Rotary Float in Tournament of Roses Parade
Celebrating this year's float, themed "All the Places We Go", are Rotarian leaders and dignitaries from the Tournament of Roses
We are in the home stretch! December 1 was our first float decorating day, check out the pictures on our construction photographs page. We still need everyone’s help to raise the final funds to pay for the float. With your efforts, I know that we will end the year in the black. Please continue to encourage your fellow Rotarians, clubs and districts to make a generous donation. Click the Donate button for further information.
It is an honor to serve as the chair for creating the 2013 Float promoting Rotary. Note the phrasing - this is not a project of Rotary International - the float is developed by the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc. This important media effort is totally funded by Rotarians, their clubs and Districts from all over the US and Canada.
I have to pay tribute to what we call the Southern 7. They are the 7 districts comprising southern California and southern Nevada. These Districts have several benefits and obligations. They commit to raise at least $3.00 per member. Some through their club’s generosity provide much more. They also provide volunteers – fellow Rotarians – to help the Committee raise funds, design and build the float and most importantly publicize the float. And, they have the honor of appointing a float rider or outwalker.
The efforts of the Southern 7 only fund a portion of the total budget. Please join us and help fund this moving billboard. Help us tell the Rotary story to a live parade audience of over 700,000, a U.S. television audience of 40 million and an estimated 300 million worldwide viewers.
For the second year, a RI president will be riding on the float. Let me tell you we work our President’s hard during their New Year’s visit. In addition to riding on the float, the president attends a dinner to personally thank the Rotary Rose Parade Float committee and our major donors. The RI president personally visits the float and thanks the Interactors, Rotaractors, Rotarians and friends for their hard work as decorators. In addition, the president attends a special breakfast hosted by the Committee for the Presidents of the four service clubs involved in the parade where they meet and discuss common issues confronting service organizations.
The real story of Rotary is told through our float participants. They represent the finest in Rotary. We have 16 participants riding or walking along side the float. Please take a moment to read their bios at the Float Riders and Outwalkers link. Many of them have travelled worldwide participating in important Rotary service programs.
The Tournament of Rose Parade theme for 2013 is “Oh, the places you’ll Go.” President Tanaka’s theme is “Peace Through Service.” We chose as our float theme “All the Places We Go” because through the travels and service by Rotarians, we truly promote “Peace Through Service.”
I hope you agree with me that this is effort is vital and you will contribute generously.
Thank you,
John H. Brainerd, Chair
2013 Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee
USA and Canadian Multi-District Committee
Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 92502
Pasadena, CA 91109-2502
chair@rotaryfloat.orgChairman's February letter to website visitors
Chairman's July letter to website visitors
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Phoenix Decorating Company
Float Builder for 2013
