By President-elect Rotary Club of Kowloon North – Margaret Y W Chau

As the President‑Elect of the Rotary Club of Kowloon North (Area 7), it was both an honour and a privilege to attend the Presidents‑Elect Learning Seminar (PELS). The two‑day programme was rich in learning, reflection and connection, preparing us not only to assume leadership roles, but also to lead with empathy and purpose in the coming Rotary year.

Inspiring Leadership from the District

The seminar opened with speeches by District Governor (DG) Ms Cassy Cheng and District Governor‑Elect (DGE) Dr Jimmy Lau, who generously shared insights drawn from past experiences and forward‑looking perspectives. Their reflections helped ground us in Rotary’s enduring values while challenging us to adapt and innovate.

DG Ms Cassy Cheng’s address was inspiring and deeply meaningful. Her practical framework — R.E.M. (Record, Engage, Memorize) — offered simple yet powerful guidance for effective leadership. These thoughtful tips reminded us that good leaders must be intentional learners, attentive listeners, and custodians of shared memories and values. Her words resonated strongly with me and will undoubtedly guide my presidency.

I also deeply admire District Governor‑Elect Dr Jimmy Lau’s forward‑looking vision, particularly his emphasis on establishing a welcoming and functional office space for our clubs. His perspective goes beyond physical infrastructure—it reflects thoughtful stewardship and long‑term sustainability. By creating a shared facility that supports club operations while reducing reliance on external rentals, he demonstrated how strategic planning can enhance fellowship, improve efficiency and at the same time ease financial burdens. His vision reminded me that good leadership is not only about inspiring ideas, but also about making wise, practical decisions that empower clubs to serve more effectively.

“THE ONE” – Serving with Pride and Joy

We were privileged to learn about “THE ONE” from PDG Mr HW Fung, a project founded by Rotarians who do not seek recognition for themselves, but instead aim to discover, recognise and empower unsung heroes who serve mankind quietly every day. Now in its 13th year, THE ONE is one of the longest‑running signature projects of District 3450, connecting Rotary with the HKSAR Government and Rotary International Presidents.

Inspired by Mr David Harilela’s favourite motto, “Do nothing less than your best,” THE ONE embodies the spirit of Serve with Pride and Joy, bringing Rotarians a sense of fulfilment, satisfaction and belonging. This sharing reminded us that impactful service does not seek applause, but leaves a lasting imprint on society.

Leadership through Truth, Fairness and Emotional Maturity

Another highlight was the session by CP Joseph Leung from the Rotary Club of Peacebuilders Central Harbourfront Hong Kong on Conflict Management & Dispute Resolution. For us as incoming Club Presidents, the session reinforced the importance of leading with truth, fairness and goodwill, and applying the Rotary Four‑Way Test when navigating challenges.

His golden quote left a lasting impression:

“Manage your emotions before taking care of issues.”

「整理好心情，才處理事情。」

This simple yet profound reminder underscores that effective leadership begins with self‑management.

Ice‑Breaking Exercise: “ME THE BLOCK” – From Giraffe to Dragon

The ice‑breaking activity “ME THE BLOCK” was an exciting and meaningful start to our Area 7 journey. Each participant articulated their expectations, priorities, leadership focus and personal aspirations on individually created paper blocks. What followed was a remarkable demonstration of teamwork, creativity and unity.

Originally, the idea was to build a giraffe, symbolising its long neck and ability to see far — reflecting Rotary’s role in observing community needs and extending help where it is most needed. However, through discussion and shared cultural appreciation, we agreed that a dragon would be more appropriate and representative in the context of China Hong Kong.

The Dragon as a Symbol of Rotary

In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolises wisdom, strength, transformation and harmony. As expressed in the I Ching (易經):

Think of this shift as moving from Observation to Power. In the I-Ching, the giraffe represents the state of “Contemplation” (Hexagram 20)—it is tall, calm, and gathers information by looking over the horizon. When you transform that giraffe into a dragon, you are activating “The Creative” (Hexagram 1), shifting the team’s energy from passive planning into bold, visionary action. You are essentially taking the high-level perspective you gained as a “giraffe” and breathing fire into it, proving that your team isn’t just designed to see the world as it is, but has the collective strength to reshape it into something legendary. This philosophy aligns beautifully with Rotary’s theme “Create Lasting Impact.”. Our dragon represents Rotary’s dual presence — grounded locally and connected globally — just as a dragon can dwell on land and soar in the sky. It reflects Rotary’s ability to serve Hong Kong while remaining part of an international network.

The dragon we built was rich in symbolism:

• Two eyes: one with a heart, and the other bearing the words “Create Lasting Impact – Together,” symbolising compassion guided by shared purpose.
• Four heart‑shaped boxes on the dragon’s back represent the Four‑Way Test, the source of its energy and moral compass.
• Recycled square shapes assembled behind the dragon signify our Area 7 think tanks — creating extra value through collaboration and sustainability.
• Signatures from all participants serve as a memorandum of understanding for our future cooperation.

The dragon’s multi‑coloured body celebrates diversity, while its green head reflects Rotary’s care for the environment — echoing initiatives such as the “Let the Glacier Cool” Third Pole Tianshan Glacier Landmark Inauguration and Education Tour.

Harmony, Diversity and Inclusion

What touched me deeply was the genuine harmony within Area 7, despite our diverse nationalities and backgrounds. When Steve from the Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile, a non‑Cantonese speaker, encountered language barriers, fellow Rotarians immediately assisted by helping him download translation apps so he could fully participate. This simple yet thoughtful act reflected Rotary’s true spirit of inclusiveness and fellowship.

Looking Ahead with Pride and Joy

The two days were filled with Pride & Joy, Satisfaction & a Sense of Belonging. As President‑Elect, I leave the seminar feeling encouraged, equipped and excited. I look forward to a fruitful 2026–2027 Rotary year, co‑creating meaningful impact with fellow Rotarians as we journey forward together — like a united dragon, guided by wisdom, compassion and shared values. As I reflect on these two meaningful days, my heart is filled with gratitude and quiet confidence. This seminar reminded me that leadership in Rotary is never a solo journey — it is built on trust, shared values, mutual support and genuine friendship. I am deeply thankful for the guidance from our mentors, the inspiration from our speakers, and the camaraderie among my fellow Presidents‑Elect of Area 7. Together, we listened, learned, laughed, and created something symbolic and lasting — not just a dragon, but a collective commitment to serve with integrity, compassion and courage. I step into the coming Rotary year with humility and hope, knowing that with this strong, diverse and united team, we will truly Create Lasting Impact, together, with pride, joy and heart.