Good Evening Fellow Rotarians! I hope your day has been as productive as mine.
As we say goodbye to Typhoon Lionrock, brace yourself for Typhoon Kompasu as it draws closer to HK. T3 is expected tonight. Stay Safe. For updates, you can check out the HKO link here http://www.hko.gov.hk/en/index.html
Next regular lunch meeting will be on 13th October, 2021
*Note: Lunch meeting will be cancelled if T8 is hoisted on Wednesday morning.
Details as follows;
Date: 13th October 2021 (Wednesday) Time: 12.30pm to 2.00pm Location: Crystal Ballroom, Holiday Inn Golden Mile, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Guest Speaker: Gary Stokes
Topic: Ocean conservation/Fins
Background on Gary Stokes: Born in the UK, Gary was raised in the Mediterranean, where his love affair with the ocean first formed. He has been living in Asia for the past 29 years where he has worked as a professional photographer and diving instructor. He has become an effective ocean advocate due to his ‘no-compromise’ approach. Gary previously held the position of Asia Director for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a position he held for the past 5 years. Gary has spent the past twenty years investigating and exposing the shark fin industry, gaining international media coverage for the cause, as well as working with airlines and shipping lines to investigate and shut down shark fin shipping routes. When not exposing the shark fin industry, he can be found investigating shipping routes for possible transnational wildlife crimes or on a beach analysing trash to better understand the plastic pollution crisis. Gary is our lead field operative, conducting investigations around the South East Asia region.
UPCOMING EVENTS in OCTOBER, details to follow:
9th October, 2021 : Ocean Park Trip (Trip cancelled due to bad weather. Will be rescheduled)
20th October, 2021 : Regular Lunch meeting | Speaker: Janice Chan (Medical and educational support for sex workers in HK)
In many Rotary Clubs throughout the world, wives of male members are affectionately called “Rotary Anns.” This designation was never one of disparagement, but rather grew out of an interesting historical occasion.
In 1914 San Francisco Rotarians boarded a special train to attend the Rotary convention being held in Houston. In those days few wives attended Rotary events, and until the train stopped in Los Angeles, the only woman aboard was the wife of Rotarian Bru Brunnier. As the train picked up additional convention-bound delegates, Mrs. Ann Brunnier was introduced as the Rotarian’s Ann. This title soon became “Rotary Ann.” Since the clubs of the West were inviting the Rotarians to hold their next convention in San Francisco, a number of songs and stunts were organized which would be performed in Houston. One of the Rotarians wrote a “Rotary Ann” chant. On the train’s arrival at the Houston depot, a delegation greeted the West Coast Rotarians. One of the greeters was Guy Gundaker of Philadelphia, whose wife was also named Ann. During the rousing demonstration, someone started the Rotary Ann chant. The two petite ladies, Ann Brunnier and Ann Gundaker, were hoisted to the men’s shoulders and paraded about the hall. The group loved the title given to the two women named Ann. Immediately the same term of endearment was used for all of the wives in attendance, and the name “Rotary Ann” was here to stay.
Guy Gundaker became President of Rotary International in 1923 and Bru Brunnier was elected President in 1952. Thus, each of the two original “Rotary Ann”s became the “First Lady of Rotary International.”
Very few clubs have “Rotary Ann”s now, but many have Partners Organizations; some are stilled called “Inner Wheel.” The words “Rotary Ann” can be heard on rare occasions, and now you know where they came from.
No official events last week. Sharing some photos of kind volunteers from last week's FEED HK service. If you would like to be part of this weekly service, contact us.
