The upcoming Rotary Convention offers some opportunities for those attending to not only witness the Internationality of Rotary in action, but to explore a variety of Rotary topics that have special interest.

Article by PDG Stephen Lamont, Rotary Coordinator

The opportunity to find inspiring new ideas for projects, fundraising, strengthening membership and discovering Rotary fellowships are available by attending the breakout sessions as a delegate or attending the House of Friendship as either a delegate from Saturday 27th till Wednesday 31st May or as a visitor from Monday 29th till Wednesday 31st May.

The breakout sessions run from Monday to Wednesday during the Convention for delegates – and seating is on a first served basis. Some of the topics include:

• Grow membership with innovative engagement strategies.
• Encourage greater diversity with more inclusive clubs.
• Engage young leaders and discuss the future of Rotary.
• Develop scalable and sustainable projects and grants.
• Learn how your club can bring Rotary’s strategic plan to life.
• Hear and learn best practices for sharing your Rotary story.

I have included a list of the breakout session topics at the end of this article – so have a look and review the selection so you can plan which sessions have some appeal to your interests, or you can view and print the Breakout Session Topics (2 pages) in the attached pdf, below.

Another opportunity is to be able attend the House of Friendship (HOF). It is the destination to witness and learn about Rotary programs and projects. This exhibition space contains a variety of booths and representation from local, national and international projects. There is also several International Fellowships ranging from Bird Watching to Yachting – likeminded people with likeminded interests!

On offer is the opportunity for non-delegates to attend the HOF on a three-day FREE pass from Monday to Wednesday. You can visit the registration desk on these days, fill out a brief form and receive your pass on site. Friends and family are eligible – so why not invite them and potential Rotary members to attend and learn about Rotary. It is an opportunity to open our doors to the public – something that many Rotarians have been asking Rotary International to do for a long time – so make the most of this opportunity if you in Melbourne at the end of May.

Breakout Sessions
Monday 29, May

Accelerating Change Through Advocacy and Partnership Adopt a River: ESRAG and UNEP
Case Study for Water Collection Sustainability Diversity and Your Club Experience
Effective Club Leadership Through Events and Emotions Eliminate Viral Hepatitis Globally by 2030
Four Age Old Principles of the Making of Community Hear from the 2024-2025 Rotary International President
Helping Girls Reach Full Potential: Partnership Success Stories Inclusion Matters: Build DEI and Retain Members!
Leading Diverse Teams
Measuring Impact: A Workshop on Project Evaluation
Meet Rotary's Ambassadors to the UN and International Organizations Mobilizing Interactors to Raise Over $1 Million
Of Mothers, Children, Plastic and Waste
Peacebuilding and Protecting the Environment through Rotary Pivoting in the Pandemic: Connecting Digitally
Plant-Rich Diet: Delicious Climate Action Power of Video to Tell Rotary Stories
Project Fairs: Life-Long Friendship for Service Promoting Your Club by Inspiring the Community Reverse Mentoring: Empowering Young Leaders Rotaract and Rotary Club Partnerships
Rotary and Indigenous Reconciliation in Australia The Future is Now: Growing Youth Voices
The Intersection of Family, Career and Rotary Why Can't We Be Friends: New Gen Rotarians

Tuesday 30, May

A Hospital off the Beaten Path Build Peace. Lead for Peace.
Building a Strategic Path for Rotary Alumni
Building Rotary’s Public Image
C-5: Creating a Comforting and Caring Club Culture Child and Maternal Care Community Initiatives
Club Visioning: Living the Rotary Action Plan
Doing Rotary Differently with Innovative Club Models Happy Period! Break the Silence About Menstruation How to Submit a Great Global Grant Application Igniting Pathways for Member Growth and Retention Imagine Our Rotaract Journey
Integrate Fresh Perspectives and Young Leaders Leading Winning Teams
Membership Around the World Prioritizing Mental Health
Protect Your Personal Brand as a Brand Ambassador Rebuilding Local Economies
Regionalization Pilot in Zone 8
Rotarian Peacebuilding in the Middle East Rotary Fellowships - Hidden Gems Synergies Between Healthcare and "WASH"
The Annual Fund: Making Impact from Your Giving Using Skill Development Programs to Engage Members Writing Rotary Content for Online Audiences

Wednesday 31, May

Accessibility Insights for Inclusion
Advancing Youth from Poverty Using a Tech Hub Building Local Peace: Positive Peace for Clubs Community Assessments: The Foundation for Success Creating Opportunities for Collaboration with UNICEF Delivering on the Promise of a Polio-Free World Demystifying Rotary's Action Plan
Driving Membership Growth with Evidence End Plastic Soup and Stop Plastic Pollution Enlisting the Superpower of Listening IMAGINE Rotary's Future
Multiverse of Rotary Storytelling
Re-Imagined Rotary Exchanges for Peace Rotaract Elevated: What's Next
ShelterBox and Rotary: Responding to Disasters Through Partnerships Sustainable Change in a Volunteer Environment
The ABCs of Effective BEL Projects
The Good Morning Show featuring Rotary's Endowment Together - End Malnutrition
Transformational Change - Building Haiti's Future Unleash Your Superpower to End Slavery!