2010 Rotaract Preconvention Meeting Highlights

2010 ROTARACT PRECONVENTION MEETING
18-19 June 2010 – Montréal, Québec, Canada
Program Highlights

This program is tentative and subject to change.

All events take place at the McGill University New Residence Hall, 3625 Avenue du Parc.

This year's workshops are offered in three tracks: (A) basic; (B) professional development; and (C) the district and beyond. You are encouraged to select the most appropriate track for your level of Rotaract experience and attend all the session within that track; however, you are welcome to attend any workshop you feel is beneficial regardless of track.

Friday, 18 June

08:00-18:00 Registration

09:00-09:30 Morning Reception and Networking Time

09:30-10:30 Opening Plenary Session: Bienvenue à Montréal

• Welcome and Introduction of 2009-10 RI Rotaract Committee
• Roll Call of Countries Icebreaker
• Rotaract Around the World: A Status Report
• "Dropping the Puck against Polio" by Members of the Rotaract Club of The Athlete Village, Minnesota, USA

10:40-11:50 Concurrent Workshops I

• Track A: Rotaract 101
• Track B: Leadership and Strategy
• Track C: Organizing District and Multidistrict Events

11:50-13:20 Lunch Break

13:20-14:30 Concurrent Workshops II

• Track A: Focus on Rotaract Club Officers
• Track B: Practical Public Speaking
• Track C: Youth and Vulnerable Adult Protection

14:40-15:45 Plenary Session II: Rotaract in Action
Presentations by 2010 RI Recognition of Rotaract Outstanding Projects Recipients

15:45-16:20 Coffee Break and Networking Time

16:20-17:50 Plenary Session III: The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands

• Open Forum I with Rotaract Committee Members and RI Staff
• Plenary Address by RI President John Kenny
• Award Presentation: 2010 RI Recognition of Rotaract Outstanding Projects
• Plenary Address by RI President-elect Ray Klinginsmith

Saturday, 19 June

08:00-17:30 Registration

09:00-09:30 Morning Reception and Networking Time

09:30-10:35 Plenary Session IV: Keeping Rotary's Promise

• "My Life in Rotaract" by Rotaractor Abdallah Mehelba
• "Cycle to Walk: A 7,200 Kilometer Journey across Canada to End Polio Now" by Rotarian Ramesh Ferris
• Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge Fundraiser

10:45-11:55 Concurrent Workshops III

• Track A: Public Relations and New Media Technologies
• Track B: Marketing Yourself in a Down Economy
• Track C: Focus on the District Rotaract Representative

11:55-13:25 Lunch Break

13:25-14:35 Concurrent Workshops IV

• Track A: Rotaract Club Finances and Fundraising
• Track B: From Rotaract to Rotary
• Track C: Multidistrict Information Organizations

14:45-15:55 Concurrent Workshops V

• Track A: The Rotary-Rotaract Relationship
• Track B: Agile Project Management Techniques for Rotaract
• Track C: International Projects

15:55-16:25 Coffee Break and Networking Time

16:25-17:30 Closing Plenary Session: Building Communities – Bridging Continents

• "Diversity and Rotaract" by Rotaractor Corina Parschiv
• Open Forum II with Rotaract Committee Members and RI Staff
• Invitation to the 2011 Rotaract Preconvention Meeting
• Introduction of the 2010-11 Rotaract Committee
• Closing Remarks

2010 Rotaract Preconvention Meeting Participants Information

2010 ROTARACT PRECONVENTION MEETING

Dear Rotaract Preconvention Meeting Participant:

Greetings from Rotary International! In less than one week, we will be gathering in Montréal, Québec, Canada for this year's preconvention meeting. To make your arrival in Montréal easier and help you plan your preconvention schedule, useful information is listed below.

Venue and Map
All preconvention events will take place at the McGill University New Residence Hall, 3625 Avenue du Parc. This is also the official Rotaract hotel. Information on the New Residence Hall can be found at http://www.mcgill.ca/nrh/ and a map of the McGill campus housing showing the New Residence Hall can be downloaded at http://www.mcgill.ca/files/residences/rezmap.pdf.

Program Highlights

This year's preconvention offers a number of new and exciting workshop topics along with many traditional favorites. New topics include "Marketing Yourself in a Down Economy," "Youth and Vulnerable Adult Protection," and "Practical Public Speaking."

Featured speakers include accomplished Rotaractors and the RI president and president-elect! Review the program highlights here.

Please note that the preconvention meeting will be conducted in English only.

Workshops This year's workshops are offered in three tracks: (A) basic; (B) professional
development; and (C) the district and beyond. Tracks are noted before the workshop title
in the highlights document. You are encouraged to select the most appropriate track for
your level of Rotaract experience and attend all the session within that track; however,
you are welcome to attend any workshop you feel is beneficial regardless of track.

Registration Information
As of 7 June, 752 Rotaractors and Rotarians have registered for the preconvention meeting. Onsite registration and pickup of registration packets will take at the McGill University New Residence Hall during the following schedule:

Thursday, 17 June – 15:00 to 19:00 hours in Prince Arthur Foyer
Friday, 18 June – 08:00 to 18:00 hours in Prince Arthur Foyer
Saturday, 19 June – 08:00 to 7:30 hours in Prince Arthur Foyer

If the pre-registration confirmation sent by RI did not indicate your attendance at the Rotaract Preconvention Meeting, your registration materials will be waiting for you at the Registration Services Area in the Palais des congrès (1001, place Jean-Paul-Riopelle), Hall 210 D.

Your registration materials will include your name badge (needed to get into preconvention events), a 2010 RI Convention Program Book, transportation guide, convention opening plenary session ticket(s), any previously purchased tickets for RI ticketed events, and a complimentary participant bag (one per registrant, while supplies last). The 2010 Rotaract Preconvention Meeting Program Book will be distributed as you enter the preconvention's Opening Plenary Session.

For security purposes, all registrants must present photo identification (driver’s license or passport) to obtain their convention registration packet.

Individuals who have not pre-registered may do so on-site for US$125.

Social Events
The Montréal Rotaract Host Committee has planned various social events from 17-22 June to help you enjoy your stay. These events include an international welcome dinner, scavenger hunt, dance club outing, Les 7 Doigt de la main (The 7 Fingers) circus show, dinner in Chinatown, a hike and picnic at Mont Royal, and a service project in a local park.

Click here for a listing of social events. A limited number of tickets to these events will be available on-site. Pre-purchased social event packages can be picked up in the McGill University New Residence Hall lobby on Thursday, 17 June between 15:00 and 18:00 hours, and remaining tickets can be purchased during the preconvention breaks in the Games Room.

For those have prepurchased tickets, please note that 1) the Fancy Dinner will no longer take place at SCENA, but at Lion D'Or, and 2) the Montréal Breakfast has been changed to a lunch. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Montréal Rotaract Host Committee at info@rotaract2010.com or visit their table in the Games Room during the breaks. We thank the Canadian Rotaractors for their hard work and dedication planning these events.

Accommodations
For those who have not already made their hotel reservations, please note that the McGill University New Residence Hall is fully booked. Please inquire directly with the other official RI hotels for room availability. The list of official RI hotels with their contact information can be found at
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/c10_convention_hotel_list_en.pdf.

Attire
There is no dress code for the Rotaract Preconvention Meeting. The attire for most events is casual and you may wear whatever you feel is comfortable and appropriate (jeans and a t-shirt or blazer with slacks). Since the meeting and plenary venues will be air conditioned, participants are encouraged to bring a sweater or light jacket to all events.

Montréal Rotaract Host Committee social events may require more formal dress.

The weather is typically mild and pleasant in June, with an average high of 75°F/24°C
and an average low of 56°F/13°C.

Roll Call of Countries
Bring the symbols of your country or culture (flags, hats, national dress, etc.) to the Opening Plenary Session for the Roll Call of Countries Icebreaker. Once your country is called, be sure to stand up, cheer, sing, and proudly represent your country and culture.

Rotaract Booth
Would you like to promote both your Rotaract club and the Rotaract program to thousands of Rotarians? You can do it by helping to staff the Rotaract Booth (# 2813) in the House of Friendship at the Palais des congrès during the convention. Volunteers are asked to work for at least one hour at the booth anytime from 09:00 to 18:00 hours on Saturday, 19 June through Wednesday, 23 June. To sign up, please visit http://www.ljhconsulting.co.uk/rotaract/HouseOfFriendship.html.

Rotaract Connections Table
The preconvention is a great way to find a new project partner in another part of the world or to connect with a club to twin with. New for 2010, there will be a table in the Games Room dedicated for such connections. For more information and to download sample forms, visit http://www.ljhconsulting.co.uk/rotaract/Preconvention2010.html and scroll to the bottom of the page.

We look forward to seeing you in Montréal and wish you safe travels!

Sincerely,

Rotaract Program Staff
Youth Activities Department
Rotary International
rotaract@rotary.org