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Service
April 2017 | Find inspiration at the Atlanta convention
Children getting drinking water

Preparing for the Rotary Convention in Atlanta

If you’re joining us at the 2017 Rotary International Convention, 10-14 June, expect to hear inspirational keynote speakers, participate in a variety of service-related breakout sessions, and make new friends in the House of Friendship.

Preconvention events

  • Join President John Germ for his Presidential Peace Conference on 9 and 10 June. We’ll celebrate our success in making peace a priority and our work on the underlying causes of conflict. We’ll also look at opportunities to continue our commitment. View a draft program and register today.
  • Join the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group at the ninth annual World Water Summit. This year's theme will focus on how women and girls can elevate their communities through water, sanitation, and hygiene programs. Register today.

Make connections in the House of Friendship

Visit the House of Friendship to network with fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors and learn about Rotary Fellowships, Rotarian Action Groups, Rotary’s partners, service projects, and much more. Download the Convention Events and Booth Exhibit Guide for Rotary Fellowships and Rotarian Action Groups, then prepare to connect with groups that share your interests and expertise.

Breakout sessions focus on service

Plan to attend afternoon breakout sessions 12-14 June:

  • Rotary Friendship Exchanges: Enhancing the Rotary Experience Through International Exchanges — participating in an exchange deepens global understanding, strengthens international ties, raises opportunities to explore vocations abroad, and even helps develop international service partnerships. Find inspiration from previous exchange participants, meet prospective exchange partners, and trade ideas on how you’ll join the program as a host or visitor.
  • Rotary Community Corps: Community Solutions for Community Challenges — a Rotary Community Corps consists of non-Rotarians who share our commitment to service and carry out community projects as well as support Rotary club projects. Nearly 8,500 RCCs in 90 countries are working to develop future leaders and conduct effective service. Learn about the role of RCCs in community development, along with how to form an RCC and how to team with RCCs on projects.
  • Rotary and Peace Corps: Partnering to Empower Communities — the service partnership formed in 2015 between Rotary and Peace Corps offers opportunities for clubs to work with active and returned Peace Corps volunteers. Learn how teaming with Peace Corps volunteers can address Rotary’s six areas of focus while enhancing goodwill, international understanding, and capacity building in more than 60 countries around the world.
  • Life as a ShelterBox Response Team Member — Rotary’s project partner for disaster relief, ShelterBox, will bring to life the mission of a response team and show what it takes to help on the ground immediately after a disaster.
  • These Rotarian Action Groups will host sessions about their service initiatives and opportunities to team with them on a related cause in your community: Clubfoot, Peace, Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Malaria, Hepatitis, Slavery, Literacy, and Family Health and AIDS Prevention.
Download the preliminary schedule for breakout sessions, and join us for a convention orientation webinar on 11 May for convention highlights, tips, and resources.
Our dedication to healthy mothers and babies

Take action to support maternal and child health 

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 830 women die every day of preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Ninety-nine percent of maternal deaths occur in developing countries where nearly half of all mothers and newborns do not receive skilled care during and immediately after birth. Rotary members are working to address these health concerns by providing education, immunizations, birth kits, mobile health clinics, and more.

Throughout April, Rotary Maternal and Child Health Month, we have been sharing stories about maternal and child health to inspire projects for your club and district. Read the Rotary Service blog for tips and resources to help you plan projects for saving mothers and babies.

Preventing cervical cancer in Zambia

Join Rotarian experts to address women’s health issues

Cervical cancer is nearly 100 percent preventable, yet Zambia has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the world. Every year, cervical cancer affects nearly 500,000 women globally and over a quarter-million women die of the disease. Eighty-five percent of these deaths occur in developing countries with limited access to screening and treatment, according to figures from the global coalition Cervical Cancer Action. The Health Education and Wellness Rotarian Action Group is working to provide Rotary members with the tools and knowledge they need to advocate for cost-effective, low-technology programs and to organize them to address this health issue. Contact the group to get involved.


NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2018-19 ROTARY PEACE FELLOWSHIP
Rotary International

Apply for a master’s degree or professional development certificate fellowship and study at one of our six Rotary Peace Centers.



LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROTARY FOUNDATION CENTENNIAL

The Rotary Foundation turns 100 in 2016-17! Our Foundation stands at the forefront of humanitarian service, having supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, and provide basic education — as well as the historic project dedicated to eradicating polio worldwide.

Rotary Service Updates

New Rotarian Action Group Targets Hepatitis Eradication

The RI Board has recognized the Hepatitis Eradication Rotarian Action Group. Chaired by Humberto Silva from the Rotary Club of São Paulo-Jardim das Bandeiras, Brazil, the group will help clubs and districts with hepatitis screening and testing campaigns. Contact the chair to learn more.

Rotarian Action Groups are open to Rotary members, their families, program participants, and alumni with expertise or a passion for a particular service area. They help clubs and districts plan and implement large projects in their areas of expertise. View a complete list of Rotarian Action Groups and read about their inspiring service in the groups’ 2016 annual report.


Resources & reference

Rotary Ideas

Rotary Showcase

Rotary Discussion Groups

Rotary's Area of Focus guide

Rotary's Areas of Focus presentations

Community Assessment Tools


Rotary Service offers resources and news to help you plan effective service projects.

Send questions and story ideas to rotary.service@rotary.org.

TAKE ACTION