21 Jan. 1944 To Club Presidents na Secretaries The News Letter From the R. |. Secretariat (Central Office) 35 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago |, Ill., U.S. A. No. 14—1943-44 1944 International Conference at Chicago May 15-18, 1944 Since Rotary clubs everywhere are working vigorously in the prose- cution of the war to a speedy and successful conclusion and in the establishment of a firm foundation for the peace that is to follow, the annual meeting of Rotary Interna- tional has been streamlined to fit the exigencies of the world-wide war conditions. The conference program will ex- clude entertainment features, banquets and receptions. It will be strictly a working conference, lim- ited as nearly as possible to delegates only, for the purpose of electing officers and the consideration of necessary legislation. Because of the difficulties of transportation and hotel facilities, the attendance of ladies is not encouraged. The pro- gram of the conference will be de- voted to the twin goals of intensify- ing the Rotary program of service in wartime and planning for the post-war era following victory. Because of greatly increased trans- portation difficulties at Omaha, where it was originally scheduled, the 1944 international conference will be held in Chicago—the dates, May 15 to 18. All arrangements for this conference will be in conform- ity with plans suggested by the United States Government for war- time meetings. Hotel facilities in Chicago will be limited and will be allotted by zone to Rotarians in the order of receipt of requisitions. Conference head- quarters will be in The Stevens hotel and practically all conference activ- ities will be centered in that hotel. To the Rotary Club of Omaha, for its graciousness in postponing its role as Rotary’s host, and to the Rotary Club of Chicago, for agree- ing to serve as conference host at this late date, the board of directors and the international conference committee express their deep appreciation. Charles L. Wheeler, President Rotary International Stanley Long, Chairman R. I. 1944 Conference Committee Today’s Service Story - Louie Hersig, 100% attender for more than 30 years at the Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin, sells hundreds of washing machines each year. At times he takes in used machines as part payment, sending them to his shop for re- conditioning. Then, through the. visiting nurses association, or the churches, he learns of some un- fortunate widow who still uses the old fashioned washboard method of washing and presents her with a rebuilt washer, in- stalled with instructions as to how to use it. Louie’s firm has 22 former em- ployees serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, in all parts of the world, and he deposits $25.00 per month to the account of each of them. When I complimented him on these two generous acts, Louie replied: “You can’t take it with you.” Phil Vice Presidents of R.I. With the death of Second Vice President Sinclair J. McGibbon, Third Vice President Harry C. Bulkeley of Abingdon, Ill., U.S.A., has succeeded to the office of second vice president. The board of directors of R.I. has elected Director Harold W. McKiel of Sackville, N.B., Canada, as third vice president. Vice President Bulkeley is a senior active member of his club. He has been president of the American Sanitary Manufacturing Company since 1918, and for many years has been prominent in the civic, finan- cial and trade association affairs of his city. Vice President McKiel’s classifica- tion is “education — mechanical © engineering” and he is dean of the Science Faculty of Mt. Allison Uni- versity and temporarily acting as assistant to the president. He has served as president of a number of important engineering associations and chemistry institutes, and has been active in war savings, war service and salvage campaigns. New R.I. Director Rotarian J. M. A. Ilott, governor director of the advertising agency of J. Hott, Ltd., G.P.O. Box 1491, Wel- lington, C.I., New Zealand, has been elected director of R.I. for the re- mainder of 1943-44, vice Director _ McGibbon, deceased. John Ilott has served as president of his club and as governor of his district. At present he holds sev- eral important war appointments, among them, chairmanship of the National Savings Committee, and deputy chairmanship of the Na- tional Council for the Reclama- tion of Waste Material. John was chairman of the Joint War Loan Executive in Wellington, which played an important part in raising New Zealand’s record loan of almost £40,000,000. For the Son of a Soldier Killed in Action As a tribute to the memory of one of its members who died in the serv- ice of his country, the Rotary Club of Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, has set up a fund, in war saving certificates, for the education of his son who is now seven years old. Rotary HE a Glance 5,129 Rotary Clubs 218,500 Rotarians (Of these, 98 clubs with 3,000 members in war-affected countries are inactive) 76 New Clubs in 20 Countries Since July 1, 1943 Effective December 31, 1943, the Board of Directors of R.I. terminated the member- ships in Rotary International of 116 Rotary clubs in war-affected countries which were being carried on the roll of member clubs of R.I. These clubs were in Burma, Feder- ated Malay States, Guam, Hong Kong, Borneo, Celebes, Java, Sumatra, Philippine Islands, Sarawak, Straits Settlements, Thai- land, Occupied China, and Northern Occu- pied France. One club in Egypt—the Rotary Club of Pert Said—was also terminated.