Conference FAQ 2016
What do you mean when you say it’s going to be a party?
We wanted to play off the Rotary International theme “Be A Gift To The World,” and when do you usually receive gifts? At a party or holiday. So the theme is celebration with noise makers, laughs, more prizes than ever before and just plain Rotary fun!
We wanted to play off the Rotary International theme “Be A Gift To The World,” and when do you usually receive gifts? At a party or holiday. So the theme is celebration with noise makers, laughs, more prizes than ever before and just plain Rotary fun!
What are the General Session topics this year?
We have an interesting plenary this year and slightly different format to the learning opportunities at conference. The morning will be an idea sharing program called OneRotary Summit that combines membership, with foundation giving and public image. It’s a new and unique program we are lucky to have access to in our district! Then after lunch we will host several different courses with topics of interest to Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. You get to choose which courses you sit in on so it is guaranteed to be interesting! They will wrap up around 3pm.
We have an interesting plenary this year and slightly different format to the learning opportunities at conference. The morning will be an idea sharing program called OneRotary Summit that combines membership, with foundation giving and public image. It’s a new and unique program we are lucky to have access to in our district! Then after lunch we will host several different courses with topics of interest to Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. You get to choose which courses you sit in on so it is guaranteed to be interesting! They will wrap up around 3pm.
What is OneRotary Summit and how is it relevant for every Rotarian?
OneRotary is a pilot program being tested in our zone that recognizes the connections between public image, membership and foundation giving in order to grow Rotary. This will be our program for the plenary that will take place Saturday morning, and it is formatted to encourage small-group discussion to tackle challenges and share ideas. Even if you aren’t the public image chair for your club, on a foundation committee or even a Rotarian, you will be able to add to the discussion and take away helpful information. It is exciting to have this program available to us and it should be a unique experience for everyone!
OneRotary is a pilot program being tested in our zone that recognizes the connections between public image, membership and foundation giving in order to grow Rotary. This will be our program for the plenary that will take place Saturday morning, and it is formatted to encourage small-group discussion to tackle challenges and share ideas. Even if you aren’t the public image chair for your club, on a foundation committee or even a Rotarian, you will be able to add to the discussion and take away helpful information. It is exciting to have this program available to us and it should be a unique experience for everyone!
Is there free time Saturday afternoon? What can we do during that time?
YES! There is actually going to be time from 3-5PM where you will have a couple hours of down time before the evening cocktail party starts at 5pm. There are several historical sites to visit in Auburn that are within walking distance or are less than a five minute drive away. We will provide information and make arrangements for these destinations to be available to you during this window of time. Of course the House of Friendship will also be open during this time!
YES! There is actually going to be time from 3-5PM where you will have a couple hours of down time before the evening cocktail party starts at 5pm. There are several historical sites to visit in Auburn that are within walking distance or are less than a five minute drive away. We will provide information and make arrangements for these destinations to be available to you during this window of time. Of course the House of Friendship will also be open during this time!
When will Youth Exchange be there?
The parade of flags and dinner with our Youth Exchange students will be Friday evening of conference. They will be around the next day, but busy with programs and orientation at another location. Additionally, there will be representation from Interact, Rotaract, and RYLA in the Friday evening program.
The parade of flags and dinner with our Youth Exchange students will be Friday evening of conference. They will be around the next day, but busy with programs and orientation at another location. Additionally, there will be representation from Interact, Rotaract, and RYLA in the Friday evening program.
Conference weekend is right at the end of spring break for our community’s schools. Did you know that?
Yes we are aware that, even though the event is in late April like always, conference still coincides with the final weekend of spring break for many schools. Please alert the host family that will have your Youth Exchange student with them in the spring so they can plan around it as much as possible. Please work with District YE Chair Tom Taylor if you anticipate any conflicts for your club’s exchange student.
Yes we are aware that, even though the event is in late April like always, conference still coincides with the final weekend of spring break for many schools. Please alert the host family that will have your Youth Exchange student with them in the spring so they can plan around it as much as possible. Please work with District YE Chair Tom Taylor if you anticipate any conflicts for your club’s exchange student.
Can I just come for dinner on Saturday?
In short, no. This year’s conference will no longer offer individual meal options. There is one meal package that includes Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday breakfast at $110 per person. We are asking you to set aside the weekend to immerse yourself in Rotary, enjoy each other’s company and have a blast!
In short, no. This year’s conference will no longer offer individual meal options. There is one meal package that includes Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday breakfast at $110 per person. We are asking you to set aside the weekend to immerse yourself in Rotary, enjoy each other’s company and have a blast!
What if my guests receiving awards want to come for breakfast on Sunday?
Award recipients who are not part of the whole weekend are welcome to come to the ceremony Sunday, following breakfast.
Award recipients who are not part of the whole weekend are welcome to come to the ceremony Sunday, following breakfast.
Who do I notify about a death in my club so we can honor that Rotarian at the Memorial Service on Sunday?
Please email the information to Donna Schonewetter at dennis7150@gmail.com as soon as possible. We are pleased to have her leading the service again this year!
Please email the information to Donna Schonewetter at dennis7150@gmail.com as soon as possible. We are pleased to have her leading the service again this year!
How can I get involved in planning the conference?
We have several positions available to join the conference committee. It is very rewarding to work with Rotarians from throughout the district on this kind of committee and to be a part of assembling our district’s largest event. Click here to view current committee openings or speak to chairperson Lizzy Flinn-Brown about how you can get involved! Her email is ebrown@syracuse.com or call her at (315) 470-2107.
We have several positions available to join the conference committee. It is very rewarding to work with Rotarians from throughout the district on this kind of committee and to be a part of assembling our district’s largest event. Click here to view current committee openings or speak to chairperson Lizzy Flinn-Brown about how you can get involved! Her email is ebrown@syracuse.com or call her at (315) 470-2107.
What should I wear to conference?
Dress code is an important thing to know for this year’s conference because we are shaking it up a bit!
Friday evening is business attire- no need to be too fancy.
During the day on Saturday please wear business casual so you are comfortable as we learn and share about Rotary.
Saturday evening is a creative black-tie optional event. For the fellas that means a tux or a suit, but jazzed up with some interesting color in their shirts or ties! For the ladies that means any kind of formal attire, but consider making it louder with color, fun accessories, something sparkly, hats, etc. It’s all about being formal AND fun!
Dress code is an important thing to know for this year’s conference because we are shaking it up a bit!
Friday evening is business attire- no need to be too fancy.
During the day on Saturday please wear business casual so you are comfortable as we learn and share about Rotary.
Saturday evening is a creative black-tie optional event. For the fellas that means a tux or a suit, but jazzed up with some interesting color in their shirts or ties! For the ladies that means any kind of formal attire, but consider making it louder with color, fun accessories, something sparkly, hats, etc. It’s all about being formal AND fun!
Sunday is business casual attire.
More on what creative black tie optional means:
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What do you mean by “dynamic displays” in the House of Friendship?
The House of Friendship would be a lot more interesting place if your set-up featured actual items your club has made/purchased/donated, and interactive or tactile displays. For example, instead of photos of your club’s recent fundraiser to provide donations to the local food pantry, build a pyramid of canned foods and feature an interactive display to quiz people on hunger statistics from your community. Instead of pictures of your youth exchange student’s activity over the year, borrow their jacket to hang up so people check out all their pins and feature a display that teaches us key phrases in their first language. Give people something to touch, play with, help visualize, learn something new, etc.!
This will require more work and doing something new. Are you up for the challenge? You can get more inspiration on our House of Friendship Help page - click here.
Please ask a member from your club to help create the display and attend conference to set it up. We will also ask that someone from your club hang out near the display during down time so they can answer any questions people might have as they learn about your club!
YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR CLUB TO GET A SPACE IN THE HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP! Deadline is April 1.
Download the registration form here.
The House of Friendship would be a lot more interesting place if your set-up featured actual items your club has made/purchased/donated, and interactive or tactile displays. For example, instead of photos of your club’s recent fundraiser to provide donations to the local food pantry, build a pyramid of canned foods and feature an interactive display to quiz people on hunger statistics from your community. Instead of pictures of your youth exchange student’s activity over the year, borrow their jacket to hang up so people check out all their pins and feature a display that teaches us key phrases in their first language. Give people something to touch, play with, help visualize, learn something new, etc.!
This will require more work and doing something new. Are you up for the challenge? You can get more inspiration on our House of Friendship Help page - click here.
Please ask a member from your club to help create the display and attend conference to set it up. We will also ask that someone from your club hang out near the display during down time so they can answer any questions people might have as they learn about your club!
YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR CLUB TO GET A SPACE IN THE HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP! Deadline is April 1.
Download the registration form here.
Will there be a hospitality suite at conference this year?
Attendees are encouraged to socialize and gather at the hotel or nearby watering holes on their own. There both historic and new pubs within walking distance, many of which could feature live music, including:
McMurphy's Pub (in the hotel)
Connie's Tex Mex
Curley's Restaurant Auburn
Prison City Pub & Brewery
Attendees are encouraged to socialize and gather at the hotel or nearby watering holes on their own. There both historic and new pubs within walking distance, many of which could feature live music, including:
McMurphy's Pub (in the hotel)
Connie's Tex Mex
Curley's Restaurant Auburn
Prison City Pub & Brewery
As club president, what is my club responsible for bringing?
Each club needs to bring the following:
-a door prize valued at $50
-something to eat to put out in the House of Friendship - cookies, crackers, nothing that needs refrigerating please!
-their new, fun and interesting House of Friendship display (that you registered for by submitting this form)
-AS MANY MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE!
Each club needs to bring the following:
-a door prize valued at $50
-something to eat to put out in the House of Friendship - cookies, crackers, nothing that needs refrigerating please!
-their new, fun and interesting House of Friendship display (that you registered for by submitting this form)
-AS MANY MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE!
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