Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the DSOBA Charitable Foundation Limited


Q: Can you tell me more about the designated funds and scholarships administered and managed by the DSOBA Charitable Foundation Limited (‘CFL’)?
A: Certainly, the CFL is responsible for the administration and management of the following funds and scholarships with different objectives:-

The S.J. Lowcock Foundation Scholarship
- To provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged students of DBS to enable them to continue with their tertiary education either locally or overseas.

The Jacland Lai Foundation Scholarship

- To provide financial assistance to musically gifted students or old boys of DBS to enable them to advance their achievement in the area of music.
The George She Foundation Fund
- To provide financial assistance to students of DBS in need of funds to pursue their interest or advance their performance in extracurricular activities, in particular in the areas of sports and music.

The Terence Chang Award
- For deserving current DBS boys who have shown outstanding achievement in their lower grades (G8 – 9) and upper grades (G11 – 12).

The P.S. Cassidy Scholarship ($4,500)
- For the best boy in English and History in Grade 11 or Grade 12.

The G.A. Goodban Scholarship for Music ($500)
- For the best performance and attendance at orchestral practice.

Care Fund for Former DBS Teachers
- For financial assistance to former DBS teachers in need.

Q: Who are the people looking after the CFL?
A: CFL is a company limited by guarantee with tax exemption status. CFL was initiated by DSOBA for aiding needy students. A separate vehicle operating effectively as a trust, the current 'trustees' are all old boys: Aarif Barma’76 (High Court Judge), Daniel Fung SC ‘70, Jat Sew Tong SC ‘82, Patrick Sun ‘76, Edmund Chan ‘76, Desmond Yip ‘82, Selwyn Chan ‘77 and DSOBA ex-officios Jerome Leung ‘83, William Lo ‘83 and Victor Chan ‘92.

Q: Does the CFL also provide scholarship for underprivileged students to continue their education in DBS as opposed to just education beyond DBS?
A: Times have changed my dear old boy, under the DSS, DBS has to have a fee remission scheme for all needy students such that no student will be turned away because of his financial status. As such, there is no need to set up for these students with respect to fees, lunches, text books, transport etc. However, there are other needs e.g. sporting equipment, musical instruments, traveling to overseas competition etc. whereby the other CFL foundations i.e. She, Lai and Chang would step in to help.

Q: What is the size of the funds managed by the CFL currently?
A: In May 2013, CFL has around HK$24 million under its management with approximately HK$5 million designated to the S.J. Lowcock Foundation.

Q: What scholarships did CFL grant in 2012 and what are the amounts?
A: In 2012, CFL granted the Lowcock Foundation Scholarship to one student attending Cambridge University (HK$100,000), the Lai Foundation Scholarship to one student attending King’s College London (HK$50,000), the She Foundation Fund Award to one student going to NYU (HK$10,000), and the Chang Award to 3 students going to Cambridge (HK$60,000), Cornell (HK$10,000) and Princeton ($10,000) respectively.

Q: How do I make a donation to the CFL?
A: Please send cheque made payable to “DSOBA Charitable Foundation Limited” and designate it to whichever foundation if you so wish at the back of the cheque to DSOBA c/o DBS, 131 Argyle Street, Mongkok.

Q: Is my donation tax deductible and confidential?
A: All donations to CFL are tax deductible in Hong Kong and made on a confidential basis.

 

The Diocesan School Old Boys' Association (the "Association") undertakes to comply with the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance to ensure that personal data kept are accurate and securely kept.

We have been using your personal data for communicating with you information related to the Association and old boys as well as promoting events organised by the Association or the Diocesan Boys' School.  We shall continue to do so unless we receive your objection in writing. The Association will not disclose your personal details to any outside parties without your authorisation.

Should you refuse to have your personal data being used for the above purposes, please let us know by submitting your request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will handle your request as soon as possible.

We thank you for your attention to this matter and your continuous support to the Association.

In recent years since possibly 2005, there has been a widespread sentiment amongst old boys that there is a need to assist boys who wish to pursue their dreams but cannot do so because of the lack of funds.  It is ironic that while DBS is developing a super campus second to none in the territory, enhanced development of its boys may have been somehow overlooked.  DSOBA decided to bravely step into this hiatus in 2009 and explore the idea of setting up a trust fund in aid of boys who may be in need of funds in the course of their pursuit of academic, musical or sporting excellence.

At round about the same time, several old boys donated to DBS seed money to start the S.J. Lowcock Foundation (“the Foundation”) in honour of our ex-headmaster.  The Foundation’s aim is to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged students of DBS to enable them to continue with their tertiary education either locally or overseas. 

The foundation was initially managed by DBS and the seed money was already used up by 2010 when the CFL Trust was honoured with the responsibility to administer the Foundation from 2010 onwards.  DSOBA quickly adopted the Foundation under its wings, which effectively becomes the first and flagship project under the CFL Trust.

To launch the CFL Trust, a charity gala premiere of the much acclaimed award-winning movie “Echoes of the Rainbow” was organized on 27th February 2010.  The tear-jerking masterpiece attracted 9 full houses at the Grand Cinema at the Elements and at the same time attracted $3 million in donation from old boys, parents and friends of DBS on the night.  Encouraged by the overwhelming response, the CFL Trust raised a further $1 million plus up to mid-2011.

The inaugural directors of the CFL Trust consists of a high court judge, 2 senior barristers, 1 solicitor, 1 accountant and 2 seasoned businessmen.  The CFL Trust also succeeded in getting tax-exemption status in Hong Kong commencing March 2011.

(FAQ)

Eligibility
Any old boy of Diocesan Boys' School who has at least completed 2 academic years at DBS (Secondary Division or Primary Division) shall be eligible for Full Membership or Trial Membership.

 

Life and Trial Membership

•    Life Membership involves a one time entry fee with no subsequent payment required.
•    Trial Membership is open to any eligible old boy of DBS who is below the age of 28. Trial Membership shall automatically expire on the 28th birthday of the applicant. Trial Members can then apply for Life Membership.

Life and Trial Membership applications are subject to approval by the DSOBA General Committee.
 

Entitlement

In line with the objectives of the DSOBA, all members are entitled to the following benefits:
•    To receive notices and invitation to attend all social functions organised by the DSOBA

•    Trial Members are not entitled to vote in general meetings of DSOBA.

 

Applying for Membership

To apply for Life Membership or Trial Membership, please print out and complete the Enrolment Form and send it together with a recent photo, and the relevant payment (if applicable), to the Honorary Secretary of DSOBA. All membership applications are subject to approval by the General Committee. All applicants for Life Membership must first attend a Membership Introduction meeting, which will be scheduled twice each year, before their membership is final approved.

 

Print out the Enrollment Form, fill in your information, and send it to DSOBA with your recent photo and cheque payment.

For online application click the link below

 

Online Registration2 form

 

PDF Registration form

 

Top CIO Award for DBS Old Boys
 
In this year's national awards for Chief Information Officers (CIO) /  individuals heading up IT functions, 2 DBS old boys - Daniel Lai of MTR Corporation Ltd and Sunny Lee of the Hong Kong Jockey Club were awarded top honours amongst the five recipients of 2007 China Distinguished CIO Awards (2007年度中国傑出CIO).

ImageImage
.

The 6th Kowloon Group had their successful reunion dinner on Mar 2005. Many special guests arrived from afar to join into this happy occassion. Amongst them was Michael Prettejohn from Vancouver Canada. Leading the pack was our Scout Master Henry Ho with many stories to tell.
 
Please visit the photo gallery for more details!
 
 
© 2024 DSOBA. All Rights Reserved.