Convention Report

President Merle and Incoming President Doug return from Atlanta

President Merle Hayes reports that the recent Rotary International Convention in Atlanta hosted 175 countries on five levels of meeting spaces in at least two buildings.  More than 23,000 attended two Opening Sessions to hear amazing speakers, such as Bill Gates (who seemed to be just two inches tall to Merle, who was sitting at the back of the convention hall).

President Elect Doug Shureen also reported that the convention theme and speakers emphasized Rotary's current focus on polio.  Five new cases have been discovered in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Bill Gates has pledged a 2 to 1 match, up to 450 million, to make certain the disease is completely eradicated.

The US has pledged 200 million dollars and Canada pledges 50 - 60 million.  If we do not annihilate every trace of the disease, now, it will never be completely eradicated.

More than 1.6 million of these funds will be spent gaining access to tribal areas.  Tribal chieftains are experiencing the devastation of polio on their people and are softening in their resolve to block intervention and beginning to allow inoculations.  

Doug also reported that Ashton Kucher has established a foundation to fight human trafficking -- an issue that fought Doug's attention.  Besides the tiny screens and miniature speakers, the convention experience included a downpour of rain on the last day.

Welcome back Sunrise Presidents!