2001 Rotary Convention Texas
(U S A)

The Rotary International Convention was this year held in San Antonio Texas and for us Iforian's time for a change of watch. Our AGM/Luncheon was held at the Biga Restaurant San Antonio at that meeting IC Joe then appointed Commodore Ken Winters (New Zealand) as our new International Commodore, Ferit Berin (Turkye) appointed International Vice Commodore, and Bill Robinson (U S A) as Rear Commodore and of course Joe Phillips then became our Immediate Past Commodore.

The four Commadores: Joe Phillips 19999-01 Ferit Biren 2003-05 Ken Winter 2001-03 Bill Robinson 2005-07

PIC Joe had lead our Fellowship with great gusto and probably travelled further than most International Commodore's and it was noted that our literature was now printed in English, French, German, and some in Japanese. It was also reported that we now had some 21 Fleets through-out the world with a membership of some 3000 members

In August some 80 Iforian's from the Vancouver and Seattle Fleet rendezvous at Shaw Island. This event rotates each year between the U S and Canadian sides of the border

A rally took place between the Netherlands South-West Fleet and the East Coast, and Suffolk Fleet's from Gt Britain Two other guests were also present at this rally they were PIC Joe Phillips and Wolfhard Schmidt Comodore of the German North-West Fleet It was reported that this was Fellowship at its best

The first overseas visit made by our Cmdre Ken Winter together with his first Mate was to Istanbul Turkye to attend the wedding of Arzu and Serhan son of past Fleet Commodor Dundar Renda of the Istanbul Fleet 69 Iforian's gathered together at Atakoy Marina A sail pass took place before the District Govenor and IC Ken followed by a traditional luncheon

PIC Joe Phillips accompanied by some 20 Iforian's arrived aboard the "Grosherzogin Elizabeth" a three masted sailing ship to be welcomed by members of the Rotary Club of Helgoland. Where some exciting sailing events took place. Congratulations were passed to the newly formed fleet who offered such great hospitality with such great friendship fun and fellowship.

A gathering by British Iforian;s took place at Chatham Marina for a fellowship weekend, the highlight of the meeting was that they sailed the river Thames in the "Havengore" which had just been rebuilt. This was the vessel which carried Sir Winston Churchill coffin up the Thames to his last resting place.

Sweden was given the honour of two visits from our Commodores. Past International Joe Phillip's together with Marda visited Bengt Solve and his 1st Mata Inga together they visited the Skaw Fleet. This was followed by a visit from Int Cmdre Ken Winters and 1st Mate Bente a full programme had been arranged which included a visit to Marstrand following a super lunch they were taken to Nostalgia Pier where old Sailing ship's and Motors yacht are collected in a living museum.

After an invitation by IC Ken Winters and PIC Joe Phillips a trip was organized by Ben Solve for Swedish members to visit both Hawaii and New Zealand. 14 Swedsh Iforian's together with their 1st Mates then wended their way on to Hawaii. They certainly were not prepared for the welcome given them on their arrival, Firstly they were welcomed by Hawaiian Hula Girls and the greetings from our Hawaiian friends was overwhelming. We toured the island of Hawaii visited Museums, and of course Rotary Clubs. They then travelled to New Zealand where another amazing welcome awaited us. The highlight of course was being royally entertained aboard IC Ken Winter ship "Pacific Mermaid" and we were lucky enough to witness the start of the Volvo Ocean Race. To us Scandinavians the whole trip was absolutely Fantastic.

The schedule current travels by our IC Ken Winters read as follows USA, Canada, England, Netherlands, Spain, Turkye, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong visiting some 19 Fleets in all.