The International Club of Dalian (ICD) gala fundraising event was held on May 31st to raise funds for our adopted school project in Pulandian, a suburb of Dalian and those in dire need as a result of the earthquake in Sichuan Province. 

Government officials from the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau (FTEC) attending the gala included Bureau Director Lui De Chun, who thanked ICD for its charitable contributions.  Additional officials from the FTEC Bureau included Division Chief Sun Lian Yun and Vice-Division Chief Li Hong Min.  Director Diao from the Dalian Charity Federation thanked the ICD for its interest in helping the earthquake victims and the Pulandian School.  The esteemed goverment guests also provided their support and encouragement for the ICD's continued success and participation in the Dalian community. 

When the ICD was organized, one item that the Club wanted to pursue was to take on a local charitable project which would benefit a local group of people needing a helping hand.  The Charity Committee leads Jacinta Mora-George and Anna Lee met with the Dalian Charity Federation sometime ago to choose a project that needs some help and would fit with the ICD charity goals.  The Pulandian School was selected; the school is located in the Pulandian District outside of Dalian.  Next, a visit was scheduled to see the school and better understand the needs of this school.   With 200 children attending grades Kindergarten through Grade 6, many basic items are needed from computers and photocopier/printer to sports equipment and adequate clothing.  Some building repairs were also identified as there is no heat for the winter months.

With the generosity of ICD members, non-members and sponsor donations a total of 41,000 RMB was raised.  The Red Cross was given 20,500 RMB and the Pulandian School will be recieving needed equipment valued at 20,500 RMB.  

ICD wishes to thank all of the sponsors and donors who helped make these contributions possible:

  - Nikko Hotel Dalian for graciously hosting the event, offering a hotel stay and restaurant vouchers;
  - Swissotel for providing the music, hotel and restaurant vouchers;
  - DCT Wines for the wines served; 
  - Shangri-La Hotel Dalian for donating a hotel stay and restaurant vouchers; 
  - METRO for donating the soda and beer served, and shopping vouchers; and 
  - The Riviera Restaurant for donating dinner vouchers.

A special thank you to Raymond Bragg, the ICD emeritus chairman, and Shangri-la Mactan Cebu Resort General Manager for offering the grand prize three-night stay at the Shangri-La Macatan Cebu property.

Melissa Preston, Jinshitan area, was the lucky winner of the grand prize.  Congratulations, Melissa!

The new ICD logo also made its debut at the gala.  The logo was designed by Ashley Choi, a Maple Leaf Foreign National School student.  The logo will be used on future ICD communications.  Thank you, Ashley, for participating in our design contest!

The Business Group division of the ICD hosted its first event, a breakfast seminar, on March 26 at the Swissotel. Guest speaker Adam Livermore of Dezan Shira & Associates presented an overview of the new Chinese Labor Law and outlined its affect on local foreign businesses. Of special interest to attendees were the detailed explanations of minutiae relating to the hiring and retention of contract employees. During the Q&A session afterward Mr Livermore and his assistants were able to clarify many of the finer points of the new labor law and provide guidance to ensure foreign firms are not in violation. The Business Group would like to thank Mr Livermore for his informative and concise presentation and hopes he will be available for a return engagement.

 

 

 The Business Group is currently planning the launch of regular monthly networking sessions which will be held at local public venues or ICD member offices. Please check the ICD calendar (http://www.icdalian.com/events) for updates.

 

A Warm Welcome

Welcome to the launch edition of the ICD Newsletter. This newsletter designed to keep all of our members and the extended international community informed of our planned activities, accomplishments and vision for the future.

We have already begun to organize a series of social, business and charitable in the coming weeks. Brief information is included below, however for full details, make sure to check out our events calandar www.icdalian.com/events.

 

Standing Room Only as ICD Holds Launch Event

In December 2007, a small group of expats sat down, determined to find a way to improve community networking opportunities in Dalian. These efforts came to fruition when almost 300 people attended the official ICD Launch event at the Swissotel on February 29. Attended by people (and their families) from more than 20 different countries, the event proved that there is a need for an organization that can connect ex-pats, whether socially or in business.

In pledging the city government’s full support, Liu Dechun, Director of Dalian Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, singled out the club’s non-profit status & charitable aims and hailed the ICD as a tremendous example of international co-operation.

 

In Living Color

Last week, an invitation was sent out to all the international schools in Dalian, inviting students to take part in a contest to design a new logo for the International Club. If your son or daughter is a budding artist & is attending one of the schools, we would like you to encourage him/her and friends to take part. If you would like further details on the competition, get in touch with Mike at info@icdalian.com.

 

Calling All Volunteers!

To make ICD really work well, we need your help & support. While the club already benefits from the support of a group of volunteers from the international community, we still need people to take on a variety of roles.

These include:

* Kaifaqu Representative

* Jinshitan Representative

* Charitable Projects

All other offers of support are equally welcome. If you would like to get involved, please send an email to Mike at info@icdalian.com

 

Membership Info

In accordance with Chinese law, membership of ICD is open to all foreign passport-holders. If you would like to join the club, simply attend one of the events and pay the annual membership fee. A membership card will then be issued. Please remember to bring your passport, so that ICD staff can verify your details.

Membership fees are detailed below: Individual 300 RMB Family 450 RMB Corporate (10 names) 1,500 RMB

For all enquiries relating to membership please contact Jennifer at membership@icdalian.com

 

Events Calendar - Social Community Events

March Events

French Rock Concert - The Dalian French Alliance and ICD invite you to a Parisian Rock Concert on Thursday, March 20 7:30 pm. The party will be held at Bug Bar Lounge, A 11-3 Classic Living, Minzhu Square, Zhongshan District, Dalian.

Mah Jongg with Rita - Don't know how to play? No problem. Mah Jongg 101. A fun way to get acquainted with others living in the Dalian area! Rita will hold this event at the Shangri-La Residences on Fridays, March 14, 21 and 28, from 10:00-12:30.

Easter Brunch at the Swissotel - Join us on Sunday March 23 at 10:30 - 14:30 to celebrate Easter Sunday with a delicious brunch at the Swissotel! Designed especially for families, there will be a children's house for painting, cartoon movies, an Easter egg hunt (with a big surprise for the winner!). Discounts are available for ICD members.

East Meets West Cooking Class with Jek Tan - Learn new recipes from the Shangri-La’s own Executive Chef at the Shangri-la Residences on March 25 from 10:00 – 11:30. On his menu will be sweet corn and crab meat soup, pepper beef steak, and Chinese cucumber salad (Dalian-style).

April Events

Bowling Day - Great prizes and fun for all the family! The fun will begin on Saturday, April 5 at 16:00 at a venue to be announced.

Book Group - Monthly book discussion led by Linda Brentano. Are genres all welcome. In this meeting on April 9, we would like to establish a reading list and theme for the next number of monthly meetings. Venue to be announced.  PLEASE NOTE:  The April Book Group event has been canceled and will be rescheduled as the host is not available.

Pool & Darts Night - Start sharpening your skills and come have a great night! Kids welcomed with supervision provided. The event will be held on Saturday, April 26 7:00 pm, at a venue to be announced.

May Events

Gala Charity Ball - Mark Saturday, May 31st on your calendar for this gala event and charity fundraiser. Details are still being confirmed, so check the Events page regularly for updates.

For more details on all ICD events, including pricing and venue information, check out www.icdalian.com/events or email Hunter at activities@icdalian.com.

 

Events Calendar – Business Networking Events

JETRO Seminar –“Problems facing European and American Companies Operating in China” Hosted by JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), the seminar will be presented, in English, by a variety of businessmen, including Mr. Kim Woodward, former vice-chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Brian Outlaw, Director of the China Britain Business Council; & Mr. Alf Zips, General Manager of Siemens Sensors & Communication Ltd. The event will be held on Thursday 20th March from 14:00 to 17:00 in the Dalian Senmao Building on Zhongshan Road. For further information, please contact: Ms. Li Ying or Mr. Minowa at the JETRO Dalian office: 0411 8360 9418.

Business to Business Breakfast Seminar The International Club of Dalian (ICD) will be hosting a breakfast seminar entitled "New Chinese Labor Law - Advice for Employers in China". The seminar will be conducted in English by Adam Livermore, Regional Manager at Dezan Shira & Associates in Dalian. The breakfast will be held at the Swissotel from 8:30 - 10:00 on Wednesday, March 26, 2008.

Business to Business Wine-Tasting Details: Join ICD’s resident expert, Frederic Choux of DCT wines for an evening of relaxed networking. Venue & Date: May 2008 (To be confirmed).  Please check the Events page regularly for updates.

 

For more details on all ICD events, including pricing and venue information, check out www.icdalian.com/events or email Hunter at activities@icdalian.com.