Rotary International 2009-10 Theme Announced

The 2009-10 RI theme acknowledges the important role individual Rotary clubs will play in shaping the future of Rotary.

RI President-elect John Kenny unveiled the theme, The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands, on Monday during the opening plenary session of the International Assembly, an annual training event in San Diego, California, USA, for incoming district governors.

"The future of Rotary will not be shaped at RI headquarters -- it will be shaped in each and every Rotary club," Kenny said, "because it is for each of us -- as Rotarians -- to do what is necessary to keep Rotary strong."

Kenny acknowledged the foundation established by past Rotary leaders and laid the responsibility for building upon that success on every Rotarian.

Each one of us is standing on the shoulders of generations of Rotarians past, and it is our responsibility to determine Rotary’s future," Kenny said.

"The goals we set, whatever our action plan, it is in our hands to accomplish or not," said Kazeem Mustapha, governor-elect of District 9125 (Nigeria). "Everybody has to be involved."

Chuck Cicchella, governor-elect of District 6710 (Kentucky, USA), likes the theme's emphasis on the future. "I have always had a strong desire to nurture along young people. It's vital to us."

Read the full story at: http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/090119_news_2009-10RIthemekenny.aspx

Rotary International Rotaract Committee January Newsletter

Dear Rotaractors and Rotarians,

I am pleased to announce the release of the second Rotary International Rotaract Committee Newsletter.

The purpose of this newsletter is to help spread the word of what the Rotary International Committee is, who is part of it and to update you on important matters that affect Rotaract.

This issue contains lots of interesting articles covering topics such as:
- Message from Chair Terry Phillips including an announcement about the Polio Challenge
- Learn to find the answers
- Who are the members of the RI Rotaract Committee?
- New Generations E-newsletter
- How the Committee Communicates with you
- Rotaract Recognition & Awards
- Submit your data to RI by 1st May
- Rotaract Preconvention 2009

You can access the newsletter by clicking on the link below:
http://www.rotaract-thames-valley.org.uk/maidenhead/RICommittee/RIRotaractCommitteeNewswire_Jan09.pdf

The newsletter is in Acrobat PDF format. To read it, you need a program called Acrobat Reader, which you can download for free from www.adobe.com.

Help us to spread the word and this newsletter by forwarding it onto Rotaractors and Rotarians in your Zone, District and Club.

Happy reading…

Lisa Burnett
Rotary International Rotaract Committee Member 2008-09
Chairman Rotaract Host Committee – Rotary International Convention - Birmingham 2009

Rotaract is an opportunity to...

Email: lisa.burnett@brum09.com Birmingham 2009 Preconvention Social Event Website: www.brum09.com

Dear Rotaractors, Rotarians, RYLArians, Foundation Alumni and Rotary Family Members

Firstly Happy New Year from all of the Burm09 crew - we hope you had an enjoyable festive season and are rested and raring to go for 2009. With less than 6 months remaining until the event of the year, have you registered for the Rotaract Preconvention Meeting and Social Program yet? No, then what are you waiting for?

Join in the Swinging Sixties fun, let down your hair and socialise with Rotaractors from all over the world. We've got an amazing social program planned for you that includes:

• An Indian Night - enjoy traditional curry, the UK's national dish, and Indian Dance
• Swinging Sixties Theme Club Night including a free glass of bubbly
• Brindley Place Pub Crawl around the great city canals
• A Medieval Spectacular - Warwick Castle (HOC Ticket Event organised by Rotary)
• Evening visit to the Snowdome - Snow, Ice & Leisure
• Afternoon visit to Cadbury World and Bourneville

It's going to be a superb event but places are limited so get in quick and join the other Rotaractors who have already registered - visit www.brum09.com to book your place.

New Packages Added
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all Rotary Family Members and invite you to join in the amazing social events that we've planned for Birmingham 2009.

Even though the events have been planned with Rotaractors in mind there's no reason why Foundation Alumni and RYLArians can't join in the fun and fellowship. We've even created some packages especially with you in mind! Visit www.brum09.com to find out more.

Feeling the penny pinch?
Remember, as stated in the Rotaract Handbook (page 10), it states that the sponsoring Rotary Clubs/Districts should pay for Rotaract Leaders to receive official training…and the good news is…Birmingham qualifies. So do talk to your Sponsoring Club and ask for assistance with the cost of attending the Rotaract Preconvention 2009. Download the Rotaract Handbook from http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/562en.pdfg

With more good news for you - it's now cheaper than ever to come to the UK as the VAT (Value Added Tax) rate has just been lowered, meaning you pay less for hotels, food, entertainment etc. Its also good news for our American/European friends, with the strong Dollar/Euro compared to the Pound you can travel for less - so take advantage while this lasts!

Preconvention Meeting
During the day you can join in the discussions at the Preconvention meetings taking place at the National Exhibition Arena (NEC) covering a wide range of topics relevant to Rotaractors today. Keynote speakers include the leadership of Rotary International.

Remember this is the only "OFFICIAL" Rotary International sponsored Rotaract event for 2009 and the only one where the RI President will address Rotaractors specifically at our own convention meeting. It's truly international, not regional!!

How can you register?

• Visit our website www.brum09.com and book for the Rotaract Social Program
• Get registered with Rotary International by downloading the pdf booking form:http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/c09_registration_form_en.pdf
• Book your hotel – the ETAP International is the official Rotaract hotel but you’ll need to book your room now to ensure you get in! Visit http://www.rotaryconvention2009.com/hotels.html
  (N.B This has been arranged by Rotary International and not the Rotaract Host Committee)
• Buy host event tickets online from www.rotaryconvention2009.com

So don't miss out on this great opportunity to visit Birmingham and take part in some great social events. Visit www.brum09.com for more information.

Promote the 2009 Rotaract Preconvention
Help us to spread the word about the 2009 Rotaract Preconvention by downloading the RI brochure and sending it round the Rotaractors in your club/district/MDIO. Click on the link below to access the brochure: http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/rotaract_preconvention_guide09_en.pdf

We’ve also created a promotion video for the Rotaract Social Program– click on the link below to view it:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2cbRh3yoxmY&eurl=http://www.brum09.com/index.php

We promise to show you a good time in Birmingham, the Heart of England, with a fun-filled social program and the opportunity to network with fellow Rotary Family members from all over the world.

Yours in the Rotary Family

Lisa Burnett
Chairman Rotaract Host Committee Birmingham 2009
Email: lisa.burnett@brum09.com Birmingham 2009 Preconvention Social Events Website: www.brum09.com