Oh, Vienna! (do you know the song by Ultravox? If not, find a second to look it up and hear us blur it out) The city of waltzes, cafés, and conversations that linger long after the last Fiaker (pun intended) was ordered. And what better place for the 3rd Meeting of 21! International Rotary Clubs to gather than this cultural crossroads, where Mozart once composed his music, and Rotarians now composed… a manifesto!
Omar and I met not just familiar faces but also new, enthusiastic ones, each carrying that unmistakable Rotary spark of “Service Above Self.” The highlights?
The start at a local Heurigen to kick-off and bond with fellow Rotarians,
An inspiring keynote from Prof. Jankowitsch on the values of Rotary,
A lively Bar Camp–style workshop, where ideas noted turned into workshop themes,
And the intention to strengthen the relationship and friendship between 21 clubs for the year to come, before our next conference in Rome in 2026
Group after group, we rolled up our sleeves and built the framework for Rotary’s next international chapter: from nurturing personal relationships and LinkedIn-powered networks, to turbo-charging brand awareness, to embracing our skills to make an impact.
We dreamed of AI-powered expertise marketplaces, multilingual club locators, and international projects that transcend borders. Communication, collaboration, and coffee: the holy trinity of the weekend!
And then came the manifesto: a shared commitment to grow, connect, and meet both online and off with one joint project binding us all. Because when Rotarians unite across time zones and tables, magic happens.
As we summarized our findings, we felt it: this wasn’t just another conference. It was a call to action, a shared rhythm, a Rotary waltz: three steps forward: fellowship, innovation, and impact.
Vienna, you’ve inspired us. Until the next meeting, auf Wiedersehen und Baba and keep the enthusiasm spinning! Until we meet again in Rome 2026.
By Omar & Alexandra B.