Rotary International Convention

Posted by Sally Bibb

Throughout the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, June 10-14, the 100 years of the Rotary Foundation was celebrated and references were made to the first contribution of $26.50 in 1917. Rotary International President John Germ from Chattanooga, Tennessee, chaired the convention and welcomed famous and influential speakers to the stage: Bill Gates who outlined the final push to end polio, Jack Nicklaus who serves as an ambassador for polio eradication, Ashton Kutcher who leads an effort to combat human trafficking and Andrew Young who is a former Ambassador to the United Nations.

Twenty-one Club 13 Rotarians and spouses attended the Convention and had a great time at the Club 13 dinner at Pittypat’s Porch and the District 6040 reception. To give Club 13 special recognition, Stephanie Urchick, a Rotary Foundation Trustee from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, came to the District event, addressed the group and personally thanked Club 13 for the $26.50 contribution. Kansas City Rotarians spent time in the Club 13 Booth meeting and exchanging banners with Rotarians from around the world. The theme of the booth was Kansas City Rotarians are the first to take action: First to make a contribution to the Rotary Foundation, first to fly the Rotary flag, first to establish a Youth Camp and one of the first to start a Rotary bowling league.

It was a motivational and enjoyable convention and many Club 13 attendees have already registered for the 2018 convention in Toronto.