Letters to the Editor

Please send your comments to Managing Editor PDG Y K Cheng c/o Rotary Information Centre
14/F Capitol Commercial Building, 26 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
Phone: + (852) 2576 4343
Fax:? + (852) 2895 0237
E-mail: ykchkcpl@netvigator.com

Contents:

District Academy Inaugurated
Governor's Monthly Letter - By DG John Wan
June Governor's Monthly Letter in Chinese
Rotary News - June's Theme; Awards; RIC
Continuity Column - By DGE Johnson Chu
Emails and Messages from the Internet
Jokes
Attendance Report - April 2001

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District Academy Inaugurated

On 16 June 2001, District 3450 formally inaugurated its District Academy, thereby meeting another goal for the year.

District Governor John Wan revealed that he had consulted the Governor's Policy Committee in March 2000, then meeting on a provisional basis, before he included the setting up of a District Academy in the list of District Goals for 2000-01. The DG was speaking to a gathering of about 100 Rotarians at the Inauguration of the District Academy which took place on Saturday, 16 June 2001 at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine in Wong Chuk Hang.

PDG Raymond Wong is the District Academy Chairman and masterminded the programme for the afternoon. The event was hosted by Rotary Club of Kingspark under the leadership of PP Alexander Mak.

The DG said that the Academy was to be a centre of excellence, a centre of continuing and lifelong learning, a centre for Rotary information, guidance and ideas, and a centre for recognizing excellence. It is to be a beacon in the District, shedding light on issues and providing timely advice. "It is not however meant to be a training centre for future governors though," said DG John.

"The objective of the Academy is to enhance the District's capacity to pursue the Object of Rotary," the DG went on to say. He also said that he hoped that the Academy would encourage Rotarians to learn how to serve their fellow human beings better, and in the process, learn to become better men and women. "The process is much more important than the knowledge or information that the District Academy would almost certainly provide," the DG stressed.

Professor Enoch Young, Director of School of Professional & Continuing Education at the University of Hong Kong was the keynote speaker. He spoke on "Lifelong Learning in a Knowledge-based Society" after a brief introduction by Governor Nominee Gloria Chan.

Professor Young discussed the significance of lifelong learning in the wake of Hong Kong's greatest challenge in the 21st century. He also analyzed the state of Hong Kong's economy and the education scene before outlining the objectives and achievements of SPACE. He said his organization's mission is to bring the classroom to the students, and its mission, to build a learning society in Hong Kong. PP Herbert Lau was the reporter at the scene and would give a full report in the August issue of the Rotarian magazine published in Taiwan.

After coffee break, PDG Raymond Wong gave a presentation on what's new in Rotary, including recent changes in the administration of The Rotary Foundation, major decisions of the 2001 Council on Legislation and the 2001-02 emphases. He also highlighted the new Executive Steering Committee of which he is a member from 1 July 2001. An outline of his PowerPoint presentation was set out in a handout and clubs that are interested can contact PDG Raymond Wong direct. We learnt that at least three clubs had approached him the day following the seminar. PDG Raymond promised to circulate a programme soon.

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Governor's Monthly Letter - June 2001
"Anybody recognize this club?" - By DG John Wan

My Dear Action Presidents, Club Secretaries and Rotary Leaders,

"Anybody recognize this club?"

This was the question posed by an experienced but exacerbated Rotarian when he was confused by the decisions of the club leadership over club administration and other matters. He went on to explain, "In my days, I would get at least five calls in the afternoon if I failed to turn up at my club meeting without first telling the president or another member. Now, nobody seems to care whether I turn up at all and nobody from the club called me in the last three weeks I was unable to attend club meetings. It seems that the worst has yet to come judging from the letter the board has just served this dedicated past president. The board has threatened to remove him from the club register if he cannot offer a satisfactory explanation for his failure to turn up at the past four meetings."

Déjà vu indeed. It is not inconceivable from a distance that neither the board nor the experienced Rotarian was entirely right or wrong. Paul Harris had said, "There are no great fundamental differences between men and between nations. None are entirely good, none entirely bad. The great mischief-maker is misunderstanding." Paul Harris had also called for tolerance between members, describing the quality as the single most important for Rotary and between Rotarians.

I urge you to revisit the June message from President Frank. He recalled the five presidential conferences he had presided in Mexico City, Miami, Cape Town, Manila and Vienna that had focused on a range of issues, from urban concerns to membership. He had seen first-hand how hard these proactive Rotarians had worked to accomplish the many goals they set for themselves. He then urged all Rotarians to join him in supporting his successor Rick King to accomplish the four challenges for the next year, namely, to grow our membership, enhance Rotary's pubic image, ensure that all Rotarians are excited about Rotary by being better informed, and ensure that every club is ready, willing and able to embrace service projects Rotary need to complete.

Even in the eleventh hour of his term, President Frank has asked his district governors and club presidents to redouble efforts in membership growth and membership development.

Closer to home, it certainly has been an eventful year. There was not one day in the past 18 months and probably longer, not one day on which Rotary in general and this District in particular was not on my mind. At first, I thought that Rotary had kept me awake or asleep, Rotary had kept me going, or that Rotary had fueled my imagination. Later I realized and now I am fully convinced that it is you, all of you, who had been responsible. Indeed, Rotary would be meaningless without the people in it. You are Rotary in District 3450. Collectively, you have made Rotary meaningful and I am happy to be part of you.

At the District Installation last June, I said that I was accepting the office of District Governor with humility. As time goes by, the feeling becomes all the more intense, and a year later, I am thoroughly and completely humbled by the experience and the privileges of having had the experience. I have seen dedicated men and women at work. Most of them have worked quietly on projects that would benefit humanity in general and the underprivileged in particular. I have seen presidents standing staunchly by their principle and spending hours, days and months taking their clubs through thick and thin. Indeed, there are many unsung heroes among you and your members.

Some of you have achieved more than others, but that is not an issue. We are volunteers. We have volunteered to serve our fellow human beings, for better or for worse. As long as we have tried our best, the results do not matter. Just as the race is not always to the fast and the battle to the strong, the arguments are not always to the right and the righteous. But don't lose heart. Don't ever lose heart. You are not here for the laurels and recognition. You are here for the extra opportunities to serve. Your mission surely must be to motivate more service minded individuals to join our organization, people who believe in what we believe, even in the face of temporary setbacks.

To my Action Presidents, don't ever even begin to think that your work has finished. No, I have made this point before and let me say for the record that Rotarians never retire. You are now to assist your successors, the presidents-elect to become even more effective presidents. Indeed, you would not be regarded as having done your full and complete duty as Action Presidents if he or she fails to deliver a better year ahead. We need progress in the organization. Your role is to ensure that the Rotary wheel will continue to roll forward.

To Governor-elect Johnson, I pledge my full support under the leadership we can certainly all expect from him. I expect Johnson to build on the success of the past and take the District to greater heights, and I would support him in all his endeavours towards this end. I am convinced that we would have a better tomorrow for the District. I have enjoyed and benefited from the support he has given me during the year, and he can expect and indeed demand the same from you and me. This is what continuity is all about.

To the Presidents-elect, I congratulate you for embarking on this next stage of your journey in Rotary. The prospects are good. Our leader for 2001-02, Johnson Chu, is a good guy and deserves every bit of your support. Give him your best. More importantly, you should feel assured that support from your predecessors is considered given.

Let me conclude by thanking all of you. There is no way Rosita and I could have survived the year without the love and support that you have showered upon us so generously and selflessly. As long as this spirit of understanding prevails and as long as there is a willingness to tolerate each other's difference, everyone will recognize that we are Rotarians. Thank you.

Your Governor John Wan

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June GML in Chinese
[available now]

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Rotary News

June's Theme

RI has now designated June as Rotary Recreational and Vocational Fellowships Month, meaning that June is to be a time to increase interest and membership in fellowships and celebrate the ideal of service through common hobbies and professions.

According to RotaryWorld, the Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians is the oldest continuously operating recreational fellowship, dating back to 1947, when Rotarian John G Barrett of England organized a group of boating enthusiasts to form the Fellowship.

Today, there are more than 40 RI Board-approved recreational fellowships, covering interests ranging from motorcycling, bird watching and wine appreciation, to Egyptology, magic and railroading.

However, it was not until 1989 at the RI Convention in Seoul, Korea that groups based on vocations as opposed to hobbies or sports were officially set up. Today, more than 30 vocational fellowships have been approved for Rotarian accountants, lawyers, doctors, educators, engineers, sports trainers, and others.

A primary objective of fellowships is the creation of an international network of specialists that would put their expertise to use in service projects around the world. Fellowships have located professionals needed as Rotary Volunteers in international service projects or during disasters and emergencies.

The Official Directory and the Rotary Web site provided listings and information on all fellowships. The RI Presidential Recreational and Vocational Fellowships Task Force is also a useful source. The District 3450 Task Force Convenor is PP Ronald Lu (Rotary Club of Hong Kong South).

The eight New Territories-based clubs organized a Colour Boat Race in Cheung Chau on 17 June 2001. It would be a unique Fellowship worldwide.

Awards

RI President Frank Devlyn has approved awards for two clubs in District 3450 in recognition of their outstanding achievements in community service projects and in public relations respective.

The two clubs will receive the award certificates during the District Installation to be held on 6 July 2001.

Significant Achievement Award
Rotary Club of Guia

The Rotary Club of Guia is the District Winner of the Significant Achievement Award. The Club has already won the District Award for Best Community Service Project at the 41st District Conference. The Project involves fund raising through a charity golf tournament held in Macau involving a very high percentage of the members. The proceeds were then applied on eye care projects and an eye operation for a resident in Macau.

RI Public Relations Award
Rotary Club of Kingspark

The Rotary Club of Kingspark is the District Winner of the RI Public Relations Award. The Club was a sponsor of the kick off ceremony for the International Year of Volunteers (2001) held in December 2000 and organized by the Agency for Volunteer Service and other organizations including the RI District 3450. On the occasion, the Rotary Club of Kingspark also organized a photo exhibition of the volunteers in action. The event enhanced the image and public relations of Rotary in the community and was widely reported in the media and recognised by the many NGOs that were jointly involved in the project. The Club was also recognized for its efforts in partnering with other organizations at the last District Conference.

RIC

The Rotary Information Centre of RI District 3450 has been completely refurbished through voluntary donations from Rotarians and clubs in the District.

The refurbished RIC has been given a face lift and is beyond recognition from its previous layout. The refurbished RIC was officially reopened on 15 June 2001 by District Governor John Wan in a ceremony during which the DG heaped praises on the Rotarians involved in the Project.

The DG also announced that a new style Rotary club will meet in the main section of the RIC on a regular basis. The reduced cost would facilitate younger members to join Rotary. He expected the first meeting to take place in weeks.

The Project began during 1999-2000 when PP Ted Ho (Kingspark) was Chairman of the RIC Supervisory Committee. The Committee had called for quotations for the work involved and had carried out a survey among clubs on their readiness and willingness to contribute towards the cost of refurbishment. IPP Philip Kung (Hong Kong Bayview) assumed Chairmanship of the Committee in 2000-01. Other Committee Members are IPP Tony Choi (Admiralty) and IPP Vincent Ng (Hongkong Sunrise), and President Shane Parmanand (Kowloon), President Meggy Tseung (Pensinsula Sunrise) and President Billy Lam (Kowloon East).

The Committee managed to raise sufficient funds not only to cover the refurbishment costs, but also the expenses for a Consultancy on Service Improvement to be provided at the RIC. The Consultant has completed the study and submitted a draft Final Report. Chairman Philip Kung is studying the Report and will make recommendations to the DG after consulting his Committee Members.

The Consultant had recommended wide ranging reforms to maximize usage of RIC and the facilities and services that can be provide

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Continuity Column
By DGE Johnson Chu

This is Incoming Governor Johnson Chu's twelfth and last article in this series. In this article, Johnson gave an account of the last District Assembly which he organized and went on to urge members and clubs to register early for the District Installation to be held on 6 July. He then went on to ask Rotarians to attend the coming up RI Convention to be held at Saint Antonio. He ended with a thank you note to readers over the last year and gave a glimpse of his organization for next year-Ed.

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

We held a District Assembly on Saturday 12 May 2001. A total of 330 Rotarians registered with 294 Rotarians signed in, representing 47 clubs.

I was very glad to see a large number of Rotarians staying throughout the entire Assembly, particularly those from Macau. It was encouraging to have the participation of eight past Rotary International officers, including PDG Peter Hall, PDG Raymond Wong, PDG Joseph Lee, PDG Arthur Au, PDG Vincent To, PDG Y.K. Cheng, PDG Anthony Hung, IPDG Dipo Sani in addition to DG John Wan and DGN Gloria Chan. Their Rotary knowledge and personal involvement at the Assembly were most appreciated and valuable to all Rotarians. I would once again extend my heart-felt and personal gratitude to each and every one of them for their full support. In addition, I would also like to thank all the moderators of the group sessions and members of the Rotary Club of Bayview Sunshine Hong Kong who sang the Rotary songs. The Assembly would not have been run so smoothly without the presidents of the four host clubs, namely Percy Childe, Ada Cheng, Stephen Shum and William Po. The success of the event was also due to the fact that we had a good co-coordinator, and the efforts of Assembly Organizing Committee Chairman PP Billy Ho, should be recognized.

I could not leave the topic of the District Assembly without mentioning the business session in the afternoon. Only one resolution was presented, which was the District Budget presented by Governor-elect. Voters from 46 clubs were present. Without any debate or questions raised, the resolution was passed with 45 votes for and 1 vote against. The voting delegates were understanding and responsible. Everyone present was extremely happy because the Assembly could finish several minutes before scheduled time.

The next important event will be the District Installation to be held on Friday, 6th July 2001 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. A committee headed by Chairman Peter Wong and Vice-chairman Edmond Chan has been working hard to organize the ceremony as well as to promote participation. An "early bird" registration scheme has been designed, in which clubs booking any number of tables with payment made before 31 May 2001 may enjoy a discount of 10%. In other words, each table of 12 originally costing $6,000 is discounted to $5,400. Chairman, vice-chairman, incoming Assistant Governor Didi Yip and myself have been to Rotary club regular meetings to promote the event. Response is encouraging. So far 17 tables have been reserved in addition to 45 tables booked and paid. Our target is to have 75 tables. We are still waiting for support from clubs not yet responding.

Convenor of the Executive Council, the Hon. C.Y. Leung, JP, will be the keynote speaker. Invitations have also gone out to our service partners, counsel generals, community leaders and other guests. The evening will also feature the New Philharmonic of Hong Kong, conducted by Mr. Henry Shek.

Membership growth will be the top priority for the Rotary Year 2001-2002. To achieve our goal, the Organizing Committee encourages the induction of a minimum of two new members for each club at the installation night. As an incentive, there will be two awards of $5,000 each, one to be awarded to the Rotary Club with the highest number of new Rotarians inducted, and the other, to the Rotary Club with the highest percentage of new Rotarians inducted.

The 92nd R.I. Convention will be held from 24 June to 27 June at San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A. This will be the last event for Rotary International for the year 2000-2001. An RI Convention is a place where we would meet lots of old friends and make new acquaintances. It provides a chance to update our Rotary information. It is worth the while of Rotarians to attend, particularly the new Rotarians. San Antonio is a place where we seldom choose to visit. Now, Rotary brings us there. If you have not registered, you may register on-site.

This is my twelfth and last article in the Continuity Column. I sincerely thank Governor John for reserving this valuable space to me. It has allowed me to share Rotary information with fellow Rotarians, in particular the Presidents, Secretaries and District Officers of 2001-2002. DG John has been appointed a member of the Foundation Alumni Resource Group for Zone 4 in 2001-2002. Congratulations! I am looking forward to his advice as Immediate Past District Governor.

District 3450 will begin with 49 clubs, divided into 9 areas in the Rotary Year 2001-2002. The largest area comprises eight clubs while the smallest, four clubs including the Rotary Club of Ulaanbaatar. There will be nine Assistant Governors, six District Secretaries and a District Treasurer. It is only 30 days away from 1 July 2001 when my team and I will begin to serve the District to the best of our ability. I wish we would have a harmonious and enjoyable Rotary year. Thank you for your support and for reading my articles throughout the year.

DGE Johnson Chu

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Emails and Messages from the Internet

Dance like no one is watching

MY BROTHER-IN-LAW OPENED the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.

"Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion."

He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion."

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister's family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.

I' still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life. I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event-such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip in my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I'm not sure what my sister would have done had she known that she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I'm guessing I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with - someday. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write - one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband often enough how much I truly love him.

I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

You've got to dance like nobody's watching, and love like it's never going to hurt.... People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there.

Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that you're thinking
of them. Enjoy the moment. If you have a circle of friends, don't be surprised to see this more than once.

Words from the Internet

Remember the five simple rules to be happy -

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. Disappointments are like road humps. They slow you down a bit, but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the humps too long. Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God is thinking of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to the person who realizes your worth.

The measure of love is when you love without measure. In life there are very rare chances that you'll meet the person you love and loves you in return.

So once you have it, don't let go. The chance might never come your way again.

It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

When you truly care for someone, you don't look for faults, you don't look for answers, you don't look for mistakes. Instead you fight the mistakes, you accept the faults, and you overlook the excuses.

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Jokes

Women might be able to fake orgasms. But men can fake whole relationships.- Sharon Stone

My girlfriend always laughs during sex - no matter what she's reading. - Steve Jobs

I saw a woman wearing a sweatshirt with 'Guess' on it. I said, 'Thyroid problem?' - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Honesty is the key to a relationship. If you can fake that, you're in. - Courtney Cox

Hockey is a sport for white men. Basketball is a sport for black men. Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps. - Tiger Woods

Things you'll never hear a woman say: 'My, what an attractive scrotum!' - Patricia Arquette

My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch. - Jack Nicholson

Clinton lied. A man might forget where he parks or where he lives, but he never forgets oral sex, no matter how bad it is. - Barbara Bush

Ah, yes, divorce, from the Latin word meaning to rip out a man's genitals through his wallet - Robin Williams

Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself. - Roseanne

Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place. - Billy Crystal

According to a new survey, women say they feel more comfortable undressing in front of men than they do undressing in front of other women. They say that women are too judgmental, where, of course, men are just grateful - Robert De Niro

There's a new medical crisis. Doctors are reporting that many men are having allergic reactions to latex condoms. They say they cause severe swelling. So what's the problem? - Dustin Hoffman

When the sun comes up, I have morals again. - Elizabeth Taylor

There's very little advice in men's magazines, because men think, 'I know what I'm doing. Just show me somebody naked.'- Jerry Seinfield

Instead of getting married again, I'm going to find a woman I don't like and just give her a house. - Rod Stewart

See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time. - Robin Williams

Dear Abby

My husband is a lying cheat. He tells me he loves me, but he has cheated our entire marriage. He is a good provider and has many friends and supporters. They know he is a lying cheat, but they just avoid the issues. He is a hard worker but many of his co-workers are leery of him. Every time he gets caught, he denies it all, then he admits that he was wrong and begs me to forgive him. This has been going on for so long, every-one in town knows he is a cheat. I don't know what to do.

Signed:
Frustrated

The Reply

Dear Frustrated:

Why don't you move to New York and run for the Senate.

For Lawyers

A Charlotte NC lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars then insured them against fire among other things. Within a month having smoked his entire stock-pile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires."

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason: that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued....and won! In delivering the ruling the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The Judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be "unacceptable fire," and was obligated to pay the claim. Rather than endure a lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the rare cigars lost in the "fires."

Now for the best part…..

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of Arson!!!!
With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and sentenced him to 24 months in jail and a $24,000.00 fine.

This is a true story and was the 1st place winner in the recent Criminal Lawyers Award Contest.

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Attendance Report - February 2001

Go to District Web site for the April Attendance Report

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