KINGSPARK NEWS

Club Number: 30119

2007-08 Rotary Year : Issue 4 : 17 August

Contents

Down Memory Lane - By PP Edward Lau
Editorial (A Matter of Communication) - By Francis Wann
President's Column - By President Marvin Lai
From the Charter President (Membership Development) - By CP John Wan
Letters to Editor
The Board

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Breaking News
By PP Edward Lau

Down Memory Lane

Our guest speaker for the last meeting (16th August), Wendy Ho, ex-Principal of Ho Tung Secondary School, is no stranger to Kingspark Hong Kong. Wendy recalled that it was exactly one year ago that she and several of her key staff members came to our meeting to introduce Ho Tung Secondary School to us. Many of us remembered the discussions after that regular meeting which led Kingspark Hong Kong and Ho Tung to become partners in the just launched Rotary Adopt A School Project. Much has happened since then; highlights of some of the activities include the Mock Court Trial in September, the YDC School Partnership Program in the fourth quarter, the Vocational Talk in January, the formation of Ho Tung Interact Club in May (our fourth Interact Club) and the IU (International Understanding) Trip of 14 students to Osaka (District 2660) next week led by PP Thomas.

Wendy spoke of the problems and challenges facing her as she was appointed principal of Ho Tung Secondary School two years ago. Ho Tung was well known some twenty thirty years ago due to its very strong accounting and business program but it has stood still while the world literally raced by. (Ho Tung was no stranger to Wendy as it was one of her first assignments after joining the Civil Service in 1977.) Morale among the students was low and English standard poor after a humiliating defeat at an English speaking competition a few years ago. Wendy was thinking of spending up to a year to take stock of the situation but decided to take action as she realized that one year is a very long time for students that spend 5 years of their life at the school. Wendy wanted to change the mindset of the school so that students, teachers, and administrators could think and approach issues positively. Wendy start making changes but the Rotary Adopt A School Project and the partnership with Kingspark Hong Kong turned out to be the key change agent.

As Wendy recalled, initially the teachers were not enthusiastic about the first project - the Mock Court Trial - which is very demanding and challenging but gradually changed their mind as they felt the strong and positive approach and attitude of the students. (The Mock Court Trial was covered by RTHK and generated lots of positive publicity for the Adopt A School Project.) As Wendy puts it, you need to have success to generate more success. The Interact Club is another example. The school had assigned Form 3 students to the Club and, even though the leadership has had no experience in organizing such clubs and activities, they have excelled and the Interact Club is now one of the most popular "ECA" in Ho Tung. Wendy joked that, because so many students wants to join the Interact Club, they are thinking of placing a cap on the number of members. Wendy thanked Kingspark Hong Kong for giving numerous wonderful opportunities to the students throughout this past year so they can broaden their vision and exposure to the world.

In closing, Wendy is a little sad about leaving Ho Tung only after two years as more work need to be done to ensure the continued and further success of the changes that has been put in place. She is looking forward to starting all over again as Principal of Bililios Public School later this month.

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EDITORIAL

A Matter of Communication

Spotted recently in an airport on the mainland:

IN PRECEDING A HALF STEP, MAKE A CIVILISED FORWARD

You'd have to stretch your imagination to get a clue, but you might remember that famous oneliner from astronaut Neil Armstrong in 1969- "A small step for man; a giant step for mankind". The obscure version at the airport has nothing to do with space adventure, and if I add that it was found in the gents, you might begin to comprehend¡K

Such was the kind of linguistic phenomenon we often found ourselves caught offguard. More than two years ago when China secured its rights to host the 2008 Olympic Games, there were serious decisions from the highest order to "clean up its act". First the street names and road signs, then restaurant menus. It was certainly a massive project, and with the Games now daunting on us, it seems that time is not on our side and we might have already become an international laughing stock even before the Games begin on our soil.

And on the subject of English, you might still remember only last week some 75,000 school leavers received their cert exam results, and due to a change in the mode of assessment, there was a surge of candidates getting a pass grade or above. The exams authority chief was quick to respond to criticisms that the marking scheme was biased, but there was no doubt most candidates who went through the exams said they were easier. Now the marking scheme is criterion referenced as opposed to norm-referenced in the past, which means candidates are no longer compared against each other to fit the infamous curve which determines the percentage for each grade.

Does it signal a new way of teaching and learning? For too long our schools have been accused of stifling creativity and inflexibility, now the new system might pave the way for a real revamp if teachers are to get the message correctly. How should we proceed from here would be something worth some serious thoughts or else we'd find ourselves locked into another education dilemma. Already some over zealous publishers have already produced sample papers modelled on this years exam papers with specific guidelines and model answers - much like what they did in the past.

This editorial has consistently been critical of our education reforms but I have to give credit where credit is due. Hopefully the new exam format will take the burden off our students - and teachers, and that students are more likely to enjoy learning. Of course the top students still excel in school, but other students should be able to shine in other areas.

Every year our media alerts us to a few top-scoring students. They certainly deserve our praises but let's not forget the less unfortunate. Many of us are not born prodigies and you can't have a curriculum which fits all. But when I saw our chief executive Donald Tsang using our top students from CMI school to defend mother tongue policy, I began to cringe with embarrassment.

Want to know what our students are up to? If someone wrote something like "I very like football" in this year's English cert exam, he'd have been awarded a Level 2, an equivalent to a minimum pass grade in the traditional assessment.

And if that's a joke, what a bitter joke it is.

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President's Column
By President Marvin Lai

District Affairs

1. DG's Visit to Area 9 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

DG Peter Wong is to make his first debut as the District Governor to visit Area 9 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia since he took office in July this year. DG Peter shall visit Ulaanbaatar from September 17 to September 21, 2007. For those who wish to join DG Peter in this visit, please contact me or the DG's office.

2. Matching Grant

District reminded all clubs that the application deadline for matching grant is March 31st, 2008; though it seems many months away, it does take time to approve applications, so the District urges all clubs to submit applications early. For our Club, we already have successfully applied for District Simplified Grant (DSG) for our Rainlily project last year; however, we shall continue to examine any possible projects that might require matching grants such as the international service projects with our Sister Clubs in Taipei and Bangkok.

3. PoliPlus Seminar - August 21, 2007 (Tuesday)

Polio has reappeared in many countries. As of end of 2006, only four countries remain having Polio; however, Polio reappeared in many more countries and posed a threat to the world health. PDG Dr. Raymond Wong and RI's "PolioPlus Partner Zone" coordinator shall host a seminar to better educate Rotarians in Hong Kong about the danger of Polio and what it means to the world of its reappearance if it is not contained. The seminar shall be held at M2 Floor of Peninsula Hotel on August 21, 2007 at 1:00pm.

4. Nomination of Members to Serve on Nominating Committee for DG 2010-2011

District reminded all to nominate a representative from each club and thereafter one representative to represent an Area to act as the member of Nominating Committee to elect DG for the year of 2010-2011. The deadline for each club's submission is September 28, 2007 at 5:00pm. Our Club shall nominate a representative at the next board meeting on August 23, 2007. However, all Kingsparicans are welcome to submit your nomination, and you can do so by email it directly to me at mcl95@yahoo.com; I will propose them, on your behalf, in the board meeting.

5. District Membership Seminar - September 8, 2007 (Saturday)

District Membership Seminar is to be held on September 8, 2007 (Saturday) at Sheraton Hotel from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Lunch shall also be served from 1:00pm to 2:00pm for those who wish to have lunch. Our PE Joyce, also Club's Membership Chairperson, shall represent Area 8 on the topic of "Long-Established Clubs" (Congratulations, PE Joyce!). Other topics are "Recruitment (regular issues)" by Area 3, "Recruitment (public relation emphasis)" by Area 2, "Retention" by Area 5, "Extension" by Area 1, "New Member's Orientation" by Area 6, "Small Clubs" by Area 4, and "Action Planning on Membership Development" by Area 7. The District urges Rotarians to participate in this seminar as the "membership" is one of the main focuses in this "Rotary Share" year.

6. District Rotary Foundation Seminar - September 15, 2007 (Saturday)

District Rotary Foundation Seminar is to be held on September 15, 2007 (Saturday) at Taifook Securities Training Center located at 14/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, Hong Kong from 2:00pm to 5:30pm. Our PDG Alexander Mak is the DRFC (District Rotary Foundation Committee) Chair for this Rotary year, so please come to learn more about The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and support our PDG!

7. New Club to Be Formed

District announced that a new club is to be formed soon under the name of "Rotary Club of Hong Kong Financial Center". There shall be approximately 26 Rotarians at its inauguration.

8. CP Chan Yat Sun of RC of New Territories

CP Chan has passed away on July 27, 2007. The viewing ceremony is to be held on August 16, 2007 at 6:00pm; and the service, August 17 at 11:00pm at Universal Funeral, Hunghom. For those who know CP Chan well, please pay your last respect on August 16 or 17, 2007.

9. District 3450 Contribution Ranking

D3450 is ranked number 3 (just behind Brazil and Korea, but ahead of Japan and Taiwan) in Rotary Foundation contribution.

Club Affairs

1. Lunch-Meal Change

Thank you for your support. The Club has received many confirmations as to your choice between options A (6-month) and B (ad-hoc). Our Honorary Treasurer PP Ted Ho shall debit those who chose option A in these few weeks. For better savings, the debit amount shall begin from July 1, 2007.

2. Mr. W.K. Lam Featured in Rotary on September 13, 2007

Mr. W.K. Lam (the well-known civil servant) is to speak to Rotary on September 13, 2007 at 7:30pm at either New World Renaissance Hotel (TST) or Miramar Hotel (to be confirmed). This is a joint meeting among RC of Kingspark Hong Kong, RC of Kwun Tong, RC of Shatin, RC of Channel Island, and RC of Kowloon East. We have already reserved one table for this special occasion; our regular lunch meeting of that day shall be changed to the dinner meeting.

3. Club Assembly - September 20, 2007

Club Assembly is to be held on September 20, 2007. There will be a few important issues to be addressed; hence, please come to share your views for the betterment of the club and to rekindle with your fellow Kingsparicans.

4. Kingspark Camp

The Kingspark Camp is tentatively set on December 1, 2007 for 1 night and 2 days in Hong Kong. Venue and activities are to be confirmed. However, if you have any great suggestions, please do email it to our Camp Chairman PP Ted Ho.

5. PP Winston Tsang's Invitation for a Cruise Dinner - September 1, 2007

PP Winston Tsang of RC of Kowloon East (father of our Honorary Secretary Kennedy Tsang) invites Kingsparicans to be his guests for a sumptuous dinner yet to view the beautiful Hong Kong harbor at night on September 1, 2007 from 6:15pm to 10:30pm. Boarding shall start at 6:15pm sharp at the pier off Wanchai Convention Center. Since there will be other Rotarians joining the cruise, 10 Kingsparicans are reserved to enjoy this event; hence, it is on the "first come first serve" basis; please RSVP with me or PE Joyce via email latest by August 28, 2007.

6. Identification (ID) Card for All Kingsparicans

Thanks to Irene Leung, our Executive Secretary, we now have our own Kingsparican ID cards. The ID cards were distributed in our lunch meeting on August 16, 2007; however, for those who did not get it, please come to the next lunch meeting to collect your card.

7. Brass-Name Plates for the President's Ribbon

Brass-name plates with all Past President's names will be made to better recognize the efforts of all Past Presidents. The small brass plates will be affixed to the President's ribbon as a symbol of respect.

8. Osaka Interactor Club's Visit to Hong Kong - August 10, 2007

Osaka Interactor Club visited Hong Kong on August 10, 2007. Our Interactor Club Ho Tung and the other Interactor Club Man Ko Pan secondary school warmly welcomed the Osaka club, and reciprocally Ho Tung Interactor Club will visit Osaka Interactor Club at the end of August with PP Thomas Chan accompanying them throughout the 5-day visit in Japan (Thanks PP Thomas).

It has been a fruitful first half of August, and there are more exciting events planned in the second half, so please do come to our regular lunch meetings to rekindle with your fellow Kingsparicans and bring at least one friend to share with him/her what Rotary is all about, which is best described by RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson's theme - Rotary Shares Eternal Peace!

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From the Charter President

Membership Development

You are not reading the last issue. I have decided to continue with the subject of membership development which I think is rather important and deserves to be treated as such.

I hope you recall that when President Marvin inducted Fiona into the club, he reminded the new member along the following line, "Today, we welcome you as a member of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong, but we can not make you a Rotarian, for Rotary membership is something that you have to gained for yourself, by following the motto of Rotary,,,"

Yes, too many people have joined Rotary clubs, only to leave for the largest organization ever existed in the world - the organization of ex-Rotary clubs menbers. Notice I have called them ex-Rotary club members as opposed to ex-Rotarians, for they have probably yet to become one.

For the past ten years, around 200,000 new members joined Rotary each year, but the total memebrship has hovered around the 1.2 million line, suggesting that at least the same number of people left each year, if not more. Past President Frank Devlyn - who was RI President in 2000-01 - has suggested that it was seven times more difficult and more strenuous to retain a member than to recruit a new one, or something to that effect. What Frank was trying to say is that we should be very careful in recruiting new members, lest we could be at cross purposes bringing in members who only stay for less than two years.

Yes, two years, and in fact less than two years, is the staying power of most members who have joined and left Rotary. That is why we have at least 3 to 4 million people and probably more around the globe who have been Rotary club members. What does that tell us?

It suggests - although it would take rigorous quantitative supplemented by qualitative research to confirm and validate - that many people have joined Rotary for the wrong reasons; and after the novelty wears off, they cease to be interested and leave.

But there can be only one reason why people should join Rotary, and that is "Service". Rotary is service. Rotary is the oldest service club in the world. Rotary is Service Above Self.

Anyone who wears a Rotary pin and has not taken time to serve is not worth being called a Rotarian. He or she is at best a member of a Rotary club, and chances are the pin won't last on him or her too long.

I have heard people say that Rotary should keep costs down and so on. I totally agree. There are many ways to keep costs down, but spending less on service project is simply not an option. Anyone who wears a Rotary pin and refuses to spend according to his or means on service projects is once again quilty of passing off and should think again why he or she wants to belong to a Rotary club.

It does not take a lot of money to be a Rotarian. One can contribute in kind - by offering one's time, expertise, experience and energies. Besides, we are a reasonably affluent community, such that if a member says that he or she has problems making a contribution of US$100 each year to the Rotary Foundation, we should consider taking the member to a welfare agency. We all know that Rotary is not a charitable or welfare organization.

Yes, we need numbers badly, but we need quality members even more badly. Paul Harris started with himself and three friends and the rest is history. The Rotary Foundation began wit less than US$30 and now spends US$100 million each year in programmes that will change the life of millions for the better.

This is what we ask of members - to be always service-minded and not be shy to tell others what you stand for and what you believe in.

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Letters to Editor

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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The Board

President : Marvin Lai
President-Elect and Membership: Joyce Mak
Vice-President and Public Relations: Michael Eyles
Secretary : Kennedy Tsang
Treasurer : Ted Ho
Rotary Foundation : Patrick Wong
Club Administration : Edward Lau
Service Projects : Peter Lo
Sergeant-at-Arms : Alexander Kar

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