The Rotary Convention in New Orleans - Roger Siddle

On 18 July club member Roger Siddle spoke of his visit to the 102nd Convention of Rotary International held in New Orleans. Mention was made of the effects of Hurricane Katrina when in August 2006 80% of New Orleans was flooded with some parts under 15 ft of water. It was ironic that at the time of the Convention in May 2011, New Orleans was again under threat of flooding.

All countries were represented at the Convention a Japanese Rotary Club who had come to thank delegates for the help they had all given in respect of the devastation caused by the tsunami in March 2011.

Many action groups and fellowships were represented at the Convention and one of the most important speeches was given by Bill Gates, founder of Microsoftand well known benefactor to the Rotary Polio Plus campaign to eradicate polio.