We started the meeting with the induction of our newest member, Professor Heiwai Tang. Proposed by Charter President Patrick, Rotarian Heiwai is Professor in Economics at the HKU Business School. This meeting we also welcomed Mr. Kwok Yat Ming (郭一鳴先生), a well-respected journalist and Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Federation of Journalists, as speaker. Rotarian Fei made the speaker introduction, noting their initial meeting years ago at a China trends study class. The topic of the day was: “李家超, 時勢造英雄”, loosely translated as “John Lee’s Coronation”. Mr. Kwok commented on the upcoming one-candidate Chief Executive election, noting that Beijing is not simply copying the “Macau model,” but mainly backing a candidate known for his loyalty and capability. Mr. Kwok spoke about current Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s performance through 2019’s protests and the government’s Covid response from 2020 to 2022. The reason for Mr. Lee to succeed Ms. Lam may be Beijing’s desire to have a results-oriented government. This also signals a departure from candidates with Administrative Officer backgrounds, which Mr. Kwok sees as a positive in that Mr. Lee, the candidate, has less “baggage” upon election. Mr. Kwok further believes the new Chief Executive will have to heavily focus on…
In the eighth episode of “Serve to Change Lives”, a series airing Mondays on Metro Radio from 1 to 2pm, our own Past District Governor Belinda talked about The Rotary Foundation and doing good in the world. Examples were given to illustrate Rotary service programs around the world, including those from Kenya, Canada and Mongolia to local projects in Hong Kong (e.g, STEM education). Past District Governor Belinda also shared her personal experience with Home Care for Girls, our long-term service partner. A recording of the broadcast is available here: https://www.facebook.com/metroradio.com.hk/videos/1607567509576273
Several Club members attended Intercity Meeting on December 7, including Past District Governor Belinda (Committee chair), Past President Grace (Committee member), President Sam, Charter President Patrick and Rotarianne Wendy. Recognitions included: (1) Arch Klumph Society – Foundation Circle: Patrick S.C. Poon & Wendy Y.P. Fok (2) Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour 35th Anniversary Endowment Fund (3) Major Donor Level 2: President Sam; and (4) (new) Paul Harris Fellow: Immediate Past President Mark.
District Rotary Foundation Seminar was held on November 27. Attendees from our Club included Past District Governor Belinda (chair of the District Rotary Foundation Committee), Past President Grace (member of the District Rotary Foundation Committee), and Past Presidents Angela and Eddie (seminar presenters). Charter President Patrick was a special VIP guest, while President Elect Eliza attended to understand more about the works of The Rotary Foundation within the Rotary movement.
Several of our members were active at this year’s End Polio Now Walk & Carnival. Past District Governor Belinda, chair of District Rotary Foundation Committee, led the District’s End Polio work this year along with support from Past President Grace and Past President Eddie from our Club and others. Rotarian Jason, on the other hand, led our Club’s effort. President Sam, Past President Grace, Past President Dora, President Elect Eliza and Rotarian Jason’s friend Ken had lunch at Tai Po Cooked Food Centre. The group was guided by food recommendations from Charter President Patrick, as well as Past Presidents Ka Hing and Lily. After lunch, Past President Grace went ahead to Science Park to help to set up the special ceremony. Rotarian Jason, President Sam, Past President Dora, President Elect Eliza and Ken went on a 5.5km walk from Tai Po to Science Park as part of the End Polio Now Walk. The Carnival was full of games, and arts and crafts booths. Our Club was recognized by District Governor Keith Chow and Past District Governor Belinda for its contribution to the PolioPlus fund. The ceremony was also live-linked with Macau and Mongolia.
On November 3, several members of our Club attended Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island East’s regular club meeting, thus resuming our annual tradition of visiting our beloved mother Club. President Sam led a large group consisting of Charter President Patrick, Past District Governor Belinda, Past President Grace, Immediate Past President Mark, and President Elect Eliza. President Bernard Lee and his members gave the visiting Rotarians a warm welcome. During the meeting, we learned much from the day’s speaker, Rotarian Benson Ng, who talked about anti-money laundering. While there, Past District Governor Belinda took the opportunity to promote various Rotary Foundation-related activities. President Sam, while accepting gifts from the host, invited members from mother club to attend our 35th anniversary dinner, to be held in March 2022. We thank President Bernard, his Immediate Past President Leo Yu and other members of Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island East for their warm hospitality and overall generosity.
On July 10, District Installation was held. The guest of honor and speaker was the Honorable Bernard Chan, GBM, GBS, JP. During the Club Presidents’ Installation Ceremony, outgoing President Mark passed the president’s sash to incoming President Sam. In attendance from our Club were Charter President Patrick, Past District Governor Belinda, Past Presidents WT and Grace, and President Elect Eliza. Later in the day, during Past District Governor Belinda’s presentation of Rotary Foundation Major Gifts and Pledges, President Sam announced the largest pledge of the day, the US$250,000 Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour 35th Anniversary Endowment Fund. The investment earnings from the Endowment Fund is to be designated perpetually and solely for scholarships in Rotary District 3450. More details will be shared with all Club members in the 1st Club Assembly on the evening of September 23.
Club Installation marks a time for new beginnings. Immediate Past President Mark gave his year-end review, including some interesting photos. President Sam, under the supervisory eyes of District Governor Keith Chow and Immediate Past District Governor Eric Chak, was handed the meeting gavel as well as the presidential sash. Several members were recognized during the Installation, including Charter President Patrick and Past District Governor Belinda for their great support of the Club and of the District over the years; outgoing Board of Directors; and Paul Harris Fellows in 2020-21. Overall, 24 of 26 members attended, plus two of our Honorary Members.
On July 1, District Governor Water of Rotary Club of Taoyuan Southeast, our sister club, held a ceremony celebrating her assumption of Governorship of Rotary District 3502. Many members of our Club attended via Zoom, including Past District Governor Belinda, who was Club President classmate with Water in 2010-11. Past Rotary International President Gary Huang also attended, and personally extended greetings to several members of our Club, including our Charter President Patrick, who was President when Gary was District Governor of our predecessor District 345, and Belinda, who was our District’s Governor when he was Rotary International President.
District Conference was held in June, 19-20. A total of 10 from the Harbour family attended: President Mark, Charter President Patrick, Past District Governor Belinda, Past Presidents Grace, Angela, WT and Dora, President Elect Sam and Rotarian Eliza registered for two days of programs, while Wendy attended as special guest of the Organizing Committee during Foundation recognition ceremony and lunch. The OC team and venue operator took meticulous care to ensure everyone’s safety and good health. Past President Dora worked behind the scenes to ensure smooth operation as part of the OC team. Past President Angela presided over the People of Action Photo Competition prize presentation ceremony, during which Past District Governor Belinda, in her role as District Public Image Committee Chair, presented top awards. Past President WT was a panelist in a breakout session on peace. Charter President Patrick and Wendy, as well as Past District Governor Belinda, were recognized for their contribution to The Rotary Foundation during Foundation recognition ceremony. President Mark attended the business session to vote on behalf of our Club. Possibly most significantly, however, was that our own Past District Governor Belinda was awarded Rotary International Service Above Self Award, an RI award recognizing individual…