The 3790 District Conference was recently completed and featured many great motivational, leadership, and Rotary speakers.  One of the highlights was a presentation by the first Philippines team to conquer Mt Everest.  The expedition took place in 2007 and the three Filipinos stressed the need to develop teamwork in any unit to achieve the best results.  They continued their discussion as to how good teamwork is applicable both business and Rotary clubs.  

DG Jess also brought in excellent musicians during the conference that brought the attendees to their feet.  Gary Granada is a genuine talent in the Philippine music industry and has won many awards for as a composer/singer/guitarist.  Another Gary, who is known simply as Gary V, with the V being Valenciano, is without a doubt the most energetic performer I have seen.  His dancing moves rival anything ever conceived by the TV shows, his rap vocals are without obscenity, and his baritone voice shows the maturity of a disciplined singer. 

But, one other person needs to be covered as well.  The Smiling Policeman is known to all of ROTI as Geoffry Bernard William Little who hails from Australia.  During his years with various law enforcement agencies `down under,' Sydney and New South Wales, he established himself as a leader in prison reform, fire investigation, and even the Backpacker Murder Case.  Recently Geoff has been most active in establishing Rotary Peace Cities; doing so extensively in several countries and was featured at the Rotary Peace Summit in Windsor, Ontario Canada in 2008.

Your ROTI Chair was familiar with most of the above, but I and almost 1,000 Rotarians were treated to a rare event when he announced that he would sing an Australian song.  The people moved forward in their seats with rapt attention, until he broke out in a hilarious Filipino song in excellent Tagalog.  Laughter and applause greeting each new verse, and I was told that the song was "a bit naughty at times." The latter comment made me wish I had a better understanding of the native language.   Geoff closed his talk with another song.  As they say, you learn something new every day….and I learned that our Smiling Policeman can not only smile, he is a good entertainer as well.  Now if he could just dance…