August is Membership Month. A seminar on Membership Development is timely. Having the proper resource person will make the seminar fruitful.

Last July 31, 2008, the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands hosted the First Cluster 2D Meeting on Membership Development with Past District Governor Marquez “Mark” Go at the Fel-Am’s Restaurant at Magsaysay, Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

It was attended by officers and members of the clubs in Cluster 2D namely: Rotary Clubs of Dasol Bay, Lingayen, Hundred Islands and Midwestern Pangasinan. The Rotary Club of Binmaley Century was not able to make it because of strong rains in Binmaley.

Before the program started, the sumptuous dinner prepared by Assistant Treasurer Maria Amparo “Amphie” de los Santos, the manager of the Fel-Am’s Restaurant, was served.  The first part of the program was inductions of one (1) new member of the club and the new set of officers of the Rotaract Club of PASS College.  The new Rotarian who was inducted to membership of the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands was Arnel Melgar, Branch Manager of the Gulf Bank.  His charging was done by Assistant Governor William “Iam” G. Chan enjoining him to pay his dues on time, attend all the weekly meetings, participate in all club projects and attend district affairs.  He was immediately inducted by the resource person and District Chairman on Membership PDG Mark Go.

The new set of officers of the PASS College was charged to office by President Henry Onia of the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands.  He informed them of their responsibility to pay their club dues and attend their bi-monthly meeting.  In addition, he challenged them to surpass the number of projects done by the first set of officers of their club which entitled them to receive a Rotary International Presidential Citation coming from Rotary International President Wilfrid Wilkenson.  He advised them not to hesitate to approach their Mother Club to help them implement their projects.  They were inducted to office by Assistant Governor  Iam Chan.

At the second part of the program, the resource person was introduced by President-Elect/Secretary Antero “Roy” Magno.  The delegates were wowed by the impressive personal information of PDG Mark Go.  When vote of thanks were given, President Henry could not say anything more about the lecture and said that the members should be listening to great minds of district leaders to inspire them to live their lives in Rotary.

As a sign of appreciation to the resource person, the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands opted not to give the usual Certificate of Appreciation and in lieu thereof gave a few dozens of Alaminos longganisa instead.