What Happened at our Meeting
on
25th June, 2003
On the last day of the weekly meeting for the Rotary year 2002-2003, Pres. Chris started the session by mentioning that "It is very good to see you again! It must be my turn now!" Indeed, Pres. Chris had been away since March to places like United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. In fact, he mentioned that his belongings were still not unpacked at his residence in UK. Pres. Chris then expressed his sincere gratitude to PE. Henry, VP. Rudy, IPP. Stephen and Rtn. Robert for chairing the weekly sessions during his absence. He also welcomed and thanked AG. Bob Wilson of HK South, who had been the club's frequent visitor since the beginning of this Rotary year. PP. Hubert was also welcomed back from Shanghai.
Then, Pres. Chris presented several awards for the 100%-ers (members with 100% attendance) of this year. The honor list included PDG. Uncle Peter, PP. John Kwok, PE. Henry, Sec. Eddy, Dir. Laurence, Dir. Jason, Rtn. Andy and Rtn. Heron (with a special prize for PP. Desmond). In addition, Pres. Chris mentioned that he was pleasantly at awe when DG. Gloria presented an award to PDG. Uncle Peter for being a 100%-er for 43 years! PP. Uncle John Kwok then took the rostrum announcing the details of the visiting trip to Makati North. He mentioned that Makati's presidential induction would take place on 16th July and there would be two rounds of golf during the trip. The all-inclusive round trip air fare was HK$2303 + airport tax and the room charge was US$70+tax+service charge. Rtn. Kishu then announced that the new luncheon menu that he had been negotiating with the hotel would probably be taking place in the following week or week after next. Then, VP. Rudy, who acted as the Sergeant-at-Arms, reported a handsome collection of HK$1600.
Today's highlight was started by Pres. Chris, himself in action, describing his memories and feelings of the past Rotary year. To begin with, he had personally undergone many changes over the year - changes in Rotary, changes in family life and changes in work life. Pres. Chris had been promoted to the Board of Directors of his company, and was thus, moving back to UK to start his new life with his family. He re-iterated his sincere gratitude to PDG. Uncle Peter, PP. Uncle John Kwok, PE. Henry, the Board of Directors of the club and others for helping him to keep everything together in the club, during his three-month transitional period. Pres. Chris hoped that he could convince his company to expand the business in Shanghai, which, in turn, could give him the "excuse" to visit Hong Kong more often. According to Pres. Chris, the challenge that he saw in the beginning of this Rotary year was in re-building the club from its core people. This appeared to him as obtaining more buy-ins and participation through closer fellowship among members. He cited the example of inviting active participation of members in the Speakers roster. He thanked members for making this type of initiatives possible.
Pres. Chris then re-iterated the theme of this past year - "Sow the Seeds of Love." He appreciated PDG. YK for helping him in setting goals, which were reasonable and achievable for the year. Yet, he believed that the club had, in effect, achieved more goals than it had originally set out at the beginning of the year. After reading all the Tung Feng bulletin, he had made a few headings highlighting some of the memorable events, during his year 2002-2003: Fund Raising for China Flood Relief, District Assembly in Hong Kong, District Conference in Macau, DG and AG visits, Charity Film Premier Night, Vocational Service Seminar, PDG. Peter Hall Gold Tournament, Polio Plus, Inner City Meeting, Christmas Card Exhibition, AGM, Racing Night, Chinese New Year, Joint President and Board meetings, etc. Pres. Chris concluded that he had chosen the compass as the birthday gift for his year, with the hope of finding new direction for the club. Now, he believed that the club had fulfilled this objective and hoped that the incoming leadership would continue to excel on the foundation that had been built during the past year. Pres. Chris also noted that he would be joining a new club in UK, but he would look forward to more regular visits to Hong Kong in the future.
PE. Henry then took the rostrum and continued on the Rotary report for the year 2002-2003. He first mentioned that he had selected picture frame as the birthday gift of his presidential term, with the intention of keeping the sweet memories that we would be having in the coming year. He reminded members that the coming year would not only mark the club's 50th Anniversary, but also, the Centennial Year for RI. He also hinted that the club had a good chance of winning two District Awards in the coming District Installation dinner on 4th July.
PE. Henry then thanked members for supporting the club during the past year. In particular, he was proud that the club managed not to cancel any meeting during the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong. In addition, he thanked PP. Uncle John Kwok for successfully re-negotiating a lower minimum attendance with the hotel during this difficult period. He then summarized the various achievements in the report:
1) Rotary Foundation - He thanked PDG. Uncle Peter for recruiting three Paul Harris Fellows.
2) Club Services - He thanked PP. Uncle John for his overall leadership and contribution:
a. Programme - Rtn. Raymond and his team lined up the good speakers, with PP. Uncle John and Sec. Eddy sending out reminders to members.
b. Bulletin - Dir. Danny led the bulletin editorial team, which included Rtn. Heron, PP David (Elsa Li), Rtn. Andrew, Dir. Jason and Rtn. Paul. PP. Uncle John untiringly supported the bulletin's production.
c. Club property/hotel liaison - Thanks to Rtn. Kishu.
d. Sister club visits were organized by PP. Uncle John.
3) Vocational - Thanks to Rtn. Paul for organizing the vocational visit to the sewage plant. Thanks also to VP. Rudy and Rtn. Andy for looking after the Rotaractors.
4) Community Service - Thanks to Dir. Jason for organizing the following events: Visit to Dou Tai Primary School with participation from Rotaract Club of Lingnan University and Christmas Card Exhibition with participation from Rotaract Clubs of HKIE and Lingnan University. Thanks also to VP. Rudy who contributed to the original ideas.
5) International Service - Thanks to Dir. Laurence for organizing the following events: Participation of the induction of PE. Orly of our sister club in Markati North; keeping close correspondence with seven sister clubs; and gathering with PE. Peter More of Westwood Village (USA).
6) Membership Development - Thanks to PP. Uncle John for his effort in attracting two new members. Our membership count was 41 at the end of the rotary year 2003.
7) Treasury - Thanks to Treas. Clark, Sec. Eddy, VP. Rudy, IPP. Stephen and PP. Tim for their combined efforts in keeping the numbers in order and good standing.Finally, Pres. Chris held a simple ceremony to hand over the club's presidency to Pres. Henry (congratulations!) and the former then ended the session by proposing a toast to the Rotary Club of HK South. All members and guest that were present had a group photo with Pres. Chris, wishing him all the very best for his new endeavors in UK!
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Joke & Cartoon
Four expectant fathers were in a Minneapolis hospital waiting room, while their wives were in labor.
The nurse arrived and announced to the first man, "Congratulations Sir, you're the father of twins."
"What a coincidence" the man said with some obvious pride. "I work for the Minnesota Twins baseball team."
The nurse returned in a little while and turned to the second man, "You Sir, are the father of triplets."
"Wow, that's really an incredible coincidence" he answered. "I work for the 3M Corporation. My buddies at work will never let me live this one down."
An hour later, while the other two men were passing cigars around, the nurse came back, this time she turns to the third man - who had been quiet in the corner. She announced that his wife had just given birth to quadruplets. Stunned, he barely could reply. "Don't tell me another coincidence?' asked the nurse. After finally regaining his composure, he said "I don't believe it, I work for the Four Seasons Hotel."
After hearing this, everybody's attention turned to the fourth guy, who had just fainted, flat out on the floor. The nurse rushed to his side and after some time, he slowly gained back his consciousness. When he was finally able to speak, you could hear him whispering repeatedly the same phrase over and over again. "I should have never taken that job at 7-Up"
Photographs of Our Meeting on 25th June, 2003
Pres. Chris giving his swan song speech for a year well done.
At the left head table were seated PDG Uncle Peter, PE Henry & Pres. Chris. At the right head table were seated Acting Sec. Laurence, AG Bob Wilson & PP John IV. PP Andrew & PP J.L.. Community Service Director Jason & Rtn Sam. VPE Robert, Rtn Francis & Dr. Tony.
VP Rudy, PP Desmond, PP Taj & Rtn Danny. PP Li, PP Stephen, Rtn Andrew II & PP Hubert. We have eight 100 percenters this year, here receiving their awards of appreciation from Pres. Chris.
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Now the burden of the club rests in Henry's hands. |
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on 26th June, 2003. |
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(back row L toR) IPP Chris, Dir. Laurence & PP Li. |
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