Join Our Rotary District 7980 First 3 Clubs Centennial Gala - April 26, 2017 Saturday, July 2, 2016 By Colin M. Gershon
It was 1917 and Rotary chartered its first three Rotary Clubs in our District: Waterbury, New London and New Haven. Please join us as we, the clubs we have sponsored, and the clubs they sponsored, celebrate with an extravagant gala in the grand ballroom of the Omni Hotel at Yale in New Haven on the evening of April 26, 2017. SAVE the Date!
Rotary International President John Germ of Chattanooga will lead the entourage of Rotary officers coming to New Haven to join in the celebration. And if you haven’t heard Yale’s acclaimed Whiffenpoofs, currently on a European tour, this is an event not to be missed. The “Whiffs” will entertain in white tie and tails; for guests, black tie optional.
RI President John Germ & Yale’s Whiffenpoofs to Attend
We invite Rotarians and friends of Rotary from far and wide to join in the festivities!
RI President
John Germ
John F. Germ, a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, and former chair of the International PolioPlus Committee, is the President of RI in 2016-17.
For Rotary to thrive, Germ says, members must face current and future challenges and opportunities with "passion, enthusiasm, perseverance, and above all, integrity."
"I envision Rotary boldly and creatively engaging the success of polio eradication, membership and identity issues, strengthening clubs, work with youth – our future lifeblood, and the creation of critical, strategic partnerships," says Germ. "The 2016-17 Rotary year offers a tremendous opportunity for Rotary International and the Foundation partnership unified and thriving, on all levels, via the six areas of focus.
Yale’s acclaimed Whiffenpoofs
We have spent more than two years planning this event, and it is our wish that you have a very enjoyable evening. The following is some preliminary useful information in connection with the Gala that may be helpful to know in advance.
: Registration is now over 300 so we are encouraging carpooling by as many attendees as possible. There is underground parking under the Omni Hotel at the entrance of the hotel at 155 Temple Street. The underground garage is operated by ProParking, not the hotel. Special $12.00 discounted ProParking vouchers will be for sale when you check in at the Gala Welcome Desk on the second Floor. The normal price is $19.
In addition, you may park at the following nearby municipal parking garages:
Crown Street Garage at 213 Crown Street (take next right on to Crown Street after passing Omni entrance on Temple)
Temple Street Garage at 1 Temple Street (take left on second light on to George Street after passing Omni entrance on Temple)
Receptions: The Presidential and General Reception areas and Grand Ballroom are on the second floor of the hotel. You can either take an elevator or staircase to the second floor. At the Gala Welcome Desk on the second floor near the elevator area, each attendee will receive a packet containing a name tag on a lanyard, a meal ticket (if one has chosen the vegetarian option), a table assignment, and for those attending the General Reception, a beer or wine ticket for each attendee. Cashiers will be available for those at the general reception who wish to purchase a second glass of beer or wine or a mixed drink.
Those attending the Presidential Reception will have an open bar.
The Presidential Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and the General Reception begins at 6:00 p.m.
Both receptions will end at 6:45 p.m. at which time the Grand Ballroom will be opened for seating. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. when led by a procession of flags, several dignitaries and the three Centennial clubs will be entering the ballroom. We are asking all others not participating in that to be seated by 7:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email or at 203.782.7798 (o).
