Annual General Meeting of HKASF (2015-2016)

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The Christmas carnival of HKASF 2016 was ended with the clatter and joyful laughter. The words are still fresh in the mind. Actually, it was also a special day for us ─ The 1st Annual General Meeting of Hong Kong Angelman Syndrome Foundation.(AGM of HKASF 2015-2016). Before the carnival, we had announced the 1st achievement since HKASF established.

We appreciate the preparation from our staff for these months. The AGM was accomplished successfully with the testimonies of more than 10 AS families and the representatives from the consultant mission. During the conference, we gave the account of our operating report of HKASF from June 2015 to September 2016, financial statements and the outlook for next year. We also collected opinions from quite a few AS families and the consultant mission and all the items on the agenda were adopted successfully with “zero objection”.

Regarding the operating report of HKASF from June 2015 to September 2016 and financial statements, after the verification of the certified auditor, it will be uploaded to our website for the public reference or consultation in the future.

Date : 25-12-2016

Time : 16 : 00 - 18 : 00

Venue : 2/F Harbourview Wanchai

Enquiries : info@hkasf.org / +852 5125 8111

During the year from 2015 to 2016, it was really a fruitful and fulfilling year for HKASF. Through the reports from different kinds of media, the awareness of the “Angelman Syndrome” was widespread to every corner which was unheard before. Now we gather 25 AS families comparing before we had only one family. During the year, we had over 50 family gatherings totally, big and small. More than that, we had total 16 training courses, workshops, and seminars to meet our goal which is to strive our best to support all the AS families.

As for the public, we held or assisted in holding, and participated different types of public seminars, speeches in the universities and the activities to promote the public awareness of Angelman Syndrome. We dwell upon with great relish that last May, we associated with Park Central holding the first Angelman Syndrome Exhibition in Hong Kong, the program lasted for 2 weeks, involving more than 100 volunteers. Besides, last June, the first fundraising event ─ Angelman Walk 2016 in Hong Kong Science and Technology Park raised the fund over HKD 300,000 for HKASF and more than 800 people joined the activity.

HKASF dedicate to providing the information about Angelman Syndrome all the time. We are allied with 45 AS organizations around the world. Through the fabulous website, the latest news release about AS is issued from time to time. Last year, our website was renewed up to 100 times. Furthermore, there are over 500 sharing and posts on our Facebook. Hence, we have over 2800 fans on our fan page within 1 year.

In the past year, HKASF led the little angels and the families to create many first-time experiences ─ first time to book a whole cinema to watch a movie, first time to support a new case successfully and first time to offer the prenatal testing for the close member of the AS family……etc. The courage to try, the positive spirit and attitude to discover lay a solid foundation for HKASF.

HKASF has countless projects, events, and renewal. However, we remain prudent to manage the budget. Since becoming one of the charitable institutions in Hong Kong January last year, we have stood firm to take on our social responsibilities. Besides, all the expenses are managed by the internal commission, there are consultant accountants to supervise the whole accounts to ensure all the funds are used properly. According to our financial statements last year, HKASF’s administrative expense only accounted for only 4.4% of the general income. Whereas the project of supporting the AS families and the expense to promote the public awareness of AS accounted for 18.2% and 18.6% respectively. One more thing is worth to mention, the reason why HKASF can maintain a healthy financial circumstance is all because the consultants, staff and volunteers’ unselfish sacrifice. They did not get any payment for all these!

To envision the future, HKASF will receive the consistent attitude, seize the opportunity to provide the support to the suitable AS families. One of the new challenges is to join the “Global Registry” for AS. We hope to build the AS data base of Hong Kong and Chinese to help the research in AS. HKASF also committed to bringing the AS families to integrate with the communities. We need to take more social responsibilities to give a hand to the sector of the disables and the social welfare in the coming year.

Regarding this, HKASF needs everyone’s continuous support and assistance. Especially for the staff, we are humble to invite the sages and committed volunteers to join us. No matter money, effort or time, donate whatever you can. Not only for the benefit of the AS family, but we also show our loving care and recognition for the patients with the rare disease and their families.