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RFPD Events at the Rotary International Convention

June 2009: Birmingham, England

RFPD Events at the Rotary International Convention

Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Many members attended the RFPD AGM. RFPD elected its new board of directors. Minutes from 2008 were presented, the future of RAG's were discussed and an open forum took place, which generated many ideas and support for RFPD.

Membership Breakfast – A special event was held during the convention that included RI and RFPD leaders, RFPD members and potential members. Attendance was good, and RFPD board members spoke about the future of Rotarian Action Groups.

Exhibit Booth – this year, RFPD had good visibility in the Convention House of Friendship>. Members gained: 14 lifetime and many annual memberships.

Many workshops were presented, following a broad solicitation for proposals by RI. RFPD was invited to present the following three:

1. Rotary Projects-Reducing Maternal & Child Mortality: The comprehensive approach "Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality – Prevention and Treatment of Obstetric Fistula," successfully running since 2005, was featured. RFPD shared its project expertise with over 600 participants. Panelists included: The Nigerian project chairman, PDG Kola Owoka; Project staff, Zainab Mohammad Pawa, Chief Midwife Robert Zinser, Dolapo Lufadeju and gynecologist Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, of University Teaching Hospital Kano. During the workshop RI President, D.K. Lee, was awarded the RFPD Nafis Sadik Award for Courage and responded with inspiring acceptance comments. Dr. Galadanci and Zainab Mohammad Pawa were awarded Paul Harris Fellows for their work.

2. Saheli Centers-Women Helping Women: The 90-minute workshop informed Rotarians about RFPD's successful and expanding Saheli Centers for Women in India. There are now 28 Saheli Centers in the northern states of Bihar and Jkarhand that provide vocational training, education and reproductive health for women and girls. The success of these projects was displayed, along with expansion goals and information on how Rotarians can sponsor additional Saheli Centers. Over 100 Rotarians and guests attended and participated in this exciting workshop.

3. Promotion of Child Health by Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV: Dolapo Lufadeju, Robert Zinser, midwife Zainab Mohammad Pawa and Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, member of Nigerian PMTCT task team, explained how Rotary promotes Child Health by PMTCT. Dr. Michael Rabbow, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, CD Communications, Ingelheim, Germany presented the donation program used in this project. Brian Reid of OraSure Technologies introduced HIV tests employing oral fluid instead of blood. RFPD shared its expertise of PMTCT with some 250 attendees.