SAN DIEGO, California(Jan. 17, 2012) — Despite a sagging global economy, Rotary clubs around theworld have succeeded in raising more than US$200 million in new funding forpolio eradication.

Dear Rotarian:

An estimated 878 million people around the world — nearly half of them employed — live on less than US$1.25 a day. Rotarians bring economic and community development to impoverished areas through projects that provide vocational training, support local entrepreneurs and community leaders, and assist with long-term recovery in places struck by natural disaster.

2012 RI Convention - Early Registration Discount

Early Registration Discount Deadline is December 1, 211
Register by December 1 for $160/person and save $85/person vs. the on site Registration Fee.

Speakers:
In addition to RI President Kalyan Banerjee, President-
Elect Sakuji Tanaka, President-Nominee Ron Burton and
TRF Trustee Chair Bill Boyd, the stage of the Impact Event
Center in Bangkok will be graced by Hugh Evans & Muhammad Yunus.

Click here for more info

Please visit International Fellowship of Rotarian Convention Goers newsletter for more valuable information: http://www.conventiongoers.org/download.htm

Afgan Knitted by Inmate:  Auctioned for the benefit of Rotary 

a large afghan created by an inmate at the Saginaw Correctional Facility in Freeland. Following is an explanation of how the afghan came to as described by Barb Fisher, Bay City Rotarian.

Why does the Rotary Year start July 1?

Ever wonder why the Rotary year begins 1 July?   The international convention initially played a key role in determining the start date of our fiscal and administrative year.    Rotary’s first fiscal year began the day after the first convention ended, on 18 August 1910. The 1911-12 fiscal year also related to the convention, beginning with the first day of the 1911 convention on 21 August.