|
KINGSPARK NEWS Club Number: 30119 2006-07 Rotary Year : Issue 3 : 28 July | ||
| This
is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong | ||
 | ||
| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan | ||
| Editorial
(Yes
Minister ) - By Francis Wann | ||
| District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship | ||
|
Yes, Minister
Universal suffrage, again, was the most important tradeable commodity for our politicians, with people's livelihood came a close second. It's not difficult to understand why our former governor was winning hearts and minds. Our legislators and officials are too serious, and they tend to make everything sound incredibly serious. Chris Patten at least brought a bit of fresh air into the discussion. You might not agree with what he said (and did, and wrote), and possibly he must have been repeating himself over the many luncheon and dinner schedules, but he is fun and enormously resourceful, and that's also what people like Henry Tang have to learn. For what he's worth, Chris Patten must be a sweet talker. I'm not sure if he's also a prolific writer. I certainly hope he is, for I have a huge collection of his work written during his days as governor and maybe one day they'll become collector's items. Our former governor clearly understands the meaning of newsworthiness. His interviews appeared in this edition's Post Magazine and last week's Sunday Times Magazine. On RTHK this Monday, he talked about how he entered politics as a politically appointed civil servant. He talked about pollution, about introducing GST, abut memoirs, about Prince Charles' private diary, and about education. Of course it was easy for Chris Patten to discuss all our pressing issues in a light-hearted manner now, and it would be unfair to compare him with our politicans. But as Chancellor of University of Oxford, his views and vision on higher education may not be too different from ours indeed. He laid down the two purposes: first, university education should provide our young people with a broad education which is not about getting credits but about the ability to write clearly, think clearly, and check evidence against theories. Second, it must be continuously pushing back the frontiers of knowledge. Theese are not earthshattering PhD dissertations, and hardly anyone would dispute that. But there's been a lot of bitterness in our local education scene. We've heard a lot about worrying standards, disgruntled teachers, and school closures. We just wonder: when are we going back to the fundamentals, my Lord? Last weekend also saw our new district governor Tony officially installed. He should also understand the world is not perfect and his leadership in Rotary is now put to test. But as Lord Patten so frequently quoted - Sweet are the uses of adversity. *Act II. Scene I. As You Like It. Craig, W.J., ed. 1914. The Oxford Shakespeare. | ||
President's
Column
The first week in July is usually the best days for club installation and the start of a new Rotary Year. The 13th installation of our Club fell on July 6. This is just one day earlier than last year. I am not superstitious. As far as I am concerned, the number 13 is just another number of no significant meaning, but it tells me that I have to lead the Club through another meaningful and successful year of fellowship and service. This year's Handover ceremony took place in an evening meeting. It was a joyful evening, and 3 tables were fully taken up by Rotarians, Rotariannes, and Rotaractors. Good Chinese dishes were served. It has been more than a year since Kingspark has had held an evening meeting. I remember that in the beginning of the Rotary year just gone, the Board killed the idea of holding evening meetings because of consistent disappointing attendance in the past. I should be very happy to raise this issue with the Board again if sufficient members think that it is a good idea to hold evening meetings. We had the honour to have the presence of DG Tony Wong, AG Rainbow Li, DAG Johnson Tsang, and DAG Vincent Ng to witness and celebrate the occasion. DG Tony had to excuse himself soon after the handover ceremony because he had two more club functions lined up in the evening. Thanks DG Tony for showing support to our Club handover. I felt relieved for our IPP Dominic. He is a role model for many of us because, I believe, he had diligently performed his duties as our President last year. For family reasons, he deferred once in taking up the role of the President. Yet he honored his promise and came back leading our Club to a successful year. IPP Dominic confessed that he has had many lonely days and nights. I can imagine because he is a very very hard working Rotarian. Kingspark produces many very hard working Rotarians. He is hands-on and on top of every projects and events, in Kingspark or under the District. He was everywhere when needed, in Hong Kong or as far as in the desert of Mongolia. He is a role model that finally encourages me to take up this lonely challenge. IPP Dominic, my tribute to you. I believe I will also be facing many lonely days and nights ahead if I wish to lead the Club to another successful year. There was another important installation held later in the week. Our Rotaractors celebrated their 11th Installation Ceremony on July 8. Rachel Leung took over the post of President from Vivian Choi. Our new Board was there in full force to support, PP Raymond, his daughter, and PP Edward joined the party. All Rotaract Advisors 2006-7 were introduced to the Rotaractors: IPP Dominic, PP Thomas, VP Marvin, Community Service Director Joyce, and soon-to-be Rotarian Alexander. District VIPs, to name a few, DG Tony, DRC Vito, PDG John, PDG Alex, IPDG Peter, PP Sally also showed up to support our partners in service. The presence of the heavy weights symbolized the significance of our Rotaract Club in the district. It recognized their achievements representing District 3450 in RI. Congratulations Pres. Rachel and IPP Vivian. I would also like to thank our Rotaractors for giving Joyce and myself the chance to win the Best Rotaract Advisor Award in the District. Lastly, let me welcome Alexander Kar to become the newest member of the Club. To those members who did not show up in the induction ceremony, or those who still do not know who Alexander is or how he looks, may I suggest that you extend your welcome to our new member by coming to the lunch meeting more often, or come to the Kingspark camp today on July 21 to 23. | ||
|
Literacy [Most of the information in this article is obatined from the RI website - Ed.]
President Bill has urged Rotarians to celebrate International Literacy Day by showing the world their commitment to literacy. He appeals to clubs and Rotarians to focus attention on that day on worldwide literacy issues and needs. It is estimated that 860 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write and that more than 100 million children lack access to education. The theme of the 2006 celebration is Literacy, the Path Out of Poverty. You can download IRA’s 2006 International Literacy Day brochure from their website. The International Reading Association recognizes outstanding literacy programs through its awards and grants program. The annual UNESCO International Reading Association Literacy Prize (formerly, the International Reading Association Literacy Award), has been presented since 1979 by UNESCO on International Literacy Day. The award, recently raised to US$20,000, is meant to benefit programs throughout the world, including many in economically and educationally disadvantaged regions. The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) Pakistan, a public sector organization established in 2002, is the recipient of the 2006 UNESCO International Reading Association Literacy Prize. NCHD’s literacy program intends to raise Pakistan’s literacy level from 53 percent to 86 percent by 2015. To achieve this target, NCHD is in the process of strengthening the formal education system to increase access and reduce the dropout rate. NCHD also supports a comprehensive adult literacy program, with 23,000 literacy centers. A half million people are newly literate. You can find a list of previous winners of the prize on their website. The Association also cosponsors an annual celebration of International Literacy Day in Washington, DC. The event often follows a symposium format and includes representatives from many groups working in partnership with the Association on international literacy projects. Once again, you can download an invitation to the 2006 celebration. To find out how you or your club can get involved in planning or sponsoring International Literacy Day activities, look over these information sheets, again from their website: Idea starters: International Literacy Day activities and events Fact sheet: Facts about International Literacy Day Media tips: News releases and public service announcements Honor Council information: Opportunities for IRA councils to participate in International Literacy Day Global efforts: The International Reading Association’s global activities in support of literacy. For additional information about about International Literacy Day, go to IRA’s Washington office website at irawash@reading.org. | ||
|
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 from the latter for publication in the same issue if possible. | ||
|
Chief
Editor : Francis Wann The Board of Directors President
: Patrick Wong | ||
| Return to Contents | ||
| Send
a message to Chief Editor Francis Wann 2004 and 2005 Issues, Back Issues, Home | ||