The opening session for today introduced John Kenny from the RC Grangemouth in Scotland as RI President Nominee 2009-2010. He said that there is a connection with Scotland as the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris had a wife who came from the same area where he's from.
While he was speaking, President Wilf took a call from a Premier in the Canadian Government and he later announced that the phone call was made to alert Wilf that they will provide an exra $60million to eradicate polio. The crowd went wild!
Then we had a video hookup to see Dolly Parton who is currently in Europe on tour to tell us of her Imagination Library. The aim was to put a book into the hands of a child 0-5 years of age every month. To date, they have sent out 6 million books to 3 countries.
President Wilf then talked about his support of the Computer Assisted Literacy System [CALS] an online literacy program that was the brainchild of PDG Sylvia Byers from WA. She got up on stage with Wilf and a 10 year old boy who can now read thanks to the program.
By far the most moving and compelling speaker that had the room in tears was Stephen Lewis,Director of AIDS free World. He talked about his horrific observations and experiences in Africa in his line of work. He mtalked about the sexual violence against women, the scourge of death which is prevalent and the futility of the people in the face of death and disease.
"I'm 70 years old and I thought I knew the world. I don't. I don't understand how this world works. We send so much money, $36billion to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and yet we cankt find the money to stop an epidemic that has taken 25 million lives. There is something very wrong with the world's moral compass."
There wasn't a dry eye in the house and while he was talking, he was choking up.
He was followed by the Director of Public Affairs for Coca Cola in Africa. People were still sniffling from the previous speaker but William Asiton spoke how Rotarians can use partner with public and private organiations to get into regions they have difficulty.
Then some light hearted entertainment frm our Birminghamers - Brummies. They put on a funny show where we were taken back through history with historical figures telling us about the city of birmingham as it was in 1647, 1846, 1984 and of course 2009.
The place can't be bad as the Cadbury Dairy Factory orignated there! They promised that Birmingham will be lots of fun for all with exciting activties planned such as medieval nights at Warwick Castle. Also, I overheard one English guy say to a friend, "bloody hope they 'ave a pub in the 'House of Friendship next year!" Mmm...wouldn't be surprised with that.
Queen's Guards put on a bit of a show with their marching on the stage with the Yeoman of the Guards yelling out in time with their paces, "DK...UK...OK!"
[DK - the initials of the incoming RI president]
Then President Wilf talked about the importance of the youth programs and had 103 Youth Xchange students with their multi pinned blazers come on stage and sing and stir up the crowd.
From there I attended a breakout session on CALS which was packed out. Its mention in the main plenary session generated interest. Sylvia was one of the panel members and the online learning company Autoskills was giving the presentation.
The Closing Ceremony was spectacular. We were entertained by the Pasadena Pops Orchestra and maestra Rachel Warby. The singer was Davis Grains [?] who played Phantom for 6 years in the USA. His effortless voice stunned us to silence. You can hear a pin drop. He sng songs from musicals, Phantom [Music of the Night], Jekyll and Hyde and Porgy and Bess and als did Old Man River. The soprano lady who came out to sing later on was also so stunning that her voice made the hairs on my arm stand on end. She did some opera songs that we all know. Her name escaped me but we were told to "wait out for her!" probably meaning that she is being groomed for stardom. Davis said that singing for us was extra special as his father, uncles and grandfather were Rotarians and when he called his father to say that he was invited to sing at the convention, his father was more happy with that than any other world class musical or performance he conducted.
Last of all was DK who told us his vision for the new Rotary year and it's to decrease child mortality. His main themes will be to make dreams come true for the world's children. He also mentioned increasing membership by 10% and 2 new clubs in districts in the year.
I have to let you know that RI is now in the Guiness Book of Records.
The convemtion collected the most childrens books donated in 7 days with the total of 242 624 books of all languages!
It's been a wonderful time here at the convention and certainly glad I had an opportunity to attend ad meet so many people from all parts of the world all helping out with common causes. The speakers were inspiring, compelling and at times, confronting but it just made you relaise the internationality of this organisation who is doing good in the world. It was hard not to be moved. I go away rom this experience with a better knowledge of our programs and a connection to people from all over the world. It was well worth the trip and we should consider funding the cost of attending an international convention for all incoming club presidents at least once in their time with the club - if their circumstances permit. But that's just my thoughts...
That's all the news on the 99th Rotary International Covention. I'll board a plane tomorrow for a one night stopover in Hawaii then fly back home on Friday. Six weeks of travels and fun have come to an end but I'm looking forward to coming home. I can't wait to get back to the comfort of our house and to my husband and family!
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