Why you should Montreal be your city in 2010? Because the annual RI Convention will stimulate, inspire, and inform you, particularly those of you who are incoming club presidents and RI officers, so that you‘ll develop Rotary at the club and district levels.

#1 Rotary is not Rotary until you get out of your own club I’m a firm believer that Rotary is not Rotary until you have experienced the “greater world of Rotary” outside of your own club. Whether it is meeting Rotarians at another club meeting, a District meeting, or an International Convention, it connects you to others. You bring back a richness to share with your own club after having met like minded individuals in another community or culture.

#2 Find Inspiration… 2006 Malmo-Copenhagen Jeffrey Sachs-Director Earth Institute Meet and be inspired by Rotarian plenary speakers. INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY HERE.

District 5960 Recommended Reading List End of Poverty – Jeffrey Sachs Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson Bridging the Class Divide – Linda Stout When Elephants Fly – Carol Batrus Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell The Blue Sweater – Jacqueline Norogratz

#2 …and More Inspiration! Speakers scheduled for Montreal…. Three Cups of Tea Author….Greg Mortenson Rotary Literacy partner and entertainer…Dolly Parton President and CEO of Heifer International….Jo Luck INSERT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HERE 5

#3 Meet Rotary Leaders Past President Boyd and Past TRF Chair Giay congratulate speaker Bill Gates, Sr. In 2010, you’ll enjoy a spectacular line-up of Rotary, Foundation, and guest speakers at the plenary sessions. Purchasing tickets to luncheons hosted by the president, president-elect, and the Foundation chair is another way to meet Rotary leaders. OR The International Convention is a great place to “run into” Rotary Presidents, Board members, Past leaders of Rotary and have a chat with them. An opportunity for you to share your thoughts, hear there perspectives, and realize that though they have taken a leadership position, they are ROTARIANS. Past President Wilkinson chats with Rotarians in the House of Friendship.

#4 Learn! Attend workshops such as the annual Polio Plus Update; talk to experts Find ideas and partners at the Club and District Projects Exhibition! An RI Convention offers many opportunities to learn about Rotary, your fellow Rotarians, and your local hosts! Consult your program book for a full description of breakout session topics and presenters. Then wander through the Club and District Projects Exhibition to learn about innovative projects from around the globe! Download a booth space application form at www.rotary.org in October 2008.

# 4 Opportunity to volunteer Some of the most passionate stories I have heard are from Rotary friends that volunteer at International conventions. They meet TONS of people and come away with priceless memories.

#5 Explore Personal Interests In 2008, more than 40 Global Networking Groups set up booths in the House of Friendship. This year vocational, recreational, and action groups will have booths focusing on interests that vary from riding motorcycles to promoting HIV education, bird watching, playing Go, and combating malaria.

#6 Go Because You’ve Never Been Before… Orientation Sessions available for first time attendees Going to an RI Convention for the first time? Be sure to attend one of two orientation sessions for first-time attendees the Saturday before the convention begins. A panel of experts from the International Fellowship of Convention Goers, Host Committee, and RI staff will answer any and all questions. Renew your commitment to Rotary by attending at least one RI Convention!

#7 Enjoy Fellowship at the House of Friendship! The House of Friendship is the heart of every RI Convention because it offers opportunities for fellowship. Exchange banners, enjoy local cuisine and entertainment, shop at the Business Expo and Licensee booths, visit projects and Global Networking Group booths, and e-mail home from the Internet café. Relax and share a table, a meal, and a business card with a new friend! Strangers are family you have yet to meet…..

#8 Attend your own Affiliate Event Unofficial affiliate event forms are available on the RI Web site www.rotary.org. Use these forms to plan a district, regional, DG class reunion or other group meal event or celebration at the National Exhibition Centre and designated hotels. AND Consider attending another affiliate event. I have attended the ALL Africa breakfast and made great friendships, and seen Rotary through another perspective as they shared their thoughts about being at an International event.

What more is there to enjoy?

# 9 A Portrait Of Montreal! Montreal is a wonderful cosmopolitan city. Visiting it is like going to Europe without ever leaving the continent.

The Home Of The 101st Convention of Rotary International 20-23rd June 2010 (The Centennial of “The Rotary Organisation”) Montreal City Panorama Panorama of Place d’Armes in Old Montreal

Enjoy the many faces of Montreal Montreal has many different looks and feels, a bit of “something for everyone”, history, gardens, modern, cultures

Palais des Congres (Convention Centre) The Palais will be the home to our breakout discussions sessions and the House of Friendship. I expect that many of you will come home with your picture in front of this architectural wonder.

Bell Centre (Convention Centre) The Bell Centre is the home to Montreal’s Hockey team and home to our Opening, closing, and plenary sessions. Do you suppose our flag ceremony will come in on skates??!???!?! COOL!

The Entrance Gate to China Town Montreal. Don’t Miss It! Montreal’s Chinatown is between the two facilities, safe, friendly and FUN!

The Bonsecours Market in old Montreal seen from Parc du Bassin Bonsecours The Market in Old Montreal is home to many local artisans….bring an extra suitcase for all of the treasures that you may want to bring home.

Old Montreal a wonderful maze of streets old buildings shops and restaurants to explore! Old Montreal is convenient to both facilities, full of pubs, restaurants, shops, street performers, and more.

Olympic Stadium Montreal (1976 Olympics opened May 17th by the Queen) Many of the facilities that Montreal built for the 1976 Olympics still stand and are open for tours.

Tours and Excursions There are many opportunities to see more of Montreal….take a cruise on the St Lawrence river, or head out into the countryside. You will enjoy both the city of Montreal and the surrounding area.

City Bike Tours 1.5 to 4 hours French/English Includes: Tour leader, bike, helmet, water, and (heaven help us), Emergency shuttle service Very reasonable fees www.caroulemontreal.com My own personal recommendation: a city bike tour. A great way to see the immediate area, hear the history of the city, get recommendations on local highlights FROM a local, and have a unique experience doing it. Plan a really great adventure for your District Rotarians to experience.

What is your reason for attending?

#10 Make memories…. INSERT YOUR MEMORY HERE

It’s time to register for the annual RI Convention! Online through Member Access Download a registration form www.rotary.org and fax or mail to RI Register before 15 December 2009 and save! Are you registered for Member Access? If so, you can register online for the 2010 RI Convention in Montreal, Canada! Otherwise, download a form from the RI Web or detach a form from the Preview 1 Registration booklet, and fax or mail it to Registration Services (IM300) at One Rotary Center. Any questions? E-mail RI staff at RI.Registration@rotary.org or call the Registration hotline at: +1-847-866-3495. .

…reserve rooms online for yourself or your group, Download forms or reserve online through the RI Web site: www.rotary.org Either click the convention logo on the home page or click the Members tab, Events, and then Convention.

…and buy tickets to Host Events! Online at http://rotary2010.com/ Learn more about Montreal at www.tourisme-montreal.org Guided boat tours, Cirque du Soleil, Canadien Heritage, Sugar Shack, all hosted by Montreal Rotarians

Don’t Miss It!