20. April 10
This is a short summary, for the full Bulletin in PDF, click the following link:
President John opened the meeting by extending a warm welcome to our guests and fellow members.
Four way test was led by David van Meerendonk in English and Chinese
Acting Sergeant at Arms David welcomed:
Visiting Rotarians:
- Rtn. Tom Mack, RC San Mateo USA
- Rtn. Christine Haynsworth, RC Coquille, Oregan
- Rtn. John Gong, RC Pulos Verdes, USA
- Rtn. Richard Michael, RC Chelan, France
- Rtn. Elisabeth Villao, RC KØse Nord, Denmark
- Rtn. Charles Chan, RC Taipo, Hong Kong
And visiting guests:
- Mr. Graut Tao, guest of Rtn. Priscilla
- Ms. Ding Jin, guest of Rtn. Priscilla
- Ms. Enoch Li, guest of Rtn. Gilbert
- Mr. Gary permenter, guest of Rtn. Josephine
- Mr. Alexander, guest of Rtn. Gilbert
- Ms. Vinny Kuah, guest of Rtn. Josephine
- Mr. Richard Rheindorf, guest of Rtn. Kevin
- Mr. Francesco Cisci, Speaker
- Mr. Benno von Canstein, guest of Rtn. Marlis
Banners were exchanged with the following Rotary Clubs:
- RC Leuven, Belgium
Reports & Announcements:
April board report
President John gave the April board report. The Rotary office has been closed and is now utilizing a virtual office. Additionally, we have some storage space donated by the Kempinski Hotel for our hardcopy archives and future banner storage. The Board has also approved two new contributions for Rotaract and Interact projects. 2000RMB for the Rotaract sports day with the Huiling School and 16500RMB for the Interact arranged health check-up for the Guangai school on April 18 & 19. Two new members are approved and will be inducted in due course. Treasurer Jens then made the club finance report and stated that we are in healthy fiscal shape, with only a few costs (i.e. the rotaract and interact projects contribution) due to go out in the near future.
Ambassadorial Scholar report
Alexandra from Belgium did his second visit to our club. Alex gave us a report of his time at Qing Hua and the study program he is attending. He is thoroughly enjoying the campus life and is awed at the beauty and size of it all. The studies are going well but are difficult as they are completely in Chinese. He will be going to Shanghai shortly for the next part of his time here.
Rotary Ball
Ball Committee member Rtn. Thomas Buchman announced that after personally visiting the Sofitel Hotel ball room location for this year’s Rotary Ball (May 22nd), he strongly encourages members to bring lots of their friends as the room is huge!!! But more importantly, that the diverse line up for the music will truly inspire all of us to dance, dance, dance, to the middle of the night.
Speakers Program:
Speaker coordinator Rtn. Alan introduced today’s speaker, Mr. Francesco Cisci, the editor of La Stampa and member of FCCC.
Mr. Cisci gave an excellent, upfront and accurate speech about the leadership structure in China over the last 25 years and how China has embraced some tenets of democracy while maintaining their own policies and structures for ascending politicians. He also talked about the potential national leaders’ candidates and states that no one knows exactly what, but there is something going on inside the top echelon of the government that we should watch for.
Rtn. Josephine thanked Francesco’s for his great and informative speech.
