udon thani expats club · 10/30/2016 · the minutes of the september 25, 2016 member meeting...
TRANSCRIPT
UDON THANI EXPATS CLUB
MINUTES OF MEMBER MEETING
Meeting number: MOMM 0049
Location: Bangkok Hospital Udon
Date: Sunday, October 30, 2016.
Subject: See Agenda (Distributed by e-mail and shown on the website)
Participants: See attendance list (For Administration only)
Secretary: J.J. van Spaandonk
1. Joop van Spaandonk (Chairman) opened the meeting at 14.05 hours, welcomed our new member Mr. James (Jim) Egan and introduced our guests; Miss Enggy Janyong, Mr. John P. Herron and Mr. Michael Pacheco.
In advance of the meeting all attendees shared their grief by a moment of silence;
In Remembrance of His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
1927 - 2016
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continuing by paying their respect to;
The passing of our dear member Dr. Bernard Hershhorn (17/6-’28 - 7/10-’16).
2. Administrative issues
- 26 Members, 1 Sponsors, no Partners and 3 Guests attended the meeting.
- 10 members notified that they would not be able to attend.
- Quorum is OK >40% of qualifying members present.
3. The minutes of the September 25, 2016 member meeting (MOMM 0048) have been approved. No comments.
4. Announcements
Bangkok Hospital Udon now manage and operates a Helicopter Landing Place, Heliport, on the roof of the hospital. That may greatly contribute to the servicesthey are able to render their patients.
* As last year, we will have our Annual Dinner at the Charoen Hotel.In accordance with the outcome of the poll among the attendants of the September meeting the date will be Sunday, December 11, 2016.Secretary will prepare the member-invitations and the inquiry about the number of participants.
** The Management of the Much che Manta Boutique Hotel and Tang Ngee Soon Department store renewed their sponsorship and offered the cup-cakes at today’s meeting.
*** The visit to the Akepanich Tuk Tuk Factory on October 11, 2016 was a great success. We would like to THANK the Management and Staff for their hospitality and tour around the factory.
**** The visit to the new Control Tower at the airport is in progress; but not expected to happen soon.
***** Mrs. Enggy, after an inquiry among the attendees, will make the arrangements to visit the Ramasun Museum and Radar Station in Non Sung. Secretary will follow-up.
****** Opposite the Central Bus Station at Saycutis Rd. left to the entrance of the Sritrakarn Hotel; Happy-Art opened their new shop and art-school with workshops in Art, Design and Fashion for children and adults. Students are offered a training in visual, creative and applied arts. In the adjoiningshop they show and sell their products.
5. Presentation by Mr. Geoffrey Wheeler
Mr. Geoffrey Wheeler supports the Center for Vocational Building Technology located in Ban That, Phen District, Udonthani, (behind the Saint Josepf Church). Google Map 17.67249 , 102.792052
http://www.cvbt-web.org/
The CVBT is a not-for-profit organization. They promote the use of natural construction materials in rural areas which may also greatly contribute to useful/sensible daily activities of the inhabitants. He even travels to neighboring countries to promote this initiatives.
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At today’s meeting he highlighted the construction and use of dry composting toilets. Especially in rural areas these could contribute significant to the environment and the well being of the inhabitants.
The basis forms a container with ash. Upon that (ash) the human disposals, urine and poop, are dropped. Because of the natural decaying process, the composting period will be about 9 month. Taking into account that period and the number of persons who will use the toilet; the volume of the container(s) shall be calculated. At least 2 containers shall be installed, one for daily use and the other one to allow the required time for the composting process. For conveniences it is recommended to built 2 chambers. Although it is possible to locate the toilet inside the living-house that, due to local standards and behavior, is not always acceptable. The advantages of these type of toilets are that the application / use of precious water can be neglected where the residue can be applied for plant nutrient.
Mon, 09/23/2013 - 16:44It is a great day at the CVBT. We've harvested our first compost from the Dry Composting Toilet built by interns and staff last year. Hooray! It works. After 9 months of dry composting it is disease free and can be picked up safely in our hands.
Here's a photo of Madoo at his dry composting toilet. One thing that Madoo and his wife really like is that their dry composting toiletdoes not smell.
In case you would like to learn more about this intriguing subject see:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=human-urine-is-an-effective-fertilizer and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting_toilet and Search Google for; Composting toilet videos
6. Coffee Break
We enjoyed the complimentary assorted cookies, coffee & tea, water and the spring-rolls offered by Mrs. Thomas and:
The fresh made Cup-Cakes presented by our sponsor The Much che Manta Boutique Hotel A recommendation to visit their facilities is certainly in place.
Many used the opportunity to continue discussing with Mr. Geoffrey Wheeler
7. Presentation by Mr. Gary Ralston; Part 3
Gary was telling us about the cruise, starting in Rome, along the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Atlantic Ocean up to Lisbon and back to Rome, he, together with his wife, were sailing.
The cruise took them to many interesting cities and archaeological sites like; Vatican City, Rome,
Pompeii, Nice, Tangier, Casablanca, Lisbon Cadiz, Alicante and others.
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On the trip he made thousands of pictures. With the help of a selection of those pictures he informed in great detail about the history and backgrounds. Not to forget the present day outlooks and beautiful restaurants and places of leisure they visited.
With this presentation, Part three of more to come, Gary took us to the Tangier.
Tangier is a big cosmopolitan city with spacious Parks, modern Malls andShopping Centers. Friendly and open people.The most interesting for us are the Kasbah the old part of the city also named Medina. The picturesque small walking streets do not allow traffic; all transportation of supplies is by hand or cart (chariot). The buildings have beautiful carvings and impressive doors. Especially the Carpets, Fruits, Date and the great variety in Olives attacked our attention.
For details of Tangier see:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangier
A next time Gary will continue with part 4 of his presentation.
8. Open ForumNo discussions
9. ClosingThe meeting was closed on 16.10 hrs
Next meeting will be on Sunday, November 25, 2016.
Please check at www.udonexpatsclub.com for agenda, location, possible changes and/or further information.
November 06, 2016.
Joop van Spaandonk
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USEFUL INFORMATIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
* For our American members/readers in particular;The American Embassy will no longer accept cash at their Outreach Events for their services.Instead, A Draft should be made out to the American Embassy. (See attached Document)The Embassy will tell the exact Exchange rates 3 weeks in advance of their visit to Udonthani.During the meeting someone stated it should be the U.S. Embassy.A double check with three of the U.S. Embassy's Wardens in Udonthani showed: it can be either the American Embassy or the U.S. Embassy. Please see: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ for more information. Send questions about total costs to [email protected] or call 02-205-4049.
* Mr. Jan Harms informed about a medical condition that forced him to get hospitalized. It seemed that he, unnoticed, was bitten or stuck by a spider or whatever it may have been.Lesson to be learned; On such a situation; Go to your Doctor or a Hospital at once and do not wait too long. That could be lethal.
* Be aware of drunk drivers, as he (Jacob) himself observed not so long ago, they form the cause of many accidents. They not only hurt themselves but others as well.
* Many accidents take place at home. Falling from a ladder, slipping on a wed floor etc.
* Be careful and in case something may happen be prepared to call for help. Have your mobile and your prove of Insurance within reach.
* Be careful for uninvited visitors to your home. It appears that snakes are invading our premises and even our HOMES. It is strongly recommended to check your place on a regular base and to keep it clean and clear. The emergency number for Udon Thani is: 042 245 463
Mrs. Sandy;* To apply for a New Drivers License it is now required to make an appointment, fill out the Application Forms, bring a Medical statement etc. and have the Training and Tests.
** For the Renewal of your Drivers License you may just go to the office and have it processed. However in case you let it expire, you have to go through the whole process of Forms, Statements, Training and Tests again. So, go IN TIME and don’t let it expire.
* Those who would like to support the Safe Udon Project. http://mrgof.asia/project.html are invited to do so thru the Club’s Secretary (Mr. Joop) or Mr. Goran at a Membership-Meeting or at the weekly Brunches.
* Expats who possess a Yellow House Book may apply for a Thai ID card at the Tetsaban where they reside.
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* New Sponsors are welcome. If someone has any suggestion or would like to promote a sponsorshipplease contact Mr. Jacob: [email protected] or [email protected]
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS (under reserve)
* It is observed that some Expats, experiencing an emergency, for unconfirmed reasons, have been refused being hospitalized at the Hospital of their choice.
** It is observed that Expats were requested for a down-payment in advance any services could be offered. This at private Hospitals as well as other Hospitals.
*** It is observed that, for Expats, the rates/prices at the "other" Hospitals are comparable with those at the Private Hospitals.
**** In avoiding, at a medical emergency, any delay or discussion when hospitalized, we strongly advise those Expats who possess a medical insurance, to pre-register, have their health insurance verified and accepted at a (private) Hospital of their own choice
***** Those who do not possess a Health Insurance and/or cannot show/prove having the funds to cover a hospitalization are strongly advised to take care of this.
In case they don’t, they risque to be rejected admittance.
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