Chairman's Message

Dear Fellow Members,

This issue of our magazine marks the arrival of New Year 2021 followed by the Year of the Ox in the Chinese calendar. More significantly, the USRC will enter into its 110th Anniversary (as first established in 1911) which is certainly a great milestone and achievement for the Club to be proud of. Should the situation permit, the GC may well be thinking of celebrating this historical heritage in an auspicious style with Members participation on an appropriate occasion.
You may have learnt recently, one of our Club’s gardening staff was diagnosed with Covid-19. Immediate and proper contingency response was taken by the Management to deal with the incident, enabling the Club to continue its normal daily business operation without interruption. As this pandemic is still raging across the globe, and with the added pressure of additional mutations, the GC and Management remain alert to ever-escalating hygiene standards and government guidelines. Let's hope that with the general public's increasing cooperation and the successful production of vaccines by the world’s leading nations, the disease can be contained and people's lives will return to normal.
The Club has been very quiet with activities and in F&B sales because of temporary facilities closure and gathering restrictions. With prudent cost control and the government support scheme, however, our financial position remains sound despite the coffer being slightly depleted and membership strength dropped due to resignations. Staff morale is high as we always adopt a good employer policy by alleviating their job security anxiety during this difficult time. That said, in view of the economic downturn and revenue reduction, annual pay increments will be frozen and no cumshaw for staff gratuity will be solicited from Members this year. While GC is of the view that the upkeep and sustainability of the Club depend largely on Members’ monthly dues and spending, it is hoped that appropriate compensation could be returned to Members for their continuing support when this adverse situation subsides.
Many thanks again to all those who kindly supported and helped prepare Christmas gifts from the Club for donation to those less fortunate children who had to spend their Christmas in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This long-standing worthy cause of ours has always been well supported and this year was no exception. The parcels were well received upon delivery except that no presentation ceremony was staged for photo taking this year to avoid personal contact.
Finally, I would like to wish all Members and their families a healthy and prosperous 2021 and a Kung Hei Fat Choy for the Lunar New Year.

Patrick Cheung
Chairman