/10/2020.