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…
On March 25, President Sam, Charter President Patrick, Past President Webster and President Elect Eliza met with College Master Thomas, Associate Master Victor and Student Affairs Officer Denny. Our Club gave background information on chartering Rotaract Clubs and alerted Hang Seng about the new rules of “Elevate Rotaract” due to take effect on July 1, 2022. We also introduced the concept of Rotary Community Corps.
At the start of the meeting, we sang Happy Birthday to Past President WT. Charter President Patrick followed by reporting on the 35th Anniversary Endowment Fund. To date, US$125,646 was raised towards the US$250,000 target. Treasurer Barry gave a report on Club accounts and President Elect Nominee Jason reported on recent pandemic relief support engaged by our Club. President Elect Eliza promoted the 35th Anniversary Celebration (Zoom) to be held on March 26, from 9pm till late. On May 7, President Elect Eliza plans to have a Charity Walk to raise funds for a service project to be launched in 2022-23.
This week, we welcomed our speaker Mr. Kevin Chuc and Charter President Patrick’s guest, Professor Heiwai Tang of the University of Hong Kong Business School. President Sam gave a summary of postponed and cancelled District events due to the pandemic. Sergeant-at-Arms Past President Dora congratulated Past President Ricky on his business expansion. Our Club’s introduction of the speaker was given by Honorary Member Vivien, while vote of thanks was given by Past President Dora.
President Sam started the meeting with a welcome and proceeded to the Rotary song. In anticipation of Past President Grace’s birthday on the 20th, Past President WT led the birthday song. Charter President Patrick brought two visitors to the meeting, Professor Heiwai Tang, an economics professor at HKU Business School, and his wife, Joyce. A report was given on the past two weeks of activities and upcoming Club/District events. Past President Grace then introduced the meeting’s speaker, our newest member Rotarian David, the founder of Health Integrated Medical Group. Rtn David is very familiar with Rotary as a former Interactor (IAC St. Joseph’s) and Rotaractor (RAC Victoria). Rotarian David received his medical degree from Chinese University of Hong Kong and a bachelor’s degree in Chinese medicine in Guangzhou. As a practitioner of both Western and Chinese medicine, his topic was about these different but complementary systems. Past President Dora gave our Club’s vote of thanks at the end of Rotarian David’s talk. Rotarian David uses the scientific approach of his family medicine specialty together with Chinese medicine principles to provide patient-centered care. While there are strengths and weaknesses to Western and Chinese medicine, they can be used together in a…
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.
President Sam, Charter President Patrick, Past President Webster (Youth), Past President Kay, Past Pressident WT and President Elect Eliza attended the Installation Ceremony this year. President Rain Lau, School Principal Mr. Tang, Ms. Kwok, Ms. Leung, and the Club Committees welcomed our Rotarians. Principal Mr. Tang expressed his optimism that Interactors will be able to serve the community in the “new normal” and emphasized that Rotary/Interact is a valuable institution for young students. President Sam spoke about the Rotary International Theme, “Serve to Change Lives.” Charter President Patrick encouraged Interactors to adopt Rotarian values and principles in all things they do, in school and outside school. Past President Webster talked about the concept, “一齊服務 ,一齊健康”, loosely translated to be “serve together, and be healthy together”. Next, President Rain reported on activities completed in 2020-21 and his plan for the “new normal” in 2021-22. Finally, our Rotarians presented Interact pins to all the officers and committees of the Interact Club of King’s College.
President Sam and Charter President Patrick joined Lap Chee College’s High Table Dinner on November 5. This was the first such dinner in a year and a half. Master of the College, our Honorary Member MF Yuen, welcomed everyone to the dinner. Professor Tsui Lap Chee, in his name-sake college, and Charter President Patrick presented gowns to several Lap Chee students. Professor Tsui gave the keynote speech. Past President of Rotaract Club of HKU Lap Chee College International, Sally Oh, is now a tutor of the college and is working on student development matters on campus. Crystal Lee, fellow of the College, was excited to share some of the plans of the Rotaract Club this year.
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.