Proud Leaders Celebrate Service - Rotary International Zone 24 & 32 Institute

Just imagine over 200 Rotarians and friends wearing End Polio Now rain gear walking to the Olympic torch cauldrons in downtown Vancouver to highlight Rotary's effort to eradicate polio worldwide!  We certainly did make a statement and Vancouver will never be the same...

This was a highlight of Rotary International's Zone 24-32 Institute held from October 18th to 21st at the Westin Bayshore Hotel.  The event was attended by over 400 Rotarians and partners, as well as other invited guests, in order to combine plenary and breakout sessions for past RI Governors and Officers.  It was also attended by District Governors-Elect and Nominee as part of their ongoing training.  Because of the twinned Zones, there were Americans, Russians, Bermudians, French, and Canadians all learning together.  We were honoured to have RI President Tanaka from Japan at our Institute as well.  He is a delightful, humble servant of our vast organization.

A long-standing tradition at Zone 24 Institutes is the introduction of the DGE (and partner) to the President or Vice-President, whoever is in attendance.  It was my pleasure, along with PDG Richard Clark, to present DGE Valerie Wafer (Whitby) and husband Mark to President Tanaka.

It is also a tradition on the Sunday morning to hold a Celebration of Life event at which PDGs who have passed away since the last Institute are remembered and honoured for their contribution.  I lit a candle in memory of our own PDG Paul McKelvey who served our district in 1979-1980.

Also attending from District 7070 was Chair of PolioPlus PDG Bob Scott (Ann) from Cobourg and DGN Brian Thompson (Karen) from Whitby Sunrise.