The first RI Conference was called to order in Chicago in 1910 by President Paul Harris. At the time, there were just 16 clubs in the United States. They shared the Rotary name and had similar objectives, but no central office or constitution. Harris told the 60 registrants assembled at the Congress Hotel in Chicago, “This is going to be a convention in which we will get down to business and endeavor to launch the National Association of Rotary Clubs.”Since the beginning, the Rotary convention has combined fellowship with Rotary business and inspired attendees with notable guest speakers and entertainers, workshops, and messages from Rotary leaders. Traditionally, our incoming Rotary Club of Tucson president attends the RI Convention and experiences this unique experience.
Let’s review the Convention Highlights, like those of many RI conventions, from the 1975 proceedings of the RI Convention that took place in Montreal, Canada: “A spirit of fellowship. A spirit of renewal. For the 13,425 Rotarians and their families and guests who poured into this bilingual, multicultural, 333 year-old city of Montreal, these were the distinguishing qualities of this 66th annual convention of Rotary International. They came from 87 lands. From Japan came some 1,850 men and their kimonoed ladies. From France, three chartered jets brought 795 – more that had ever attended a RI convention outside of Europe. From lands to the south – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and others. From Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand and Oceania they came, their language, dress, and appearance bespeaking the internationality of the organization which in its 70th year had achieved a membership of 775,000 men in 16,467 clubs in 151 countries. "An international fellowship indeed."
