Rotary District 2110 Sicily-Malta Congress

Spring/Summer 2007 has been a season of great events on our islands. Famous personalities from the world of culture, music, the arts and international politics have visited our shores and been given the deserved welcome and media coverage.

An important Rotary event that took place early in the summer did not make the news, but left an important mark on the history of Rotary District 2110, which comprises Sicily and Malta, and is one of thousands of Rotary Districts worldwide.

Each district elects a governor, whose term runs for one year. As Sicily and Malta form an international district, it has become traditional that every fifth year the governor chosen hails from Malta. The District governor for 2006-2007 was, in fact, Alfred Mangion. Governor Mangion's term came to an end in May, when the district congress was held, here in Malta, at the Westin Dragonara.

Rotary was founded over a hundred years ago by a small group of friends to be of service to others. That small group of friends has now grown to comprise approximately 1.2 million Rotarians from 200 countries all over the world. Rotarians in each district make it a point to meet at least once yearly during their district congress. District Congress XXIX for District 2110 was held between May 25 and 27.

More than 500 Rotarians, accompanied by family members and friends, crossed over from Sicily by air or by catmaran not only to partake of the pomp and ceremony but also to enjoy the company of fellow Rotarians and get to share experiences, knowledge and possibilities of collaboration.

It was a mixed group of Sicilians and Maltese who crossed over to Gozo, on May 24, for the charter ceremony of the first ever Rotary Club in Gozo, which was held on a glorious sunny day at Ta' Frenc Restaurant.

Past district governor Doros Jaropulos, from Cyprus, represented international president Bill Boyd throughout the three days of the congress, which was opened with the presentation of club banners by the presidents of more than 80 district clubs.

Governor Mangion, inspired by Boyd's exhortation to "lead the way", chose 'Leadership' as a theme for the meetings. He opened the session by giving an overview of his year as district governor, when as he said: "During this year, we have founded three new Rotary clubs in our district - Gozo, Pantelleria and Catania Sud - bringing the total number of clubs to 85. We have also given much importance to new generations and seen the charter of four Rotaract clubs and four Interact clubs."

Fora were held on the district theme for the year - 'Illegal immigration and integration between different cultures'. District clubs also took initiatives in favour of literacy, health and sanitation, as well as shelter for the homeless. Governor Mangion presented the PDG Ferruccio Vignola prize to President Emeritus Guido de Marco for his work in favour of understanding between nations.

Guest of honour was Malta's Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, who expressed his appreciation for the good work carried out by Rotary within District and around the world.

During the Saturday sessions, PDG Carlo Monticelli and PDG Arcangelo Lacagnina delivered talks on 'Leadership within Rotary'. The returning Siculo-Maltese Group Study Exchange team from Florida were given the opportunity to talk about their fantastic experience in Florida, and the GSE team from Florida also took the stage to thank the Maltese and Sicilians who had been their hosts in the preceding month.

Both groups were enthusiastic about the opportunity given them by Rotary Foundation. The morning ended with the nomination of Francesco Arezzo di Trifiletti as governor designate for 2009-10.

In the afternoon a workshop, presided by Mr Jaropulos, was led by governors Mangion (2006-7) Sarpietro (2007-8) and incoming governor Carlisi (2008-9). The subject discussed was 'Continuity in Rotary'.

Saturday evening was time for some relaxation. No fewer than 680 persons attended the recital, given at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, by talented soprano Gillian Zammit, accompanied on the piano by Mro Sciortino. A gala dinner was then served in the impressive Knights Hospitallers Hall.

On Sunday afternoon governor Mangion spent the last few hours of his term thanking his team of collaborators, the various club presidents for their valuable work and handing out various trophies to the more hard-working members of District. The time then came for him to invite his wife, Simone, their children and grandchildren by the podium for a last farewell to all Rotarians present.

Finally, he removed the governor's collar and handed it over to the new governor, Dottor Salvatore Sarpietro, who declared that he will dedicate his year to continuity and communication. Governor Sarpietro and his wife Gina were received with a standing ovation, which augurs well for their year in office.

Rotary International's Group Study Exchange

Rotary District 2110 Sicily/ Malta offers the opportunity to young Maltese professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 to visit California.

The Group Study Exchange programme of the Rotary Foundation, which is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women, provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries.

For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's institutions and ways of life, observe their vocations as practised abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

For each team member, the Rotary Foundation provides the most economical round-trip air ticket between home and host countries. Local Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

In late spring of next year, Group Study Exchange will visit Rotary District 5230, central California, between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The visit normally takes place in April/May, and is an excellent opportunity for young professional people who are employed full time, or are experts in a particular trade, to apply to join this group.

For more information, visit www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/gse/index.html or contact Simon Bonello on 2133-0886.