Speaker: Maureen McKinley
The Tournament of Roses has come a long way since its early days. The Rose Parade’s elaborate floats now feature high-tech computerized animation and exotic natural materials from around the world. Although a few floats are still built exclusively by volunteers from their sponsoring communities, most are built by professional float building companies and take nearly a year to construct.
This week comments: 129, this week visitors: 87
I did not realize the strong connection between Rotary and the Tournament of Roses. It's connections like this that make you extra proud to be a Rotarian.
The talk on the Future Vision Plan and included exampes was informative. I also enjoyed the program on the Rose Parade.
I look forward to seeing our float each year and hope to help put it together in the future.
I knew about the Rotary float in the Rose Parade but I enjoy learning about the history. I do hope to be in Pasadena one year between Christmas and New Year because I would love to see all those floats in real, and who know maybe I could even help put some final touches on the Rotary one ;-)
This was a fantastic program . . . makes one want to volunteer to decorate next years float!
As a California girl, the Rose parade was always an exciting event to watch and participate in - including taking tours after. This is a terrific way for Rotary to get the message out!
I attended my local Rotary meeting at Bricktown Club in Oklahoma City
The Rotary Floats have been so creative over the years! What a great way to respresent Rotary!
Loved it. Rose Parade is such a tradition! Always enjoy watching for the Cal Poly float and Rotary!
Great program about the history of the Tournament of Roses parade.
I'm in for $100 this year as a donation to the next year's rose parade float. Does anyone want to match?
Always watch this parade. Didn't know of Rotary's long history with it!
Always watch this parade. Didn't know of Rotary's long history with it!
Loved learning more about Rotary's involvement in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
I saw the Rose Parade in 2000 and it is still one of my memorable moments. Thank you for refreshing that memory.
A very interesting program. I learned so much about the parade that I never knew.
It never fails to amaze me that everything you see on a Rose Parade float is organic (including the people!) One of these years I'll just have to get myself to Pasadena to see them live and in person. It's great publicity for Rotary and a fun way to promote the service Rotarians perform worldwide. Thanks for a great program, Maureen.
I am very pleased that the Rotary Minute specifically mentioned the Concentrated Language Encounter (CLE) program, as my club, the Rotary Club of Marikina North, actually started this long-term project in Metro Manila, Philippines!
Some stories to share......
The get together in Prescott was fantastic. If I may add to Jim's report. We came from the Phoenix metro area, Prescott, Los Angeles metro, someplace in Utah (sorry Doreen, I just remember the 9hour drive you made) and of course the farthest away award goes to Francoise coming from France.
I usually watch/glance at the Rose Parade just long enough to see the Rotary float and then I'm off. My son and his (who is from Japan), came home for Christmas from Germany where my son teaches. My daughter in law was just enthralled with the Parade and as a result of that I too sat their the whole parade. Of course I pointed out the Rotary float.
Lastly, the article on a Polio Free year in India. Last week, ABC TV reporter Bill Weir interviewed Bill Gates about is philanthropy, particularly to world health. The question was from Weir to Gates went something like this: How did you eliminate Polio in India.....Gates gave an answer and again did not acknowledge Rotary and the work it had done. True, some of it was because of his donations and the fact that he has even participated in an immunizaion day, but the foundation was laid long before he came on board. GO ROTARY!
What a treat to get behind the scenes of building these gorgeous floats. They truly are a labor of love. I can ony imagine the amount of work involved to turn out these wonderful pieces of art. It was especially fun to see some of the earlier Rotary floats.
My husband and I have volunteered to help the local Interact Club decorate the Rotary Rose Parade Float over the last few years. While this last year I had to work, my husband was able to attend again. You truly get an appreciation of Service Above Self when you see what goes into these floats and all the volunteers who put them together. Great Job Rotary - you get the word out to millions through one little float decorated by volunteers and future Rotarians!! That's what I call Service Above Self!
It was very interesting to learn both about the history of the Tournament of Roses beginning in 1890 and the many beautiful floats entered by Rotarians- I especially liked 2008, "Inching toward the end of Polio."
I love the inspirational thought of Yesterday and Tomorrow.
What a great program to learn about the history of the Tournament of Roses Parade. It was nice to see Rotary's rich history in the parade.
Maureen, this is a wonderful program - thanks for the personal stories and pictures!
Great presentation, reminds me of the radio personality, Paul Harvey, and "The Rest of the Story"
Fascinating, charming ,creative these are the words that spring to mind at the end of Maureen's presentation .
I am green of envy… I wish I could have been in the reunion in Phoenix with part of this beautiful Club, but there will be better times. Thanks for the “The Rose Parade” history and the Rotary participation.
Estoy verde de envida… como deseo haber estado en la reunión en Phoenix con una parte de este hermoso Club, pero habrá mejores tiempos. Gracias por la historia del Desfile de las Rosas y la participación de Rotary en el mismo.
Interesting program!
I had a wonderful weekend with members visiting my wonderful town of Prescott and Prescott Valley last weekend. Thank you all for attending and also for coming in via skype as well. Look forward to the information about a PETS Party in Scotsdale early March. I will post this in the Forum soon.
Better than ours!
loved the video of the Rose parade
Thank you Maureen! I never heard about this Rose Parade...the communication is not so good through the world! We have almost the same in France ( see the link) and we also know that everybody in the world have heard about this great event!
Maureen, wow thank you for the great program and I had no idea you and your father were so instrumental in the Rose Parade floats - how cool!!! Love the report on the club social in Prescott and so looking forward to meeting EVERYONE at the District Conference.
WOW! Great effort to show the World Rotary"s great deeds and acomplishments.
Thanks Maureen! It was very interesting to hear the history of the parade I've often whatched since I was a child, but not yet in person - someday!
It was great to see/meet everyone at the Saturday evening gathering in Prescott.
I love the Tournament of Roses Parade and I love that Rotary is dedicated to sharing its message through flowers!
Great meeting - loved the inspirational comments, and the historice Rotary float photos in the Rose Parade were wonderful.
As always, I enjoyed the program. The humourous story reminded me of a "I love Lucy" episode.
Great program. I did not realize Rotary was so involved in the Rose Parade. It is a wonderful event. I had the opportunity to see it first hand in 1989 and my wife and I still talk about it.
Thank you!
Terrific inspirational thought.
Always great to attend an e-meeting with you. Thanks
Thank you for providing the opportunity to makeup.
The Rose Parade program was very interesting. I did not know that rotary had a float in the parade.
Thank you for sharing Hawaii and the inspirational thought, There Are Two Days.
I enjoyed attending my first meeting. Thank you for providing this opportunity to attend meetings when we are traveling and away from our home club.
Always enjoyable!
Having grown up in So. Cal., it was interesting to get the history and Rotary involvement of the Rose Parade! Thanks!
I thoroughly enjoyed this meeting and hope to visit you again in the future! Happy belated birthday to your member, Frank Longoria, a former member of our club...Nance Griffin, Marble Falls Noon Rotary Club.
NO
I love what Rotary is doing around the World and proud to be a part of this group!
Has Rotary saved any of the network coverage as the float comes into view? Would make for a great marketing campaign
Great program
Great program about the Tournament of Roses. A phenomenal amount of effort goes into putting the parade together. Good to know some of its history
Beautiful Pictures!
I tried to register my attendance the first time, and this time I guess I was able to do that. I appreciate this service!
I loved the inspirational thought. So meaningful!!!
Anita _ After visiting this site for three weeks I am begining to feel like a member. It has been a pleasure to do make ups with you and I will certianly return in the future. Your programs are informative and well written. I did,t know all the history of Rotary in the Rose Parade although I did know that we participated. Thanks for an interesting morning.
I've contributed to the Tournament of Roses float, but after this week's program, I realized that I knew virtually nothing about the committee, the process, etc, and had never realized how intricate, how beautiful the floats actually are!
Maureen .. what a wonderful history of Rotary's involvement with the Rose Parade, and many kudos to you personally for your sustained effort over the years. What an honor to have been selected as the Chair of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee. Bet not many of our members new about that. Again, a great program and a pleasure to have you in our eClub.Mel
Thanks for the Rotary Minute on the sustainability of various projects.
The Rose Parade! Interesting history and Rotary involvement.
Finally, sure wish I could have been at with you all in AZ. The pictures of you all! Wonderful!
What a year - $200 million; Polio Free India. It's also a Guinea Worm free year thanks to the Carter Center. Keep up the good work.
I like the reading about two days. Yesterday should be something for us to learn from and use it to better ourselves to have a beter tomorrow. But if our tomorrow doesnt turn out like we wished we also should learn to accept what is not in our hands.
I asttended the parade in 1957 when it went down Colorado Blvd while I attended PCCC
Great meeting.
Thanks for a great e-meeting. I loved the inspirational thought : Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control, Live one day at a time!
Having attended the Rose Parade and having had a great seat with the then Grand Marshal, President Ford, I thought I had the best Rose Parade experience of all...but now I thnk if I'm ever in Pasadena, at the right time, it would be an even better experience helping make the float! Great program!
Great Program. Loved the history of the Rotary parade floats. Thank you.
Most interesting; I always learn something at the "emeeting"
Thanks,Bill Beagles
Wonderful history of the Rose Parade and Rotary's involvement
Fascinating account of the Tournament of Roses parade and Rotary's involvement in it. Having lived near New York for most of my life I thought the preparations for the Macy's Thanksgiving parade were intricate--but the Tournament of Roses parade makes it seem run-of-the-mill by comparison.
Very interesting! I always knew there was a lot of hard work involved having spent some formative years in Mobile, the "Home of Mardi Gras." (I'll hear about that from New Orleans!) However, I was not familiar with the grueling schedule nor with Rotary's contributions over the years.
Thanks for the great material and cheers to all the reasons to be a rotarian
Thank you for the opportunity to attend your meeting. It provides a weath of information and thought provoking articles. I particularily enjoyed the history of Rotary's participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Great meeting as always. I always enjoy the Inspirational thoughts and this one of the two days is excellent. Thank you
What a neat story about the Rotary floats. I will surely share the story with my club members in Council Bluffs. Thank you, Rita
Very interesting anf timely topics.
Congratulations to all of our fellow Rotarians on reaching the $200 million milestone! It is truly inspirational to be part of an organization that has played and continues to play such a pivotal role in the eradication of Polio!
When I see the Rotary mark, anywhere in the world, regardless of event, it symbolizes my home, a world without boundaries.
get a spoon.......love it
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Rose Parade and Rotary's participation. I am embarrassed to say that despite living so many years in Southern California, I have yet to see the parade from the streets of Pasadena. It was always easier to sit in pajamas in a warm living room watching it on television. While a very new Rotarian, I volunteered with my terra club to work on the 2011 Rose Parade Float for RI. The float was a group of Teddy Bears in different costumes from around the world. Going to the warehouses where the floats are constructed is incredible! My job on the RI float was to glue on black nori sheets to be the black portions of the bear's eyes and noses. Being up twenty feet in the air on a scaffold gluing was a bit unnerving, but I had a blast! If you're in SoCal, definitely volunteer to help construct the float.They're beautiful!I was also glad to read the Inspirational Thought. Many times we spend so much time looking backwards that we squander the present. As someone once told me, you can't steer a boat by looking back at where it has been. Make the best of the days we have, and make them count!Lastly, the gathering in Prescott was amazing. Franciose was kind enough to write what I spoke during our eight hour drive back to Los Angeles to describe the experience. I am so proud to be a part of Rotary, and especially a part of this incredible group. I stood amazed at the projects accomplished, including the warmth and camaraderie of the members. I had to laugh on Saturday night during the festivities when thinking back to something said by my former terra club members "So, being an eClub, there isn't much fellowship, is there?" On the contrary! The eClub fellowships, and does it well!Thanks for such a great meeting and program!
The Rotarian from Phoenix catured the essence of Rotaary in just one weekend.
The tournament of roses article was great with all the pictures of the floats
Great Program. Thank you
I like to see the pictures
Excellent online meeting format and program. Especially like the flow similar to an in person attendence.
Thank you for allowing me to participate with you rgreat club.
Quite refreshing!!!
1-23-2012
Today’s presentation on the Pasadena Rose Parade was great! As a boy growing up in Southern California the Rose Parade was always a well-anticipated event. The historic details, the Rotary participation in the parade over the years, and the thoughtful invitation to a behind-the-scenes tour of the float construction make this a great presentation. It’s nice to be reminded that the message of Rotary’s Service Above Self can and should be delivered through active participation within our own communities no matter the specific form!
I read the comments and reports about the weekend of fellowship with great interest. Pleased to read that everyone had fun. Wish I could have been there.
Donna Fleshman
I loved the "live for today" quote
Thanks
Thank you! I was born and raised in Pasadena, so the Rose Parade holds a special place in my heart.
I am a relatively new member of Rotary Club. As I mentioned during my short induction speech, becoming a member is like dejavu. I used to assist administer the polio vaccine in the jungles of Indo China in my youthful years, and to be with Rotary fighting the same battle (a winning one this time) brings a feeling of satisfaction. Like a boxer facing the same opponent again... this time you know you are going to win. Thank you for accepting me. ---Jose A. Manzon IV, Rotary Club Guam Sunrise, District no. 2750---
Great option as a make up.
Maureen, I have always wondered how this magical parade of flowers came into being, how it was put together, and who served to make this a world event. Now we know and how much you were a part of your father's dream. Congratulations on your "Service Above Selt".
Having just arrived home from Oahu's North Shore and the Pipeline Surfing Tournamet I have not seen the pictures from last week's meeting yet. It was quite wonderful to meet Curt & Rene at Sunset Beach for a 5 minture stop on their tour of the island. We 4 recognized each other right away even though we had not seen each other in person before. So, we had eClub fellowship in Hawaii....3 couples, 3 islands and Aloha!
Always an interesting and informative program.
I had the opportunity to work on the RI float in about 1997 when I was President of my terra club. It was a great experience. Keith Marsh RECSWUSA
I loved the article about yesterday, today and tomorrow! A great reminder that we should live each day as it's own. Worrying won't change what has happened or what is going to happen!
Often watch the Parade when in LA. GReat floats and super comments from our watching group - keep it up
Maureen,
I was so excited to here about your involvement in the Rose Parade with the Rotary Floats. Watching the Parade is one of my favorite annual activities and this year my granddaughter and I watched it together.
Great program! Thanks
Great article on the Rose Parade.
WHEW except for two typos, I hope everyone enjoyed the program. It is my passion to promote RI!
The rose parade floats are a beautiful way to symbolize the Rotary Club.
Excellent presentations. You are offering a good alternative to not going to todays meeting ( ina snow storm )
My wife and I make up traditionally in Awatukee Rotary Club when in AZ.
Thank you for sharing the Inspirational Thought:
There are two days; Author Unknown
Great presentation, proud to have Maureen as an RGHF member. She will be joining other RGHF members at our dinner and breakfast in Bangkok. www.rghf.org/event
Wow, Rotary and Roses. Thank you, Maureen, for your service! Helping on the 2013 float sounds like a great club project.
I knew these floats took lots of work, but I had no idea just how much. Thanks for sharing this remarkable public relations effort. And, great programs come from our own membership. A "first person personal" experience that transfers to all of us and inspires us to reach out and do more.
Excellent work you people are doing
