RI President John Kenny Dinner July 18, 2009

In the huge and festive room at the Boxborough Holiday Inn, there were 9 sitting district govenors, two past RI directors, one current and one future director, a past RI vice president and over 20 past DGs not to mention RI Pres. John Kenney. The event itself marked the 100th anniversary of Rotary in MA, and marked the centennial of the Rotary Club of Boston, the 7th Rotary Club in the World. Eileen O'Connell, President of the Boston Club, gave a humorous speech, and referred to the history of her club inserted in the program. Kenney's speech, delivered in a proper Scottish accent, emphasized the importance of friendship in Rotary, and pointed out that Paul Harris was in his mid-thirties when he organized the first club. Kenney stressed the necessity of recruiting quality members, who are intent on carrying out Rotary's mission. Here is a quote from John Kenney: "We in Rotary have potential that is unmatched by any other humanitarian organization in the world. We can bring health to the sick, educaiton to the illiterate, water to the thirsty and sustainable livelihood to the poor and the hungry. We can help those closest to us, and those in the farthest corners of the earth."