| This
is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong | ||||
 | Kingspark News Rotary
Club of Kingspark | | ||
| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan | ||||
Editorial
(Words of Wisdom) - By Francis Wann | ||||
District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship | ||||
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Words of Wisdom
The role of a centennial RI President and District Governor will not be easy, if only for the added burden of their envious titles which they have to live up to. Their schedules for public appearances and meetings must be bursting at the seams, and the whole world of Rotary and beyond will be watching their performances. They can't afford to make mistakes, and whatever they say or do in public would have much wider social implications on the future of Rotary. But their existence must be more than symbolic. Somehow we tend to forget that presidents and DGs come and go, and would become past presidents and PDGs by the time they reap the harvest of their efforts while in office. However much we want to see them leave their Centennial marks, what we finally see is likely to be an endless array of publicity drives, singing our own praises, and blowing our own trumpets. Their ceremonial roles enable them to exercise considerable authority, and command substantial respect at a time when most governments would look upon our organization as working partners while carrying out social programs. CP John on various occasions reiterated his displeasure at the demoralisation of Rotary clubs when things were not going his way, or when he noticed a lapse in the righteous Rotary standards. Last time in this same bulletin he mentioned the Rotary Foundation which he presides. If all our members take heed to this moderate piece of advice, that should at least put the reputation of Kingspark in good stead. At the Council on Legislation conference in June, members were told how shaky our financial situation was. The enactment to raise membership fees would effectively mean an increase in revenues for Rotary International by US$4.8 million in 2004-05, and US$9.6 million in 2005-06, if only a $4 per year increase were to occur. The simple arithmatic also means that with more resources at our disposal, we would be able to be a better Rotarian. Alas, as our organization grows and expands in size and structure worldwide, it's natural that we may not totally go along with some of the practices. As PDG Moses Cheng indicated in his report, at least half of the proposals could never make their way into the final agenda for discussion. And as a democracy, we've learnt to accomodate various views while holding onto our belief to serve. Rotarians are individuals and though we claim to be political netural, we are not politically indifferent. I once mentioned at least seven of our members are serving at district levels. Some time ago I asked Moses if we have become a huge bureaucracy with all these colourful titles. He said when he was DG, everything was much simpler. To prove his point, he mentioned the newly incorporated PDG Council which aims to give advice and put things right. Words of wisdom? Perhaps. | ||||
President's
Column
November is Rotary Foundation Month. In order to let you know more about the Rotary Foundation and the Foundation's Annual Program Fund, I would like to quote part of RI President Glenn Estess's message, which has been published in the November 2004 issue of the Rotarian: "The Rotary Foundation started as the dream of one man - Past RI President Arch Klumph. In 1917, he proposed an endowment fund with the express purpose of "doing good in the world." But despite his enthusiasm, the idea did not immediately take off. The first contribution was in the modest amount of US$26.5 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Mo., USA. It wasn't until 1947 - the year of founder Paul Harris's death - that Rotarians began contributing large amounts to honor his memory. Since then, the Rotary Foundation has provided more than US$1.4billion in grants for projects in more than 165 countries. ….. In 2001, the Council on Legislation set a goal for every Rotarian to contribute US$100 or more each year to the Annual Programs Fund. During the 2004-05 centennial year, we hope to raise a total of US$100 million through the Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative" Through the Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative, every Rotarian is encouraged to participate in a Foundation humanitarian or educational project that truly makes a difference in the world, Every Year. According to the latest unaudited statistics for the Rotary Foundation's worldwide programs for 2003-04, the total contributions to the Foundation's Annual Program Fund is US$70.5 million. With a better understanding on Rotary Foundation and the Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative, there is no doubt that YOU will contribute US$100 or more to the Annual Program Fund. As proposed by Calvin in our last luncheon meeting, let's adopt an effective way to collect your contribution in our coming Club Assembly to be held on Thursday evening 25 November. If you wish to know more about the Rotary Foundation and the Annual Program Fund, please visit the web site of Rotary International and read the November 2004 issue of the Rotarian. See you all in our Club Assembly. | ||||
By Marvin Lai [Marvin Lai took over the club's Programme Director job vacted by Joseph Chan - Ed.] At our last Board meeting, we passed a motion to further strengthen the quality of our speakers, broaden scope of our horizons, and increase fellowship of Kingsparicans. As such, we recommended the involvement of all members as part of our weekly events. Instead of having external guest speakers, we shall invite our own club members to share with us anything that they feel worthwhile. It can be anything ranging from your professions to current events; even events that inspire you. The point is for every member to know one another even better - by sharing and involving. Every second week of the month, we shall invite 3 of our members to share with us, 10 minutes each, of any topics that they see fit. This program is recommended to kick off in Dec. 2004. In the interest of time, we shall kick off this program with our regular participants of the meetings as follows: Dec.
9: Michael Au, President Thomas Chan, Michael Eyles For those who are not “regular” participants of the meetings, we do encourage you to make yourselves available in any other weeks that are most convenient for you. You can email your recommendation, and we shall ensure your involvement in this meaningful event. Thank you, Kingsparicans, for overwhelming support, and looking forward to a successful deployment of this program. | ||||
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Children
We were all children once. Most people love children, in the manner and fashion they choose to and would give them more of themselves and some may even attempt to give them more than they can afford. Why? I would like to believe that it is because human nature begin with love and a person will often recognize love when he sees, feels or experience it. And experience tells us that we often find love with and in children, unpolluted love, unconditional love, undivided love, undiluted even if crude love, and so on. One must not however mix up individuals that are chronologically young with children, and at the same time, one must learn to find the children in those whose external appearnces bear little resemblance of children. The Heaven is theirs; and unless you become children again, you cannot under the Kingdom of God. I came across through e-mail the following clips from a friend whom many of you would know. Herbert Lau has been sending messages through the internet on anything he finds interesting or worth sharing. The last one was on children. It was headed "Why We Love Children" and I am reprinting it as I found it. 1. A kindergarten pupil told his teacher he'd found a cat, but it was dead. "How do you know that the cat was dead?" she asked her pupil. "Because I pissed in its ear and it didn't move," answered the child innocently. You did WHAT ? ! ?" the teacher exclaimed in surprise.... "You know,"explained the boy,"I leaned over and went 'Pssst!' and it didn't move." 2. A small boy is sent to bed by his father. Five minutes later....."Da-ad...." "What?" "I'm thirsty.. Can you bring a drink of water?" "No, you had your chance. Lights out." Five minutes later: "Da-aaaad...." "WHAT?" "I'm THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??" I told you NO! If you ask again, I'll have to spank you!!" Five minutes later......"Daaaa-aaaad....." "WHAT!" "When you come in to spank me, can you bring a drink of water?" 3. An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, "How do you expect to get into Heaven?" The boy thought it over and said,"Well, I'll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, "For Heaven's sake, Dylan, come in or stay out!'" 4. One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her son into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, "Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?" The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. "I can't dear," she said. "I have to sleep in Daddy's room." A long silence was broken at last by his shaky little voice: "The big sissy." 5. It was that time, during the Sunday morning service, for the children's sermon. All the children were invited to come forward. One little girl was wearing a particularly pretty dress and, as she sat down, the pastor leaned over and said, "That is a very pretty dress. Is it your Easter Dress?" The little girl replied, directly into the pastor's clip-on microphone, "Yes, and my Mom says it's a bitch to iron....." 6. When I was six months pregnant with my third child, my three-year old daughter came into the room when I was just getting ready to get into the shower. She said, "Mommy, you are getting fat!" I replied, "Yes, honey, remember Mommy has a baby growing in her tummy." "I know," she replied, "but what's growing in your butt?" 7. A little boy was doing his math homework. He said to himself, "Two plus five, that son of a bitch is seven. Three plus six, that son of a bitch is nine...." His mother heard what he was saying and gasped, "What are you doing?" The little boy answered, "I'm doing my math homework, Mom." "And this is how your teacher taught you to do it?" the mother asked. "Yes," he answered. Infuriated, the mother asked the teacher the next day, "What are you teaching my son in math?" The teacher replied, "Right now, we are learning addition." The mother asked, "And are you teaching them to say two plus two, that son of a bitch is four?" After the teacher stopped laughing, she answered, "What I taught them was, two plus two, THE SUM OF WHICH, is four." 8. One day the first grade teacher was reading the story of Chicken Little to her class. She came to the part of the story where Chicken Little tried to warn the farmer. She read, ".... and so Chicken Little went up to the farmer and said, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!" The teacher paused then asked the class,"And what do you think that farmer said?" One little girl raised her hand and said, "I think he said: 'Holy Shit! A talking chicken!'" The teacher was unable to teach for the next 10 minutes. 9. A certain little girl, when asked her name, would reply, "I'm Mr. Sugarbrown's daughter." Her mother told her this was wrong, she must say, "I'm Jane Sugarbrown." The Vicar spoke to her in Sunday School, and said, "Aren't you Mr. Sugarbrown's daughter?" She replied, "I thought I was, but mother says I'm not." 10. A little girl asked her mother, "Can I go outside and play with the boys?" Her mother replied, "No, you can't play with the boys, they're too rough." The little girl thought about it for a few moments and asked, "If I can find a smooth one, can I play with him?" 11. A little girl goes to the barber shop with her father. She stands next to the barber chair, while her dad gets his hair cut, eating a snack cake. The barber says to her, "Sweetheart, you're gonna get hair on your Twinkie." She says, "Yes, I know, and I'm gonna get boobs too." Herbert has also asked that you keep that smile on your face and pass it on to someone else. I say, thank God for the children. | ||||
Views in any article in Kingspark News reflect those of the authors. They are not necessarily the views of the Rotary Club of Kingspark or of District 3450. You are welcome to write to Chief Editor Francis Wann or Club Webmaster John Wan on any topic, particularly in response to articles published in Kingspark News. We would publish all contributions as long as the authors identify themselves, the contents are not offensive or abusive, and would not offend common decency or common sense. You need not be a Rotarian to write to us and you have a choice to withhold your name in the published version. Where the contents make reference to statements or policies of individuals or organizations, we would try to obtain a response fro the latter for publication in the same issue if possible. | ||||
Chief
Editor : Francis Wann The Board of Directors President
: Thomas Chan | ||||
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