Rotary will be attempting to set two records during the BridgeClimb at the Sydney convention.

By Mark Maloney, chair of the Sydney Convention Committee and a member of the Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, USA

We’ve put a lot of effort this year into giving you a chance to serve alongside fellow Rotary members from around the globe during the 2014 Rotary International Convention in Sydney 1-4 June. I’m excited to share some of those opportunities with you, and looking forward to seeing how members get engaged by actively getting involved.

Labyrinth for Literacy
You can begin your service experience by donating one or more new children’s books to the Labyrinth for Literacy, a wonderful project that will be set up in the Billabong House of Friendship, inside The Dome at Sydney Showground. Bring children’s books in your native language, or purchase a book at the project booth from Scholastic, and you’ll be promoting reading for Aboriginal and needy children in New South Wales and Queensland. Local Rotarian volunteers will be leading convention attendees in building a labyrinth out of the donated books, which will then be distributed to schools and hospitals to benefit the children.

Stop Hunger Now
The opportunities continue at the Service Opportunities Exhibition, a new feature we were able to add this year thanks to the excellent facilities at Sydney Olympic Park. In the Howie Complex, you will be able to pack meals for Stop Hunger Now and learn more about Rotary’s involvement in disaster relief with ShelterBox.

Make History Today walk
You can help us raise awareness for polio eradication by participating in the Stop Polio Now—Make History Today 3K Walk on Saturday morning, 31 May. We will be drawing attention to the need to end this crippling disease while walking through the beautiful surroundings of Sydney Olympic Park and Bicentennial Park. Register at http://www.bigstickadventures.com/rotary/.

Bridge Climb
You can also support our polio eradication efforts by joining us in attempting to break two world records during the BridgeClimb Friday morning, 30 May. We will be attempting to establish a new record for most climbers on the bridge at one time and most flags flown on the bridge. Half of the climb fees will be donated by BridgeClimb to PolioPlus.

This year’s convention is an opportunity for you to change lives and take part in Rotary service like never before. Join your fellow Rotary members from around the world in Sydney as we Engage Rotary, Change Lives.

• Register now to experience a Rotary convention Down Under
• Learn more about the opportunities to serve at the convention
• Read more posts about this year’s convention