On 23rd February, Rotary will celebrate its 116th anniversary, marking the day in 1905 that the organisation was founded by Chicago-based lawyer, Paul Harris.
Rotary clubs across the globe will celebrate the day in a variety of ways, but Rotary in Cumbria and Lancashire are inviting you to travel with them around the world for a special, online event spanning six continents.
Titled ‘The Sun Never Sets In Rotary’, the event, which has been initiated by Rotary in Chennai, D3232 India, will connect and inspire people all around the world on the themes of world understanding and peace.
There will be a non-stop cycle of online meetings hosted by Rotary clubs and districts in different time zones worldwide, starting at 2pm UK time, going through to the following day in 90 minute segments.
We’re really excited to be getting involved in forging even more global connections on the important issues we care about.”
The UK leg of the event begins at 4.45pm local time on 23rd February, with speakers including:
Aziz Memon, Trustee of The Rotary Foundation
Aziz is widely recognised for his leadership in Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign, serving as Chair of the Pakistan PolioPlus Committee. He has worked closely with Rotary’s partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, including UNICEF and the World Health Organisation. Aziz will share his story on the challenges facing polio immunisation efforts in Pakistan.
Mike Webb, Vice Chair of The Rotary Foundation
A member of Mendip Rotary in Somerset, Mike Webb will be speaking on the power of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s own charity. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, The Rotary Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects around the world.
Charlie Ruth Castro
A Rotarian in Colombia, Charlie received Rotary’s People of Action Young Innovators Award in 2018 in recognition of her work on the ‘Innovative New Beginnings’ project. Charlie is going to share her experience of the project, which teaches vocational and business skills to incarcerated women in Columbia, empowering them to change their lives for the better.
Patricia Hoggarth, event coordinator for D1190 UK leg and member of Workington Rotary said: “I belong to a group of fellow Rotary members who are very passionate about Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH).
“The group has grown with more than 250 members from all over the world connecting on this issue. We’re in the process of hopefully becoming a dedicated Rotary Action Group for MHH.
“It was my connections through this group to a Rotary member in Chennai who put the idea of a global Rotary Day event to me. As a district in Cumbria and Lancashire we’re really excited to be getting involved in forging even more global connections on the important issues we care about.”
Registration for the event is now open. Spaces are limited so register quickly to avoid disappointment.
