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KINGSPARK NEWS Club Number: 30119 2007-08 Rotary Year : Issue 1 : 2 July | ||
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is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong | ||
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| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan | ||
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Editorial
(With
Hindsight) - By Francis Wann | ||
| District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship | ||
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With Hindsight
There's been so much hype over the tenth anniversary of you-know-what and one wondered if our rose garden was there already. The PLAs, fireworks, the vows and promises, the sworn-ins, the monotonous speeches, and the pandas were all part of the game, and somewhat I suddenly remember what Prince Charles scribbled in his private diary ten years ago as he witnessed the handover ceremony. Yes Hong Kong does have something to celebrate, if not for the simple fact that we've survived the decade. Yesterday more than 50,000 took to the streets to voice out their grievances over a wide range of issues - from education reforms to corruption, and from animal cruelty to universal suffrage. Professor Paul Morris' article, written originally for the Civic Party's last issue of A45 after the release of the HKIEd report, has again reminded us of how shaky our system is. And if people in his rank feel the pressure and interference from the government, what chance would there be for other staff members down the hierarchy, and what chance would there be for the teachers in the classroom? Martin Lee SC questioned the rationale and function of the University Grants Committee during the inquiry, and now what seems something highly complicated to the outside world - the question of funding allocation - might just be a matter of personal preference. Well the dust hasn't been settled with the report; nor with the resignation and departure of Fanny Law and Arthur Li respectively, but already we've heard news about the Council's and Li's intention to retaliate. As Professor Morris noted in his article, it's now up to other people to continue to ensure that the truth prevails. But will the truth ever come? Perhaps Paul Morris should have known better - When academics play the games of the nasties, it'd probably get even nastier. How would the world outside see the whole saga? The inquiry itself should have injected a new lease of life into the reputation of the institute in a sense that it - or at least its president - has managed to stand up to what he believes. However the decision by the Council to remove him has once again cast doubts on its future. Now perhaps there's no such thing as fairness in our system, and one would only hope our students at HKIEd will learn a lesson from it, and decide its next move. Incidentally I've recently been talking to a few individuals over the inquiry, and none of them were optimistic about its outcomes, and that was before the Commission released its report. It is, after all, a gesture from the chief executive to show us how he values academic freedom. But at a time when education is still struggling to be accepted as a respectable branch of social science, it may still be a long way before this term is fully embraced. | ||
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President's
Column Writing this newsletter on June 30th, a day before the deadline of the publication of Kingspark News, has three special meanings to me: one is being the President of a Rotary club (Kingspark Hong Kong) that I have grown to love and respect, two is celebration of 10th anniversary of the SAR Hong Kong that I have adopted as my second home, and three is celebration of yet another 10th anniversary of the flagship company (Trans-Telecom) that I have founded in 1997. With these three "blessings" and the support of Kingsparicans, I know this "Rotary Shares" year will be a special and fruitful one. In this inaugurating "Rotary Shares" President's column, I'd like to share with you my vision for Kingspark Hong Kong this year, to welcome and introduce the Club Directors and Committee Chairs, and to congratulate a few Kingsparicans for serving in the District. Let's begin by a brief description of Club Installation & Handover Ceremony on the night of June 28th, 2007. Club Installation & Handover Ceremony It was a dignified yet respected handover ceremony with over 36 attendances by Rotarians, Rotaractors, family members, and friends. IPP Patrick and I would like to thank the following District officials for coming: DG Tong Wong, DGE Peter Wong, DGN Albert Wong, AG Rainbow Li, AGE Johnson Tsang, PDG John Wan, PDG Alex Mak and PDG Anthony Hung. Furthermore, we also like to thank our guest PE Carol of Rotary Club of Kwun Tong, all Kingsparicans and their spouses, PE Edith and 8 Rotaractors and friends for supporting the Installation ceremony. A special thanks goes to Irene for making her debut as our club's Executive Secretary for the year of "Rotary Shares". The agenda of the handover ceremony is as follows: 7:00 p.m.
Cocktail reception 8:30 p.m. Dinner Starts The ceremony was adjourned by all enjoying wine-and-dine for the rest of the evening and Sergeant-at-Arm Alex's report by having raised over HK$7,300 for the red box. Vision and Actions of "Rotary Shares" What is "Rotary Shares" and its purpose? According to the "Rotary Shares" RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson (2007-2008), "It is [the] fundamental spirit of generosityˇK Sharing is a concept generally associated with promoting the greater good, but it is also an individual action, a personal choice. Each one of us decides how much of our time and energy we want to share with Rotary, which ultimately determines how much each club can share with its local community and communities abroad." District Governor Peter Wong furthered it by suggesting, "We share our time, talents, money, kindness and love." And I envisioned these five elements to serve as our bedrock for our vision for the year of "Rotary Shares". Our emphasis this year is on sharing: membership sharing, service-projects sharing, club-administration sharing, and foundation-goal sharing. Membership Sharing: I envisioned a stronger membership recruitment and retention by reaching out and sharing "Kindness and Love" to Kingsparicans and society as a whole. I urge all Club Directors and Committee Chairs to set example by sharing and brining in at least one new member this year. Our goal for the year is to have a net gain of at least 2 new members. Service-Projects Sharing: Vocational Services: I envisioned enriching our school students by having meaningful Vocational service projects by sharing our "Talents" to better taping into our mentorship resources. We shall continue our signatory Vocational-Service projects such as "Career Talk" and "School-Company Partnership" (SCP) with Youth Development Council (YDC). Community Services: I envisioned strengthening our ties with the community by having purposeful Community-Service projects by sharing our "Time, Kindness, and Money". We shall continue our Community-Service projects such as "RainLily" and Rotaractor's Little-series projects and pioneer "Chinese folk song" enjoyment with elders in Chinese New Year and "Home for Blindness" visit at Christmas. International Services: I envisioned further relationships with our sister clubs in Taipei and Bangkok and better cultural exchanges with our twin clubs in Australia and Malaysia by having memorable "World Community Service (WCS)" projects and cultural exchange visits by sharing our "Time, Kindness, and Money". Club-Administration Sharing: I envisioned building a closer ties with Kingsparicans and their family members and improving club communications by having all of us start sharing "Time, Kindness and Love" with each other. We shall continue our Club Services such as "Kingspark Camp", fellowship opportunities (i.e. happy hour, dinners, etc.), bowling & other sports activities, Christmas party, "Chinese New Year" celebration, and Annual Dinner; and Club Assemblies once every quarter and lunch programs once every week. Foundation-Goal Sharing: I envisioned achieving our foundation goals by having all Kingsparicans to share our "Time and Money". We shall continue "Every Rotarian, Every Year", "PolioPlus", and reach the goal of US$3,100 for the annual giving. Club Directors, Committee Chairs & Their Duties As the President of the club for the year of "Rotary Shares" (2007-2008), it is my greatest pleasure to thank and welcome the following Club Directors and Committee Chairs: President: Marvin
Lai, Director Duties of Committee Chairs Membership Chair & Director - PE Joyce Mak - is responsible for all club-membership affairs such as classification, membership, membership education & development (net 2 gain per this Rotary year), and Rotary information. Public Relations Chair & Director - VP Michael Eyles - is responsible for all club's public-relations affairs such as Rotary's public image and "Humanity in Motion". The Rotary Foundation Chair & Director - IPP Patrick Wong - is responsible for all club-foundation affairs such as annual giving, permanent fund, grants, scholarships, GSE, PolioPlus, and alumni relations. Service-Projects Chair & Director - PP Peter Lo - is responsible for all club's service-projects affairs such as three avenues of services (i.e. Vocational, Community, and International), New Generations, Rotary Volunteers, and WCS (World Community Services). Please note that the fourth avenue of service (Club Service) is now under the leadership of Club-Administration Chair. Club-Administration Chair & Director - PP Edward Lau - is responsible for all club-administration affairs such as attendance, club bulletin, club service, fellowship, activities, magazine, and program. Kingsparicans as District Officials Congratulations also to the following Kingsparicans for serving at the District for Rotary Year 2007-2008 ( I hope I have included everybody); we are extremely proud of having such strong leadership representing our club this year in the District (thank you): PDG John Wan:
District World Community Service Committee Chair For those of you would like to get to know me better; my brief biography is attached by simply click on the following link: http://www.trans-tele.com/about/manprofile.html. Again this is the year of "Rotary Shares", so let's all pitch in and share! I am looking forward to a great year with all of you. Thank You. | ||
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From
the Charter President
I said unusual, because I spoke at all the hand-over meetings I was present, whether I liked it or not, and for that matter, whether the membership liked it or not. I recall rather vividly what happened on some occasions. For example, at one meeting, I was invited to speak last minute - both the outgoing and incoming presidents apparently had not put it on their programme - and probably because the meeting had gone on rather long, some members and guests had become rather impatient, and there was actually a commotion in one corner, probably instigated by a rather senior Rotarian. I stood at the speaker stand and waited until everyone quietened down before I made my speech. I was not sure everyone appreciated the manner I demanded the attention, but I would not allow good traditions and proper demeanour to give way to cheap popularity. I was not and still is not interested in seeking any public office, either within or without the Rotary district, and I see it my mission as Charter President of the Club to lay down, uphold and maintain such traditions and practices. Last week, I discussed the Club Presidency as an institution and I said I would share with you my view on the Office of the Charter Presidency. In this District and possibly in other districts, charter presidents are recognized for the special position they held in the history of their respective clubs and in the district. As a start, there is only one charter president in each club, so that these people need not change their name cards, for they would always be charter presidents. When the charter president leaves the club, he or she would remain charter president as such. There would be no election for a replacement or a substitute; unlike the presidency or any other offices. It would be easy but not prudent though to dismiss the charter presidency as an institution on grounds that the RI standard by-laws do not provide for such an office, or that the functions of a charter president are completed after a club is chartered. What then are the functions of a charter president? I pause to bring in another institution - the past presidency. There are actually provisions in the RI Constitutions and By-laws for a Past Presidents Council. Indeed there is one for all RI Past Presidents. The Past Presidents Council is an advisory body and has no executive functions. It exists to offer the leadership of the day advice on demand and of its own accord. Such advice of course would be for the Club President and his Board to consider. They can be totally ignored or disregarded, but more importantly, the President and the Board cannot exculpate themselves from responsibilities arising from having taken such advice. In other words, the President, and not the Past Presidents Council, would still be ultimately accountable for all the consequences. This is how any democratic institution would operate. The Office of the President carries the authority and the accompanying responsibilities; wheras Past Presidents, and for that matter, the Past Presidents Council carries no authority, but the responsibility to advise as and when necessary. A charter president is by definition a past president and hence carries similiar functions, except that by convention, a charter president would, by virtue of his special position in history, have been instrumental in formulating club policies and practices from the very beginning. A charter president would therefore be an additional source of advice for the club leadership of the day, but as with all advice, they are there to be listened to, along with all other advice which the leadership would no doubt listen to. One may also liken the relationship between the reigning club leadership and their past presidents and charter presidents as one between grown up children and their parents. By law, grown up children, particularly those who enjoy absolute and abundant financial independence, need not listen to their parents. In pratice there are many examples. The question then is whether children should listen to their parents and grand parents, and how. When one looks at oneself in the mirror, or even when on looks at one's hands, one would see not only oneself or one's hands, but rather the images of one's parents and grand parents and their hands. We are a continuation of our parents. Some people spend a life time trying to forget their parents because of what they thought their parents had done to them, because they felt ashamed of their parents, or because they thought their parents did not understand them. This is not only unnecessary, but also very sad; for if people could put themselves in their parents shoes, if people could think of the good in their parents in addition to the not so good or bad in them, they would have realized that they are but a continuation of their parents, meaning that if they hate their parents, they are actually hating themselves. On the contrary, if people could learn to bury what they don't like about their ancesters and instead cherish and magnify what they feel good about them, they would be living in love and compassion, and in happiness. | ||
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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. | ||
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President :
Marvin Lai | ||
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