RIPR Monty, Up Close and Personal
By AG/RIPR Junior Aide Fed Sapitan
It was a God-sent opportunity to get to know a man, up close and personal, who truly breathes and lives the best values that Rotary represents.
“Monty”, as this man is fondly called, is Monty Jay Audenart, a dentist from the Rotary Club of Red Deer East in Canada. In the true spirit of Rotary, he has been using his vocation to treat indigent children all over the world. He is past president of his club – and, being a deeply committed Rotarian, it came as no surprise that he is a Director of Rotary International today.
My days of being “up close and personal” to this man are among the most amazing days of my life.
Looking back, my first chance to correspond with the man Monty was as early as the middle of last year, when he and his club’s members planned to take a trip to the Philippines. The plan was that his group would take a breather which would include a trip to Boracay, between two other Discons, one in Australia and the other in India.
For the man Monty, his plan to visit the Philippines included a few days which he would devote to do volunteer dental work in a remote barangay in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, to continue a personal mission which he undertook seven years ago. At the time that this visit to the Philippines was being firmed up, he was not aware that he would be designated as our Discon’s RIPR.
My club’s close relationship with Monty’s club stemmed from the days that his club’s past president, Neil Swensrude, was the inbound GSE Team Leader during the Centennial Year of PDG Tony Quila. Our friendship with Neil eventually led to a sisterhood agreement between his club and mine, the Rotary Club of Las Pinas- Camino Real.
The members of Rotary Club of Red Deer East requested me if I could arrange for them to touch base with the Rotarians in our district during our Discon. Upon learning that Monty would be coming to our district, DG Ato requested R.I. to designate him as our RIPR, which was quickly approved. And so, Monty Jay Audenart became our RIPR.
When DG Ato Magadia advised me that my Spouse Anna and I would serve as Junior Aides to RIPR Monty and his Spouse Liz, I had mixed feelings of pride and anxiety. Not to worry, I thought, because PDG Ernie Salas and Spouse Chichi would be the Senior Aides, anyway.
I felt pride because I was told that, as a norm, only PDGs and their spouses are assigned as Aides to the RIPR. And I, a non-Governor, was assigned to be an Aide!
I felt anxiety because I was sure that the role would demand much from Anna and I, for two good reasons: RIPR Monty is an incumbent R.I. Director, right there in the highest echelon of this big worldwide movement; and DG Ato would certainly expect that Anna and I should provide the best possible company to RIPR Monty and Spouse Liz. Anna and I had to live up to the high expectations of both RIPR Monty and DG Ato.
My first impression of RIPR Monty through our email exchanges was that he was a cold person who communicated curtly in the most straightforward way.
On March 11, RIPR Monty arrived in Manila from Australia at 5:30 AM after a seven-hour-trip. He did not stand out in the crowd because he was not taller than an average Filipino at 5’4”, more or less. He came out of the airport in a collared T shirt with his Spouse Liz. He looked very young to be an R.I. Director and an RIPR.
I learned right away that RIPR Monty is indeed straightforward –
but he is certainly not the cold and curt person that I thought he was.
After the very short introductions, I offered to take RIPR Monty’s back pack and a small bag containing his laptop. He politely told me “Fed, you don’t look like you are any stronger than I am, so if it’s fine with you, I will carry these and thank you for the offer.” The man is humble!
RIPR Monty then asked me how many would be expected to attend the Discon. I said maybe about a thousand, judging from the number of pre-registered attendees. He said, “I just came from two Discons in Australia with a total of 1,200 attendees for two districts, and I made sure that I shook the hands of all the attendees there.” I asked him, “Why did you have to do that?”. He said, “I want all the attendees to feel important and be recognized for what they do for Rotary, and for foregoing two days of quality time with their family to attend the Discon.” Indeed, during the Discon, it was difficult catching up with RIPR Monty. He took every opportunity to greet people, shake hands with them, and pose for endless photo sessions. The man is warm and friendly!
I asked RIPR Monty how difficult it is to be an R.I. Director and what it takes to be one, he said, “Oh, it’s just another level of responsibility but it takes the same amount of passion to serve.” The man is modest!
In my further interactions with RIPR Monty, I learned more about him that fascinated me.
RIPR Monty said, “True Rotarians, leaders most especially, have the responsibility of leading by example. Rotary leaders must be known for their honesty and integrity. Only those with unsullied honesty and integrity must join Rotary. Those who cease to exercise honesty and possess integrity must leave Rotary. Their presence in Rotary is a dis-incentive to prospective Rotarians who expect nothing less. Rotary is not just a weekly meeting, it is a way of life.” The man is passionate about honesty and integrity!
RIPR Monty told me that, prior to his leaving Canada on February 22 for a series of Rotary appointments till March 22, his 6-year-old granddaughter asked him, “If you are retired, how come you are traveling again?”. He told his granddaughter, “I have to go and help a few children in the Philippines with their teeth.” His granddaughter replied, “Grandpa, someday, I will follow you!” As he was saying this, he was holding back his tears. The man is loving and affectionate!
The day after the Discon, RIPR Monty asked me if I could help him locate the barangay along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City where he served as a volunteer dentist seven years ago. We drove to the place. There, we found a simple sign welcoming him to a 3-day dental mission work. There were no aides, no fanfare, no ceremonies, no speeches. None of the elaborate arrangements accorded to him at our Discon. He patiently treated fifty patients. At the end of the day, he said he was so tired. But he also said he felt deeply fulfilled to treat the children who queued for treatment. On the second and third days, I volunteered the assistance of my spouse Anna, my club’s members and five dentists and doctors so he could accommodate more patients. As the patients increased, so did his patience and his demonstrations of concern. On the last day of his painstaking work, he committed to provide financial support for the education of a grade school girl, Gem Cartano, to ensure that she would finish at least elementary school. The man serves with utmost sincerity and generosity.
MONTY WITH HIS “GEM”
On March 20, we were at the airport to catch his plane. PDG Ernie asked whether he would travel first class or business class. RIPR Monty replied, “Directors are entitled to a business class ticket on official trips, but I have repeatedly returned business class tickets in favor of economy. The funds were provided by Rotarians worldwide. There is better use for the money than my personal comfort.” Indeed, the man exemplifies humility and stewardship.
Finally, it was time for RIPR Monty to go. With Senior Aide PDG Ernie Salas, I wished him all the best and said that I wished he would come back in the future, and maybe as R.I. President. He said, “My fellow Rotarians, I will go wherever service to humanity will take me. The position of R.I. President is just a title, it’s just another nomenclature, and for as long as there are needs to be filled, there is reason for all of us in Rotary”. This time, tears welled in my eyes. THE MAN BREATHES AND LIVES ROTARY!
Do you recall Rotary’s Motto “Service above Self”? I do, and it comes by the name of Monty Jay Audenart.
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Fed, for someone who only recently met Monty, you have so eloquenty revealed who he is.
— Lolita and Hans Wiesner · Saturday March 29, 2008 · #