Rotary Clubs not only talk about the GOOD STUFF but also work a long way in serving through their charitable deeds and actions.
The Malaysian Rotary District 3300 Governor, Dr Krishna Kumar, in a recent talk at a convention to more than 300 members, explained Maimonides's eight levels in giving charity (tzedakah).
The highest form of charity is to help sustain a person before they become impoverished by offering a substantial gift dignifiedly. Dr Krishna said that by means extending a loan, or by helping them find employment or establish themselves in business so as not to make them dependent on others.
The second highest, he said, was to: “Assist in such a way that the giver and recipient are unknown to each other. Communal funds administered by responsible people are also in this category. Third is when the donor is aware to whom the charity is being given, but the recipient is unaware of the source. Fourth was when the recipient was aware of the donor's identity. However, the donor still doesn't know the specific identity of the recipient,” Dr Krishna reminded Rotary members to put these values into practice.
Fifth, he said, was when one gives directly to the poor without being asked, sixth is when one gives directly to the poor upon being asked, seventh is when one gives less than he should but does so cheerfully, and the eighth is when donations are given grudgingly.
Speaking about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Dr Krishna also said there was a need to practise DEI in our personal life.
“My daughter asked me when she was in school whether I would be OK if she brought home her lesbian friends. I said I would be uncomfortable. Now, 30 years later, I have a family member who is transgender. I have accepted her. We MUST change and accept DEI. Are we Rotary Clubs DEI friendly?”
He reminded them about the core values of Rotary: Service above Self; Fellowship; Diversity (DEI), and Integrity. “So, as leaders in community work, keep doing the GOOD STUFF and let’s continue to love all, serve all. Help ever, hurt never.”
Freelance Writer M.Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. M. Krishnamoorthy is a media coach, associate professor, and journalist who worked and freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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