In response to the pandemic, Rotary International held a telethon on Saturday, May 2, 2020 to raise over $1 million dollars in the fight against COVID-19. The telethon was on Facebook Live and simulcast in eight languages. We heard stories from Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, and Rotary Youth Exchange students from all over the world about what they are doing to help in their communities. We also enjoyed some wonderful music. If you missed the telethon, watch it here.
Save the dates. The 2020 Rotary Convention goes virtual. Check here for details.
One more innovation. A meeting of the first five Rotary clubs in the world (Rotary Club of Chicago (No. 1), Rotary Club of San Francisco (No. 2), Rotary Club of Oakland (No. 3), Rotary Club of Seattle (No. 4), and Rotary Club of Los Angeles (No. 5)) might not have happened if we had to meet in person, but putting together such a meeting virtually took only a few weeks of planning. On May 7, 2020, over 200 Rotarians and guests from the first five clubs watched Rotary International President Mark Maloney lead a zoom-side chat with the president from each of the first five Rotary Clubs. They discussed what it means to be a historic Rotary club and innovative ways to engage membership. In addition, the panel talked about Rotary in the next 100 years. Watch it here.