Dear Rotarians,

District Governor Alpo recently shared the news that the Rotary International Board of Directors has decided to relocate the 2027 International Convention, to be held June 26–30, to Barcelona, Spain and expressed it looks forward to Dubai’s hosting of a Rotary International Convention at a later available date. This year Rotarians will gather in Taipei, Taiwan and our District will be represented there by DG Alpo.

A Rotary International Convention is absolutely on my bucket list, and I hope it is on yours as well. A Rotarian from Franklin, KY, Robin Hollingsworth, described the opportunity so well: “where else do you have this many countries working together? That’s peace. It’s like you’re traveling the world, but you are in one place.” That is a place I definitely want to experience.

The very first Rotary convention was held in 1910 in Chicago, where 16 clubs united to form the National Association of Rotary Clubs. The 1921 convention, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, included clubs from North America, Europe and Africa and marked a major step for internationalism by adding the promotion of peace and goodwill to the organization's constitution. The official adoption of the name Rotary International followed in 1922. Conventions have been held every year except during World War II, and have become a primary venue for strengthening fellowship and launching global humanitarian efforts. 

In 1978 Rotary announced a new grant program to improve health, alleviate hunger, and enhance human and social development at the convention in Tokyo. This set the stage for today’s global grants to create access to clean drinking water, support literacy programs, provide medical care, and more. In 1988 Rotary began its PolioPlus campaign and by the end of the International Convention that year in Philadelphia, PA, the campaign had raised $247 million. 

It is absolutely tremendous what Rotarians can do when they come together in the spirit of service, humanitarian values and the belief in the inherent value, dignity, and potential of all people. 

Thank you so much for the great privilege of serving alongside you all. You inspire me with your grace, compassion and care for one another and our local and global communities, and I hope one day to be sharing in the celebration of all we can do together at an International Rotary Convention.

With Gratitude,

Trudie