2008 Rotary International Convention
Posted by Patricia Nahin
Ed Nahin and Brad Mettam at the 2008 Rotary Convention June 15 - 18, 2008. The Rotary Club of Bishop members attending: Patricia Brown-Berry, Betty and Lewis McConnell, Brad Mettam, Ed and Pat Nahin, Leo and Delia Pisculli, Ellen Siegal and Wright Huntley.
Comments from members attending the convention:
From Wright Huntley:
Two things stand out as memorable to me.
The progress in the Polio Plus activity is impressive, and the
presentations by all the leaders of the various agencies was wonderfully
informative. That we had it down to 1313 cases last year prompted one
anonymous donor to give $1313 to Polio Plus in the name of the Bishop
Rotary Club. I'll urge that our club matches that in each of the
following years until it is no longer needed. We are getting there, but
it ain't over 'til it is over. Thirteen-thirteen is pretty easy to remember.
An afternoon off from regular activity was spent as a Sargent-of-arms
helping get the folks on the right buses for the hospitality events.
This opportunity to serve was most rewarding, as it was a logistics
nightmare and we felt we had really accomplished something at the
(tired) end of the day. It all went wonderfully well, and I think we got
all to their correct destinations.
Wright
PS. The music by the King'n Trio and the World Choir were not too
shabby! I really enjoyed them as well as the Boy's Choir and the
Canadian Brass.
Two things stand out as memorable to me.
From Pat Nahin
Strolling through the large corridors of the convention center, I couldn't help but think that everyone there had a mission to participate in a vast variety of projects important to their communities and working together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. They all had the common purpose to give something back to their world.
The energy emitted in the various sessions was friendly and positive. Most impressive was the great influence of Robert S. Scott, The Rotary Foundation and Chair, International Polio Plus Committee, in gathering three of the primary agencies fighting to eradicate polio in the world. Ann Veneman, Executive Director UNICEF, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organization gave well earned praise to Rotary International's success in fighting polio
From Ed Nahin:
I was continuously overwhelmed by the thousands of fellow Rotarians from all over the world gathering in an annual convention to share experiences and to learn about people helping people and "service above self."
To hear about Rotary membership in 200 countries is wonderful, but to share ideas, accomplishments and plans with "friends" from all over the globe sitting right beside you for several days is an unbelievable treat.
The greatness of the Rotary programs is awesome. The details involved to bring a convention like this together are remarkable.
Congratulations to all involved in every level of this endeavor!