Annual key meetings bring Rotarians together to share ideas, celebrate successes, enjoy fellowship, and plan for the future. The largest of these meetings is the RI Convention held in May-June in a different part of the world each year. It is the annual worldwide meeting to conduct the association’s business and “to stimulate, inspire, and inform all Rotarians at an international level”. It is a celebration of the year’s accomplishments with a focus on the future.
The planning process for this convention is about 4-5 years in advance. The RI board determines a general location and invites cities to make proposals. This convention is a lively four-day event featuring speeches by world and Rotary leaders, entertainment reflecting the local culture, and unparalleled opportunities to experience the true breadth of Rotary’s international fellowship. In 1976, approximately 14,000 Rotarians from 92 countries attended the convention in New Orleans; in May 2011, “Let The Good Times Roll” as the 102nd convention will re-visit New Orleans with an attendance of 25,000-35,000 Rotarians from 120 countries and geographical areas.
Submitted by Betsy Munroe, Public Relations Chair |
