Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-04
Banner" God Save the King. and

S0o SoN0 tiV AAAh6b e~AA
America"
1.-THE presiding officer of the Con-
vention was Raymond III. Ravens of
Kansas City. big Of body, big of soul,
and with a vision far-reaching and
commanding. For four wonderful
days, the Convention met, forenoon
and afternoon. Every session was
full of deep interest and bubbling
over with enthusiasm.
NEARLY all of the fourteen hun
dred Rotary Clubs were represented
and delegates were reported from
twenty-seven different nations. On
the great platform was a flag for
each nation and in the center sup
porting and protecting them all was
the Stars and Stripes.
1.-THE one dominant note of the
Convention stressed in official reports
and by the various speakers was
Individual Responsibility. as the OBJ
ject of Rotary and the embracing
demand upon every member.
1.-THE welcoming address Of Pres.
Spoehrer of the st. Louis Club was
generous and hearty and fully justi-
fed in the tireless effort Of every
member of that Club to make our
coming, our staying and our going
happy and ever to be REMEMBERED
with deep appreciation. Pres. Spo-
ehrer said in his address of welcome,
at makes no difference from which
of the 81 countries represented by
this wonderful display of national
emblems you hail from. 1t makes
no difference what language you use
to express the sublime principles OF
Rotary-every man Of you whose
heart proclaims and whose actions
exemplify the spirit of unselfish SER
vice-that man Is at home in this
city. Our hearts, our homes, and
our city are wide open and our well
come Is sincere"
"The Business of the Convention
may be considered under two main
heads, first the constructive legisla-
ton for the direction OF all Rotary
Clubs and second the inspirational
program designed to furnish motive
power for the achievement OF Ro-
tary International detectives by the
Individual members.
"The resolutions which caused the
most discussion and produced the
deepest Impression on the Conven.
ton was that dealing with Boys
work and it's companion resolutiQn
regarding work for Crippled Chill
dren. -.
"After a long and interesting dis
cussion both these matters were dis
posed of as follows: The spirit OF
both resolutions was heartily adopt
ed, but 1t was decided not to create
a department of Rotary International
to care for such work. But to carry
on such charitable and philanthropic
work through local organizations
much as the Augusta Club has done,
with its Boys work, through the K.
nj. C. A.. Camp this summer. me
reason for such action being that
the object of Rotary is primarily the
inspiration and direction OF the IN
diyidual member for service. me
biggest thing Rotarian or Rotary
Club can do is not to help the boys
or to relieve the crippled chiidren,
but to make such work 2 part OF
bigger program; which digger pro-
gram Is, the passion Tor service aitef
"The Rotary Clubs aim is not the
establishment of a separate and COM
peting organization, but the educa-
ting and stimulating of public opin-
ion as to the value of ahording every
bow the opportunity to attain his 1uli
mental. physical and moral develop
ment." =.
"An announcement Of much IN
terest to the members Of the 31st dis.
trict was that our home district naa
organized the largest number Oh
new clubs during the past year OF any
district in Rotary International.
"The second phase of the Conven-
ton may be said to have peen Ine
inspirationai features. designed 70
give motive power to the mempeIs
in carrying out the program OF no 10
tary. This inspiration came from tne
many addresses delivered ana apose
all BY the unexpected visit OF Presi-