We are this close to ending polio:

This Close from Rotary International on Vimeo.

This Close from Rotary International on Vimeo.

On May 24, 2011, in a speech to 19,000 Rotarians, Bill Gates challenged the organization to make polio a disease of the present so it can become a disease of the past.

Over 25 years, Rotary International has contributed more than $1B to eradicate polio, and has teamed with the foundation to raise $555 million and help stamp out “the final 1 percent.” At Rotary’s annual convention of Rotarians from 160 countries, Bill urged members to keep the issue alive globally and with their local government leaders.

RI President, Kalyan Banerjee and his wife Binota being received in  Bangalore, India on 13th July. Photo : Kishore Shampur

A new Rotary year has begun, and with it several programs aimed at supporting and strengthening clubs and districts. In addition, a fresh slate of leaders take over at the club, district, and international level.

Kalyan Banerjee, of the Rotary Club of Vapi, Gujarat, India, is Rotary’s 101st president, and the third from India. Read a profile of Banerjee from The Rotarian. William B. Boyd, of the Rotary Club of Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand, has taken over as Rotary Foundation trustee chair.

FULL STORY HERE

Kalyan Banerjee: Embracing Humanity from Rotary International on Vimeo.

You’re Welcome from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Helen Austin, a singer and songwriter in the Comox Valley on
Vancouver Island wrote a song to help us celebrate 25 years of women
in Rotary. You can see the video and listen to the song here:

Last night our outgoing president Ian Durham gave an excellent presntation on his time serving in Vietnam.  Ian was an engineer who drove big machines clearing pathways in teh jungle amongst other jobs.  One of his mates driving a D8 was hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade RPG which set the dozer on fire.  Ian tells us that there was plenty of shrapnel that inflicted the most damage to his mate who eventually recovered.   These amongst many stories told by Ian last night.

Below are some photos form Ian’s trip to Vietnam long after the war.

International Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians