On September 30, District Governor visited our Club (at President Sam’s office). President Sam, Charter President Patrick, Vice President Kelvin, Past Presidents Kay, Grace and Webster, President Elect Eliza and Rotarian Jason represented our Club and our Board. District Governor Keith Chow led a full team from the District including: Assistant Governor Sunny Chen, Chief District Secretary Ron Chan, Deputy Assistant Governors Stella Law and Stacy Ho, and District Secretaries Brian Ho and Louis Ma. It was also agreed that District Governor Keith will be our speaker at our January 13 lunch meeting.
On September 23, our Club inducted Dr. David Lee as our newest member. Proposed by Past President Grace, David’s classification is “Medical – Western and Chinese Medicine.” Rotarian David comes to us with quite a bit of Rotary experience, having been an Interactor, Rotaractor and RYLA 2006 participant. President Elect Eliza hosted our first Club Assembly of the year. On the agenda was membership, Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour 35th Anniversary Endowment Fund and our Club’s 35th Anniversary Dinner. President Sam reported that the Endowment Fund will commence fundraising shortly in November with an eye on the InterCity Meeting on December 7. Planned completion of the fundraising is March of 2022 (total to be raised: USD 250,000). President Sam at the Club Assembly pledged to donate the first USD 25,000 to establish the Endowment Fund. President Sam will send details of the fundraising to all members once ready. President Elect Eliza reported on the 35th Anniversary Dinner. An Organizing Committee has been formed. Several venues and dates were proposed. Themes were discussed. The meeting concluded that Regal (Hong Kong, Kowloon, Airport) should be under final consideration, considering that social distancing regulations may be fluid and Regal offers the best…
On September 18, while others are at the District Public Image Seminar, Past President Grace, on behalf of our Club, attended Rotary Club of Pudu’s 1st Virtual International Youth Exchange. Rotary recognizes the importance of empowering youth through Leadership Development Programs. Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the many Youth Leadership Development Programs offered by Rotary. The objectives of the Rotary Youth Exchange include but not limited to: (a) Promoting International Understanding and Goodwill among the youth; (b) Creating positive changes by empowering the youth; (c) Making lasting connections. With these objectives in mind, the International Service Committee of the Rotary Club of Pudu (RID3300) is organizing this Virtual International Youth Exchange with its Sister Club, the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong, Philippines (RID3800), from September 2021 to February 2022. It will be a virtual youth exchange between the Interactors and Rotaractors sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pudu and the Rotaractors sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong respectively. The Organizing Chairman is Past Assistant Governor Mike Tung from Rotary Club of Pudu. An international award-winning guest speaker, Ms. Andrea Zsapka from Budapest, Hungary, gave a creative leadership talk during the opening ceremony. Ms. Andrea is a Professional Master Life…
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!
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.
On August 3, President Sam, Past President Antonio and Pat, Past Presidents Grace, Angela, Dora and CK, and Immediate Past President Mark, supported Past President Lily and Past President Patric’s Suicide Prevention Services Charity Concert – “The Familiar Strangers”. It was a lovely night of piano duets and tango music. The gift bag was also beautifully curated, containing washable masks, coffee drip bags, postcard and a well-designed program book. An early fellowship dinner was arranged by President Sam at the City Hall Chinese restaurant.
On August 1, District Governor Keith, President Sam, Past Presidents MK, Eddie and Grace, and President Elect Eliza attended the 24th Island Scout Trail Walk Prize Presentation Ceremony. Past President Eddie also represented the Hong Kong Bone Marrow Foundation, as one of the beneficiary organizations of the trail walk. In a special arrangement, the race took place virtually from May to end of June of this year. Normally the prize ceremony would take place at the square outside The Peak Galleria. This year the ceremony moved indoors to the Hong Kong Scout Centennial Building in Wan Chai. The high point of the day was the presentation of the Hong Kong Harbour Cup by District Governor Keith and President Sam to the team with the best time. The next competition will come very soon in October 2021 to March 2022, which will be part of Scout’s 110th anniversary celebrations!
On July 24, District successfully held a Membership Seminar at CC Kwei Wah Shan College, North Point. Past President Grace attended on behalf of our Club. Membership and new club development was central to the seminar. This year cause-based clubs, satellite clubs and Rotaract clubs are all major focuses. In a “Each One, Bring One” Rotary year, District provided many pointers on how to attract potential club members, promote meaningful club experiences, and increase the engagement of existing members. This year incentives and rewards are given to proposers and Clubs to encourage membership growth.
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.