President Dave McRae, Eunice Friesen and myself all attended the 2017 Rotary International Convention held in Atlanta in 2017. Next convention is in Toronto in June 2018.
Attending an International Convention anywhere is pretty spectacular and Atlanta was no different. There is no denying the energy that 40,000 Rotarians in one room can generate.
The convention began with a 3km walk which Sandra Impey (Sunrise Incoming President) took part in and shared our Canadian Pride with everyone on the walk. We had our photo taken about 100 times and enjoyed lots of laughs with our friends around the world who were also walking.
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The evening brought a Blue Grass Festival with Ricky Scraggs and 10,000 of his closest friends. After music, and some southern cuisine, there was a Candle Light Vigil to end Human Slavery and Trafficing. It was quite a moving experience. Photo: Sandra Impey - Sunrise Incoming President, Karen Scribner - Swan City President, Dave McRae - GP Incoming President
Sunday was the Opening Plenary session, introductions of all of the Rotary President and executive. As well the traditional marching in of the Flags of every country that has Rotary, Pretty well everywhere in the world barring a few. Flags are brought in by Youth Exchange representatives. The opening of the House of Friendship also happens, where you can tour booths of hundreds of projects around the Globe, purchase Rotary gear, or just do some shopping. It is where Rotarians go to meet and talk about how to make a difference in the world.
That evening, we attended the Beyond the Borders Dinner which is a dinner of our zone and our partnering zone. We met at the world famous Atlanta Aquarium and enjoyed a wonderful evening of more southern food!
Monday's Plenary Session was highlighed by a speech by Bill Gates, regarding their contribution to the Polio Campaign. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now matching 2-1 funds to try and end the small bit of Polio left in Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afganistan. It is determined that we need 1.2 Billion dollars more to finish off the eradication of Polio throughout the world. Canada has committed 150 Million dollars towards that campaign. The accumulation of all other countries involved will fullfill the 1.2 Billion dollar need.
