|
Your
link to OnLine news from your dynamic |
||||
|
||||
|
Learn about
Snappy's
|
As reported by On-to-Victoria Chair Art Haines
Top
Ten Things To Like About the 2009 District Conference Number
10. Fellowship
with five great Rotarian “families” – President Chris and his
delightful; girl-friend Aubra, President Elect Al and Marilyn, Don and
June, Tana and Gunther, Steve and Janet and Art and Janet.
Two (count ‘em, two) wine receptions, two banquets, several pub
lunches and Victoria sightseeing were fine complements to the Rotary
meetings. Number
9. Only one
“all Rotarians are Republicans” joke that received approximately
three claps from four Rotarians. Number
8. Ralph
Munro’s (former secretary of state) mix of wit, insight, and
organization in his stellar performance as a program MC.
This man has more witticisms that Snappy has fine waivers. Number
7. The Grace
Rotary Banner hung in perfect alphabetical order with all the
other banners. Number
6. Traditional
song and dance presented by the Group Study Exchange team from India. Number
5. World class
presentations, presentations of the quality that we see at the
International Convention. This
included: Chip Hanauer, former hydroplane racer re-minted as an
inspirational and humorous speaker, KIRO’s Susan Hutchinson, and
Rotary International Representative from Indonesia Mustain Sjadzali.
Sjadzali was especially impressive sharing a deep commitment to
service and the quiet presence of a strong international leader - the
makings of a future RI President. Number
4.
A celebration of Seattle 4’s 100th anniversary that
succeeded in being equal parts a celebration of all Rotarians and the
accomplishments of this club. We
learned that Seattle 4 leaders prompted the early Rotary organization to
take on “Service Above Self” as our mission. Number
3. A deeply
moving celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Supreme
Court’s 1986 decision to require Rotary to admit women.
In a fine presentation we learned (or were reminded) that it was
the Seattle International District Rotary which admitted 15 “outlaw”
women in defiance of the then Rotary Charter. The
club then filed suit against Rotary to prevent it from removing its club
charter. Jim Peterson, the then president of the International District
Rotary, joined a group of about 20 Rotarians from the club to receive a
heartfelt standing ovation from the audience.
Ralph Munro concluded this segment with the comment many of us
were thinking: “They
probably saved Rotary.” Number 2. Francia’s wonderful exchange student presentation in which she declared she did not want to get married (it’s a long story). Actually all the mini-presentations from the exchange students reflected the quality of this group of tomorrow’s leaders.
Number
1. The
celebration of what Rotarians throughout our district are contributing
to our communities and the world. From
West Seattle’s Holiday Shopping spree to Bellevue Breakfasts support
of a project to improve the plight of the disabled in Nepal; from
Seattle 4’s $1 million project to support Family Services of Seattle
to the Vashon Island Ciderfest, we heard concise and inspiring
multi-media presentations on projects grand and small.
Here was the magic of this meeting:
We all knew that every club in the room, whether presenting or
not, were making similar contributions.
The accomplishments of a few strengthened the pride and
commitment of all. In short this was a fine meeting, probably the best District Conference in years. Mark your calendars for May 14-16, 2010 in Portland. District seems to be getting its act together. The lead speakers, including composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch, are already booked. If this is half the meeting that the Victoria Conference was, it will be excellent!
For an array of award-winning photos capturing the tenor and scope of the meetings and overall conference.....
|
|||
