MARK AND MARILYN AT THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN BIRMINGHAM, UK JUNE 21-24, 2009

1. INSPIRATIONAL AND MOTIVATING EXPERIENCE: We feel compelled to share the enthusiasm, inspiration, personal involvement and commitment that you derive from an RI Convention – we will try give you a sense of what this is all about. Irene, Werner (Nice) and Don Shrensky (Chicago) have also attended. This was our SIXTH - Barcelona, Brisbane, Copenhagen/Malmo, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Birmingham

2. PLAN TO ATTEND -Your chance will come next year in Montreal Canada from June 20-23 and in 2011 in New Orleans, 2012 Bangkok, 2013 Lisbon, 2014 Sydney, 2015 (TBD, Latin America or Western USA), 2016 Seoul ….It is worth the investment.

3. WHAT PLANNING? - It is important to plan well in advance. You can save about $100 USD by registering by December 31 on line. Hotels can be expensive. Many fellowships arrange for cheaper accommodations. There are also on line hotel reservation systems like Hotwire and Lastminute.com. It is great to stay at a hotel with other Rotarians.

4. ARRIVING IN BIRMINGHAM - We found 8 Rotarians on our National Express Coach from Heathrow to Birmingham. We shared a cab to our hotel with fellow Rotarian from Nigeria. Our hotel – Portland Hotel – was filled with Rotarians.

5. GOING TO THE NEC – When we got to the New Street Station we met Rotarians who assisted us on our way to the NEC – free train passes and even an invite to a Club Host Party for Monday night – Neil Young of Birmingham Morning Club.

6. ARRIVING AT NEC – We arrived at the convention center and the first Rotarians we met were from Mongolia – Enktuya from the Khurgee Club of Ulaanbaatar is the sister of Rtn. Ganbold a very close friend….

7. REGISTERING/ORGANIZING: and buying Host Community tickets – Concert by Katherine Jenkins, and other events – President Elect Luncheon, Bequest Society Cocktail. Get your Ribbons: Presidential, years of attendance, delegate pin

8. KICKOFF SATURDAY – The Rotary World Choir and the Interfaith Service….meeting with old friends, Steve Werner and PDG Dave Buck

9. ISRAELIS IN THE MARCH OF FLAGS – DG Yael and Micha Lazarus led a group of 18 Israelis (including Marilyn and Mark) with the largest group from our District we have seen – Avner and Adi Fuchs, ADG Shaul and Bella Cohen, Leah and Shimon from RC Modi’in -

10. FOUR PLENARY SESSIONS - UN Director General Ban Ki Moon, Mia Farrow (Polio Plus and Darfur), Jane Goodall (Environment), presentation of current and incoming RI and TRF Boards, Voting – the Delegates – 3,800 Clubs in attendance. Closing British Theatre Review – My Fair Lady, Mama Mia, Me and My Gal, Phantom of the Opera.

11. THE HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP - 200 plus booths – featuring water and sanitation, literacy, rescue and relief (Shelter Box), Rotary Action Groups and Fellowships – from Stamp Collection, Yachting to Singles. Musical bandstand, Subway Sandwiches, lounges to sit and relax. SHOPPING – Pins, Theme Banners, caps, shirts, ties, etc.

12. THE PRESIDENT ELECT LUNCHEON – Sat at the table of RID/Treasurer Bernard and Regine Rosen from Belgium. Incoming RI President John Kenny inspirational speech.

13. BEQUEST SOCIETY COCKTAIL: - TRF Chair PRIP Jonathan and Ayo Mujeagbi , Jane Goodall

14. MEETING ROTARIANS: The Lebanese, the Ugandans, PDG Rekah and Jai Shetty – our Education on Wheels Partners, The Mongolians, Enkthuya, Tseren and Almaa. AND SO MANY MORE…now it is time to send follow up emails.

15. POST CONVENTION TOURING: Day One – Stonehenge and Bath; Day Two: Oxford and Windsor….

16. COMING HOME TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE