ILCM charts new course with new committee

The International Ladies’ Club of Macau (ILCM) is embarking on a new chapter under the leadership of President Sophie Lei, who took the helm at the club’s Annual General Meeting at the Artyzen Hotel late last week.

Lei, a longtime ILCM member since the 1990s and former president in 2011, brings a wealth of experience and a passionate commitment to rejuvenating the club after a challenging period marked by dwindling membership and reduced activities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to the Times, Lei candidly addressed the membership decline that has hampered the club’s activities. “Since Covid, we [ILCM] struggled a lot because we did not have enough members,” she said. “It’s like a circle: fewer members, fewer helping hands, fewer events, which lowers interest to renew.”

Despite these setbacks, she praised the outgoing committee’s dedication to community service, noting their continued charity work and support for organizations like the Cradle of Hope, even with limited resources.

The new executive committee, composed predominantly of “fresh faces,” also reflects Lei’s commitment to renewal. The current executive committee includes 15 members, including entrepreneurs, professionals, lawyers, and retired civil servants.

Lei states, “They’re a diverse and energetic group ready to share the workload.”

The new ILCM president emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of community and bonding among members to encourage membership growth. Lei expressed a bold target of more than doubling membership to 120 members within six months.

Currently, the club has 55 members.

Central to Lei’s strategy is rekindling the club’s familial atmosphere. “Some of our ladies have been members for a decade… they take it like a family already,” she observed.

To foster this spirit, she plans to introduce diverse activities such as small-scale interest groups and hobby classes designed to invite members to engage more deeply with each other and the club.

Founded in 1984 by an English expatriate, ILCM has long been a cornerstone for women’s social and charitable activities in Macau. Lei expressed pride in the club’s history and its role in fostering lifelong friendships and mentorships. “We have so many roles in life – mother, daughter, wife –  but you still have a role for yourself. I am an international lady. This is something we should be very proud of,” she said.

With renewed energy and a fresh executive committee, the club looks forward to restoring its vibrant presence in Macau’s community life. “The more people and more members we have, we become strong – not because of the number, but because of the experience, knowledge, and wisdom of all these ladies,” said the president.