On January 13th the Victor-Farmington Rotary Club hosted a dinner for 12 visiting Rotarians from Australia and India as part of a week-long hosting program for Rotary Governor Elects from around the world. Rotary officials from India, Australia, Argentina, Chile and Zimbabwe visited the Rochester/Finger Lakes area before moving on to their mandated training session in San Diego. The Rotary hosting program gave them the opportunity to interact with local Rotarians and visit places of interest in this area.
The Victor-Farmington Rotary Club has been involved with the hosting program for eleven consecutive years. The guests arrived on January 8th and spent four days with a local Rotary host before moving on to a second four day hosting period with another Rotary host. Rotary Governor Elect Ida Portella, and husband Geoff, are from Queensland, Australia and were initially hosted by Rotary D-7120 Governor Elect Tom Rogers, and his wife Sandie, from the Canandaigua Rotary Club. Their second host was Victor-Farmington Rotary Club President John Summers and his wife Mary Beth in Farmington. Other Rotary hosts in the local area included Travis & Kathy Piper of Bloomfield who hosted Sharat & Ruchika Jain of India; Mary & Kirby Green of Canandaigua who hosted Stephen & Gaye Lamont of Australia; Janet Tenreiro of Canandaigua who hosted Dr. Ravi Nehra and his wife, Dr. Kenwal Mehra of India; DG Bill & Helen Gormont of Greece who hosted Craig & Clare Winter of Australia; & John & Maureen Hall of Fairport who hosted T. Sanmugansundaram & Malarvzhi of India. All were at the dinner and spoke briefly.
Each of the visiting Rotary Governor Elects introduced themselves to the assembled Rotarians and guests and spoke briefly about Rotary activities in their home area. All commented on the need for Rotarians to continue to support the Rotary Foundation and Rotary’s many service projects around the world. Particular emphasis was given to Rotary’s determination to eradicate polio around the world, a goal nearing completion. They discussed service projects they do in their home area to make life better for those in need.
During their week in the Rochester/Finger Lakes area they visited many locations including the Corning Museum of Glass, the George Eastman House, the Strong Museum, Troop E State Police Headquarters, Eastview Mall and Niagara Falls.
District 7120 Rotary Governor Bill Gormont (Greece Rotary) officially welcomed the guests and encouraged them to continue their efforts to serve others at both the international and local level. Being a professional magician, the Governor also presented a brief show of magic tricks with audience participation.
The objective of the Rotary hosting program is to build goodwill and better friendships around the world by bringing Rotarians together to discuss common issues and explore better ways to serve others. These efforts are further enhanced by the Rotary Youth Exchange Program for high school students and Rotary financed educational and professional exchanges.
The international guests departed from Rochester for San Diego on January 16th.
