Rotary International Conference to be held in Houston

More than 20,000 service-minded people from around the world will gather in Houston for Rotary’s 113th Annual International Convention on June 4-8, 2022.

The coveted international event is returning to Houston for the third time, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1972 international convention. The Bayou City also hosted the 5th Rotary convention in 1914. 

Interestingly, in 2019, the Rotary International Conference was held in Hamburg Germany. Ten years ago, the international conference was held in Bangkok and was the biggest conference ever held there; over 38,500 Rotarians from over 140 countries attended. 

“As a global membership organization that brings people from all continents and cultures together to share, learn and take action to bring positive and lasting change to communities around the world, we are thrilled that our first in-person international convention since 2019 will take place in Houston,” said Rotary’s International President Shekhar Mehta. “And for the first time ever, our annual event will be open to members of the public who want to connect, learn and be a part of our work to grow and change lives.” (Rotary.org)

For Rotary Club of Marlin, it means President-Elect Letitia Estep’s comprehensive participation. (Her Club Presidency begins July 1, 2022 and ends June 30, 2023.) Ms. Estep’s participation begins on June 4th with a two-days-long Presidential Conference “Serve to Bring Peace.” 

Following the Opening Ceremony on June 6, three additional General Sessions and numerous breakout sessions will create an additional five-day energized hub and cultural mosaic as the Rotary’s global network of volunteers gather to share information about all the ways they are taking action to address issues in their communities. Ms. Estep will learn from notable experts, gain inspiration from world-class speakers, and connect with new friends shaped through service.

Previous convention speakers include philanthropist Bill Gates; actor and philanthropist Ashton Kutcher; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; actor, producer, host, entrepreneur, WWE Superstar and Rotary polio ambassador, John Cena; renowned primatologist Jane Goodall; and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew Young. (Rotary.org)

President-Elect Estep will also experience Houston’s hospitality with visits to local destinations like Space Center Houston, Kemah Boardwalk and one of Houston’s premiere shopping destinations, The Galleria. 

With the safety and wellbeing of participants and the wider community a top priority, Rotary’s previous two conventions were held virtually due to the global pandemic. Rotary International is working closely with global and national health authorities to ensure that in-person events follow the most current health and safety guidelines; all conventioneers are required to provide proof of complete COVID vaccination.

About Rotary: Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary Club members in Marlin connect with 1.2 million members of more than 36,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Locally, Rotarians work to improve lives; they provide scholarships, food donations, funds for local pantry, blankets for elderly and children during extreme cold, and clothing for children and youth in Children Protective Services. They work to improve the health of mothers and children. They raffle off laptops and provide fans as needed. Marlin Rotarians support literacy with its Reading Bench and Library Cabinet. They produce Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, a leadership program for young people aged 14 to 30. 

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program offers Rotarians an opportunity to personally participate in developing qualities of leadership, good citizenship, and personal and professional development in the young people of their communities. Marlin Rotarians champion peace. They fight against human trafficking. Internationally, Marlin Rotarians contribute toward a polio-free world, clean water wells and sanitation, and fight disease. Marlin Rotarians’ contributions add to the collection and delivery of medical aid to the Ukraine. Rotary’s newest cause is to protect our plant and its resources. 

“Service Above Self” and there is more we can do…together.