[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 799

[Anne Krischock]

Messages In This Digest (3 Messages) 
  1. 1514: Rotary stars shine bright in Los Angeles From: Sunil K Zachariah 

  2. 1515:  At 40, Rotaract's past paves bright future for Rotary From: Sunil K Zachariah 

  3. 1516: See the start of LA Convention From: Sunil K Zachariah 
Messages 
  1. 1514: Rotary stars shine bright in Los Angeles 
Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:24 pm (PDT) 
Rotary stars shine bright in Los Angeles
By Jenny Llakmani 

Rotarian Don Craighead, of the Rotaract Committee, pins a fun meter 
button on Rotaractor McKenley Andrews. 

Hollywood's glamour added to the excitement of the 99th Rotary 
International Convention, which began today in Los Angeles. The 
annual event brings Rotarians, Rotaractors , and Rotary Foundation 
alumni from around the world. 

About 18,000 attendees -- from as far as Afghanistan, Brazil, 
Germany, and Zambia --converged on L.A. for this convention, which 
runs from 15 to 18 June. 

At the official opening of the exhibition area, the House of 
Friendship, on Saturday morning, RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson 
welcomed all to L.A. "The world is here to see Rotary, and the Los 
Angeles Rotarians are playing host to the world," he said. "It's a 
fantastic experience for them -- and a great honor for me." 

This convention marks the official launch of Rotary's drive to raise 
$100 million to match a challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates 
Foundation, with all funds raised going toward polio eradication. The 
president of the Gates Foundation's Global Health Program, Tadataka 
Yamada, will address Monday's plenary 
session. 

Speaking at Tuesday's plenary session are Rotary's partners in the 
Global Polio Eradication Initiative - and global experts on health - 
UNICEF Executive Director Anne Veneman, U.S. Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention Director Julie Gerberding, and World Health 
Organization Director-General Margaret Chan. Wednesday's session 
features Stephen Lewis, co-director of AIDS-Free World, and William 
Asiko, president of the Coca-Cola Foundation Africa. 

Another convention star is literacy. Looking to set a Guinness World 
Record, Rotary's Wide World of Books project aims to collect 250,000 
books to distribute to students in kindergarten through third grade 
in Los Angeles public schools. 

But even as they share ideas, network, and get projects off the 
ground, Rotarians are enjoying the convention's fun and fellowship. 

"We're making more friends already," said first-timer Jose Silva, of 
the Rotary Club of Daytona Beach West, Florida, USA, who is attending 
the convention with his wife, Diana. "That's what it's all about - 
ideas, together with relationships. You're bringing people and ideas 
together, and things happen. It's exciting." 

Silva, a former Ambassadorial Scholar , attended the Rotary Alumni 
Celebration on Friday and Saturday. Also in town for preconvention 
events were Rotaractors , RYLArians , and Youth Exchange officers. 

At the heart of every convention is the House of Friendship, where 
Rotarians meet and find information on Rotary fellowships, action 
groups, and projects. A popular booth this year features a ShelterBox 
tent and all the items found in one of the group's disaster relief 
boxes. 

On Saturday night at the California Experience, Rotarians mingled 
over hors d'oeuvres and danced to the strains of a swing band before 
heading into the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE to hear Natalie Cole 
perform. The mood was festive as the official start of the convention 
neared. 

"The convention is like an annual reunion," said Brian McLeran, 
governor of District 5150. "People who have never been to one are 
missing the best part of Rotary. It's the celebration of the year."

Sourec: Rotary International News
Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary


2. 1515:  At 40, Rotaract's past paves bright future for Rotary 
Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:38 pm (PDT) 
At 40, Rotaract's past paves bright future for Rotary
By Ryan Hyland 

After praising Rotaract's first 40 years of service, Rotary 
International President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson honored seven of this 
year's most innovative and successful club projects during the 
Rotaract Preconvention Meeting in Los Angeles.

As Wilkinson spoke, he marveled at Rotaract's growth. "Forty years 
ago, I don't think anyone had any idea how very valuable this program 
would become. Hundreds of thousands of young professionals from all 
over the world have come together for fellowship and fun."

Wilkinson's address reflected the positive influence Rotaract has had 
on Rotary's past, present, and future. "The enthusiasm of Rotaractors 
is an encouragement to us all," he said." The future of Rotary is 
Rotaract. 

"But most important, its members have made an enormous impact on the 
communities locally and the ones around the world," Wilkinson said.

Echoing Wilkinson's sentiment, RI President-elect Dong Kurn Lee told 
Rotaractors, "The best Rotaract club projects are some of Rotary's 
best projects, often with little resources. Rotaract has been a 
wonderful success."

Wilkinson presented the 2008 Outstanding Rotaract Project awards, 
lauding the recipients for their international reach and tangible 
results. 

Seven clubs were selected to receive international and regional 
awards.

The international award went to the Rotaract clubs of Barcelona, 
Barcelona Mediterráneo, and Abad Oliba-Condal, all from District 2210 
(Spain). Rotaractors provided underprivileged communities in Guinea-
Bissau with solar electricity for medical, educational, and 
vocational uses. They also donated vaccines and other medical health 
supplies as part of a long-term development project. 

The regional winners for 2008 are:

Rotaract Club of Johannesburg, South Africa -- Members walked 500 
miles to create awareness of HIV/AIDS orphans and raise funds for 
organizations and programs assisting them. 
Rotaract Club of Manila, Philippines -- Club members organized 
several fundraising events to help provide impoverished children the 
educational materials and inspiration needed to succeed in school and 
in life. 
Rotaract Club of Kayseri, Turkey -- The 16-member club teamed up with 
an eye doctor to provide ophthalmic exams to more than 2,100 
elementary schoolchildren. They also raised funds for medication and 
eyeglasses. 
Rotaract Club of Bangalore Jayanagar, India -- The club organized a 
sporting event for approximately 350 physically and mentally disabled 
young adults. 
Rotaract Club of Paranaguá-Rocio, Brazil -- Impoverished 
schoolchildren received computer literacy training from club members 
in an effort to improve educational performance. 
Rotaract Club of the University of Lethbridge, Canada -- During the 
club's annual dinner and silent auction event, Rotaractors raised 
more than US$25,000 for a microcredit project in Costa Rica. 

Source: Rotary International News 
Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary


  3. 1516: See the start of LA Convention 
Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:42 pm (PDT) 
Here's an eFlash_Rotary

Go to 
http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/convention08_hof.aspx
to see the start of LA Convention
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