Page 5 - ROTO Magazine Winter 2022.pub

Rotary Magazine for District 1210
couple of COVID related issues with
speakers that caused a mild panic! But,
when the day arrived, we were reasonably
confident we had a good programme. In
the 2-3 weeks leading up to the day
bookings had come in, and our final
numbers were just over 100 actual
delegates, which was perfect for the size of
the venue. We were particularly pleased to
see a large number of clubs represented.
The support and goodwill we received from
across the district was heart-warming and
it meant that on the day as well as a good
breadth of speakers we also had a few
stands around the room, a very impressive polio themed car outside, and a lunchtime publicity/
fundraiser for polio awareness – the Walk A Mile event.
We had tried within the programme to have
a variety of content, themed across the four
sessions, but with a focus where possible on
way Rotary could help outside of simply
raising funds. I think we were broadly
successful in delivering what we intended.
The cabaret style seating and longer breaks
were hoping to encourage some mixing
within the room and between clubs and
Rotarians. The Walk A Mile helped in this
regard too.

Our key speakers in the afternoon were from
Midlands Air Ambulance and Staffordshire
Search and Rescue, two organisations which
had a local connection, and some overlap in
the areas they work. I know a number of
clubs have continued a dialog with these
charities for future work, which is great to
hear too. It was also great to find out more about Rotary’s International and Foundation projects, from
the charity work of Global Sight Solutions to the use of Foundation Grants to support big projects such
as the impressive eye hospital project presented by the Rotary Club of Dudley. It was good to hear from
the recently returned Vocation Study Exchange team, and from individual Rotarians about projects they
have worked on, such as Sylvia Keris’s work in Zambia.

We’ve taken the feedback on board from those who attended – it was largely positive (thankfully), but
we’re always happy to hear views positive or negative to help us when we plan future events. It is the
nature of Conference that the style and content varies each year, but hopefully it always remains
entertaining, informative and relevant.
Next year’s event under
District Governor Dr
Mukunda Chidrawar will
be held in Telford on
30th September. I hope
those who attended my
Conference were sufficiently
enthused to be keen to go
along to this one too!
Finally a very big thank
you to everyone who
supported Helen, Troy and
me in delivering the
Conference – it was
genuinely appreciated.

WINTER 2022 ROTO 5