Banner Exchange - September 3rd

One of Rotary's vibrant traditions involves the exchange of club banners among its members. During meetings and district events, clubs proudly showcase their decorative banners, and Rotarians traveling to different countries often carry these banners to swap with the clubs they visit. These banners frequently feature symbols or images representing a club's town, region, or country. Some depict local cultural traditions or showcase artistic elements such as leatherwork, weaving, embroidery, or hand-painted designs, turning many banners into genuine works of art. The popularity of banner exchanges led the Rotary International Board of Directors to express concern in 1959 about the potential financial burden on clubs, urging members to "exercise discretion, moderation, and measured judgment in making provision for such exchanges." Despite these concerns, the tradition persists as a means for clubs to express friendship. Rotary's archives house around 20,000 banners, reflecting clubs' hometown pride and their connection to Rotary International.

Originally planned for Dubai, the 2027 Rotary International Convention will finally be held in Barcelona from June 26 to 30.

This strategic decision was taken due to the current geopolitical context in the Gulf region, in order to guarantee participants a peaceful, accessible and secure event.

This change illustrates Rotary’s ability to adapt to international challenges, while preserving the essentials: bringing together thousands of members from around the world around common values of service, friendship and peace.

Barcelona, an open, dynamic city with major infrastructure for large congresses, offers a particularly favorable setting to host this global event.

The Convention remains a key moment in Rotary life: inspiring conferences, intercultural exchanges, discoveries of humanitarian projects and celebration of collective impact.

In 2027, the Rotary community will therefore meet in Spain to continue its mission: to serve first and strengthen ties between peoples.