Dear Rotarians

We have an exciting February!

At the close of business on 31 January 2023, the last date of the period for 2025-26 DGN nomination, I have received one nomination from Rotary E-Club of District 3450 suggesting PP Cassy Cheng to be a candidate for the governor-nominee election. Article 12.040 of Rotary International Bylaws stipulates that “if only one candidate is suggested by the clubs, no ballot is required and the governor shall declare the candidate to be the governor-nominee”. Accordingly, I hereby declare that PP Cassy Cheng to be the governor-nominee for Rotary Year 2025-26.

On February 12, 2023, PDG Eric Chak, DGE Andy Li and myself ran 10k at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.   At the finishing line, we changed to End Polio T-shirt to promote the awareness of this signature project of Rotary.  On the same day, the Presidents Convenor team organized a field trip to understand the history of Yuen Long followed by a Pun Choi dinner. Thirty Rotarians and family members enjoyed a good learning and fellowship.

On February 13, we had our last episode for our District’s Metro Radio Program.  This episode featured DGE Andy, DGN Nigel and myself to introduce Rotary covering Rotary International, District 3450 and our service scopes.  From Imagine Rotary to Create Hope in the World, we the three Governors work hand-in-hand to make our service projects sustainable.  We believe that the Presidents of our clubs also have the mission to passing on the torch to the successors.

On February 15, we organized Rotary Centenary Cup which we have missed for 3 years due to the pandemic.  It was first started in 2005 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Rotary International. We had a good event with about 300 participants. Many Rotarians won a handsome sum and some were still very happy to donate to the community service through Jockey Club.  It was a night full of fun and a lot of photos.

In February, I have also led 7 AGs with our future leaders and CDS to visit China Liaison Office. We shared our mission to continue our care for our youths in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China. We were warmly welcomed and the officials expressed their interests to attend our service projects and celebration events in the future. We will certainly invite them to our future District events.

At the end of February, I also led a delegate consisting of PDGs and future leaders for our first official visit to Zone 10.  We visited Singapore which forms part of District 3310. Its DG Joanne Kam, PDGs and future leaders have warmly greeted us with 48 hours packed with activities and good food.  Both Districts are eagerly looking forward to more collaboration since we will be in the same zone very soon. DG Joanne of D3310 is planning to lead a delegate to visit us and may join us for the Mongolia DG visit trip in April.

As we proceed with the year, we are also establishing our District for a sustainable future.  Together with the future District Leaders, we would form a strong foundation for future development!

Norman Lee

2022 -23 District Governor
Rotary International District 3450