Letters to the Editor

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First Official Visit to Mongolia § By District Correspondent

Governor's Monthly Letter

Continuity Column § By DGE Johnson Chu

Nominations for DG 2002-03

Awards and Recognition

Bunny’s Column § By Bunny

First Official Visit to Mongolia

District Governor John Wan paid an Official Visit to the Rotary Club of Ulaanbaatar on 17 August. Governor John had described the visit as ¤significant in more than one way¥ because it was the first official visit by a District Governor to the Club after it was districted, and it was also his first Official Visit to the Club.

Governor John had visited Mongolia earlier in May. In his letter to the District afterwards, he spoke of the unpolluted air, blue sky, green pasture, warm hospitality, good club projects, and so on. The visit in August coincided with the inaugural direct flight between Hong Kong and Ulaanbaatar organized by a reputable travel agency. Governor John had hoped to stay a bit longer to visit the desert and to do more sight seeing this time round, but had to curtail the visit because of other Rotary commitments. On 19 August, he had to attend the Youth Forum that the District had co-organized with ICAC and other organizations.

While in Ulaanbaatar, the official visiting party did spend a full day out in the wilderness or in the field watching the indigenous people going about their daily chores and routines, surrounded by their horses, cattle and sheep. The weather was good. It was hot and sunny, but it got rather cool when clouds set in and so on. It was a very relaxing day.

The Official Visit actually went very well, according to those who were there. Governor John officially chartered the Rotaract Club of Ulaanbaatar and inducted all the new members during the meeting. During the meeting, the key club officials outlined their club plans and projects. Apparently, the Club was never short of projects, particularly International Service projects involving Matching Grants, as well as Vocational Service and Community Service projects. The Club has been highly successful in attracting sponsorship and donations from overseas clubs and Rotarians for their projects. ¤This is something clubs in Hong Kong and Macau can seriously consider when they are planning their club projects,¥ said Governor John afterwards.

Referring to the newly chartered Rotaract Club, the Governor stressed that the membership should continue to guide and nurture the youngsters on the one hand, but treat them as equal partners on the other, adding that it would be their responsibility if the Rotaract Club failed.

Earlier, during a private meeting with the key club officials, the Governor and his team explained to them the duties as well as privileges of becoming part of the District. They were also encouraged to participate in District functions such as District Assembly, PETS, and the Rotary Zone Institute to be held in Hong Kong in November in the Furama Hotel.

Governor’s Monthly Letter

I would like to begin by officially announcing the results of the Ballot-by-Mail that all Action Presidents had participated in July 2000. I said officially because I had actually announced the news on 7 August through an open letter uploaded on the District Website under the title "Why we are Rotarians". Further, I had the letter faxed to the Presidents who were not known to the District as having operating an e-mail address. Now, the results.

On Friday, 4 August 2000, the Balloting Committee, comprising Past District Governor Dr. Jason Yeung (Kowloon West), Past President Stanley Mok (Hongkong Sunrise) and Past President Ted Ho (Kingspark Hong Kong), met to examine the returns from club presidents in respect of the Ballot-by-Mail for the 2000-2001 Per Capita Levy towards the District Fund. In attendance were Past Governor Anthony Hung, Governor-elect Johnson Chu, District Secretary (Returns) Edmond Chan and myself.

Committee Chairman PDG Jason Yeung sent me the formal report on 5 August 2000 which included the following findings. First, all the 48 clubs in Hong Kong and Macau returned their ballot which were all determined by the Committee as valid. Thank you very much, Action Presidents for the part you played in creating awareness and in taking action in the exercise. That every club in Hong Kong and Macau responded without exception is an unprecedented show of solidarity and a reflection of the seriousness the clubs attached to the exercise. I am proud of all the Action Presidents.

The 48 clubs together mustered 66 votes based on RI rules. Of these, 45 voted for, 20 against and one abstained. This means that the clubs in the District have now voted by majority for the 2000-2001 District Budget. Specifically, the Per Capita Levy towards the District Fund from 1 July 2000 now stands at HK$1,100 for a Rotarian in Hong Kong, and HK$830, Macau.

In my open letter dated 7 August, I went on to address the issues raised by clubs and members related to the District Budget in general and to the process in particular. I would not repeat the arguments here. You are welcome to visit our District Website for Issue 27 of my Letters. Indeed I would urge all Action Presidents to visit the site at least once a week if possible.

From the Budget, I move to my series of Official Visits. Many of you would have noticed that I have started the visit program. Indeed, I have been exchanging notes with a few Action Governors on what some people have called a necessary routine. Well, it may be a routine for the fact that every governor visits his clubs this time of the year, but to the people concerned, particularly the principal protagonists, they should be anything but routine. Let me explain.

To start with, an official visit must not be seen as an end in itself. Rather, it is a means of achieving an important objective of Rotary International, which is to ensure that clubs in a district would continue to observe the Object of Rotary and remain effective clubs. Members of the twenty or so clubs I have officially visited so far would recall that an effective club in this context is one that would have sustained membership growth, meet the needs of the community, continue to contribute to the Rotary Foundation and provide leadership beyond the club level.

I quickly point out that it would be unrealistic to expect a one-hour visit can achieve this objective, or for that matter, anything substantial. The leadership at Rotary International have been aware of this, and this is where the District Leadership Plan (DLP) has come in handy. Under the DLP, governors can appoint a number of assistant governors to handle some of the administrative workload and for greater flexibility in official visits. The plan is designed to strengthen Rotary at the district and club levels by making possible faster and more responsive support for clubs, a larger supply of well-trained district leaders, better communications within the district, and so on. As far as official visits are concerned, governors can now visit clubs individually or in multi-club meetings conducted throughout the year for the purpose of focusing on important Rotary issues, motivating Rotarians to participate in service activities, and so on. The DLP also envisages that these visits should take place at a time that maximizes the governor's presence, including charter nights, induction ceremonies, new member orientation programs, citation or award presentations, special programs, Foundation events or intercity meetings.

Under the DLP, therefore, it would be up to the clubs and members to make full use of the Governor's Official Visits for the purposes of the respective clubs. After all, each club has its own special culture and characteristics and is its own best judge for its performance up to a point. If there are problems, the club leadership, in consultation with the assistant governor, would be best placed to find solutions. As we are moving out of August, Rotary's Membership Development and Extension Month, I would like to remind all members of the urgency and need to redouble our efforts to recruit, retain and retrieve members. The statistics so far are not encouraging. We took on 35 new members at District Installation and we added another 30 or so members on 1st July from Mongolia, but our total membership ending July was not a lot to write home about. We need to bring in drastic and dramatic measures, and PDG Moses and I are all ears. Before I sign off, I would like to announce that nominations for District Governor Nominee 2002-2003 are now open. Clubs have up to 13 November 2000 to propose candidates for consideration by the 2002-2003 DGN Nomination Committee. Club Presidents can call me for the forms and other details. The Committee will meet on 1 December.

Your Governor John Wan

Continuity Column - By DGE Johnson Chu

This is the second article in a series from District Governor-elect Johnson Chu. In this article, Johnson discussed his personal experience with his sister club in Manila and why Rotary, in particular our District should support youth programs such as the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and Group Study Exchanges.—Ed.

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

July 1 is an important Day. It is the Establishment Day of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the National Day of Canada, the Establishment Day of the Community Party of China, and, above all, the First Day of a new Rotary Year.

Many Hong Kong residents have their families in Canada. They may enjoy the celebration in Hong Kong in the morning, take a flight to Canada in the afternoon and then participate in the evening celebration activities in Canada.  This is possible owing to the time difference of twelve hours between the two places.  You can imagine how much one can do from dawn to sunset.

The Rotary International President, Rotary International Directors, 530 District Governors, over 29,000 Club Presidents and many other international, zone, district and club officers take their office on that day.  The day is eagerly expected by outgoing officers because they will unload the burden on their shoulders on that day. Meanwhile, incoming officers are excited to see that day arriving because they will begin their service to Rotary.

IPDG Dipo Sani is a very dedicated Governor. He led District 3450 with utmost time and energy. This may be supported by the following fact. After attending the Annual Ball of the Rotary Club of Hou Kuong on the 30th June 2000, IPDG Dipo, Rotaryanne Renuka, PP Lawrence Lam and myself came back to Hong Kong on the turbo jet departing Macau just before 12:00 mid-night. IPDG Dipo was still very energetic and excited.  We talked among ourselves during the entire voyage. However, he was in hospital two days later undergoing a small heart operation. Fortunately, his health is back to normal after a few days’ rest at home.

Our sister club, the Rotary Club of Makati, in the Philippines held its Annual Induction Dinner on 7th July 2000. Four members from our club attended the ceremony. The weather in Hong Kong was very windy. Typhoon signal no. 1 was hoisted. Our plane should land at the Manila Airport by approximately 4:00 p.m. Unfortunately, the pilot took three attempts to land on the ground. If the final attempt was still unsuccessful, the plane would have to go to the southern part of the country. We were just able to be at the party on time.

The induction ceremony was quite long. The final part was a show by the club’s own Rotarians and Rotaryannes. The show went on with Rotarians singing.  It was really marvelous.  Their singing was up to professional standards. Most of the guests were Rotarians and their spouses. I was told that there could be as many as thirty Past District Governors.  The dinner was followed by speeches and dancing.

The visit to the sister club was very fruitful for me. I had a chance to meet their members and also members of their sister club from Malaysia. I was able to renew friendship with old friends, including PRID  Rafael Hechanova (D3830), PDG Tony Rufino (D3830), PDG Jun Tambunting (D3830), PDG Vince Carlos, making new acquaintance with PDG Guiller Tumangan (D3830), DG Jun Perez (D3830) and DGE Ernie Salas (D3830) who will be my class-mate for the Rotary Year 2001-2002.

I was asked the following question last month, ¤The District spends so much money on Rotary Youth Leader Award and the Group Study Exchange programmes, but we do not see any results. Is it worth supporting these programmes?¥ I replied that there are many good Rylarians. When the Rotaract Club of Kowloon East was formed, most charter members were Rylarians of that Rotary year. At least one the Rotaractors became a member of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong after reaching the age of 30.

There are cases in which Group Study Exchange team members become Rotarians. Examples are PP Pi Leung of Rotary Club of Tsuen Wan, PP Simon Wong of Rotary Club of Peninsula Sunrise, President Tom Hui of Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong, Rotarian Lau Suet Ting of Rotary Club of Queensway, Rotarian Esther Wong of Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour and Rotarian Albert Poon of Rotary Club of Happy Valley. Had Rtn. Lau Suet Ting and Rtn. Esther Wong not been Leaders of the Vocational Teams visiting Beijing, China, they might not have been Rotarians today.

President Tom Hui was a GSE team member to District 5050 i.e. Western British Columbia and North Washington State in 1992 when Jenny and I were team leaders.  PP Simon Wong was a GSE team member to District 6990 i.e. South Florida and Bahamas in 1997 when I was the team leader for the second time. I am grateful to them for their willingness to serve as GSE District Committee Chairman and GSE team leader respectively in my year of governorship in 2001-2002.

The Rotary Club of Peninsula South, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Peninsula, was formed primarily for the over-aged Rotaractors of the Rotaract Club of Peninsula. Their Charter President Albert Yao, Past President Ada Ng and the current President Cynthia Lee have been presidents of the Rotaract Club of Peninsula.

There are Interactors becoming Rotaractors and finally becoming Rotarians. Rtn. Andrew Wong, younger brother of PDG Raymond Wong, of Rotary Club of Tokyo Josai (D2750) and PP Joe Tan of Rotary Club of Hong Kong Northeast are good examples.  Rotary scholars also join Rotary clubs. Past Assistant Governor Stanley Mok of Rotary Club of Hong Kong Sunrise is one of them.

Thank you.

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for District Governor for 2000-2003. The procedures for the election of the District Governor-Nominee are outlined in the Manual of Procedure. Briefly, at the time of selection, the candidate must be a member in good standing in a functioning club in good standing with no outstanding indebtedness to RI or the district and has serviced as president for a full term. The candidate must have been a member for at least seven years by the time he assumes office and must also demonstrate willingness, commitment and ability to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the office of governor.

In practice, the candidate would be endorsed by his club and membership after which the club would forward the nomination to the District Governor, together with a statement by the candidate and a statement of his qualifications by the club. All nominations must reach the District Governor by close of play on Monday 13 November 2000.

Club Presidents who are interested to nominate a candidate from his club can obtain the necessary documentations from District Governor in person.

The RI Board has adopted strict guidelines concerning campaigning, canvassing and electioneering to govern any candidate considering election to the office of governor. A copy would be made available to the club president of the candidate and to any Rotarian on request.

In the meantime, proceedings for assembling the Nomination Committee for DGN 2002-03 are in progress through Ballot-by-mail. The balloting for membership of the Nominating Committee will take place on Friday 13 October.

The DGN Nomination Committee will convene on Friday 1 December 2000 to consider all valid nominations from clubs and return the best qualified Rotarian as DGN to the District Governor. It should be noted that the Committee is not limited in its selection to the candidates submitted by clubs in the district.

Subject to the challenge procedures, the candidate nominated would be formally elected at the June Convention.

Awards and Recognition

RECOGNITION PLAYS A STRONG role in motivating service activities. The RI President has invited all District Governors to nominate clubs and individuals for awards.

Significant Achievement Award

Each District can nominate one club project per district to receive this award to recognize the best community service project in the district. Governor John Wan will ask his Assistant Governors to watch out for clubs with good projects that would meet the selection criteria. Only one nomination per club can be considered and must reach RI Headquarters by 15 March 2001.

RI Public Relations Award

Again, only one single club project in one district will be considered by RI Headquarters. Public relation in this context is any communication between an organization and its public. It forms a relationship between the club and non-Rotarians in the community. The Award recognizes Rotary clubs that have generated increased awareness and understanding of Rotary through outstanding media coverage or public relations efforts. Nominations must reach RI Headquarters by 15 May 2001.

Membership Development

and Extension Award

The time frame for this annual award is 1 July to 15 May. After 15 May, each district governor will be asked to report to RI the club with the highest percentage growth rate, the club that inducted the most new members, the club with the highest retention rate and clubs that sponsored a new club. Each of these clubs will be recognized with a certificate signed by the RI President, while governors of districts that meet or exceed their membership goals by 15 May will receive a special district membership award from the President.

Four Avenues of Service Citation

For Individual Rotarians

This citation program provides a means for Rotary clubs to personally recognize one member of the club for his or her outstanding efforts in the Four Avenues of Service. Candidates for nomination must be Rotarians in good standing in their clubs who have consistently demonstrated their support of the Object of Rotary through participation in service activities in the avenues of Club, Vocational, Community, and International Service. Only one person per club may be nominated. Immediate past and current district governors are not eligible.

Presidential Citation

The purpose of the Presidential Citation is to increase Rotary club involvement in the Four Avenues of Service, while at the same time encouraging Rotarians’ personal involvement in serving others and promoting a high standard of Rotary service in the community. Details of the Program have been circulated to all club presidents and included in the 2000-01 Pocket Planner. Very briefly, clubs will need to confirm achievement of nine (three in each of the three categories) activities listed in the program announced by RI President Frank Devlyn earlier.

The District Governor must endorse and submit nomination forms to RI World Headquarters. If 50% of the Rotary clubs in a district receive the Presidential Citation, the governor concerned will receive special recognition from the RI President.

Outstanding Rotaract Projects

This award recognizes innovative, effective Rotaract club projects that show a significant degree of collaboration between the club and its Rotary sponsor, promotion of Rotaract in the community, and a high level of club member involvement. The Rotaract Club of Kingspark was recognized in 1998 and the Rotaract District, in 1999.

Bunny’s Column

10 interludes of life

1.        Anyone can become angry - that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree,
at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not easy.

2.        Shoot for the moon...even if you miss, you'll be among the stars.

3.        A short course in Human Relations: The six most important words: "I admit I made a mistake." The five most important words: "You did a good job." The four most important words: "What is your opinion." The three most important words: "If you please." The two most important words: "Thank you." The one most important word: "WE" The least important word: "I"

4.        Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

5.        Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become characters. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

6.        If you have a penny and I have a penny and we exchange pennies, you still have one cent and I still have one cent. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange ideas, you now have two ideas and I now have two ideas.

7.        If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don't. If you like to win but think you can't, it's almost certain that you won't. Life's battles don't always go to the stronger woman or man, but sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can.

8.        In his Creed for Optimists, Christian D. Larsen tells you how you can be somebody -

Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

Make all your friends feel there is something special in them.

Look at the sunny side of everything.

Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best.

Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

Give everyone a smile.

Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.

Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.

9.        The only place you find success before work is in the dictionary.

10.     During the devastating earthquakes in Kobe, Japan, an American newscaster did a short piece on a Japanese woman who set up a makeshift store out of boxes selling flashlights and batteries. When the commentor asked why she wasn't selling these essential items for more than the regular price, the woman answered, "Why would I want to profit from someone else's suffering?"

Marriage

·         Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends. You ordered what you want, then when you see what other person has, you wish you had ordered that.

·         At the cocktail party, one woman said to another, "Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?" The other replied, "Yes, I am, I married the wrong man."

·         After a quarrel, a husband said to his wife, "You know, I was a fool when I married you." She replied, " Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn't notice."

·         A lady inserted an ad. in the classified: "Husband wanted." Next day she received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."

·         The bride, upon her engagement, went to her mother and said, "I've found a man just like father!" Her mother replied, "So what do you want from me, sympathy?"

·         A little boy asked his father, "Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?" And the father replied, "I don't know son, I am still paying."

·         Young son: Is it true, Dad, I heard that in some parts of Africa a man doesn't know his wife until he marries her? Dad: That happens in every country, son.

·         Then there was a man who said, " I never knew what real happiness was until I got married; and then it was too late."

·         The trouble with being the best men at a wedding is that you never get to prove it.

·         If you want your spouse to listen and pay strict attention to every word you say, talk in your sleep.

·         Just think, if it weren't for marriage, men would go through life thinking they had no faults at all.

·         How does most men define marriage? An expensive way to get laundry done for free.

[Bunny is a Rotarian—Ed.]

Attendance Report July 2000

You can visit the attendance section of this web-site for the current and previous attendance reports.