Rotary
International Kalyan Banerjee's October 2011 Message
My dear brothers and
sisters in Rotary,
WIn the pages of this
month's magazine, you will be introduced to the marvelous city of
Bangkok, Thailand, which will play host to our 2012 Rotary International
Convention. Please consider this my personal invitation to join
me, my family, and our fellow Rotarians at what promises to be an
incredible event in one of the world's most fascinating locations.
Thailand is a spectacular
destination, truly the Land of a Thousand Smiles. I would particularly
urge Rotarians who have never visited Thailand before to consider
this as your chance. You'll be surrounded by gracious Rotarian hosts
and friends, old and new, from around the world. Bangkok is a fantastic
gateway for those wishing to explore Southeast Asia, and a wonderful
experience on its own. For those who hail from countries closer
by, take the opportunity to visit a major cultural capital, with
all it has to offer – including shopping, dining, and sightseeing.
Indeed, Bangkok will give you a wonderful value for your time and
money.
But the very best reason
to visit Bangkok, of course, will be the 2012 RI Convention itself,
6-9 May – the highlight of the Rotary calendar.
All through the year,
we reach out to Rotary communities around the globe. At the convention,
we have the chance to see all those communities represented in one
place – to hear all the languages, see all the people, and
learn about all the projects of the past year. Nothing brings home
the internationality of Rotary like a Rotary convention –
and nothing else has the same power to inspire.
I firmly believe that
every Rotary event should be a family event, and this is why Binota
and I plan to bring our children and our grandchildren. Why not
do the same, and make the Rotary convention part of your family's
vacation next year? With so many wonderful events and activities
to choose from, there is something for everyone, and plenty of opportunity
to draw our families closer to our Rotary service.
Every year, I go to
the convention excited to see old friends and make new ones, to
celebrate our successes and learn from our experiences. And every
year, I leave with a sense of pride in Rotary, eager to begin another
year of service.
Bangkok promises to
be the best convention yet. I urge you to register now at http://www.rotary.org/convention
and to begin planning your trip to our 103rd international convention!
Kalyan Banerjee
Reach Within to Embrace
Humanity
President, Rotary International, 2011-12
TRF Chairman Bill Boyd's October
2011 Message
An exciting month for
the Foundation
October is a busy month
for The Rotary Foundation. While our Trustees meeting is usually
held in October, this year, because the 2012 RI Convention is so
early in May, it was moved to September. This meant that "Taiwan
Day" was also held earlier.
On Taiwan Day, we inducted
Rotarians from Taiwan into the Arch C. Klumph Society in honor of
their contributions of at least US$250,000 to our Foundation. We
inducted five generous couples on Taiwan Day in 2009, seven in 2010,
and as I write we've had eight in 2011. When you consider the population
of Taiwan and the number of Rotarians there, this giving is humbling.
We now have over 300 Arch C. Klumph Society members, with the highest
number in the United States, and now the second highest in Taiwan.
A challenge to the rest of us!
October is a month with
many Rotary institutes, where current, future, and past Rotary leaders
come together to discuss what is happening within Rotary. We have
a trustee and Foundation staff at each institute.
Each October, we also
select the next group of our Rotary Peace Fellows – up to
60 for the two-year master's, and up to 50 for the three-month certificate.
The selection process is fascinating and resembles the draft system
used by U.S. football teams to select their new players. All the
applicants are scored and ranked by experienced Rotarians and the
universities. Representatives from the universities come to the
meeting with their "wish list" but take turns in choosing
their actual scholars. Their choices may be influenced by a desire
to have a wide geographical or subject spread, and sometimes they
will "trade" choices. The result is that the best candidates
become our fellows, and our program remains among the best.
Bill Boyd
Foundation Trustee Chair, 2011-12
Source: Rotary International
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