Comment

Positive spin helps others

By Brad Webber (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-07 08:02

Shadier folks in the news business follow the "if it bleeds it leads" credo.

Let's counter that negativity with a bit of positive news of the sort generated every Tuesday afternoon, when scores of expatriate business and professional leaders converge on a banquet room of the Kempinski Hotel Beijing for bonding, bonhomie and a whole lot of do-gooding.

The first order of business for these Rotarians is to recite, in English, Mandarin, German and a smattering of other tongues, The Four-Way test:

Shi zhenda ma? Is it the truth?

Shi gong ping de ma? Is it fair to all concerned?

Shi shan yi de - bing cu jin you yi ma? Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Shi dui da jia you li ma? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

This mantra is the cornerstone of Rotary International, a nonreligious and nonpolitical philanthropic organization with 1.2 million members worldwide.

While scores of international nongovernmental organizations ply their beneficence in China, most are cause-specific, such as those devoted to the environment or protection of animals and only a few draw on the vast pool of professional business people.

One such is Lions Clubs International, which in 2002 was the first international service club to be permitted to operate clubs, in Guangdong.

The Lions, with an eye to blindness prevention, have funded millions of cataract surgeries on the mainland. But their assistance goes well beyond that: The Lions Club International Foundation and members from around the world donated more than US $3 million in direct funding for Sichuan earthquake aid.

Although China has well-established charities, several Beijingers have told me they are still wary about donating money to worthwhile causes, including victims of the recent Qinghai earthquake, for fear their hard-earned yuan won't make it to those who need it.

There are few crises on Earth, whether natural disasters or health-related, in which Rotarians haven't leapt in to help amend or ease the suffering.

Rotary has 33,000 clubs around the world, including about 50 in Hong Kong (the Kowloon North club is legendary for its giving) and Macao.

But with only two clubs on the mainland, Rotary's numbers here are small - a few hundred members. That's because Chinese nationals lack State authorization to join.

"Only people with foreign passports can be members, so it restricts us to recruiting only within the expat community," said John Barnes, president of the Beijing and a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. "There are a good many local Chinese who would like to be members. Many have approached us."

Though it is disappointing that they cannot join, it's heartening that so many civic-minded young Chinese professionals recognize the benefit of giving back, a concept hardly alien to a land that produced Confucius and his celebration of moderation and charity.

"There are a lot of Chinese charities being established now because people have money and they want to give it back," said Barnes. "Film stars and others want to be seen doing good stuff. That's great, but there doesn't seem to be an organization like Rotary in Beijing."

At a time when China is embracing the global stage like never before it is a shame that Chinese nationals on the mainland can only leverage the power of Rotary - its matching grants and global network of stellar individuals - through the expatriate community.

Indeed, Rotary operates here in an unofficial capacity; unregistered and with no bank account of its own it partners with the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to disburse funds.

As any government is hard-pressed to cope with all natural calamities, health risks and social needs, all helping hands are to be encouraged.

The recipients of Rotary's aid gladly accept, but the plaudits by government leaders come privately. The Rotarians don't mind.

"We get a lot of support from whoever it is we talk to. The Ministry of Health is particularly supportive of the hepatitis vaccinations," said Barnes.

"We are just a group of good-hearted foreigners who call China home," said Kevin Fong, a former club president. "We're not just people in today and gone tomorrow. We are part of the community and want to do our part."