Report from Russia: First Russian Rotary International District

June 18, 2006

Dear CCI and PEP Supporters,

Yesterday was a historic day for Russian Rotarians - RI District 2220, the first purely Russian-led, Rotary District was been born. It includes all of Western Russia and Urals to Ekaterinburg (where 90% of Russians live). I'm not sure of the boundaries, but saw numbers of our PEP Rotarians from Ekaterinburg at the Conference, so it's clear that the capital of the Urals is included.

Some 400 Rotarians gathered to celebrate this turning point in their lives, along with Rotarians from 20 other countries. Heretofore Western Russia was carved up and put under two Rotary Districts: Finland and Sweden. However good and great a sponsor is, nothing is so sweet as being one's own master. Finns, Swedes, Russians and Americans have been working together toward this day.

A Russian Federation Conference Center, formerly a Soviet elite getaway, was rented in the woods outside of Moscow. Apparently anyone can get rooms there as one of our number went through a tourist agency for his ticket - and other non-bureaucratic looking Russian couples were in the hotel. But it's floors were dominated by energetic Rotarians who have eagerly awaited this day.

A Russian driver (and Rotarian) picked me up from the Petersburg overnight train and had a difficult time finding this place, making us a bit late. Walking in and seeing the huge Rotary banners, and a flood of PEP faces was a treat to remember forever. I hadn't a clue who would be present, and to find faces from southern, northern and east-to-the Urals Russia was a huge celebration in itself. Then familiar American Rotarian faces began to come out of the crowd. I ran into Jim Aneff, CCI's volunteer national coordinator, unexpectedly as I entered the main hall. It was like "old home" week with an international flair. Excitement prevailed throughout the crowded reception area. Walls and tables were decked out with photo boards of Russian Rotary projects, Rotaract activities, exchanges with other countries, etc. It would have made any of you Rotarians reading this account, feel proud and delighted to see what has happened since they left your US clubs, having been exposed to Rotary for the first time.

Music started and we made our way into a large hall with theatre seating (perhaps for 500 persons). A quick visual for you: there was the typical elevated stage with "Rotary blue" covering the presidium table holding seats for honored guests. Thick red curtains were pulled back to reveal a huge screen with Rotary Internal emblems showing. A podium stood to the left for presenters. At the table was the current Rotary International President, the current District Governors of Finland and Sweden and several other dignitaries. At once the Russian anthem filled the auditorium and brought all to their feet. In the background Powerpoint scenes showed today's Russia from Russian Rotarians' perspective. Slides revealed everything from their historic monuments, to the new private sectors, their president, their Rotary projects, children of the country at play, renovations going on, and the faces of Russians hard at work - both professionals and the laboring class. It was their time to remind themselves and those of us from other countries, who and what Russia is today. I stood by so proud of them, having seen them come such a long way since first coming here in 1983.

As the music faded away, Andrei Danilenko, the first District Governor of Western Russia's 2220 District, took the podium. Andrei, about 35 years old, is truly bi-cultural and of course, bi-lingual. He began events in both languages and introduced RI President for remarks. Andrei was officially given the title of District Governor (DG) of 2220 and presented with the appropriate Rotary emblems and ribbons amid much fanfare and warm hugs. He then gave a rousing acceptance speech.

It was a great moment in the hall, with seemingly everyone present in complete agreement that Andrei is the man of the hour - the one capable of giving his huge Rotary District, the modeling needed for incoming DGs in the future - this first DG is so very important to set the right tone. VIPs at the head table continued in line speaking of the remarkable work the spread-out Rotary clubs have accomplished and how Rotary is spreading even into small lesser known cities and towns. Frank Develin, Rotary International icon, spoke to the crowd via video. The Finns and Swedes graciously handed over leadership to Andrei. It was a magnificent start of a new day for Russia's Rotary movement. (I won't cover remarks because I assume they will be available if you wish them.)

Meal times provided the expected excellence in music and dance from Russian performers, Rotarians from 20 countries mixed with great hoopla. The meeting of club members from different parts of Russia demonstrated that in Rotary there are no barriers between Rotarians. They respect, listen to and learn from each other. Tables were a buzz with discussions about projects in common. Openness and pride in being Rotarians was the rule of the day.

I want to turn to the magic in the halls and corridors. Greensboro, North Carolina's Mike Sigmon, walked down the hall and ran into a PEP Fellow who immediately cried out, "MIKE! I'm Rotarian now, thanks so much for sponsoring us in the US!" Mike recognized him immediately as one of the Russians hosted in his home, and of course by his Rotary club. Later the Russian said, "Mike, today is my birthday - seeing you is the best birthday present I could ever have!"

A lovely young woman approached me saying, "I'm from Ulyansk Rotary club and I want to tell you that CCI and PEP is the salvation of our business people. I am your CCI 'point person' (meaning she works as a PEP spotter for one of our Russian offices), and I can say that PEP is changing our entrepreneurs. Our Rotary club is active in all spheres of Rotary and our members are dedicated to Rotary and to American people." Later she and several of her Rotary members finally got a "Yes" that I would come to their city before the year is out. The enthusiastic faces and voices of this group could never be forgotten - although none had been met before they introduced themselves. Many thanks to all of you who have hosted PEP Fellows from Ulyansk! Apparently you've made a huge difference - more after visiting there in the autumn.

The amazingly active Ekaterinburg club (11 in attendance at this installation) passed out impressive publications (printed in both languages) demonstrating their large service projects. This much sought-after Rotary club, has started a process for entrance into their club to make sure that Ural applicants will be serious members. First they must come to the club, attend meetings for six months, during which time they must prove themselves worthy of the goals of Rotary's service before self, work in charity projects, and pay their dues. Those who comply with these standards are initiated into full membership. Rotarians from other cities complained that they couldn't survive with such a heavy requirement. Ekaterinburg Rotarians listened silently. I knew, and they knew, that they have made their Urals club so dynamic, so busy with service projects, so inspiring and fun, that returning PEP Fellows do whatever they request to join their ranks - thus the secret to growing membership.

From the moment of arriving until leaving the conference to catch night train back to Petersburg, Russian Rotarians were coming up with gratitude to you, thanks to the American clubs that opened their minds to Rotary, the American families that became their beloved "Moms and Pops," and their desires to see you again - to let you know what has happened as a result of their US experience.

It's impossible for us to interview all of these alumni. If any of you wish to travel here and help interview these delegates, let us put you on a delegation and send you to various cities to get their responses yourself. It will be a great help to us - and a memory that will be with you the rest of your lives.

Many thanks again for all you have contributed to the development of civil society here in Russia. This was all a by-product we didn't expect when we began seeking out U.S. Rotary clubs to help us bring these delegations to US companies! And thanks to the U.S. Department of State for their financial sponsorship until 2004! It's been a win-win for the Russians and all of us!

Best wishes from the land of "white nights",

Sharon Tennison
President

FYI - Western Russia's first DG, Andrei Danilenko, was reared as a Russian boy here in Moscow by an American Mom, Paula Garb, who chose to come to the USSR to live, I believe, in the late 60's. She and two sons were educated here and lived their lives as Soviet citizens. I met the family in 1983. We self-styled "citizen diplomats" were in and out of the Garb/Danilenko home every time we came to the USSR. Andrei, then about 12 years old, explained his country as he experienced it, to perhaps thousands of Americans searching for answers about this "inscrutable" society in which he was being raised. Andrei has remained a dedicated patriot of Russia, a deeply committed bridge between the US and Russia, and an excellent educator on the complex problems faced by Russia today as it travels the road toward reforms, both to address the ills of the communism era and also the oligarch era of the 90s. Needless to say, I wouldn't have missed Andrei's installation as the first District Governor of a purely Russian Rotary District for anything!