NETWORK NEWS
Rabobank Ireland supports
special athletes
Rabo India is banking on art
his year's World Special Olympics will bring over 7,500
competing athletes to Ireland. As with many sponsor-
ships, the project was initiated by a staff member, in this case,
Susan Crosbie, Client Services Manager for Rabobank Ireland
plc. Crosbie's brother is competing in the kayaking event.
'Originally, I hoped to raise just €1,000 among friends - the
amount needed to sponsor one athlete - and hoped that the
bank might offer some contribution to this effort. But I was
amazed by the response.In a one-day bake sale, Crosbie was
able to raise 750 among just 50 co-workers. The manage
ment supported Crosbie's efforts, topping-up her fund to
€1,000 and donating enough to sponsor three additional
athletes on behalf of Rabobank.
Says Crosbie, 'In day-to-day business, one doesn't often have
the opportunity to make personal connections when speaking
to people from other RI offices. This event has opened up
channels. With 160 delegations, almost every country is send-
ing athletes so nearly everyone is familiar with the Special
Olympics. This experience has made me realize that the event
is close to the hearts of many people. Anyone across the
Rabobank network who has family or friends competing in
the Special Olympics, should let our office know so that we
can support them from the stands.Those interested in find-
ing out more about the event can log onto the official website
www.2003specialolympics.com
(Left to right) Maestro Zubin Mehta, Wouter Kolff (Vice Chairman, RI Managing
Board) and Rana Kapoor
Deeply rooted in culture and continuity, Rabo India
participated in two cultural centenary celebrations
this year. The first was for the Taj Mahal Hotel in
Mumbai. Celebrations included two performances by
the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the
maestro Zubin Mehta. It's the orchestra's second tour
of India, after a break of 50 years. The second perform
ance on March 29 was especially for the children of
Mumbai, a first time experience of western classical
music for some.
The second centenary event was an auction commemo-
rating Kamladevi Chattopadhyay. Bom a hundred years
ago, Chattopadhyay founded Paramparik Karigar, a
registered organization promoting the Master Craftsmen
of India. This organization's objective is to increase the
recognition and income of rural craftsmen. The crafts
industry is second only to agriculture as India's major
employer. Rabo India joined with the Taj Mahal Hotel,
the city of Mumbai and Bowrings auctioneers to host an
exclusive auction showcasing 50 outstanding pieces of
traditional lndian era ft at the hotel. CEO and Managing
Director of Rabo India, Rana Kapoor says, 'This unique
auction of master crafts is the first step towards upgrad
ing the economie well-being of these exceptionally
talented craftsmen across India'.
I R! The Word I 11
