District Conference

Written by Ginny Reich, Team Leader

On Friday afternoon, May 13, we all arrived at the District Conference held at  the Casino de Policia del Sol de la Molina in the outskirts of Lima.  This was not a casino as we understand it, but rather a place of relaxation for police officers and their families as well as a meeting place for groups.  Along with meeting rooms, there is a hotel type facility with rooms for two or three occupants , a big swimming pool and sports fields.

The conference began on Friday evening with a parade of Rotary flags.  These were flags of all the clubs of District 4450.  In this District, which includes the greater area of Lima, there are about 56 clubs.  Each has its own flag which is displayed at club meetings.  After  presentations of dignitaries, greetings to attending Rotarians, and remarks by District Governor July Gereda de Carlin, a children's chorus interpreted the song of the year.

The evening continued with a plenary session where Dr.  Victor Hugo Visval  Herrera spoke about New Leadership for the Third Millenium.  He was followed  by a presentation given by Rotary International's representative, José Antonio Salazar Cruz who conveyed a message to the group from Rotary International's president Ray Klinginsmith.   The evening meal began at 9:45 PM and ended with dancing until the wee hours of the morning.  

Saturday morning began bright and early with breakfast at 7:00 AM.   The Second Plenary session started at 9:00 and continued until 2:00 PM with a short break for snacks at 11:30 AM.  Several  interesting presentations were made during this session including a report from the editor of the Rotary magazine, El Rotario Peruana, and a review of the strategic plan of Rotary International.  Other invited speakers presented various topics including "How to succeed in a world of men without renouncing one's role as a woman" presented by the author, Dr. Ines Temple, and "Improving the health of children in Peru, a task for everyone" by Dr. Mario Tavera Salazar, specialist in health for UNICEF.  Victor Cipriani Nevad handed out  copies of his book "Divinidad para el Exito" and spoke about the fundamental values of Rotary.  Finally, the Rotary Youth Exchange students came in with their pin covered jackets while the committee chair spoke about their Rotary year.  This was of special interest to me because of my own connection with Rotary Youth Exchange.  Two of them,  one from the U.S., and one from France, spoke about their year in Peru.  At least half of the total of 18 students here in District 4450 are from the United States.  I was able to talk to some of them during the break.  They were all enthusiastic about their experience here in Peru. They  had just returned from a week long trip to Machu Picchu and Cuzco and were very excited about  the trip.  I was able to get some insights into what it's like to be a student in Lima.  All of them had learned to use public transportation, and some were studying in universities because the school year here is the opposite of ours.  The new school year starts in March.

After lunch, meetings began again at 4:00 PM with various workshops and breakout sessions.  A very  special ending to the Rotary sessions was a Catholic mass performed in Quechua, the second official language of Peru.  It was accompanied by a group of singers from Cuzco dressed in their native costumes.  The ceremony was very moving and impressive.  The day ended with a dinner followed by a talent show done by Rotarians.  It included singing, folk dancing and even a marionette which sang and danced to a torch song.  The Rotarians here definitely have talent!  The show ended at midnight, and I headed for bed.

The next morning, the session began with a parade of clubs starting in the parking area.  Each club had its banner and all the club members present at the conference marched to the music of a band to the general meeting hall.  After all had entered and were settled, our Group Study Exchange team gave our presentation.  Everyone performed to perfection, and I was so proud of our team.  We gave Claire Little's gift to July, the District Governor, and she seemed very pleased.  Two Ambassadorial scholars, both from the USA, also gave presentations followed by an additional presentation about ethics and the social responsibility of a business company.   After a break and some additional presentations, the meeting portion was called to a close and we adjourned for the final meal.  We were able to reconnect briefly with the Peruvian team which had visited our District just last month. It's always fun to see them.

All in all it was a very interesting and enjoyable experience.  We met many Rotarians and were treated with the characteristic Peruvian warmth we have come to know and appreciate.  It was a wonderful opportunity to participate in an important Rotary event in a different part of the world.