Rotary International's annual Convention is an expression of the internationality of Rotary, in living colors and sounds of thousands of Rotarians. It’s an expression of the worldwide reach of Rotary, as reflected in the costumes, faces, and languages of people from scores of countries and is an uplifting and almost overwhelming sense of the power of Rotary!
What is a Rotary International Convention?
It’s an expression of the internationality of Rotary, in living colors and sounds of thousands of Rotarians. It’s an expression of the worldwide reach of Rotary, as reflected in the costumes, faces, and languages of people from scores of countries. In short, it is an uplifting and almost overwhelming sense of the power of Rotary!
Cassy and I attended our first RI Convention in 1997 in Glasgow, Scotland, when we were fairly new Rotarians, and were blown away with awe and inspiration as we saw, met, and mingled with people from all over the world, many dressed in their colorful native costumes. And, yes, some suits and ties and not a few golf shirts and Rotary gear!
An RI Convention is held every year, usually in May or June, in some major city somewhere, such as Copenhagen, Chicago, Bangkok and Taipei. The Convention is held every third year in the U.S. Typically, 20,000 to 50,000 Rotarians and their partners/spouses attend. Prominent international speakers will speak, and there are numerous breakout sessions on such topics as membership growth, unusual sanitation projects, and human trafficking. Scores of clubs and Rotary fellowships display and promote their projects and programs in a huge House of Friendship where Rotarians mingle to eat, drink, and connect with old friends and make new ones.
And it's a chance to meet many Rotary leaders from around the world; you can bet that Jennifer Jones, Rotary’s first female president (2022-23), will be mingling with folks at this year’s convention in Houston, which will take place June 3-9. You should attend at least one Rotary International Convention; I would bet it won’t be your last!
It’s getting late, but there’s still time to register for the Convention in Houston in June. Go to this link: https://convention.rotary.org/en/houston/register