15th IIW İSTANBUL CONVENTION

15th IIW İstanbul Convention was organized by District 242 and 244 on April 17-21, 2012 at Lütfi Kırdağ Convention Center in İstanbul, Turkey. The hard work of the organization and the successful arrangements were appreciated by 2000 participants, primarily by 2011-2012 IIW President Catherine Rafabert. The convention committee chairman ÜlküSomer, IIWBD Ayfer Çarkoğlu, National Representative Ayşegül Ünügür, District 242 Chairman Hülya Dağlı and District 244 Chairman Verda Yemişçi represented Turkey in vigor, solidarity and pride. The openning concert of the convention was ‘From Mehter to Mozart and Haydn’ performed by the symphonic orchestra conducted by İclal Kardiçalı from D.244 IWC Ege. The cachets, plane tickets and hotel expenses of the orchestra were covered by District 244. ‘The Song of Peace’ directed by Çiğdem Toksoy and sung by TRT children chorus was very much applauded. Aside from business sessions and folkloric performances, the participants were hosted on a boat trip on Bosphorus, dining at İstanbul Business Center Cemile Sultan Facilities, at Aya İrini Museum and at 1001 Poles Cisterns. The Gala night was organized at the Convention Center Ball Room with traditional garment show and live band playing dance music for the guests. The night was amiable and cheerful with all the participants dancing and enjoying the friendship, solidarity and the spirit of IW. The most important of all was the approval of 17th proposal which enables the membership of all women without a relationship to Rotary or IW. This will help IW to increase membership and charter new clubs ensuring a positive future for our organization. Bercis Kızıltan from D.244 IWC Ege, won a prize with her painting among 37, in the contest organized with the theme ‘Bridging two continents, East and West’. It was decided to help to rebuild an orphanage in Van, destroyed during the previous year’s earthquake with the donations and the revenue of the convention.