We are here! It's District Conference time.
Here's a couple of interesting tidbits we've learned so far:
1. This district has a little over 2,000 Rotarians in it.
2. 1,500 of them come to District Conference. That's a little over 60 percent. We're told that's normal in the Districts throughout Japan.
3. Most of the attendees do not stay the night in hotels. They ride the trains in the morning to get here, and home again at night when the activities are over.
4. I spoke with the Niigata District Foundation Chair, Kannari San, this morning. I've been talking to a few Rotarians about the possibility of our District doing a matching grant with their District to provide some help in the area where the earthquake hit three months ago. It was nice to talk to the main guy who could help with that. I learned that the Districts and clubs throughout Japan, and their sister clubs around the world had already raised over $100,000 for relief aid. Kannari San is visiting the area again next month and is taking our offer of help with him. He will contact us if there is a project we can help with.
1 comment:
Dear Dan,
Well, you guys are at the end of a wonderful trip. 5510 is very proud of each of you.
You know our stats of a conference. We feel good when we get over 300 out of 1500 to come. When we had an RI rep a few years ago from Taiwan he too thought our numbers were rather crummy. Then you can juxtapose that with the behaviour at the Japan International conference which we and others interpreted at rude. Showing up is nice, staying and participating is better. Cultures differ greatly and we have to be open enought to allow for many versions of the same thing. At the heart of it all is Service Above Self -- and on this we agree.
Knock 'em dead with your observations and impressions. Explain that we will roll out our version of a red carpet next may for them. Then take a deep breasth and relax when you are done!!!!
At Your Rotary Service,
Lucinda
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