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KINGSPARK NEWS Club Number: 30119 2007-08 Rotary Year : Issue 11 : 4 December |
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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 (Rotary
Questions) - By Francis Wann |
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District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship |
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Rotary Questions
It couldn¡¦t have come at a more appropriate time. The letter from RI President Wilfrid Wilkinson and Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Robert Scott on Monday (Nov 26) was something which should make our dream of a polio-free one step closer, and it also reminds the world all over that the fight, though almost won, is not over. Not yet. I am of course referring to the pledge of US$100 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which will be matched by RI to make up $200m for our PolioPlus program. Members may still remember Rotary's commitment in the eradication of polio worldwide began more than two decades ago in 1985, and our hope to celebrate an end to polio in 2005 as a landmark in our centennial year was dashed when new cases were discovered in countries such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. As Scott said, "The job is 99 percent completed, But the polio cases representing the final one percent are the most costly." Yes, it's a lot of money by any standards, but according to WHO officials, it is estimated that eradication efforts will cost nearly $1.3 billion in the next two years. And even with the Gates grant and RI commitment, the eradication program still faces a $650m shortfall over the same period. Many Rotarians must be wondering with such a huge and high profile donation ever given to Rotary, if we should reconsider our future strategies and directions. At least some of our members are heavily involved in TRF work, in particular PDGs John Wan and Alex Mak who both once served as Foundation Chairman. In an open letter addressed to all Rotarians, Dan Mooers, PolioPlus Partners Taskforce Director, ICUFR also confirmed RI Foundation Trustee Lou Piconi will participate in an online discussion which will begin on Monday December 10 at 9 am EST for 51 hours ending on Wed Dec 12, 2007. Registration is at http//www2. icufr.org. Simply go to the site and register under Community Forums. It's important because if you don't register, you cannot ask questions though you may still have access to the discussion. So if you're wondering how the Foundation sees this particular donation, or if you simply want to clarify something, why not ask yourself? Go to the district site and read the details. I have no doubt many of you have already been there ¡V and read it. And I have no doubt there¡¦s something you want to ask, but it remains to be seen if you¡¦d go ahead and fire a question. The culture has it that we never want to embarrass anyone, but this time we very much like to see some hardhitting questions and arguments. As I see it, no questions are too insignificant, and by the same token, no members are too small. Nobody can really tell a silly question from a serious one. Perhaps your silly question helps to change the course of Rotary. |
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President's
Column
In addition to attending the regular Rotary functions, I also have the privilege to attend a recent wedding of a "Rotarian" in Aberdeen Marina Club; it was supposed to be a joyful evening, except learning of another "Rotarian's" misfortune - a Rotarian had gotten a stroke since September this year and had been in the hospital ever since (due to the privacy reason, the names are purposely opted out). I was extremely touched by the groom that night that it was supposed to be the happiest day of his life, yet he shared the sad news with the attendees with tears in his eyes. I do not know what brought about this strong emotion to have a man share publicly of his tears, but I do know the spirit of Rotary is well and alive. The Rotary spirit touches us in ways that we are least expected; I have heard numerous stories of how Rotarians help each other in time of crisis, and how this further strengthened the bond among Rotarians. Soon after the sharing, I have witnessed the caring and help offered by Rotarians to the spouse of the "hospitalized" Rotarian; this is yet another case of Rotary at its best, and I am very fortunate to be able to associate with the Rotarians and proud to call myself a Rotarian. Here I invite all (Rotarian or non-Rotarian) to understand Rotary better - its mission of World Peace, its key mandate of eradication of Polio and its key services involving humanitarian projects, hunger and health - and truly to experience the Rotary spirit by simply helping and caring for another human being. December will be another excellent month: December 8th is Kowloon East (our mother club)'s annual ball; December 9th is the District's Sports Day; December 15th is our Christmas Dinner and in that afternoon PP Peter Lo and Rtn Spark Lam shall lead us to visit home for blindness (one of our service projects); and December 20th is our AGM and second Club Assembly. Merry Christmas! See you all in the December events and let's all further the Rotary spirit! |
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From
the Charter President
President Wilfrid J Wilkinson was in Kuala Lumpur (or on his way there) last week when news came round that RI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation would partner again to inject a much-needed US$200 million into the global campaign to eradicate polio. This is how it will work. The Gates Foundation will donate US$100 million which The Rotary Foundtion will match dollar for dollar over three years. It means that The Rotary Foundation will re-double its efforts to appeal to Rotarians in the next three years to donate more towards the Foundation to reach the target, on top of the donations through the Annual Giving Program. The initial $100 million from the Gates Foundation will be spent within one year in direct support of immunization activities carried out by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which is a partnership spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. Bill Gates said on the occasion that the extraordinary dedication of Rotary members has played a critical role in bringing polio to the brink of eradication. On the polio eradication progress, while the number of polio cases has been cut by 99 percent over the past two decades, the wild poliovirus still persists in four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. The polio cases represented by that final one percent are the most costly to prevent due to such factors as geographical isolation, worker fatigue, low coverage with the vaccine, armed conflict, and cultural barriers. Last month, WHO released data confirming that all four remaining polio-endemic countries are on track to achieve eradication. In particular, significant progress has been made in India and Nigeria, which together account for 85 percent of the world¡¦s polio cases. Nigeria has reported 226 cases so far this year, compared with 958 at the same time last year. In both countries, more effective oral polio vaccines have contributed to steady progress in reducing polio cases. WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan says the Gates Foundation grant reaffirms that polio eradication is both feasible and achievable. While Rotarians can take pride in the efforts and money raised towards the GPEI, we must also bear in mind that all the other partners and many governments worldwide have spent a lot more on the program. It would be foolish and politically as well as factually incorrect to boast therefore that Rotary is the major organization responsible for the eradication of Polio, when that happens. Many senior Rotarians from the District were in Kuala Lumpur last week attending the Rotary Institute which also featured a Regional Rotary Foundation Seminar. Rotary leaders, in particular future leaders, were reminded of the importance of sharing. Indeed, contribution to The Rotary Foundation in cash and in kind could be a very effective avenue and method of sharing. I have already pointed out that that many NGOs and governments are involved in the GEPI. It is thus vital that Rotarians share the success of the initiative with everyone and every organization involved. Indeed there is no better way to do that. I began to prepare this issue on 3 December, which is the Feast Day of Saint Francis Xavier, whom Catholics remember as the Patron Saint for missionary work. St Francis indeed is a great person who shared everything, his time, his knowledge and his work. During his short life, he travelled from city to cities, through countries and land and sea. He would set up the Catholic Church in a new city and move on, never claiming credits for his work. He had hoped to spread the Gospel in China, but he died before reaching there. He could well be an example of Rotarians; or Rotarians could all learn from his examples of selflessness, compassion and genorsity. No one needs to claim any credit for any service rendered. Indeed, the priviliges of a governor or district officials over other members are that they have added opportunities to serve more people and in a wider capacity. |
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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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