“Sustainable Lantau” is the flagship project of JCI Lantau this year. The project was awarded the Best New Project (Merit) during the National Convention. Behind this successful project, Charlotte Lam, Vice President of JCI Lantau and chairman of Sustainable Lantau is unarguably an important person that has contributed to the success of the project. In this publication, we are glad to have an interview with her!
Question:
Sustainable Lantau was awarded the Best New Project (Merit). Do you want to share any words or feelings about it?
VP Charlotte:
Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to my board members and organizing team for their support. It is our honour to receive the award of the Best New Project (Merit) as well as the Outstanding Progressive LOM Award during the National Convention 2022. I would like to tell the team “ I’m proud of you and the awards are well deserved”.
Being awarded, I feel blessed and grateful. The teams and I planned and executed the project from scratch which was a unique and memorable experience. Learning by doing, through implementing this project offered an opportunity for me to develop my individual skills such as problem-solving and leadership skills. It’s wonderful to receive not just recognition, but public recognition for something you have done.
Being awarded, I feel blessed and grateful. The teams and I planned and executed the project from scratch which was a unique and memorable experience. Learning by doing, through implementing this project offered an opportunity for me to develop my individual skills such as problem-solving and leadership skills. It’s wonderful to receive not just recognition, but public recognition for something you have done.
Question:
What was your most memorable moment during the project?
VP Charlotte:
The Sustainable Lantau Project is the first flagship project since 2017. We have decided to have a breakthrough, to implement a more impactful project in relation to Lantau. When designing the project details, we felt frustrated “How can we carry out a meaningful and impactful project with limited resources?”. To organize various activities especially our FINALE, the Photo Exhibition cum Award Presentation, required tremendous cost.
To execute our plan, we spent days looking for sponsors, funding and supporting organizations. This was my most memorable part throughout the projects. For the first few months, we did not receive any responses. Honestly, we felt extremely desperate at that moment. Yet, we continued the negotiation with different parties, and tried to persuade them that our project was worthy of their support.
A few months later, we received supports from several organizations gradually. I felt exhilarated after receiving over HK$200,000 of supports and funding.
Question:
What was the greatest challenge you face during the project? How did you overcome it?
VP Charlotte:
The Sustainable Lantau Photo Exhibition lasts for 5 months from May to September 2022, with a variety of activities based on this theme for the public. In 2022, the outbreak of the COVID-19 became the major barrier and challenge of the project execution.
The social distancing measures have discouraged many potential sponsors and supporting organizations to get involve in this project. To overcome this problem, we invited and pitched more potential parties. Through establishing a good relationship with them, to change their impression and perception towards JCI Lantau and our project.
Yet, due to the unstable and awfully pandemic situation, we had no choice but to postpone the whole project. To cope with the changes, we always had a back-up plan which allowed us to face the pressure with a thoughtful planning.
Question
Do you have any advice and recommendation for your fellow members if they are going to organize Sustainable Lantau next year?
VP Charlotte:
This year, we have cultivated a good connection with the community, government and organizations from different sectors which has constructed a strong foundation for the future project execution. I believe the Sustainable Lantau Project is worth to continue. In the following years, I suggest to cover more areas gradually such as in business affairs to expand impact , to make a valuable contribution to community.
With Sustainable Lantau, it strengthens the characteristics of JCI Lantau, which can enhance members’ sense of belonging as well as encourage members’ engagement. I wish the members of our chapter are able to engage in the project. Involving in project execution establishes relationships among members, which empowers young people to create positive change, step out their comfort zone and explore new talent. Learning by doing, doing evaluate and making improvements continuously, thus to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of project implementation.
Last but not least, let’s continue to educate and promote the importance of Lantau sustainability and strive for extending the influence to more groups in Hong Kong and even to the global. Best wishes for the success of next year!
