For now, here are some of the highlights from the event.
- The conference was a bit of a mini GSE reunion for me. Two of my fellow team mates from the 2008 Group Study Exchange to Australia were also in Wpg for the event. It was great to touch base and reminisce with Charles (from Estevan) and Diane (from Brandon). Looking forward to our next reunion.
- There were representatives from over 14 countries at the conference. RI Representative Lina Aurelio from the Philippines, District Governer Rodolfo Bianchi Sur from Guatamala, Youth Exchange participants from around the world, and the GSE team from Finland. What a neat experience and energy it adds to the event.
- Keynote speaker John Corcoran was 48 years old when he learned how to read. An amazing story considering he was a highly educated man with a college degree and a teacher. He was featured on Oprah.
- Shelterbox update - Ron & Clare Noseworthy gave us an update on the program and a quick presentation on their experiences as response team members in China last year. During the presentation, Ron announced that he had just received a phone call that morning letting him know he is being deployed to Bangladesh next week to take boxes to the most recent disaster area.
- Youth Exchange student presentations
- Wheelchair program update - the issues arising with the great need for service and maintenance in receiving countries.
- Canadian Human Rights Museum
- The announcement that Rotary will be moving forward with the building of the permanent memorial of 9/11 at the International Peace Gardens.
- Polio Plus - we are getting so much closer to eradicating polio. Only 1% of the world left to do by 2012. What an amazing accomplishment!
- Etc.
The idea for this blog came to me as a result of many exciting aspects of the conference, especially a few key points that were mentioned during the 3rd Plenary session of the Conference - Membership & Extension. In many cases, we need to do a better job communicating what is so great about Rotary and what does our club do. Some of the questions mentioned were - What is our club's identity? What product are we selling? Why should I invite my friends to join Rotary? How can we use technology to reach new and existing members?
So begins my blog. My project for this year is to blog about our local Rotary club events and happenings. I hope to post a minimum of one entry per week sharing the inside scoop of the tremendous variety of Rotary happenings. There are so many great things that have inspired me to join Rotary and it's time to share with everyone else. 'Til next time...
