... A PDG from NY celebrates with Rotarian friends & colleagues

Rotary International -- 12 July 2010 More than 18,000 Rotarians from 154 countries and geographical areas left the 2010 RI Convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada, on 23 June after being challenged to finish the job of eradicating polio and reminded that their efforts are making a difference, even when the results aren’t immediately apparent. For hundreds of Rotarians, the Convention began with the International Institute, held at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Le Grand Salon, chaired by Rudolf Hörndler, RC of Nürnberg-Fürth, Germany. Along with other Rotary news updates, Robert S. Scott, International PolioPlus Committee Chair from the RC of Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, shared updates on Rotary's Polio Eradication efforts.

The 2010 RI Convention opened with Robert S. Scott, 2010 Montréal Convention Committee Chair, from the RC of Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. The Flag Ceremony was announced by Eric E. Lacoste Adamson, RI Vice President, RC of Front Royal, Virginia, USA. An inspiring Keynote Address was given by John Kenny, RI President, Rotary Club of Grangemouth, Scotland. During four packed days of plenary and breakout sessions, Rotarians attending the convention were privy to an impressive lineup of speakers (including: Jo Luck, president of Heifer International, Queen Noor of Jordan, author Greg Mortenson cofounder of the Central Asia Institute, Bob Mazzuca chief scout executive of the Boy Scouts of America, Bruce Aylward director of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at the World Health Organization, and Dolly Parton country music singer and philanthropist) and dazzled by a variety of entertainment acts, including the Irish singing group Celtic Thunder.

RI President Kenny introduced the 2010 Board of Directors, which included Catherine Noyer-Riveau, from the RC of Paris, France, the first female Rotary International Director. The 2011 Board of Directors includes Kalyan Banerjee Vapi, Gujarat, India, President-elect; Thomas M. Thorfi nnson, Eden Prairie Noon, Minnesota, USA – Vice President; K.R. Ravindran, Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka - Treasurer; Kenneth W. Grabeau, Nashua West, New Hampshire, USA – President-elect; Ed Futa East Honolulu, Hawaii, USA General Secretary. Glenn E. Estess Sr., Trustee Chair, from the RC of Shades Valley, Alabama, USA, introduced the 2011 Rotary Foundation Trustees, which includes: Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, Göteborg, Sweden, Chair; John F. Germ Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA Vice Chair; Wilfrid J. Wilkinson Trenton, Ontario, Canada; and Anne L. Matthews, Columbia, South, Carolina, USA (the second female Rotary Trustee). Acceptance Remarks were made by Kalyan Banerjee, RI President-nominee, from the Rotary Club of Vapi, Gujarat, India.

As the 2010 RI Convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada, drew to a close on 23 June, RI President-elect Ray Klinginsmith, from the RC of Kirksville, Missouri, USA, outlined his plans for his term, which begian 1 July. Klinginsmith asked Rotarians to apply "cowboy logic" and make Rotary clubs "bigger, better, and bolder." The fundamental principles of cowboy logic are taking pride in your work, talking less and saying more, doing what has to be done, and remembering that some things just aren’t for sale, he explained during the closing plenary session.

Participants also got a preview of next year’s big event in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, where the Host Organization Committee has planned fun for the whole family. The 2011 New Orleans Convention Committee Chair Ron D. Burton, 2011 New Orleans, Convention Committee Chair, from the RC Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, USA and Carolyn E. Jones, 2011 New Orleans, Convention Promotion Chair, Rotary Club of Anchorage East, Alaska, USA, invited us to register for the 2011 Convention. See you there!

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