Greetings from Portland, Oregon! Yes, I’m on my 2-week vacation to the US, and I’m sending my love to you across the Pacific Ocean.

On July 22, IPP Fatima and I attended the Graduation Ceremony of St. Paul School. Of course, Rtn Philip was there as well. It was a very touching ceremony. Student success was celebrated. Several of our former exchange students to UK and charter members of the Interact Club of St. Paul School were graduating, some with flying colors. Charter President Chris of Interact Club received many awards, and represented the graduating class to give a speech. His mother also represented the parents in thanking the school, church, government, and our Rotary Club for providing so many opportunities for Chris to develop his talents and expand his horizon. Another mother of Kindergarten student shared the journey on how the school helped her their daughter with Down’s Syndrome integrate into the learning environment. All these sharing and successful stories are testimony to the great leadership of Fr. Alex, who is a visionary educator. Fr. Alex also gave his last speech as the school principal before his retirement. He was so loved and surrounded by his students. Fatima, Philip had to wait in a long queue before we could take a photo with him. Here you may enjoy the pictures we took: https://www.facebook.com/elvosou/posts/10155542662491889

On July 26, we had our regular meeting, which was well attended, including our old friends PP Jim, KK, and Catherine Choi. PP Jim donated MOP2,000 to the red box, and promised to grow his bear to play the Santa Claus at our Xmas Party on Dec 9. PE Ip also brought in great sparkling wine and Port, which enhanced our fellowship. And we had a speaker, Robin Voleegar from the Netherlands, on social impact and globetrotting. He has a background in finance with a Master’s degree from MIT Sloan School of Management. He shared his experience in providing consultancy to NGO on how to increase their impact and serving Dutch pancakes when he travels. Quite an interesting life style. Photos of the regular meeting: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157628511448989&set=a.10150172277443989.365685.687598988&type=3&theater

Yet Robin told us that Macau was the only place that he had been to but not able to put together a public pancake event. In order to live up to the name of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Rtn Marc along with other fellow members helped put together a pancake event on the following Saturday. I didn’t get to enjoy the pancakes, but I enjoy the photos: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157637647108989&set=a.10157051744568989.1073741839.687598988&type=3&theater

You may see in the photos above that we had a large and sharp club banner. It was sponsored by Rtn Andy to the club so we can better promote Rotary. Thank you Andy! At our regular meeting, I also presented the latest membership benefits from Macau Tower and Rotary Global Rewards. Do you know that you get discounts from Macau Tower and other dinning places upon presentation of your Rotary membership card? Do you know that when you buy on Amazon, money will be donated to the Rotary Foundation? There are many more. Check out more benefits and refer to the relevant info in the PPT presented. https://www.dropbox.com/s/4nm7n2r7pcu3sqb/RCM_Club-Mtg_20180726.pptx?dl=0

Meanwhile, please be reminded to pay your club dues. The total amount is MOP7,000 which includes all dues to Rotary International, District 3450, USD100 donation to the Rotary Foundation, Club’s operational expenses and dinner fees for 10 times.  You may settle your payment by one of the following methods:

• Method 1 – Cheque made payable to Rotary Club of Macau
• Method 2 – online bank transfer/ deposit into our Club’s BNU account 9005 169083 (please transaction record to either Secretary Joao or Executive Secretary Kula via whatsapp or email)
• Method 3 – Cash to Secretary Joao/Treasurer Ricardo/Executive Secretary Kula DURING Club meeting

I’ll be out of town for the next 2 weeks, but PE Ip and VP David will chair the meetings on my behalf. So, be there to show your support to them. Meanwhile, we have a very busy schedule for Aug and Sept. Please refer to the upcoming events as follows.

UPCOMING Events:

• Aug 2 – Regular meeting chaired by PE IP, with Rotaractors sharing on their Goodwill Ambassador Program
• Aug 9 – Regular meeting chaired by VP David
• Aug 16 – Regular meeting with AG Visit
• Aug 23 – Regular meeting, followed by Club Assembly
• Aug 30 – No meeting, rescheduled to Joint Installation on Sept 1
• Sept 1 – Joint Installation cum Charter Ceremony of Interact Club of St. Paul School
• Sept 5 – Area 1 Joint meeting cum PI Seminar by PDG Eric Chin (venue and time to be confirmed, dinner fee MOP350)
• Sept 6 – No meeting, rescheduled to Area 1 Joint Meeting on Sept 5
• Sept 13 – Regular meeting
• Sept 20 – Mid-autumn Festival
• Sept 22 – DG Official Visit to Macau and Area 1 Joint Dinner

Elvo Sou
President 2018-19