DG NEWSLETTER JUNE 2025
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
It has come to the 12th volume of Governor’s Newsletter. The 65th District Conference was held in Macau on 24-25 May. RI President Representative has praised our Conference with high regards and he thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and passion from Rotarians of District 3450.
This year, we were blessed with visits from Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick, Rotary Leader Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo, Director Ghim Bok Chew and Past Director Raffy Garcia. We also hosted governors from New Zealand, Singapore, Taipei, Nigeria, and Malaysia, with Governor Arvind and his wife YiXing joining us at this Conference. These visits, along with key events like the District Mental Health Forum, Mongolia 30thAnniversary Conference, and Asia Pacific Rotaract Regional Conference in Mongolia, demonstrated the strength and vibrancy of our district.
I am deeply thankful to my predecessors who laid a strong foundation for the Magic to happen. To my district team for their unwavering support, and, of course, to my home club, the Rotary Club of Hong Kong North. Just as President Stephanie reminds us, the magic of Rotary does not happen at the Rotary Headquarters in Evanston, it happens here — in our district and in our clubs. My Magical Presidents, you are the ones working tirelessly on the frontlines to make this magic possible, you deserve all the applause from our fellow Rotarians of District 3450.
Rotary’s Action Plan
President Stephanie emphasized Rotary’s Action Plan, which focuses on deepening impact, enhancing engagement, reaching beyond Rotary, and adapting for the future. These priorities are reflected in our District’s Leadership Plan. I am glad to learn that many clubs implemented the Rotary action plan, and incorporate these elements into their strategic plans to ensure Rotary remains impactful and relevant. I would like to remind clubs to continue using these tools to enhance current and future club members experience.
Membership
Membership growth has been a major focus this year. President Stephanie challenged every district to achieve a net gain of 100 members. While new clubs contributed significantly, with 84 new members, 60% of our growth comes from existing clubs, I am proud of these achievements.
However, challenges remain, with clubs suffering from membership loss and several clubs struggle to grow. In order for us to meet President Stephanie’s challenge, retention is critical. Every member is an asset, we must strive to keep them in Rotary.
When I visit clubs, senior members often ask why do we need to grow membership?
My typical answer would be that as your governor, I am only here for 12 months, you don’t have to grow membership for me. And we are not simply chasing for numbers, we recruit members to sustain the legacy of our clubs.
Rotary’s growth in Asia is promising, but we cannot become complacent. If we lose our growth momentum, Rotary in Asia could face the same declines seen in the United States and Western Europe.
I would like to remind fellow Rotarians of Past RI President Richard King’s words: “If you do not build the future by strengthening your membership, you will sooner or later become a relic of the past.” Let us confront challenges, grow our clubs, we must appreciate that our actions determine the future of Rotary.
The Rotary Foundation
This year, we collectively contributed USD 818,000. Special thanks to Past President Paul and Sarah Iec of the Rotary Club of Hou Kuong for their major contributions to the Endowment Share Fund.
I would also like to thank Past Governor Kenneth Wong of the Rotary Club of Tai Po and Past President Esther Ow of the Rotary Club of New Territories who made significant contributions to the Endowment Share Fund.
I encourage everyone to consider the 2025 by 2025 initiative to raise USD 2.025 billion globally for Rotary’s Endowment Fund. Contributions to the Endowment Shared Fund create a perpetual source of funding for district projects. Imagine the impact we could achieve together, if our district reaches a critical mass of USD 17 million, this shall enable our future generations to do good in our community.
I would like to urge all Rotarians, especially those with deep pockets to please find it in your heart and support the Foundation. The economy may be on a slowdown, but our work in Rotary cannot afford so.
Polio Eradication remains important
Polio eradication remains Rotary’s top priority. Thanks to Rotary’s efforts, polio has been eliminated in 98% of the world, with only Afghanistan and Pakistan reporting wild polio cases. Many may think polio is irrelevant. However, during my speech at the Conference I asked the audience have they ever thought about the consequence if we stop our polio effort? Polio will come back and countries that sharing borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, including India, China, Iran, etc, almost half of the world’s population are at stake. We are only this close to declare to the world that “Rotary ended Polio”, we must not stop now.
Our Public Image
Rotary’s Action Plan emphasizes expanding our reach, with public image playing a vital role. Rotary’s image isn’t just about how Rotarians feel about our brand and work, though we should indeed feel proud and find joy in being Rotarians. It has indeed become our way of life. More importantly, we must share our Rotary story in a compelling way, helping non-Rotarians to see what we see and feel what we feel about Rotary. Rotary is more than community and humanitarian service; we must leverage all five avenues of service and engage in activities that reflect the Object of Rotary. There is a reason why each Rotarian would emphasise on the classification they belong. As we are reminded to raise ethical standards in our own industry, and promote the 4-Way Test. Together, all these values define what is Rotary.
I would like to share a quote of our founding father, Paul Harris, who once said:
“Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will only be known by the results it achieves.”
Let us show the world the tangible impact of Rotary.
Community Service, Mental Health Plus, and Our Impact
I am happy to share that the clubs of District 3450 have carried out an incredible 766 community service projects this year. These efforts involved 96,293 volunteer hours, directly improving the lives of 188,275 individuals. Collectively, these projects represent a total value of USD 1.76 million.
Mental Health Focus
This year, we continue to echo Immediate Past RI President Gordon’s call to focus on mental health, which is a global issue being accelerated in the post-pandemic world. Mental Health is also a critical concern in the local communities of Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, and Guangdong Province, and I am delighted to share some encouraging milestones in this area.
We hosted the first-ever District Mental Health Forum, themed “Happy Workplace.” This event underscored the importance of mental well-being in the workplace, as Human Resource is the cornerstone of any organization’s productivity. With prominent speakers in mental health and 230 participants, with over 100 non-Rotarians — including SME owners and senior Human Resources professionals — attending, the forum successfully spread awareness and initiated impactful conversations that can ripple through businesses and communities alike. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Past President Angela Wong of the Rotary Club of Kowloon North and her team.
Further, 92 of our clubs actively engaged in mental health-related projects, contributing close to 10,000 volunteer hours and these projects represent a combined value of HK$2,000,000. These projects have directly improved the lives of 15,000 individuals. The recognition and appreciation we have received from government officials and NGO leaders reaffirm the importance of Rotary’s focus on mental health. They have expressed eagerness to collaborate further, paving the way for more sustainable partnerships in the future.
District Governance
I am delighted to share that a District Audit Committee has been formed, led by Past Governor Peter Wan, and supported by dedicated committee members. Their diligent work has resulted in two comprehensive reports that highlight areas of financial practices which can be improved in the future. I am deeply grateful for their contributions, commitment, and hard work in ensuring transparency and accountability within our district.
I am also thrilled to announce that the Legal Team of Rotary International has officially approved our application for District Incorporation. This marks a new chapter in the governance of District 3450, setting a solid foundation for stronger and more sustainable operations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who made it happen, in particular, our District Incorporation Chair Past President Dominic Wai. Future leaders and I are fully committed to reviewing and adopting best practices to ensure that our district continues to operate with the highest standards of governance and integrity.
On a related note, I am pleased to share that District 3450, District 3450 Charitable Limited, and THE ONE Committee are in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement will pave the way for THE ONE to spin off from District 3450 Charitable Limited, enabling it to grow independently while maintaining its impactful service to the community.
These initiatives reflect our district’s commitment to progress, innovation, and excellence. Thank you to all who have contributed to these significant milestones for District 3450.
China Extension
Hong Kong and Macau have their unique role as an integral part of the Greater Bay Area creates unparalleled opportunities for Rotarians to expand our vocational services and deepen our understanding of the dynamic business environment in Mainland China.
In my discussions with the Liaison Offices, I frequently highlight Rotary’s significant contributions, such as our efforts in eradicating polio, our numerous service projects across Mainland China, and our ongoing mental health initiatives—all of which have been met with great appreciation by the officials.
This paves the way for impactful service projects and professional connections, setting a transformative path for Rotary’s future in the region.
Our Future
As a strong believer in strategic planning, I’ve encouraged all clubs to develop a 3-5 year strategic plan. The future of a club is shaped by collective actions of current and future members. Strong clubs form a strong district, and this is my firm belief!
To support this vision, I’ve invited Past President Helen Or to conduct the very first Futures Thinkers Session of District 3450. The purpose of these sessions was not to prescribe a specific path for our district but to create a platform for the exchange of ideas and prepare participants with the tools to identify signals of change that could shape the future of Rotary.
As an organization, we find ourselves standing precariously between the past and the future. Helen’s session emphasized the importance of balancing agility and absorption, and preserve what makes Rotary unique. The Magic of Rotary can only be sustained with constant innovation, continuity in leadership and our capability to adapt.
Conclusion
As I come to the end of this month’s message, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the clubs that entrusted me with the honor of serving as your Governor for 2024-25. This journey has been an incredible privilege, filled with opportunities for self-growth, learning, and meaningful connections.
To my fellow Officers, please let me leave you with this thought: Rotarians will not respect us purely because of the rank or position we hold. Instead, they will be inspired by our passion and dedication to serve. Let us always strive to lead by example — Stay Humble and Be Helpful.
And to my Presidents:
We are in the final 100 metres of this magical marathon, which is the most crucial part. We must keep our pace, sprint a little if we aim for victory. Let us have a strong finish and create our magical legacy together.
Yours in Rotary,
Nigel Lo
Governor 2024-25
Rotary International District 3450
#ServiceAboveSelf
#OneProfitsMostWhoServesBest
#MagicOfRotary
各位社友和好朋友：
總監通訊已經來到第12期。第65届地區年會於5月24日至25日在澳門順利舉行。國際扶輪社長代表對我們的年會非常讚賞，還深深體會到3450地區社友的友誼和熱情。
今年，我們有幸接待到訪的國際扶輪社長Stephanie Urchick、資深扶輪領導人Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo、理事Ghim Bok Chew和前國際扶輪社長Raffy Garcia。我們在年會上還接待了來自紐西蘭、星加坡、台北、尼日利亞和馬來西亞的總監，以及總監Arvind和他的夫人 YiXing。除此以外，我們舉辦了多個重要活動，如：地區精神健康研討會、蒙古30周年大會，及在蒙古舉行的亞太扶青社區域會議等，這足以展示我們地區强大而活力充沛。
我非常感激歷届的總監為我們奠定扎實的基礎，讓神奇扶輪得以展現。我也很感謝孜孜不倦的地區團隊，當然還有我的母社—香港北區扶輪社。正如國際扶輪社長Stephanie提醒我們，神奇扶輪並非在埃文斯頓的扶輪總部展現，而是在於我們自己的地區和自己的扶輪社。我的神奇社長，是你們在前綫努力不懈至令這個神奇扶輪綻放光芒。你們值得我們3450地區的社友為你們熱烈鼓掌。
扶輪的行動計劃
國際扶輪社長Stephanie强調扶輪的行動計劃，這個計劃的重心在於帶來深遠的影響、促使參與者更投入、拓展扶輪的界限，以及適應未來。而這些重點都已納入我們的地區領導計劃之内。我很高興見到有許多社都有實施扶輪的行動計劃，也有將這些元素融入他們的策略計劃當中，讓扶輪保持影響力和關聯性。我希望各社能繼續透過這些準則來提升現實和將來的社員體驗。
社員
社員增長一直是本届的重要焦點。國際扶輪社長Stephanie要求每一個地區都有100位社員的净增長。正當我們新創立的社帶來84位新社友的同時，有60%的社員增長來自現有的社。有這樣的成績，我感到非常自豪。
然而，我們的挑戰仍然存在。有一些社遭遇社員流失，也有幾個社在社員增上上遇到困難。要達到國際扶輪社長Stephanie的目標，社員的挽留是十分重要的。每一位社友都是寶貴的資產，我們必須全力讓他們繼續留在扶輪社。
每當我造訪扶輪社時有些資深社友總會問爲什麽我們須要增員？
我的標準答案是：身爲總監，我的任期只有12個月，你們無須爲了我而增加社員。我們不只是單純地追求數字，而是爲了讓我們的社得以傳承。扶輪在亞洲的增長非常可觀，但我們不能因此而自滿。如果我們失去增長的動力，扶輪在亞洲面臨的萎縮將會和美國及歐洲的情況一樣。
前國際扶輪社長Richard King曾説過：「如果你們沒有為將來而努力增加社員，你們將遲早成爲歷史陳跡。」希望各位以此爲戒。讓我們一起面對這個挑戰，一起壯大我們的社。我們必須明白，扶輪的將來取決於我們的行動。
扶輪基金會
今年，我們集體捐獻了818,000美元。特別鳴謝濠江扶輪社的前社長Paul和Sarah Iec，感謝他們為永久基金作出巨額捐款。我也很感謝大埔扶輪社的前地區總監Kenneth Wong和新界扶輪社的前社長Esther Ow對永久基金作出大額捐獻。
我鼓勵大家積極考慮在2025年底為扶輪永久基金在全球推高至超過20億美元。永久基金的捐款時地區項目的主要資金來源。試想象我們一起努力所帶來的印象。如果我們的地區能籌募1,700百萬美元巨款，這足以讓我們將來的世世代代都能為社區作出貢獻。
我想呼籲所有扶輪任，特別是那些富裕的社友，請全心權力支持基金會。雖然經濟下滑，但是我們並不能因此而荒廢我們的扶輪工作。
消除小兒麻痹症仍然是一項重要的任務
消除小兒麻痹症依然是扶輪的首要任務。全賴扶輪的努力，小兒麻痹症已在世上98%的地方已經消除，只剩下阿富汗和巴基斯坦錄得小兒麻痹症個案。有很多人可能認爲小兒麻痹症無關疼癢。而我在年會上發言時問各位有沒有想過如果我們不再努力消除小兒麻痹症將會有什麽後果？小兒麻痹症將會死灰復燃，並在阿富汗和巴基斯坦鄰近的國家蔓延，這包括：印度、中國、伊朗等。地球上將會有接近一半的人口受到波及。我們距離向世界宣佈「扶輪消滅了小兒麻痹症」就只差一步，我們不能就現在停下來。
我們的公共形象
扶輪的行動計劃强調拓濶我們的觸及範圍，而公共形象是重要的一環。扶輪的形象並非單純是扶輪人認爲我們的品牌和工作如何，還有我們為自己身爲扶輪人感到自豪和歡樂。事實上，這已經是我們生活的一部分。更重要的是，我們要以動人的方式分享我們的扶輪故事，讓未成爲扶輪社員的朋友知道我們如何看待和如何感受扶輪。扶輪並不止於社區和人道服務，我們必須將全部五大服務發揮貢柑影響，還要投入參與符合扶輪終止的活動。因爲這個緣故，每一個扶輪人都要專注他們所屬的職業分類，因爲我們須要提升自己所屬行業的道德標準，推廣四大考驗。就是這些價值觀將扶輪塑造出來。
我想在此引用扶輪的創辦人Paul Harris曾經説過的一句話：「不論扶輪對於我們而言有什麽意義，但對於世界而言這取決於扶輪的成就。」
讓我們向世界展示扶輪帶來的實質影響。
社區服務、精神健康+，以及我們的影響
我很高興告訴大家，3450地區的扶輪社今年一共完成了766個服務項目，這涉及96,293個義工小時，直接改善188,275人的人生。這些項目的價值相等於176萬美元。
注重精神健康
今年，我們繼續相應前國際扶輪社長Gordon有關注重精神健康的呼籲。這個屬全球問題在疫情後加劇。而精神健康在香港、澳門、蒙古和廣東省本土也是個嚴重問題。我很高興能向大家分享一下在這個範疇内幾個令人鼓舞的里程碑。
我們首次舉辦地區精神健康研討會，題目為「愉快的工作環境」。這項活動强調在工作環境中精神健康的重要性，因爲人力資源對於任何一個機構的生產力而言都是一個重要的基石。我們邀請到在精神健康領域的專家講者和230位參加者出席，其中有100位非扶輪社友。他們當中有中小企東主和從事人力資源的資深專業人士。是次研討會成功引起對精神健康的關注以及熱烈的討論，有望能在企業和社區中汎起漣漪。爲此，我衷心感謝九龍北區扶輪社前社長Angela Wong和她的團隊。
地區管治
我很高興宣佈，地區核數委員會已經成立，由前地區總監Peter Wan帶領著一般盡心盡力的委員會成員完成了兩份詳盡的報告，點出在財務工作上將來可改善的地方。我深深感激他們的努力、貢獻和承擔，確保我們的地區保持透明和問責。
我還有意見令人振奮的事情須要宣佈，就是國際扶輪的法律團隊已經正式批准我們地區法人化的申請。這標志著3450地區的管治邁向新一頁，為將來更有效率和更可持續發展的地區運作打下結實的基礎。我希望借此機會向參與之中的每一位致謝，特別是擔任地區法人化主席的前社長Dominic Wai。我會和未來的地區領袖一起努力檢視和執行最佳的營運方法，務求我們的地區運作在管治和誠信方面均達至最高標準。
另外一個我想告訴大家的喜訊就是，3450地區、District 3450 Charitable Limited和THE ONE委員會正準備簽署諒解備忘錄。這份協議讓THE ONE脫離District 3450 Charitable Limited，讓前者能獨立拓展的同時繼續服務社區。這個舉動凸顯我們地區積極邁步向前、創新和追求卓越的精神。感謝為3450地區奠定這些重要里程碑而作出貢獻的各位。
在中國的拓展
作爲大灣區的重要部分，香港和澳門擔當著獨特的角色並為扶輪人帶來無比的機遇，既可拓展我們的職業服務也可深化我們對中國大陸活躍的經濟環境的認識。
在與聯絡處的商討過程中，我多次强調扶輪的巨大貢獻，例如我們積極消除小兒麻痹症，在中國大陸各地進行許多服務項目，以及我們持之以恆的精神健康倡議 — 這一切都深得各級官方的認可。
我們的將來
一直重視策略規劃的我常常鼓勵各扶輪社制定3-5年的策略規劃。一個社的將來由現實和未來的社員來塑造。强健的地區由强健的扶輪社組成。對此，我深信不疑！
爲了實現這個信念，我邀請了前社長Helen Or籌辦第一届3450地區未來思考者會議。這些會議並非旨在為我們地區劃下特定的發展方向，而是旨在提供交流意見的平台並讓參與者辨識能改變扶輪未來的各種轉變。
作爲一個組織，我們不免糾纏在過去與將來之間。Helen籌辦的會議强調要在靈活變通和專心致志當中取得平衡，同時要保持扶輪的獨特性。只要能做到恆常創新、延綿不斷的領導能力以及保持我們的適應力，神奇扶輪必定會繼往開來。
總結
來到尾聲，我想對所有扶輪社對我的信任表達由衷謝意。能夠為你們擔任2024-25地區總監是我的榮幸。這個旅程意義非凡，給予我成長、學習和建立寶貴聯係的機會。
致我的各位地區領導，容許我在此表達我的想法：扶輪社的社友之所以尊重我們並不是單純因爲我們的階級或職位，而是因爲我們的熱誠和積極奉獻打動了他們。讓我們繼續以身作則 — 保持謙遜，積極付出。
致我的社長們：
我們已經來到神奇扶輪馬拉松的最後100米了，而這時最重要的最後階段。我們必須保持我們的步伐 — 要贏的話就要作最後衝刺。讓我們一起堅持到底，延續我們神奇的光芒。
羅承益
總監 (2024-25)
國際扶輪3450地區
扶輪 #超我服務 #神奇扶輪3450 #扶輪3450
關注精神健康 #扶輪的行動計劃