The photo on this month's cover was taken when the Sony Corporation unveiled its SDR-3X robot in Tokyo in November 2000. For more than 20 years, U.S. Rotary clubs have entered a float as a major public relations project. This year, RI President Frank J. Devlyn was among the thousands of Pasadena residents and visitors who attended the parade, which featured some 105 colorful floats. They talked about our history and our RYLA program, and mentioned that we have nearly 1.2 million members in 163 countries. President Devlyn visited Pasadena on 29 December, as volunteers were putting the final touches on the Rotary float.
Volunteers have to attach each flower petal, one by one.
It's very interesting to watch, and I admire the work that goes into it. In the absence of a personal robotic assistant, many Rotarians are finding that the best way to communicate is by e-mail. It's easy, inexpensive and fast, especially when you're working with Rotarians who live far away. Thomas Todd, chairman of the RI Task Force on Technology, tells us that e-mail is increasingly becoming the preferred method of communication for Rotary leadership at all levels. This year, Rotary International launched a program to register the e-mail addresses of the leadership at all levels of Rotary.