CLUBS:Rotarians gather in Salt Lake City

Rotary International brings the world to Salt Lake City on June 17-20, where an estimated 18,000 Rotary club members from some 139 countries and geographical areas will join together during its 98th annual convention.

The convention is being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center where participants will share fellowship and exchange ideas on Rotary volunteer projects, including literacy, access to safe water, hunger alleviation, disaster relief, children at-risk, micro-credit, youth development, assisting landmine victims, AIDS orphans, international education, and polio eradication.

"As Rotarians, we do not walk away from these tremendous challenges. Not only do we have faith to believe we can make a difference, we have the courage to do. That courage is the difference between dreaming great dreams and putting them into action," said Rotary International President Bill Boyd about the organization's humanitarian efforts.

Convention keynote speakers include, William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Hiram Smith, founder of Franklin Quest (now Franklin Covey); and Ambassador Francis Moloi, South Africa's high commissioner to India.

Some attending the convention from the Newport Mesa area are Bob and Linda Silver, Newport-Balboa; JoAnne and Nicholas DeBlis, Newport Sunrise; Diane and David Pearce, Newport Irvine; Janet and Ross Boling, Costa Mesa; District Gov.-elect Roger and Sheila McGonegal and Barbara and myself.

The convention also included workshops and exhibits highlighting humanitarian and educational projects around the world. Global polio eradication remains the organization's top priority, as members have contributed more than $616 million and countless volunteer hours through Rotary's PolioPlus program. Through humanitarian and international education programs, including Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution, Rotary continues to work to further world peace and understanding and provide local and international community service.

In the coming weeks service club conventions will be held for Kiwanis in San Antonio, July 3-7; Lions in Chicago, July 2-6; and Exchange in Portland, July 18-21.

WHAT YOU WON'T SEE IN THE NEWS MAKES FOR GOOD SERVICE CLUB PROGRAM