In the afternoon of 2nd December, 2016, the Welfare Council Limited hosted its Annual Meeting 2015-2016 at the H.K.S.K.H. St James' Church and kicked off the Servanthood Leadership Development Scheme. Dr Ko Wing-man, BBS, JP, the then Secretary for Food and Health, was invited to be the officiating guest of the ceremony, which was also attended by the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, Archbishop and Primate of the H.K.S.K.H. and Honorary Patron of the Welfare Council, the Rt Revd Andrew Chan, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Western Kowloon, the Rt Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Eastern Kowloon, members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee; and about 1,000 employees. The Council reviewed its achievements over the past year and looked forward with anticipation to its future development.
Dr Donald Li, SBS, OStJ, JP, Chairman of the Welfare Council Board of Directors, gave thanks for the Lord’s blessings and guidance, enabling the Council to develop into an influential organisation over the past five decades. He also showed appreciation towards the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong for his leadership and faith over the years. Dr Ko praised the Council for providing a broad range of services and helping the medical sector improve and mature, especially its active role in promoting medical-social collaborations to jointly respond to the needs arising from the ageing public, hence alleviating the burden of the public healthcare services, while tending to the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients.
The Welfare Council invited Dr Ko, the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, the Rt Revd Andrew Chan, the Rt Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Dr Donald Li and Dr Jane Lee, JP, Director of the Welfare Council to kick-start the Servanthood Leadership Development Scheme. Placing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—onto a model ark, the ritual symbolised the plan to groom leaders with servanthood embodying all nine elements, and the Council’s vow to stand shoulder to shoulder with its staff in the journey towards realising good servanthood leadership.
At the annual meeting, the Welfare Council also awarded 535 employees for their contributions, including 90 staff members who have served at the organisation for more than 20 years, and 3 who have served up to 35 years. The awardees were elated to be recipients of the awards. The Council expressed gratitude to all staff for their commitment to their roles and expressed hope that they would continue to glorify God and serving the masses by walking arm in arm with those in need.