THE FUTURE OF ROTARY IS IN YOUR HANDS…
THIS IS RI PRESIDENT JOHN KENNY’S THEME FOR ROTARY YEAR 09-10

2009-2010 RI President John Kenny

It was estimated that approximately 19,000 people attended this year’s conference in Birmingham, England. Strong numbers, considering the current Global Economic Environment. Numbers like this strongly suggest that Rotarians from around the world are truly committed to the many causes of Rotary and the continuation of such a worth while organization…”The future of Rotary is in our Hands.”

This was my second International Conference, and once again I was in awe of the number of people in attendance. The dedication and commitment demonstrated by everyone – to the thousands of projects around the world – is truly inspiring. It is at these conferences where you meet and learn about Rotarians who travel around the world working on projects that “make dreams real.” Ordinary everyday people like ourselves travelling to parts of the world where up until recently they have not had access to clean water, where the opportunity to attend school was just a dream, where people live on less than a dollar a day. The stories I heard were both incredibly heartwarming and incredibly heartbreaking, from a couple who watched the faces of children light up when the first spurt of water was pumped from a well, to the devastating feelings of helplessness when a child dies in your arms. Attending an International Conference makes you realize what our potential as Rotarians can be to change the way people live…by really making dreams real!

Next year’s conference is in Montreal from June 20th to June 23rd, I strongly recommend everyone try to attend, it will truly reinforce the impact that we as Rotarians can make in the world both locally and internationally!

Kim Brown