Seema Balwani - 2025 Rotary International Conference in Calgary

Seema Balwani 

Rotary Conference and Banff Experience

Seema Balwani shared her experience attending a Rotary conference in Calgary, where she visited Banff National Park and participated in various events. She described the opening ceremony, which included speeches from Rotary leaders and a performance by indigenous storytellers accompanied by a symphony. Seema noted the conference's large scale, with 16,000 attendees from around the world, and highlighted the opportunity to engage with people interested in different topics such as economic development and peace resolution.

AI Tools for Rotary Club

Seema shared her experience with AI, highlighting its potential benefits for Rotary Club activities. She discussed how AI can assist with tasks like drafting notes, summarizing policies, generating content, and creating social media posts. Seema emphasized the importance of providing specific instructions to AI and shared examples of creative outputs generated by the tool. She concluded that AI can serve as a helpful starting point for various projects, though human input is still necessary for finalization.

Rotary Convention Activities Overview

Seema described the various activities and exhibits at a Rotary Convention, including mini talks, club presentations, and a Friendship Area where attendees could interact with different groups. She highlighted the convention's vendor section offering Rotary-themed merchandise and mentioned the presence of fellowship groups focused on shared interests like tennis, tea, and home exchange. Seema also discussed the Economic Development session on microfinance and a group that provides emergency shelter kits for crises, emphasizing the long-term assistance these initiatives offer.

Rotary Peace Initiatives Overview

Seema shared her experience attending a Rotary convention event focused on peace initiatives and conflict resolution. She described various presentations and projects, including work against human trafficking and efforts to build libraries in communities. Seema was particularly moved by an evening vigil featuring survivors of sex trafficking who are now advocating for others, and she learned about a new peace poll initiative at Hilton Hotels. The event highlighted inspiring examples of Rotary's global impact, including a young Canadian girl who mobilized schools against human trafficking and a Vietnamese project in development.

Rotary Convention Experience and Insights

Seema shared her experience attending a Rotary convention in Calgary, describing the large scale of the event, the diverse attendance from around the world, and the positive atmosphere among participants. She highlighted the convention's website features, including the schedule tool that helped navigate the event, and recommended sending a group to future conventions for shared experiences and learning opportunities. Seema expressed interest in leading a group to the next convention, either in Minneapolis or another location, to benefit from collective feedback and housing arrangements.