Report from Z Club Committee 2014-2016
Co-chairs: Margaret Chan, Wong Wai Sum
A fruitful biennium of activities at Z Club of Sacred Heart Canossian College
The Z Club at Sacred Heart Canossian College has been very active during the past biennium under the leadership of its Z Club Committee. A range of activities was organized which helped to fulfil the Club’s objective of raising students’ awareness of social issues and providing opportunities for students to experience and take part in social service. One activity was in particular organized around a special theme of Zonta International to combat violence against women : a poster design was held on the theme of “Against Domestic Violence”. Other activities included a visit to a home for the elderly, a “Cupcake Cooking Course” in March 2015 was held to celebrate the International Women’s Day and the National Women’s History Month. The latter event involved not only Club members but also the whole school. Some Club members also took part in a “job shadowing” project, during which they learnt about the actual working world from mentors from Zonta Club NT, in various fields such as law, finance, medicine, among others.
Formation of a new club : Z Club at Heep Yunn School
A new Z Club was formed at Heep Yunn School in 2015 after much planning and discussion with the School. This is the second Z Club sponsored by Zonta NT. An inauguration ceremony was held at the College in October, attended by Area Director Winnie Wong, President of Zonta NT Lilian Lau, and the Co-Chairmen of the Z Club Committee Wong Wai Sum and Margaret Chan. The Principal of Heep Yunn School Mr. Dave Lee and the school officials gave us a very warm welcome at the ceremony.
Upon chartering of the Heep Yunn School Z Club (with a Certificate number of 724) , the President of Zonta International sent a welcome letter to the first Chairman of the Z Club, informing her that her Club is now “part of a special group of 280 Z and Golden Z Clubs in 21 countries around the world”, and encouraging her and her committee members “ to plan, organize, and participate in unique activities designed to meet the needs of your members, your school, and your community.”
The new Z Club launched immediately into activities under the leadership of its first committee and its teacher advisor. A visit to Asia Society Hong Kong Centre was organized in October where students attended an inspiring talk on women’s leadership by Kathleen McCartney, President of Smith College, U.S. Following this a Book Crossing event was held in late November to raise funds for the UN Foundations and the Salvation Army. The Club Committee has also drawn up a plan and a budget for the activities in the coming term.
The Outstanding Z Girl Award
In order to encourage the Z Club members to be more active, Zonta NT has decided to establish the Outstanding Z Girl Award, which would be awarded to Z Club members with commendable contribution in Z Club projects and in social/ community service. A detailed set of criteria will be drawn up by Zonta NT before the award is officially launched.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank the Principal of Sacred Heart Canossian College Sister Veronica and her staff, and the Principal of Heep Yunn School Mr. Dave Lee and his staff for their tremendous support over the past biennium.
Joint Club Activity
Another worthwhile event in the last biennium was the mock Legislative Council debate, an annual event in which all Z Clubs from Hong Kong participate and which takes place at the Legislative Council chambers. The two Z Clubs from Zonta NT (including the newly formed Club at Heep Yunn School) put in an outstanding performance in this year’s debate. Chan Chung Man, Mandy, from Sacred Heart Canossian College won the Most Popular Debater Award as well as the Best Debater award. Chan Sin Ting from Heep Yunn School won the Most Popular Debater award. In the 2015 Mock Debate, Chan Lok Ching from Sacred Heart Canossian College won the Best Debater award.
