District Newsletter

Greetings and Happy New Year!

 

I hope you had a wonderful start to the 2023 year.   There are so many traditions connected to the start of a new year. I hope you began this year with a favorite tradition or something new that brought you joy. 

 

The Rose Parade is a tradition that many people enjoy on the first day of the new year.  This past September the 2022/23 District Governors received a packet with information from Rotary International about the theme and preparations for the 2023 Rose Parade Rotary float.  The introduction letter reminded us that “Creating a positive image for Rotary is the responsibility of every Rotarian, both locally and globally.  President Jennifer Jones stated that one of her primary goals is to showcase Rotary to the world.”  And as she mentioned in the March 2022 Rotary Magazine, “I see this as a way of increasing our membership…When we tell our stories, like-minded people will want to join us.”  But what you may not know is the idea of getting recognition of Rotary has been a goal of Rotary Presidents since the beginning.  Paul Harris said, “In the promotion of Rotary, it is important to reach large numbers and you cannot reach them privately.”  When the Rotary International directors approved the Committee’s first entry over four decades ago, they saw in it an unrivaled opportunity to bring the Rotary name into public view.  They reasoned that an eye-catching float would capture the interest of broadcast commentators and remind the world of Rotary’s good works.

 

This Rotary recognition effort via the Rose Parade has a long history.  In 1923 the Rotary Rose Parade Float was entered by the Rotary Club of Pasadena.  Other floats were entered in the 1927, 1942, 1946, and 1966.  The next Rotary Float entry was in 1980 and for 43 consecutive parades, Rotary has entered a float in the Rose Parade and proudly presented the Rotary float to North America and the world.  And this year was not an exception.  Many Rotarian volunteers arrived at the “float barn” in the early morning and gave their time and talent throughout the day to decorate this year’s float.  The 2023 Rotary Float titled “Serving with Imagination and Hope” received the Princess Award which recognizes the most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length.