Delegation from Shanghai

Our two Beijing Rotaract clubs met Frank Yih on Monday evening 14 November in TUCTUC. He came with a whole delegation:

• PP Frank Yih, RI Representative responsible for mainland China development (2016-17) (from USA – in Shanghai)
• James Feldkamp, Rotary China secretary, Rotarian from RC Fresh Start
• Calvin Liu, Rotary China Interota Chair, Rotarian from RC Shanghai West
• Anita Hsu, Interota committee member, Rotarian from RC Shanghai West
• May Chin, Interota committee member, Rotaractor from Rotaract club of Shanghai West
• Sasha Wang (Interota committee member, Rotary China Youth Service

We pretty much took over the restaurant, being near 50.
Among the crowd were some Beijing Rotarians like Mike, Sven and Jonathan and a delegate from Dulwich College (our Interact Club)

Animated evening

Frank met the boards of Rotaract West and Rotaract Sanlitun, the gave a talk. Others introduced Interota and more about Rotary. Our two Rotaract clubs also gave an overview of their activities.
The Rotaract club in Wudaokou has now grown quickly. See one of their meetings:

As for myself, I gave a short talk about my experience as the liaison Rotary-Rotaract.
Frank was so kind to invite us all.

The sad part: it was the last day for TUCTUC to open. They have been losing money – as so many other restaurants – and are forced to close. A pity because we were getting used to that place. I have seen many of our locations being closed over the year: Tim’s Texas BBQ, the coffee shop on Xindong Lu, Trouble Bar, Smokeyard… Business in Beijing is real tough.

Rotarian Gilbert’s Story

During the lunch of 1 November Gilbert gave an impromptu talk, as there was no speaker and the crowd was modest.
He talked about how, knowing a Chinese mechanic in a hotel in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in early 1980 it unexpectedly led him to a circle of new Chinese friends in Beijing. Helping the granddaughter of a former Chinese Rotarian (Tianjin Club) to get a sponsorship from Belgian Rotarians in the early eighties it had a double effect. Firstly, it was probably the first exchange of a Chinese national to stay with Rotarians abroad after Liberation. Then, the Chinese family felt indebted and set a clever trap for Gilbert. They were successful: he ended up marrying the lady they had introduced to him with some made-up excuses. The rest is history.

(pics by Celine)

Our Rotaractors were also present: President Peter Danci, Rotaract Beijing and IPP Anissa Doradou, Rotaract Beijing
We had a visitor from afar: from the Rotary Club of Novosibirsk (Russia), who treated us with some gifts.
Do also note the upcoming Christmas Carol, with a special evening for Rotary on 6 December, all profits going to our Club.

Visit from RC Malmö-Oresund

A group of 21 Rotarians from RC Malmö-Oresund, Sweden visited our club on Tuesday 25 October. The group was led by President Kim Hall.
Rotary Club Malmö-Oresund has 39 members, 51% of them female. Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden. 25% of Sweden’s and Denmark’s population live in the Oresund region. 20,000 people cross the border on Oresund bridge every day.
We also had a group of Rotarians from New Zealand and Australia.

(thanks to Celine for most of the pics)

The 2016 Winter Ball by Rotaract Beijing West

Rotaract Beijing West is organizing a ball dedicated to the Morning Tears Alliance. The Morning Tears Alliance was founded in 1998. It is an international non-profit organization focused on rebuilding the lives of children of convicts. The Winter Ball is a formal party with fellowship, food, drink, dancing, entertainment, raffle prizes, silent auction, etc. The goals are to raise awareness of and help the Morning Tears Alliance in China. Rotaractors also plan to develop Rotaract Beijing West’s identity, brand and network across Beijing, all the while providing leadership and networking opportunities for our members.
Thanks to our Rotaractors Kien and Brennan for the introduction.
Date of the Ball: 10 December. In the Hilton Hotel with the band Stevie Mac & the Mac Daddies (2016 Beijinger Best Band!).