Two caveats about multi-district
leaders”; “RI leadership and speakers”;
conferences were however mentioned. In
“The speakers were good”; “The silent
2012, there were complaints that in the
auction,
the
awards,
and
the
great
award ceremony, most of the awards
speakers”; “Polio run, hospitality suites,
apparently went to one district, so that there
excellent speakers”; “Opportunity to hear
was a feeling among some respondents that
several R.I. VIPs speak”; “Outside (non-
that district “overshadowed” the other. In
Rotary) speakers who teach us something
2013, even though there was broad support
NEW & useful”; “Most appreciated both
for the multi-district conference, some
lunch
speakers”;
“The
sincerity,
respondents indicated that they would prefer
intelligence, compassion, and delivery of the
single district conferences: “With hordes of
speakers!” While in 2012 and 2013 several
people whose faces are unfamiliar, it is hard
respondents however suggested that some
to find your own District members”; “I
speakers at the conferences were not as good
think once every three or four years for a
as expected, the feedback in 2014 was
multi-district event and then just our district
almost entirely positive. Bill Boyd, the RI
in between”; “Combined conferences are
President’s representative at the 2014
good every four or five years but a single
conference got high marks: “I thought Bill
District conference is best”; “Having three
Boyd was terrific and inspiring.”
districts joining together brings utter
Comments on the facilities were for
chaos”; “Overall, the multi-district went
the most part positive in 2012, slightly less
better than I anticipated. However, I would
so in 2013, and again good in 2014. The
still
rather
have
a
single
district
resort used in 2012 was enjoyed by most:
conference.” It thus seems that alternating
“Excellent
accommodations
and
site”;
conferences with a single or several districts
“Relaxed Environment”; and “Location,
makes sense to satisfy different groups of
golf”.
In
2013,
feedback
was
less
Rotarians.
enthusiastic. One person rated the facilities
as “spacious, convenient, and relatively
inexpensive,” but others were less favorable
Opinions are mixed about organizing
and it was suggested “not to locate in a
single or multi-district conferences. It
large, metropolitan area, especially so close
would therefore make sense to alternate.
to the majority of members' residences. In
2014, the facility was well rated again for
Another mostly positive area in both
convenience, and for the view of Orioles
years was the quality of the speakers. Most
Park. There were however some complaints
of
the
respondents
who
commented
about the sound system in all three years.
principally on the speakers were satisfied
Comments on the food and the
with them, and several appreciated the
quality of the service were mostly positive
opportunity of listening to leaders from
in 2012 but again slightly less positive in
6
Rotary International
as well as outside
2013: “meals were not well prepared and
speakers.
Comments
on
the
speakers
the menu choices did not consider people of
included: “I very much appreciated that this
different faiths who do not eat pork or beef.”
conference drew very important Rotary
In 2014, there were many complains about
the food due to too many chicken meals:
“Food was exceptionally bad”; “Food was
6
In 2012 especially, immediate Past Rotary
the worst I have experienced in years”.
International President Ray Klinginsmith as well as
John Hewko, the current Secretary General of Rotary
International, both attended the conference
39