RI Convention Wrap Up!
 
Houston was abuzz with Rotary dignitaries this week, and DG Janet and First Dude Kim got to meet up with quite a few!  Of course, incoming RI President Jennifer Jones is one our favorites, and she always has a smile!  My DG cohorts from our neighboring districts were also there, and we took the opportunity to grab a quick pic with President Shekhar and wife Rashi!  Also pictured here are DG Bruce McConnalee from 7190, and DG Dana Jerrard from 7150.
 
And then there is the historic first lady in Rotary – Sylvia Whitlock, along with PDG Terri Hall and Rotarian Steve Straight:
 
 
As always, it was great fun to catch up with old friends and meet many new ones!  The first picture is of Mark and Linda Humphries from near Melbourne, Australia, where we will be travelling next year for a 2 week Rotary Friendship Exchange prior to the convention (May 10 – May 25) – the convention is May 27-31.  See Carl Grovanz in the Ontario-Walworth club if you are interested in learning more about Friendship Exchanges!.  The second picture is our new friends Etienne and Caroline Rougeot from the L’Oise District northeast of Paris.  They visited us for a few days just prior to Houston, and we met up with them again during the convention.  As you can see, Etienne likes beer, and he joined the Rotary Beer Fellowship!  We’ll be travelling to France sometime in 2023 or 2024 to complete our exchange!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you have never been to an International convention, I strongly encourage you to do so – especially if it is in a foreign country!  Houston was fun, but even more fun is visiting places you’ve never been and experiencing the different cultures!
 
So, this is my farewell column, and I have to say that it has been a real pleasure serving as your District Governor this year!  Thank you – each and every one of you for allowing me to take this role – it’s been the most fun I’ve ever had!  From throwing out the first pitch at a Red Wings game to travelling to the RI Convention – it’s been a fabulous year.  
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you!  And don’t just be in Rotary to Serve to Change Lives, but think much bigger than that, and Imagine Rotary!