Rotary International president visits Island

On Oct. 1, the Rotary Club of Charlottetown celebrates its 100 anniversary, and to mark the milestone, Rotary International president Ian Riseley will be on the Island.

Chartered in October 1917, the Charlottetown branch is the eighth oldest in Canada. Bob Moffatt, chairman of the Centennial Committee, said it is a “great honour” to have the president celebrate the occasion.

“His visit is a reflection of the fact that Island Rotarians have contributed much to their communities and to communities around the world over the past 100 years.”

Riseley, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia, visit to will see firsthand some of the “good works” of Island Rotarians over the last century. He will visit Camp Genchefff where the current main building of the camp is the result of a Rotary-led initiative to mark the 75th anniversary of the Charlottetown club.

The president will take part in raising the Polio Plus flag at Government House, promoting Rotary efforts to eradicate polio. Rotary is on the verge of achieving that goal, after raising millions of dollars over the past 32 years and immunizing more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. The latest commitment from Rotarians is raising $50 million each year for the next three years.

The Soup Kitchen in Charlottetown will be another stop for Riseley. The building is the result of Island Rotarians

marking the 100th anniversary of Rotary International.

Riseley will also be on hand for the official opening of the Summerside Inspire Learning Centre and will have the opportunity to speak to Island Rotarians at a centennial dinner Sunday evening.