'We are one big family': Rotary optimistic about future as thousands attend Calgary convention
Over 15,000 Rotarians expected at 5-day Stampede Park event
The Rotary International Convention is back in town, nearly three decades after it was first held in Calgary in 1996.
More than 15,000 people from across the globe are expected to attend from June 21 to 25. It's poised to be the largest in-person Rotary gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic, but considering the 1996 Calgary convention's attendance of 24,963 Rotarians, this year marks a significant decrease in delegates.
Jeff Foss, membership chairperson for the Southern Alberta Rotary District, acknowledged that local Rotary groups have taken a hit in membership numbers since the pandemic.
"We've seen a slight decline in the past five years, but we're now starting to see the upswing," he said.
"The thing that I think a lot of the clubs dealt with was the after-effects of COVID, and the disconnectedness that we all had as a community during COVID."
He said a decline in membership had "a longer history" and was "exacerbated" by the pandemic, but with COVID lockdowns in Rotary's rearview mirror, Foss is optimistic about the future.
"Now that we are past that, we're starting to see a bit of a renaissance," he said.
The pandemic left people "longing for that human connection again," and that's something service clubs like Rotary can provide, he said.
The decline in membership predates the pandemic, and with that in mind, Rotary International membership growth team vice-chair Taylor Huie said the organization is increasing its efforts to engage young leaders.
"Just like several other service-focused organizations, our membership has kind of aged with our organization," said Huie. "So over the last [15 years or so], our team has really focused on how we can best serve and engage with the younger population."
Huie said Rotary International has seen an overall increase in membership worldwide, but not in Canada, which is home to 728 clubs.
Despite that, she's optimistic about the organization's growth in the country.
"If you look at the age demographics, representation of members is actually increasing for the younger age demographic," she said.
Huie said five years ago, only around two per cent of Rotarians were young people. This year, that figure sits at 10 per cent, she said.
"So we're increasing every single year, just making sure that we're more representative of the communities that we're working on, which is really exciting," she said.
As a young Rotarian herself, Huie credited the organization for providing her with significant professional development and networking opportunities, which she said Rotary is highlighting as it works to attract younger members.
"And being a part of this amazing organization of over 1.2 million members, 1.2 million friends, you realize how small the world really is and how alike we are," she said.
Foss, president of the Rotary Club of Okotoks, highlighted the work being done by the organization's local volunteers, such as $2 million in funding from two Calgary Rotary clubs toward creating new recreation opportunities in the city.
"It's a place where you can do things that matter," Foss said about the organization.
"We have 44 clubs in southern Alberta, and many of us know each other, and we're all just a phone call away if we need that assistance and support," he said. "So we are one big family in Rotary."
Today, Rotary boasts more than 1.2 million members across over 45,000 clubs, of which Calgary is home to 13.
Star-studded convention
Excitement around the future of Rotary was underscored by the convention's line-up of prominent speakers.
Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis, of Thelma & Louise and The Fly fame, gave an in-person speech at the convention on Monday.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered virtual addresses on Sunday.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a former member of the Rotary Club of High River, also spoke on Sunday, taking the opportunity to praise Alberta on the world stage.
"Rotarians identify the issues that need solving, then you roll up your sleeves and you tackle them yourselves," she said. "And Alberta is a lot like that too."
The five-day convention is expected to boost the city's economy by $81 million, according to the City of Calgary.
Next year's convention will be held in Taipei, Taiwan.
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With files from Jenn Blair, Bryan Labby and Arzouma Kompaore