Rotary Club of Beijing

This is a short summary, for the full Bulletin in PDF, click the following link:
090210_bulletin.pdf

President Elect Henry chaired the meeting in the absence of President Kevin.
Rtn. Curt Bergstrom led the Four Way Test in both Chinese and English.

Sergeant-at-Arms Gilbert welcomed visiting Rotarians:
- Ms. Annie Chan, from RC of Vieux Montreal, Canada
- Ms. Helen Boyle, from RC of Northwick Park, Landon
And visiting guests:
- Ms. Ilse Mann, guest of Rtn. Niels-Uwe Behrens
- Ms. Charlene Chuang, guest of Rtn. Serge Kioes
- Ms. Julia Feng, guest of Rtn. Peter Humphrey
- Ms. Amanda Chan, guest of Rtn. Annie Chan
- Mr. Walter Jansen, guest of Rtn. Norbert Stöhr
- Ms. Margaret Ward, guest of Rtn. Alan Babington-Smith (speaker)
- Mr. Brian Griffin, guest of Rtn. Charles Lagrange
- Mr. Guillaume Rougier-Brierre, guest of Rtn. Raphael Goué
- Mr. Stefan Hubeli, guest of Rtn. David Van Meerendonk
- Mr. Cindy Burkhardt guest of Rtn. Josephine Ng
- Ms. Rita Carvalho, guest of Rtn. Gilbert

Banners were exchanged with the following Clubs:
- Rotary Club of Vieux Montreal, Canada
- Rotary Club of Harrow England (received c/o Rtn. Ruby Chang -  see her pictures during her visit to the London Northwick Park Club and London Harrow Club)

Reports & Announcements
Club Secretary John Barnes who chaired the recent February Board meeting reported on the motions and decisions made by the Board at the meeting.  His report covered Club Admin, Secretary, Membership, Financial, Rotary Foundation and Club service projects. CS John also reported that the Board had approved a proposal for two new members and that their details will be passed to all members for consideration in due course.

Foundation Director Rtn. Regula reminded members that the one–way GSE team will be arriving in Beijing on March 28, 2009, and that they will staying for two weeks. The team comprises four members and a team leader and they will be accommodated in a hotel. Rtn. Regula made an appeal for help from members to assist in arranging vocational visits.

Ball Chair Rtn. Arne reported that the Ball preparations were progressing well and wished to thank all members of the Ball Committee for their hard work. Rtn. Arne encouraged members to show their support for the Ball by donating items for the auction or raffle and by buying tickets. Rtn. Arne also reported that ticket selling had commenced and that six tables have been reserved so far. Anyone wishing to reserve a table or tickets should contact Club Administrator, Grace Zhou.

China Rotary Assembly Coordinator Rtn. Josephine announced that the China Rotary Assembly will be held in Beijing on March 14. Further details will be sent to members via email. All enquiries should be directed to Rtn. Josephine.

Speaker’s Program
Speaker’s program coordinator, Rtn. Alan introduced today’s speaker, Mrs. Margaret Ward. Mrs. Ward is the Technical Adviser to the Baoji Xinxing Aid for Street Kids in Shaanxi Province, western China.
In 2002 Margaret Ward joined the renowned international agency Medicines Sans Frontières (MSF). Between 2002 and 2004 she worked on MSF emergency assignments in some of Africa’s most troubled locations, including Uganda, Sierra Leone and the Sudan.
Mrs. Ward works with a team of Chinese professionals dedicated to help China’s growing population of homeless and runaway children. Xinxing (New Star) is the first NGO of its kind in China. Mrs. Ward joined the project in January 2005 as Field coordinator for MSF, who established the project.

Mrs. Ward gave a moving presentation on what she called the “Left Behind Children” (LBC) in China.  These are children whose families can no longer support them, or who have fled their parental home because of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Her presentation was a rare insight to the plight of Children Left Behind and of the challenges facing organization such as Xingxing in reaching LBC children and young adults. Her speech, supported by shocking stories, statistics and pictures, didn’t fail to touch the heart of everyone present.
Rtn. Curt Bergstrom thanked Mrs. Ward for her touching presentation.