Today we have ended the Convention here in New Orleans. A quick (free) breakfast at Staybidge Apartments and then catching the bus to the Convention Centre. First plenary - we heard from Kalyan Banerjee (incoming world RI President) as well as the Japanese Rotarian Sakuji Tanaka (RIP Nominee)
Kalyan's address was passionate and right on the money. He quotes Mahatma Ghandi who said "you must be the change that you wish to receive in the world". He urged Rotarians to value family, to promote continuity and to embrace change. He said 'difficult things are done immediately, the impossible takes a little longer' when he referred to the eradication of Polio. We are very close.
He said we need to open the doors to the young to join Rotary and encourages all Rotarians to 'write a line in history for good'. All New Zealanders were proud when past RI President Bill Boyd took to the stage as incoming Foundation Chair. He spoke of 'images' he recalls of the humanitarian work done by the Foundation and for the need for all in this great organisation to seize the opportunities the Foundation gives to service our neighbours in less developed countries.
The RI Vice President (outgoing) Tom Thorfinnson spoke of the 'rock star experience' of Rotarians making a difference in our work. We were again treated to some great music - this time from the Rotary Club of Seoul Chorus from Korea.
We went to the House of Friendship for the final time. I purchases a book and had a good chart with Michael McQueen who spoke out our own District Conference. I visited the French publication stand and gave then cards and info on the Rugby World Cup hosting and Jenny and I also registered for Bangkok Convention in May of next year - who will be joining us?
After a brief lunch there was another workshop where I heard more the the advantages of the PR Grant scheme and then returned to the Plenary Hall to be part of the final session.
Ed Futa spoke with the theme 'I Helped' and he truly has seen big changes and has been part of them in the last 11 years as General Secretary. It was a great end - all the kiwi contingent sat together and we enjoyed a final blast of music from the Simon Estes Music High School Group of Cape Town, South Africa and finally appearing was Michael Martin Murphey (of 'Cowboy Logic' fame) but who ended with his most famous number 'Wild Fire'. Truely a great experience that has left a last impression on me of the humanity of our organisation, it's size and international nature and the drive to adapt to the challenges of our changing world.
I am proud to be a Rotarian.
