President Dong Kurn Lee’s Travelogue
July/August 2008
My wife, Young, and I attended many exciting events during our extensive travels in July and August. We saw the installation of club presidents and district governors in the United States and Korea. And we also participated in charter ceremonies for several new Rotary clubs.
I'm proud of the presidential membership conferences I was involved in, which took place in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. In each of these excellent conferences, I spoke with district governors, club presidents, and other officers about my hopes to dramatically increase membership in 2008-09. The conferences in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Johannesburg focused on child mortality and the issues surrounding this topic. There were many interesting speakers at these events, including the UNICEF director in Argentina, Dr. Ennio Rufino.
Reducing child mortality is very important to Young and me. It's part of my theme and presidential emphases. We believe that no child should die of a preventable disease in this day and age. We must take care of our children, because they are our future.
All of the conferences were well attended, and I believe this is due to the wonderful work of the organizing chairs and conveners. I cannot thank them enough, because we could not do it without them! I'm eager to participate in more presidential membership conferences and work toward my goal of adding and sustaining new Rotarians.
In many countries, it was my privilege to meet heads of state and talk with them about the needs of the children of their country. I asked them to allow Rotary International to assist in helping these children.
Young and I were excited to visit a number of clubs and projects, including the inauguration of a footbridge in Mazyopa, Zambia. This bridge was a joint effort by the Rotary clubs of Nwazi Lusaka, Zambia, and Newport News, Virginia, USA. While in Zambia, we also participated in the inauguration of the St. Joseph Hospice Center in Livingstone. It was the first time an RI president had ever visited Livingstone and we were enthusiastically greeted. We look forward to making similar first-time visits to many more countries and cities in our Rotary travels.
At the end of August, we joined the Rotary International staff in Evanston for their annual picnic. It was enjoyable for Young and me to meet so many of the staff who are responsible for helping me to reach my goals. It was good to be a part of the fellowship.