Local Rotarian Joe Haynes recently presented a program on his trip to Taipei, Taiwan for the 2026 Rotary International Convention.
This was Haynes’ 13th time to attend a Rotary International Convention and his wife Nancy’s 12th time.
The Haynes flew from Houston to San Francisco and then on to Taipei where they got on a subway and headed to registration.
Some of the workshops presented at this year’s convention included topics such as water, health and sanitation. A lot of work has been done regarding the eradication of polio which presently only exists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The opening session was held in the Taipei Dome. He shared photos of some of the attendees, including one of the convention hosts from the United Kingdom and another convention host who was a local from Taipei.
He also shared video of some of the entertainment provided, including local dancers and musicians.
Haynes shared video of the flag ceremony which featured a band from Sicily, home of the outgoing president. The incoming president is from Nigeria and works in the oil and gas industry.
Attendance at this year’s Rotary International Convention was 38,000, up considerably from the 16,000 that attended last year in Calgary.
Joe and Nancy had the opportunity to attend and participate in several wine dinners that were arranged by a member of the Space Center Rotary Club in Houston. One was in a local Italian restaurant and another was in a Michelin star restaurant.
He said that Taipei, Taiwan is part of China and is a very modern, first world country.
Next year’s Rotary International Convention will be held in Barcelona.
