The Foreign Correspondents' Club Hong Kong

Q&A Session on Proposed Changes to the Club’s Disciplinary Process

In recent years, the Board has identified a need to reform and update the way in which the Club handles disciplinary complaints. The idea is to put in place a new system which improves on the existing arrangements, ensuring that the disciplinary process is fair, principled, objective and efficient. This will involve amendments to the Club’s Articles of Association.

The last Board voted to modernize our disciplinary process in 2019/2020 so that complaints can be handled in a more expeditious and proportionate manner. This initiative was highlighted at the Annual General Meeting in May.

Members are invited to a Q&A session in Bert’s at 6:30pm on November 25, where the proposals will be explained. This event had been scheduled for November 11 yet was postponed. We look forward to seeing you in Bert’s.

Q&A Session on Proposed Reforms to Disciplinary Process Postponed

Q&A Session on Proposed Reforms to Disciplinary Process Postponed

The Q&A session on proposed changes to the club’s disciplinary process scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tonight, Monday November 11, has been postponed. It will be rescheduled for Monday November 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Bert’s.

The FCC will operate with limited service today, with only bar and lounge service. The Dining Room and Verandah will be closed.

Thank you.

FCC

FCC Security Statement

With the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, the club may, on occasion, see fit to lock its front doors for security reasons, as it did on Saturday afternoon when there was a demonstration rallying point outside the main entrance. The club remained open and access was controlled by our security guard.

The safety of our staff, members and their guests is paramount. To that end, on weekends, until further notice, we will ask members who are bringing guests to the club to contact the concierge ([email protected]) ahead of time with the names of their guests. Members attending the club will be asked to show their cards at the door.

Club events this week will go ahead as planned.

During this period the club will do its best to maintain the high quality of service we have always been proud to offer. We also are proud to be a forum for training, debate and discussion about the Hong Kong protests as part of our long tradition of upholding press freedom. Visiting journalists to Hong Kong are welcome to join us during this period.

Journalists Visiting Hong Kong Welcome at FCC

Dear Correspondent or Journalist member,

The continuing protests in Hong Kong are causing media organizations to send additional journalists based overseas to cover the story. If you have friends or colleagues in this situation, please let them know that they are welcome to use the FCC facilities during their time in Hong Kong as a place to work from, or for some simple R&R with fellow journalists.

The FCC allows journalists temporarily working in Hong Kong to access its facilities at no charge so long as they provide the following information:

– Passport

– Proof of a home address outside of Hong Kong

– A travel ticket showing their arrival and planned departure from Hong Kong

– Proof of journalistic credentials, such as a press card or a letter from their employer

Journalists can contact the front office in person or get in touch on [email protected] or tel 2521 1511. They will be issued a stored value card for food and beverage purchases that can be loaded up using cash or a credit card.

(Application form for download)

From Membership Committee

Notice: Fire Drill

Changes to FCC Operations on October 5-7, 2019

Election for The Board of Governors 2019-20 Result

PRESIDENT:
		Number of votes
	1. Jodi SCHNEIDER – Bloomberg L.P.	110

FIRST-VICE PRESIDENT:
	2. Eric WISHART – Agence France-Presse	109

SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT:
	3. Edith TERRY – Freelance	138
	4. Tim HUXLEY – Mandarin Shipping Limited	217

CORRESPONDENT MEMBER GOVERNORS:
	5. Emma CLARK – Agence France-Presse	57
	6. Reuben EASEY – Agence France-Presse	30
	7. Katie FORSTER – Agence France-Presse	40
	8. Jennifer HUGHES – Reuters	75
	9. Jonathan JENSEN – CNN	28
	10. Tripti LAHIRI – Quartz	56
	11. Richard MACAULEY – Bloomberg LP	73
	12. Shibani MAHTANI – The Washington Post	68
	13. Keith RICHBURG – Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong	93
	14. George RUSSELL – Financial Times	42
	15. Kristine SERVANDO – Bloomberg LP	73
	16. Feliz SOLOMON – TIME	58
	17. Dan STRUMPF – The Wall Street Journal	66

JOURNALIST MEMBER GOVERNORS:
	18. Clifford BUDDLE – SCMP	108
	19. Kurt LIN – Morning Studio, SCMP	38
	20. Babette RADCLYFFE-THOMAS – Fifth Black Media	61
	21. Adam WHITE – Cedar Communications	87

ASSOCIATE MEMBER GOVERNORS:
	22. Genavieve ALEXANDER – Genavieve Co. Ltd	178
	23. Christopher CHU	128
	24. William GILES – Partner of Hart Giles, Solicitors & Notaries	156
	25. Kin-ming LIU – KM & Associates	206
	26. Simon PRITCHARD – Gavekal Research	207
	27. Christopher SLAUGHTER – Consultant	241

Temporary Suspension of Telephone Line Services

Limited FCCHK Operations Monday 5th August 2019

Because of protests and anticipated continued disruptions across the city today, Monday 5th August, the Club’s management notifies members that only the lounge and main bar remain open, offering a bar menu selection. Members will be updated if that changes.

We thank you for your understanding.

Please contact the Front Desk – 25211511 for up-to-date information related to the operation of the F&B outlets and facilities.

FCC Anti-Harassment Policy – further information

Dear Members,

Late last year, the Club distributed an anti-harassment policy after it was unanimously approved by the Board of Governors. It is an unequivocal statement that harassment will not be tolerated in the Club. It also puts us at the forefront in terms of addressing this issue among private clubs in Hong Kong.

Below please find further information about this initiative.

1. Addressing harassment has been a longtime priority for the Board.

In recent years, the Board has handled a number of disciplinary cases involving allegations of harassment, a problem that is not unique to private clubs or to any specific place in the world. After dealing with three cases in 2017, the Board resolved to take proactive measures by putting a formal anti-harassment policy in writing. This was done in accordance with Club procedures.

2. This policy is about making sure all members feel comfortable in their Club.

Fostering an environment that is welcoming for all members does not preclude lively discussion and a good time, but rather promotes it.

3. This policy is consistent with principles of free speech.

The FCC has a proven record of standing for free speech in Hong Kong, Asia and around the world. But free speech in the context of a private club does not give members license to talk to or treat others in a demeaning way. This policy is common courtesy and common sense.

4. The FCC has been very open to criticism of the policy.

Members of the Board have repeatedly engaged critics of the policy, both via email and through discussions in person. The Board remains willing to consider changes that refine the policy, and welcomes all suggestions to improve it as long as they serve the goal of eliminating harassment in the Club.

5. The disciplinary process remains unchanged.

All formal complaints shall be investigated fairly in accordance with the Articles of Association and with respect for the confidentiality of those involved.

6. The FCC is taking other steps to address harassment.

Incidents of harassment at the Club almost always involve excessive alcohol consumption, but being intoxicated does not excuse one’s actions. The staff is being trained to better handle these situations.

7. Combating and preventing harassment is the responsibility of everyone.

All members are responsible and accountable for their own behaviour, and that means respecting other people’s boundaries. The FCC should be a harassment-free environment, and this policy provides a framework to achieve that. But as members we also all need to step up: by considering how our words and actions might affect others, and by looking out for one another generally. It is this kind of caring and collegiality, which our members already show in such abundance, that drew many of us to the Club to begin with.

We invite further feedback as part of an ongoing discussion that we think is to the benefit of the Club overall. Please share your thoughts and questions with us by emailing [email protected].

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Florence de Changy

FCC President