THE INTERCITY CONFERENCE 9TH FEBRUARY 2013

Posted by Jane Bitek Langoya 
on Feb 16, 2013
 

ImageThe Conference commenced with a colourful flag ceremony. The following flags were gracefully ushered into the conference venues: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, Unites States of America and the RI flag. the Uganda flag was ushered in last and was the cue for the signing of the national anthem. Following the invocation the Rotarians had a moment of silence to remember our dear departed sisters and brothers in Rotary.

 ImageThere was a record attendance at the Intercity conference. The Registration desk had 274 registered Rotarians and guest. This number excludes those that did not register yet attended the Plenary. The conference was graced by the presence of our District Governor Nalongo Geeta Manek, District Governor Elect District 9211 Emmanuel Katongole who also imparted wisdom to us during the conference. We were also honoured with the presence of Past District Governors and other senior Rotarians in their various capacities

There was a last minute hiccup with the Guest of Honour Vice President H.E Edward Sekandi and Key Note Speaker Hon. Betty Bigombe cancelling their appearance because of state duties. The matter was quickly rectified as the Minister of State for Housing Hon Sam Engola stepped in to read the speech of the Vice President and open the conference.

The Bishop of Lango Diocese, His Lordship John Charles Odurkamy stepped in as key note speaker. The Bishop was part of the delegation that went to the bush together with Hon. Betty Bigombe to convince rebel Kony to stop the senseless war. He gave a great speech for which he received a standing ovation from the Rotarians. DG Geeta then presented to him a Peace Banner in appreciation.

The key presentation at the conference, in line with the theme, Moving from Water Projects to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene [WaSH] Programs; Opportunities and Plans this Far; The presentation was made by PDG Ron Denham, Chair Wasrag

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Resolutions were made during the conference and these are stated below.

  1. WASRAG –The Rotary Clubs (RCs) recognize that water is a basic human need and access to safe water is human right and important for having a peaceful community. The RCs resolve to support the country WASH teams and to seek for opportunities to help promote safe water access, sanitation and hygiene interventions to communities. Clubs shall carry out preliminary needs assessment prior to writing project proposals.

  2. Inter-country committees (ICC) can promote peace as they create a better relationship. The RCs in the district shall formalize the relationships they already have so that they can better maximize on the returns from the associations and relations.  RCs shall seek to establish new Inter country relationships and create twining relationships across the borders.  Those clubs that have already twinned with clubs across the border shall update the country rotary office as soon as possible. Club Presidents shall appoint Inter country committee members and share inter country committee information with club members.

  3. Rotary Family Health Day (RFHD) – Rotarians shall be more active in promoting health in their communities and shall where possible, lead by example.  Each Rotary club shall make a definitive plan on their involvement during family health day and shall report to the Country Office. The RCs shall ensure 100% participation by Club Members RFHD. RCs shall source for active partnerships with Government, development partners in national program e.g. HCT, safe male circumcision, distribution of mosquito nets. The RCs pledged commitment to fundraising at Club level to support RFHD.

  4. RCs resolve to engage more with the Rotaract clubs that they sponsor and help them achieve the first goal of Rotaract, i.e. developing professional and business skills.  Each Rotary club shall develop programs with a specific focus on this e.g. matching individual Rotaractor to individual Rotarians for mentoring. At the same time, Rotaractors must strive to be partners in service, not parasites in service who only come to Rotarians to seek for money.  RCs resolve to evaluate their new generations’ programs annually.  

  5. RCs planning programs for HIV AIDS shall get an awareness and understanding of the most vulnerable members of their communities and target these groups in their HIV/AIDS programming.  RCs resolved to consider the National priorities in Club programmes.

  6. RCs resolved to support the Cancer Program as our signature project by: Organizing cancer screening camps and giving financial support to complete the Cancer Centre within the targeted time (30 June 2013). Fully participating in the 2nd Cancer run on 25th August 2013

  7. The Rotary Foundation: RCs resolved to take advantage of the good will that D9200 has internationally and get international partners to support our projects. RCs resolved to ensure involvement of all club members in projects for better stewardship of funds. RCs adopted the 2013 training calendar as presented and noted that the training will assist the Clubs in getting access to global grants.

  8.  The RCs resolved to thank: The Organizing Committee for the conference organization,  DG Geeta Manek for the continued support to our Clubs, All the Presenter for their educative presentations.

  9. The RCs resolved to appreciate, recognize and enhance the partnerships we have made with Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Uganda Society for Disabled Children who made presentations at the Conference.

  10. The RCs resolved to appreciate: The speech made by the Vice President of Uganda HE Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and the Bishop of Lango Diocese His Lordship John Charles Odurkamy.

District Governor Geeta then launched the Uganda Rotary Country Office website and launched the Uganda Rotarian Magazine.

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The conference was closed by the District Governor Geeta Manek in a grand dinner dance. The dance went on to the wee hours of the morning with the DJ taking the happy participants through disco songs from 1960s to the present date.

All in all it was a good and well attended conference. On behalf of the organizing Committee I would like to thank the Committee Members for their input and for each and every member that contributed in cash, kind and/or presence to make it one of the most memorable mega fellowships as we close the curtain non District 9200.

Jane Bitek Langoya

Conference Co- Chair and President RC Kampala South