The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee’s Ninety Second Gift to Rotary
 
As Chair of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, I am given the opportunity to promote that part of my life I call Rotary to the world in forty-five to ninety seconds. As Rotarians we change people’s lives and give them hope where there is none. Many times in order to achieve our goals we must find a way to have people of different backgrounds sit down at the table and negotiate a safe environment for our volunteers to work. This year’s entry will highlight Rotary’s efforts to create a more peaceful world.
 
Since Rotary returned to the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1980, the New Year’s Day pageant has become a highlight on the Rotary calendar. Seen in Pasadena by over 700,000 people, television coverage of the floral extravaganza reaches about 80 million more around the world, providing Rotary with the valuable opportunity to showcase our programs and activities.
 
“Be A Gift To The World” will be RI President, Ravi Ravindran’s theme for this year. The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee is a gift to Rotary. Although the float is not a project of Rotary International, the success of the float is a tribute to the dedication of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee consisting of volunteer Rotarians from across North America. Our efforts, supported entirely by voluntary financial contributions from Rotary clubs across the United States and Canada, 2016 will make this the 37th consecutive entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee is proud to provide this Rotary recognition campaign tool as a gift to Rotary International and the 1.2 million Rotarians who dedicate our lives to making a positive difference in that place someone calls home.
 
Yours In Rotary Service,
Walt Stephens,
2016 Rotary Rose Parade
Float Committee Chair, 2016 Float