The weekend of April 29 to May 1, 2011 the clubs of Rotary District 5100 held their annual Conference at the Seaside Convention Center. District 5100 is comprised of clubs in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon, totaling 75 clubs.

The registration and participation of 507 Rotarians and 147 Youth Exchange, Interact and Rotaract young people made this the best attended conference in recent memory. In addition to the conference activities for club members, Rotarians and those in the Rotary youth programs from around the district participated in community projects in Seaside. Among these community projects were painting the Head Start classrooms, preparation of Community Gardens for planting and beach clean up.

To add even more texture to the weekend, Rotary’s deep and continuing commitment to international peace and the development of our youth were demonstrated in two very challenging activities for the youth participants in the conference. Wednesday, 4/27, 93 youth from around the world and the USA participated in a speech contest where they spoke about what the international theme “Building Communities and Bridging Continents” meant to them.

Also, Friday, 4/29, a youth talent show demonstrated again the hope and leadership potential our youth bring to the future of the world. The Rotary Youth Exchange, Interact and Rotaract programs continue to build understanding between countries, one person at a time.