Category: Rotary International

A Twitter post that actually may draw people closer together

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Twitter and its incessant tweets seem to have helped the world devolve into two opposing camps capable of little more than self-fueled indignation. No longer is rational discourse the norm. Now, if you disagree with someone, it is not a matter of philosophy. It must only be that they are evil.

However, this comment tweeted at the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta that wrapped up on Wednesday should be something that resonates positively with most people.

Rotary International President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley, who will become RI president on  July 1, presented his case that protecting the environment and curbing climate change are essential to Rotary’s goal of sustainable service. Riseley, a member of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia, will preside under the 2017-18 presidential theme “Rotary: Making a Difference.”

He also urged clubs to improve their gender balance and lower the average age of their members. Only 22% percent of Rotary’s members are women. Although that is well up from 13% a decade ago, Riseley said at that rate it will take another three decades for Rotary to achieve gender parity.

(Note: SRC membership is 26% female on the overall roster, although that percentage spikes much higher among our truly active, involved membership.)

Riseley also said he believes it is imperative that clubs find ways to attract and engage younger members. Today, only 5% percent of reported members are under 40, and a majority of members are over 60. “Consider what Rotary stands to look like 10 or 20 years from now if we don’t get very serious, very soon, about bringing in younger members.”

Uh oh, they’re on the loose in Atlanta

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This is what it looks like when loooong-time Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club members attend a Rotary International Convention. (Dick Drumm and Jim Leyhane and might-as-well-be-a-member Mary Drumm wait on line for a beverage.)

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And, this is what you get as your next club president if you don’t pay attention. (Roberto  Martinez flashes the bling.)

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They all were spotted in the Coca-Cola area, a local “heritage” spot since Coke’s international headquarters is located in Atlanta. They’ll be back Wednesday night.

cocacola

 

RI creates simplified Grants Center

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Rotary Grants fund many undertakings.

Rotary International has just announced the debut of the new Grant Center, formerly known as the Grant Application Tool.

The new site, says RI, “has a fresh look and better organization. The grant application includes clearly defined steps so it’s easier for you to track your progress.

“The Rotary Foundation offers grants that support a wide variety of projects, scholarships, and training that Rotary members are doing around the world. Explore the grant types and find one that’s right for your project.”

Details are available online.

RI float a winner in Tournament of Roses parade

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The 2017 Rotary International float

The Rotary International float in Monday’s 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA, emerged with a major trophy.

The smoke-breathing floral dragon float, titled “Doing Good In the World,” was awarded the Princesses’ Trophy which goes to what the judges consider the best float in the 35-feet-and-under category.

 

Discount time for RI Convention running out

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screen-shot-2016-10-28-at-12-39-40-pmIf you are interested in attending the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta on June 10-14 next year, you can get discounted reservations if you go online — but, no later than December 15.

We already have nearly 40 Rotarians and guests from District 7190 signed up. The current discounted registration fee is $340 per person, but the price will increase to $415 as of December 16.

For more information about this global get-together and to register, just click here.

Are you planning on heading to Atlanta?

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screen-shot-2016-10-28-at-12-39-40-pmFor the first time in five years, the Rotary International Convention will be held in the U.S.

District 7190 is hoping at least 40 to 50 Rotarians will register for the June 10-14 event being planned for Atlanta. In addition to the usual events and socializing, and a chance to spend some time in a bustling southern city, this year we’ll be marking the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation which was founded during the Atlanta convention back in 1916.

If you never have been to a Rotary International Convention, take advantage of this opportunity to meet Rotarians from over 130 countries. You also will hear about exciting club projects from around the world and share what your club is doing. The general and breakout sessions are world class and the House of Friendship offers amazing chances to learn and share.

Go here for details on registering online.

 

Ugandan banker to be RI president in 2018-19

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Sam Owori welcomed home by Rotarians at Entebbe International Airport.

Rotary International has selected its president for 2018-19, and his fellow Rotarians gave him a hero’s welcome when he returned home this week from RI world headquarters in Chicago after the election.

Samuel Frobisher Owori, a banker in Uganda, was greeted by a boisterous crowd of hundreds at the Entebbe International Airport near the capital city of Kampala.

Owori, who became a Rotarian in 1978, has held a variety of Rotary offices since becoming a club president in 1987, including that of district governor for all of Uganda.

“Rotary is going to become a household name everywhere in the world. There is a lot of work to do. I am going to push other countries that are just coming up so that we grow membership,” Owori said.

Owori has a strong record in recruiting new members as well as fostering new clubs. When he became the district governor, there were only nine Rotary clubs in his nation. Today, there are 89.

He has served as regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, regional RI membership coordinator, RI Representative to the United Nations Environment Program and UN-Habitat, and RI director. He has been a member or chair of several committees, including the International PolioPlus Committee, the Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force, and the Audit Committee. Most recently, he served as trustee of The Rotary Foundation, chair of The Rotary Foundation’s Finance Committee, and a member of the Investment Committee. He is a Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation, and he and his wife, Norah, are Major Donors and Paul Harris Fellows.

Professionally, Owori is chief executive officer of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda. Before that, he was executive director of the African Development Bank, managing director of Uganda Commercial Bank Ltd., and director of Uganda Development Bank.