Aloha, Rotary!
Dear fellow Rotarians and members of the family of Rotary,
There is no experience quite like attending the Rotary International Convention. Discover the true spirit of aloha and Rotary with your family, friends, and fellow Rotarians from June 6 to 10 in Honolulu. It is the perfect setting for the entire family of Rotary to celebrate, collaborate and connect.
There are two types of people who enjoy visits to Hawaii — those who have never been to the islands and are about to have unique and wonderful experiences, and those who have had those Hawaiian moments etched into their memories already and cannot wait to create some new ones.
The convention is the best place to find and share your aloha, which you will soon discover is much more than a greeting. Just as Rotary is a way of life for Rotarians, aloha is a way of life for Hawaiians — one that focuses on living in harmony, being patient, treating everyone with respect, and sharing joy with your family, or ‘ohana.
Our host committee has arranged some fabulous events for you and your family. These include a Hawaiian Culture and Lunch Boat Cruise, a two-hour tour that will feature spectacular views of Diamond Head, Waikiki, and the Kahala Gold Coast. On board, you can learn to play the ukulele, take part in hula dancing, and create your own Hawaiian flower lei.
You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a full range of island hospitality events, from small backyard picnics to multicourse family meals. There will be fantastic service projects to see, including two ancient Hawaiian fishponds. And a sunrise Walk for Peace will take place at the beautiful Ala Moana Beach Park, a 3-mile-stroll in the shadow of the iconic Diamond Head crater.
Inside and outside the convention halls, we are going to hold the most family-friendly convention in Rotary history, including a family-centred opening ceremony and family-focused events in the House of Friendship. The opening session will, of course, include our traditional flag ceremony.
Our 2020 convention will also be a time to celebrate Rotary’s historical ties to the United Nations. As I mentioned in my November message, June 2020 will mark the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations charter. On the day before the start of the convention, Rotary and the UN will host our fifth joint event of 2019–20, one focused on environmental sustainability.
In addition, we are planning the greenest convention in Rotary history — and I will share more details about this in the months ahead. But now, go to riconvention.org and click the register button right below the Honolulu Hawaii 2020 logo. Early registration discount pricing ends Dec 15, so do not delay.
Rotary Connects the World in no better way than at the Rotary Convention. Bring your family to meet our family. See you in Honolulu!
Mark Daniel Maloney
President, Rotary International
