We like to present you our worldwide activities in many Chapters and different countries. Every Chapter has his own administration, coordinators and homepage.
If you like to inform yourself, take a look on the left side. If there's no chapter near you, don't hesitate to take contact with some of the other chapters, or directly to the secretary. He will give you information about the possibility of riding, appointments and all other information you need.
The year 2008 seems to accelerate the number of events on two wheels. We know many plans are being made, and it is our hope, that we will have great meetings on many different places in the world to celebrate. We will also ask all of you, in areas with no IFMR chapter to establish a chapter in your region. You can get further information from the secretary.
Welcome and "keep the ruberside down".
Dear IFMR members, dear Fellows Rotarians,
Very recently, we've had the privilege in Gent, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Belgian chapter in June!
Very well organized by the President Lut Decaluwe, the Secretary Miguel DeVos and their motorbikers comrads, we spent a great time together!
Next year, the European tour will be prepared by the GB&I chapter around the International Convention in Birmingham.
You know certainly that the month of june on the Rotarian calendar is dedicated to the Fellowships!
These fellowships are officially recognized by R.I. and concern Rotarian sharing the same passion or practising the same job.
Today there are worldwide 85 fellowships. Most of them are hobbies friendship and you can list them on the site rotary.org.
* 38 concern hobbies,
* 24 professions,
* 18 sports,
* Rotarian challenges.
2008 is also the 80th fellowship anniversary! It's in 1928 that the first fellowship is born!
Do you know which one? "Esperanto"! And it's the only one which does'nt have to overbridge language barriers!
Now some words about a new rotarian concept: "Global Networking Groups". This concept covers Fellowships and Action Groups!
As IFMR members, you're supposed to know everything concerning "Fellowships"!
"Rotarian Action Groups" conduct international service projects that further the "Object of Rotary"! If you're interested in supporting a particular type of service activity, there is certainly a Rotarian Action Group for you.
There are today 16 Action Groups in activity.
Coming back to our IFMR, we've listed 19 chapters by now. Some are very active and serve also beyond their own micro circle, some a bit less and some are...!
Our World Secretary Cornelius Neufert accomplishs a great work as our coordinator. He answers to all inquiries coming either from chapters, Evanston, or from individuals looking for informations to create a new chapter!
Chapters live completely autonomous and organize their "way of life", despite all inquiries (financial, membership, projects a.s.o.) asked year after year by Evanston!
May I quote our President Wilf Wilkinson when he recently met the President o Iceland Olafur Ragnar Grimson who told him: "Rotary has the right answer. Your organization includes men and women on an equal basis , and creed... What the World must do...is have more Rotarians"!!
So, my dear friends in Rotary and IFMR, continue to share Rotary with others and make their dreams real!
My words would'nt be complete if I could'nt deliver you the following sentence of His Holiness the 14th Dalaï Lama:
"Never give up, no matter what is going on,
Never give up, develop the heart, too much energy in your country is spent developing the mind instead the heart,
Be compassionate not just to your friends, but to everyone,
Be compassionate, work for peace in your heart and in the world,
Work for Peace and say again,
Never give up, no matter what is happening, no matter what is going on around you,
Never give up!
Yours in Rotary and IFMR
Jacques T. Grimm
IFMR World President, PDG 03/04 District 1680
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