On September 12, several of our members and friends, including: President Sam, Past President Lily and Ken, Past President Samuel and Amy, President Elect Eliza and Tiffany, Coco, Yvonne and Kelly, went to Suicide Prevention Services Headquarters in Choi Hung Estate to take part in an elderly outreach service program for Mid-Autumn Festival. Past President Lily gave a tour around the headquarters which housed the well-regarded SPS call center. Heading out in four teams, the teams visited elderly cases in the East Kowloon area and gave them care packages which contained mooncakes, biscuits, masks and other daily items. After the teams returned, a debriefing with each team and a social worker concluded the day. It was a great Mid-Autumn festival service outing that benefited the elderly in the district.
On September 9, Assistant Governor Sunny Chen visited our Club. The main purpose was to prepare our Club for District Governor’s visit (to be held on September 30). Assistant Governor Sunny shared with us this year’s District focus, mainly: Membership, Youth, TRF, Health and Public Image. “Each One Bring One,” Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta’s membership theme, is central to District Governor Keith’s goals this year. President Sam noted to Assistant Governor Sunny that our new member, David, was an Interactor, Rotaractor and RYLA participant, which surely will score big points in District Awards. Finally, Assistant Governor Sunny reminded President Sam to complete reports for District Awards and Club Citation, as this is a recognition for all members of our Club.
On September 4, President Sam had an hour to fill and joined the Zoom training session about District Youth Protection Policy. It is a serious topic. For Clubs that are doing service projects or engaging youth partners (e.g., RAAS, Interact), we must pay attention to how we handle under-18 volunteers or students. The District will conduct several more of these Zoom training sessions and produce certain templates for Club’s use. The session also covered the sexual harassment policy (above-18).
On September 2, President Sam, Past President Grace, Past President Webster and President Elect Eliza met with the outgoing “cabinet” of the Rotaract Club of HKU Lap-Chee College International at the Indonesian restaurant, Kaum: Potato Head, in Sai Ying Pun. Lap Chee members included Crystal (fellow), outgoing President Anushka, Bobby, Cindy, Gabin and Anuj. Cindy, from Jakarta, helped to order the food, and explained to us the dishes and how they would be served in her native country. Over the course of the dinner, we learned about our Rotaract friends’ studies and career plans, and life on-campus. The new Rotaract leadership will be recruited in the coming month and announced to our Club members!
Members attended District Learning and Development Academy over the weekend, and learned about Youth Policies of Rotary International and Digitization of RMB. Our own Charter President Patrick founded DLDA to promote learning of Rotary knowledge and, through expert speeches, learn about critical issues outside Rotary.
Vocational Service is one of Rotary’s five avenues of service. We were happy to speak, via Zoom, to multi-cultural students and parents about careers in accounting and law. We thank Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Outreaching Team for Multi-Cultural Community for inviting us to do this program with their service beneficiaries. Our speakers included: Past President Webster and his colleagues Emily and Amandeep (on careers in accountancy and auditing), Past President Charles and Catherine (on careers in law). Rotarian Jason worked behind the scenes to manage logistics and technical details.
In our 4th regular club meeting of the year, we had Past District Governor Ada come speak to us about “Integrating Integrity and Ethics in Your Rotary Journey.” It is always good to go back to basics like Rotary’s Four-Way Test and the Code of Conduct. While we join Rotary for years and focus on community service projects, we have to remember what makes Rotarians stand out from other membership organizations. Rotarian Jason gave a vote of thanks, while President Elect Eliza presented Ada with a precious gift: organic soap, handmade by Eliza!
On August 25, in search of our own Preserve Planet Earth Project, the day brought President Sam, Past President Eddie, and President Elect Eliza to Lei Yue Mun, Sam Ka Tsuen Ferry Pier. It was not for seafood, but to see an A.I.-self driven boat that collects ocean trash. It was very interesting to see young Hong Kong entrepreneurs working on this project. TVB was also on hand to interview the founders and learn about the boat.
On August 23, our first fellowship dinner of the year to celebrate August birthday stars (Charter President Patrick, Wendy, Past President Samuel, Past President Angela, Kelly and President Sam) took place at the Shun Tak Fraternal Association restaurant. Thanks to Past President Grace and Vice President Kelvin/Winnie’s arrangement. Paul Harris pins were also presented by Past District Governor Belinda and President Sam to Past President Ricky (PHF+1) and Immediate Past President Mark (PHF+3, PHF+4). At the end of the dinner, a lucky draw was conducted to give out Suicide Prevention Services souvenir stamp booklets, organic tea from Holy Cafe, and a special “PPE” lucky draw of takeaway food boxes.
On August 21, President Sam, Past President Grace and friend, Past President Lily (and her two nephews), Past President Angela and Maurice, Immediate Past President Mark, President Elect Eliza, Sandy and Trevor (Past President Ka Hing’s friends), and Tony (prospective member) went to Holy Cafe to pack hot meals for the elderly. With several youngsters helping out, the elderly beneficiaries also felt more lively.