RI Convention in New Orleans

A message from Rotary District 6840:

The 2011 Rotary International Convention will be held in New Orleans.  Six Rotary districts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas are the host districts. 

Rotarians from the host districts are responsible for planning various events during the convention, including a fellowship event Monday evening.

The evening event on Monday is called Host Hospitality Night.  This is an RI convention tradition offering a memorable opportunity for convention registrants to share an evening of hospitality and international fellowship. In 2011, this event will also give us an opportunity to show to the world our famous Southern Hospitality.

The events on this evening are hosted, sponsored and organized by Rotarians or Rotary clubs, not by Rotary International or the local committee organizing the convention.  

The events can be as small or as large, as simple or as extravagant, as the hosts design and can afford.  Examples include dinner in the home of a Rotarian or at a local park or attraction hosted jointly by Rotary clubs.

In addition to sponsoring the event, the hosts are responsible for transporting their guests to and from the event.  In all, the event should be about 3-4 hours long, including transportation.  The cost of the event and transportation are the sole responibility of the hosts.

The Monday Evening Host Hospitality Subcommittee will assemble the names of the guests as they register. As the event approaches, the subcommittee will assign the guests to the hosts and notify the hosts accordingly.  The hosts will then contact their guests directly to make logistics arrangements, including transportation.

Don't Live in New Oreans?

Host participation is not limited to Rotarians and Rotary clubs in the New Orleans area. In fact, the participation of many Rotarians from the Rotary Districts in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana will be essential.  We are expecting 2,000-3,000 conventioneers to register as guests for this event.

The subcommittee will develop a list of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs interested in hosting a Monday Night event. This list will be posted to a committee website accessible by the hosts.  Rotarians and Rotary Clubs outside the New Orleans area can contact locals on the list to partner as hosts.

We are asking for only three things at this time. 

First, for all interested Rotarians and Rotary clubs in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana to fill out the preliminary interest form on the online registration page at www.rotary6840.org.  

Second, forward this email to your club members. 

Third, for each club to appoint a liaison with the Monday Evening Host Hospitality committee. Please send the name and contact info for the club liaison to:

PDG Neil Alford
neil@alfordlegal.com
fax:  985.643.6442 

District Governor Greg Landy Meets with Club

Secretary Dardenne Discusses Louisiana Politics

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne gave a light-hearted multimedia presentation regarding his list of the 10 best books for understanding the state of Louisiana.

Dardenne said it’s especially important for Louisianans to understand the unique environmental, cultural and political aspects of the state, which help to explain things such as Louisianans’ fascination with the “lovable rogue” politician who skirts or crosses the line between legal and illegal behavior.

Dardenne’s recommended reading list included the following:

1. “A Lesson Before Dying”, by Ernest Gaines, a poignant story set in the days of the segregated South.
2. “The Last Hayride”, by John Maginnis, a behind-the-scenes look at Edwin Edwards’ gubernatorial campaigns.
3. "All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren, a Pulitzer-prize-winning fictional account of a Louisiana governor and how power corrupts, based somewhat on the life of Governor Huey Long.
4. "Inside the Carnival”, by Wayne Parent, which compares Louisiana government to Carnival, and looks at the “human gumbo” of Louisiana’s varied ethnic groups.
5. Any book by James Lee Burke. Dardenne highly recommended Burke’s stories of fictional detective Dave Robicheaux, describing his writing as “violent, harsh and profane, but some of the most vivid prose you’ll ever read.”
6. “Bayou Farewell”, by Mike Tidwell, which discusses the loss of Louisiana’s coastline due to erosion.
7. “The Earl of Louisiana”, by A.J. Liebling, an account of Earl Long’s seven campaigns for governor or lieutenant governor between 1934 and 1960, and his attempts to get out from his brother’s Huey Long’s shadow.
8. “Huey Long”, by T. Harry Williams and “Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long”, by Dr. Richard White, both accounts of the most famous, and infamous, governor in state history, who believed his destiny was to be president of the United States, but who was gunned down in Baton Rouge. Dardenne said that Long’s populist presidential theme, “Every Man a King”, is still alive in Washington today.
9. “A Confederacy of Dunces”, by John Kennedy Toole, discusses the unique place New Orleans holds in American history.
10. “Rising Tide”, by John Barry, recounts the Flood of 1927, and demonstrates “why Louisianans refuse to be conquered by Mother Nature, even if it’s a battle they can’t win,” Dardenne said.