District Conference - Oct 2017

District Conference 2017

Fellows fortunate enough to attend RCB meeting 26 October heard Tony Power's amusing, but accurate, report on Conference. 21/22 October at Bournemouth.  On the strength of that, Tony is looking forward to Conference 2018 - and plenty of RCB company!

We all thought Conference was very good - parts were truly inspiring; parts were eye opening; parts were great fun and great amusement.  The Banquet was, as Tony said, the best food ever - and the music at the Ball was just right for us. As David said, the hotel breakfast was excellent, as was the service. Couldn't have been better and we all very much enjoyed it!

For those who missed Tony's entertainment, here is Mike Martineau's report to NW Presidents - with which I fully agree, A first class weekend with good and entertaining speakers enjoyed by 400 delegates. Very good NW Area presence to hear Shaun O’Leary from St Christopher’s Hospice tell the story of their 50 years and praise local Rotary Clubs for the magnificent support received over the years. Humour from Shaun Williamson aka Barry Evans from Eastenders. I’m currently dining out on his jokes!

Brenda Parsons and Jarle Tatt talked about next year’s Conference in Canterbury, Sept 7th to 9th. It will be called ‘Engage Rotary’. Good speakers already lined up and great to be back on home turf for the next 2 years at least.

Denis Spiller was his usual inspiring self and hopes that all of District 1120 Clubs will be represented at his National Conference in Torquay, April 6th/8th 2018. A brilliant programme is being put together including Welsh Rugby superstar Phil Bennett and also Chris Tarrant. Did you know that Denis was ‘Miss Rotaract’ for 1988!! He talked about Rotary 2 which will be launched in 2018. Rotary can and will change. We have his permission to do what we wish to make it work. As he says “Just do it”!

DG Carol can be both proud and well pleased with how the weekend went, even though weather conditions forced the postponement of her Zip-Wire challenge.

RCB was very creditably mentioned in the St Christopher's presentation! - not entirely by chance, as Mike, when his arm was twisted, admitted to helping Shaun with his presentation ... very good to hear Beckenham mentioned.  Well done Mike!

The only disappointment was the cancellation of Carol's Zip Wire Challenge from a surprisingly tall tower at the end of the pier to the beach, over the foaming rollers.

Conference 2018 will be at University of Canterbury, September 7th to 9th. We have been assured, and saw photos, that accommodation is excellent. It will be called "Engage Rotary" - and I can guarantee that DG Brenda Parsons will put heart and soul into the arrangements, as did DG Carol Vizzard this year.