On August 24, our Club met for the fourth time in this Rotary Year. Our speaker talked about U.S. China relations and what the future holds. Meanwhile, we had quite a number of visitors: we welcomed back Past District Governor YC Ho who yearned to join our meeting after years of absence due to Covid-19; Immediate Past District Governor Norman Lee, who came specifically to thank Past President Antonio and Pat for making a significant donation to The Rotary Foundation at the tail end of this past Rotary Year; Helen and Natalie from our service partner Yuk Chi Resource Centre; and Crystal Lee, former tutor and Rotaract Advisor of our Rotaract Club of HKU Lap Chee College International.
On August 21, our Club gathered together at New Life, a social enterprise restaurant in Wanchai for an evening of good food, great conversation, and lots of singing! Thanks to Past President Ricky, everyone got to hold a microphone and show off their vocal skills. We also welcomed Ariel Chu, a visitor originally from Taiwan who is now working in Hong Kong.
District Installation was held on July 8, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Presidential Collar was ceremoniously passed on by Immediate Past President Eliza to President Jason.
The 63rd District Conference was held on May 20-21, 2023, at Regala Skycity Hotel. Many of our members attended: President Eliza, Past District Governor Belinda, Past Presidents WT, Angela, Dora, Ricky, Lily and Mark, and Rotarian Ka Man. Past District Governor Belinda chaired the Foundation sessions, while President Eliza managed the Preserve Planet Earth breakout. Past President Lily was on hand at the leaders’ lunch on the first day, while Past President Angela led group discussions during a Diversity Equity and Inclusion breakout. Past President Dora was in the Conference Organizing Committee, managing the conference floor and banquet. President Eliza also reported that she was part of the welcoming party that received our Mongolian Rotarians at the airport the day before the Conference.
While President Eliza and others were in Taipei attending Rotary Club of Taipei Mingmen’s 25th Anniversary Party in Taipei, Past District Governor Belinda, Past President Grace, Past President Eddie, Past President Lily, Past President Mark, President Nominee David and Rotarian Ka Man in Hong Kong attended District Training Assembly. Some ofthem were representing their respective District Committees on stage as speakersas well. Also, President Nominee David, on behalf of President Elect Jason voted for the District 3450 budget 2023/24.
Our Club regular lunch meeting was held at Regal Hong Kong Hotel on April 27. Rtnnes. Wendy and Sara also attended the meeting; Rtnne. Wendy said she was there specifically to say hello to our Treasurer Past President MK, who has been continuing his rehabilitation. Before our speaker program, President Eliza welcomed back those who have been traveling abroad for the past few weeks. President Eliza also summarized a number of Club and District events. Past President Grace recounted a fantastic evening at Paul Harris Birthday Dinner: she credited Past President Angela for chairing the Organizing Committee, and Past District Governor Belinda and her company for sponsoring the event. President Elect Jason reported that he attended District Grant Management Seminar as well as the prize-giving ceremony of Island Scouts Virtual Walkathon. Led by Past President WT, members also sang happy birthday to two birthday boys and girls: Past District Governor Belinda and President Elect Jason. Charter President Patrick brought the limited edition painting by Rotary International President’s brother he bought from the auction during the Paul Harris Birthday dinner. Dr. Bruce Chin, an optometrist with a PhD in vision sciences, was our speaker. Dr. Chin gave an overview of the…
Our District hosted a physical Grant Management Seminar at Regal Kowloon Hotel. President Elect Jason attended on behalf of our Club, while Past District Governor Belinda, as District Rotary Foundation Chair, and Past President Eddie Leung, as District Rotary Foundation Committee Vice Chair – Finance, presented respective importanttopics to the over 100 Rotarians in the audience.
On 19 April, District Governor Norman Lee and the District Foundation Committee Chair Past District Governor Belinda Yeung co-hosted a special event to celebrate Paul Harris 155th Birthday, and to show appreciation to Major Donors, members from the Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society. The Dinner sponsored by the Regala SkyCity Hotel was held at its state-of-the-art Ballroom. Besides Past District Governor Belinda, other Rotarians from Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour also joined the Dinner; including Arch Klumph Society members Charter President Patrick Poon, Mrs Wendy Poon and Immediate Past President Sam Poon, and Major Donor Past President WT Wong. Others include Past President Angela Hui who was Chair of the Organizing Committee, while Past Presidents Grace Yen and Dora Liu were members of the Organizing Committee.The night was spent under lots of fun and entertainment. District Governor Norman sang “Imagine Rotary” and help raised funds for the District Foundation. Our own Charter President Patrick succeed in auctioning a limited edition painting by artist Darren Jones, who is the brother of the Rotary International President Jennifer Jones.
Past Presidents Eddie, Grace, Samuel, WT, Lily and Mark, together with President Elect Jason and Sara and Mango started off with a brunch fellowship at NO BOUNDARY in Kennedy Town. Afterwards, they began an easy walk from Kennedy Town to Cyber Port (3.5 km), arriving at Cyber Port just in town for the End Polio festivities. Past District Governor Belinda received a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of our Club for our Donation to The Rotary Foundation’s End Polio Fund.
Immediate Past President Sam kicked off the first meeting on our Club Constitution and Bylaws Review. President Eliza, President Elect Jason and Past President Grace attended. Hardworking Immediate Past President Sam did the first cut and was setting some specific questions for the team (including Charter President Patrick, Past District Governor Belinda and Past President Kay as well) before the next meeting.