Something for everyone in Toronto President Speaks - September 2017
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
One of the best parts of any Rotary convention is the sheer diversity of the people you see there. Whether you’re heading into a breakout session, exploring the House of Friendship, or sitting down for a bite to eat, you’ll meet people from every corner of the world, in all kinds of national attire, speaking just about every language. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s a big part of what makes Rotary great: that we can be so different and still find ourselves so at home together.
That spirit of warm community that is so central to Rotary also defines Toronto, our host city for the 2018 Rotary International Convention. Toronto is one of my favourite cities. It’s a place where half the population is from another country, where over 140 languages are spoken by 2.8 million residents, and where no one ever seems to be too busy to be helpful. In addition to being clean, safe, and friendly, Toronto is a wonderful place to visit, with its attractive Lake Ontario waterfront, great restaurants, one-of-a-kind museums and interesting neighbourhoods to explore.
The 2018 convention already promises to be one of our best ever. Our Convention Committee and Host Organisation Committee are hard at work lining up inspiring speakers, great entertainment, fascinating breakout sessions, and a wide variety of activities across the city. There will be something for everyone in Toronto, and Juliet and I encourage you to do what we’ll be doing — bring your families along for the fun. If you plan early, your convention experience will be even more affordable: The deadline for discounted early registration (there is an additional discount for registering online) is December 15.
As much as Toronto offers to Rotarians, the true draw is, of course, the convention itself. It’s a once-a-year opportunity to recharge your Rotary batteries, to see what the rest of the Rotary world is up to, and to find inspiration for the year ahead. Find out more at riconvention.org — and find Inspiration Around Every Corner at the 2018 Rotary Convention in Toronto.
Ian H S Riseley
President, Rotary International
