President Huang Kicks Off São Paulo Convention

106th Rotary International Convention

RI President Gary C.K. Huang called the 106th Rotary International Convention to order on 6 June at Anhembi Parque in São Paulo, Brazil. More than 14,000 attendees from all over the world have assembled for the four-day festival.

Huang called the convention a “festival of ideas” and the highlight of his year as president. “It provides the stage to showcase our achievements and inspire each other with stories and new ideas,” he said.

Huang began his keynote speech by celebrating the year’s gains in membership, a top priority of his presidency.

“Rotary clubs around the globe have engaged in tireless efforts to bring capable leaders into our organization,” said Huang. “Their hard work has paid off. As of the end of May, 30 zones have increased their membership in the past 11 months. This Rotary year there has been a 47,884 net membership increase, which is a 4 percent increase, and the best in the last 14 years.”

Huang praised the service projects he had seen during his travels as president, including a clean water initiative in Myanmar, a dental care project in Thailand, and food banks in the U.S.

“If every Rotarian could see all of this work, see the way that Rotary is changing lives, I know we would not have any more membership problems in Rotary,” he said.

Rotary has clubs in more than 200 countries and territories, covering more of the world than even the United Nations does. But Huang said that opportunities for Rotary service still lie in other areas, including China, Laos, and Vietnam.

Huang touted Rotary’s expansion into China, a country that he says offers Rotary great room for growth. Membership in Rotary clubs in China is for expatriates only, and the 300 Rotary members there come from 23 countries. Rotary has expanded from Beijing and Shanghai to other cities. The RI Board of Directors approved chartering 10 more prospective clubs. “I hope the extension will pave the way for our future in China,” Huang said.

“We have done a successful job expanding our clubs in new territories. But membership growth is also crucial to our future growth,” he added.

Huang applauded the 50 new members of the Arch Klumph Society, which honors those who donate at least $250,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Their contributions totaled more than $220 million this year, an increase of $12 million from last year. “Their donations will enable Rotary to light up the world through a wide range of local and international projects,” he said.

Huang closed his speech by reflecting on a Confucian saying that has guided and motivated him: “It is better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness.”

“Instead of cursing and complaining about world problems, we take action and make small changes one at a time,” he said. “But nothing we do is ever small. It all adds up. Every candle you light makes a difference.”

Fernando Haddad, mayor of São Paulo, and Geraldo Alckmin, governor of São Paulo state, also took the stage to welcome attendees. Huang joined Alckmin on stage and noted Alckmin had agreed to join Rotary.

Later in the program, the Phoenix fire dancers entertained the audience. The performance incorporated pyrotechnics and laser lights.

FROM: https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/news-media/president-huang-kicks-sal-paulo-convention