The Rotary International Convention

Speaker: CP Sally Ho

Organiser: Rotary E Club of Tamar HK

Location: Online

The Rotary International Convention

Each May or June, Rotary International holds a worldwide convention “to stimulate, inspire, and inform all Rotarians at an international level.” The convention, which is generally held in a different part of the world each year, is the annual meeting to conduct the business of the association. The planning process usually begins several years in advance. The RI Board invites cities to submit proposals at the start of the convention bidding process.

The conventions are truly international, attended by 20,000 to 40,000 Rotarians and guests. In addition to being fun events, international conventions offer Rotarians unique opportunities for vacation travel. All members should plan to participate in an RI Convention to discover the real internationality of Rotary. It is an experience you will never forget.

This Rotary International Convention will be held in Korea Seoul from 28 May to 1 Jun this Rotary Year 2016-17. There are lots of events and programs which are organized by the Organizing Committee.

Examples of events are as below:

3K Walk for Peace from Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square -28 May 2016- 8:00 to 10:30:

This is an important event in which Rotarians from all over the world together and share Rotary’s core values with non-Rotarians.

Welcome Festival at Jamsil Arena- 28 May 2016- 20:00 to 22:00:

Celebrate the visit to Korea at the Welcome Festival, it is an event filled with superb performance by various Korean artists, including K-POP stars and performance groups. All Rotarians and non-Rotarians will be united during this harmonious concert.

Korea Symphony Night “Jubilation and Harmony” at Seoul Arts Center-29 May 2016- 20:00 to 21:30

This is an extraordinary performance by the KBS Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the world-famous Shao-Chia Lu with Mayuko Kamio, first –prize winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2007.

Contemporary Ballet evening” Korean Nymph Festival” at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center- 30 May 2016 -19:30 to 21:00

You can witness the best professional and modern ballet in Korea!

Other than the events, there is the House of Friendship at the 2016 Convention which is the best place to strengthen friendships with Rotarians from around the world. You will get to enjoy unique culture and local products, which are prepared by 18 different local districts booths.

You can also visit the Rotary International Foundation Resource Center, Rotary service projects, Rotary Fellowships, and Rotary Action Groups booths, and take advantages of the chance to learn about Rotary International and to interact with Rotarians from around the world.

Our District 3450 has set up “The One” booth and “Preserve Planet Earth” booth at the Friend of Friendship at the Convention. Please visit the booths and support our Rotarians there.

There are lots of distinguished speakers and performance at the Opening of the Convention and breakout sessions which all Rotarians can join and share with each other.

Questions:

1. What is Rotary International Convention?

2. How will you benefit from attending the Rotary International Convention?

3. Had you been to any of the Rotary International Convention? Please share.

4. What are the programs or events that have inspired you at the RI Convention? Please share.

5. Do you know how many Rotarians and spouses are there at the Rotary International Convention in Korea this Rotary Year? How many Rotarians in our District 3450 attending it?