Norman's Ron Burton a rock star in the Rotary world
LISBON, Portugal — At the end of the 104th convention of Rotary International, incoming president Ron Burton and his wife, Jetta, were escorted away from the throng of wellwishers to a corner of the massive auditorium where a group of Oklahomans had VIP seating.
They wanted their photograph taken with the nearly 30 Oklahomans who waited patiently for the end of the final session and concert.
“Thank you all for coming so far,” Burton said. “This is really exciting for us.”
Local clubs represented included the Norman, Norman Sooner and Norman Crosstimbers clubs as well as Rotarians from Ada, Pauls Valley, Cyril, Purcell and Oklahoma City. Jetta Burton is a member and former president of the Norman Crosstimbers Rotary club.
LISBON, Portugal — At the end of the 104th convention of Rotary International, incoming president Ron Burton and his wife, Jetta, were escorted away from the throng of wellwishers to a corner of the massive auditorium where a group of Oklahomans had VIP seating.
They wanted their photograph taken with the nearly 30 Oklahomans who waited patiently for the end of the final session and concert.
“Thank you all for coming so far,” Burton said. “This is really exciting for us.”
Local clubs represented included the Norman, Norman Sooner and Norman Crosstimbers clubs as well as Rotarians from Ada, Pauls Valley, Cyril, Purcell and Oklahoma City. Jetta Burton is a member and former president of the Norman Crosstimbers Rotary club.
Earlier in the day, Oklahomans took to the convention stage with the Burtons to accept a presidential banner from the Rotary Club of Yashio, Japan, home club of 2012-2013 RI president Sakuji Tanaka. It will be displayed at Burton’s home club, the Norman Rotary Club.
The Burtons, both natives of Duncan who have been married 45 years, and their two children, the children’s spouses and three grandchildren were introduced to the audience of more than 20,000 by presidential aide Dr. Monty J. Audenart, a Canadian dentist who , along with his wife, Elizabeth, assist the Burtons in their presidential duties.
“In this coming year, he will inspire and motivate us to engage Rotary and change lives,” Audenart said, borrowing Burton’s chosen theme.
Burton, a Rotarian since 1979, said the four-day international convention was a chance to “see humanity at its best.” The diversity of languages, cultures and interests that come together in peace was inspiring, he said.
He said Rotary’s campaign to end polio began in 1986 when he was serving as a district governor for central and southwestern Oklahoma clubs. Through Rotary and other organization’s efforts, polio has been eradicated in all countries save for Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
Since 1986, more than 2 billion children have been immunized worldwide. The number of new cases in the three remaining countries is down 40 percent from 2012.
“It was truly unchartered territory for us then,” he said. “I guess you could say it has been more like a marathon than a sprint.”
Under Burton’s leadership, Rotary begins a new grants program that simplifies ways that clubs can solicit help from the Rotary Foundation. Those grants will include elements of sustainability, a theme brought home in sessions lead by Celine Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau and Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace.
“We’re going to do the most good for the most people that we possibly can,” Burton said. “At the end of the day, the lives you change most will be your own.”