The Japan Rotary Club Past Governors Delegation, led by Past Governor Ichikawa, arrived in Palau on Friday night, February 20, 2009, directly from the District Conference. Along with them was Mr. Takumi Watanabe of the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay. Met by Palau Rotarians at the airport, the group had a whirlwind weekend of scheduled courtesy visits to government representatives and visits to the famed Rock Islands as well as a site tour of the various Rotary projects. The hope was to foster the Japan-Palau Rotary relationship and consider additional projects. More importantly, the group was hopeful of these highly-influential presidents and CEOs, of Japan’s most influential companies, be interested in developing businesses here in Palau, and while they were unable to meet with national government representatives due to a last-minute schedule change, they were able to meet with Melekeok State representatives including Governor Lazarus Kodep, which is home to two Rotary Park Projects that are funded by different Japan Rotary Grant projects. The group enjoyed tour and refreshments courtesy of Governor Kodep, and the Rotary Club of Palau extends its deepest appreciation to High Chief Reklai Rafael B. Ngirmang and Governor Kodep for the courtesy shown to the Japan Rotary Delegation. Following a farewell dinner at the Palau Royal Resort, the group left for Japan on Sunday night.
The Rotary Club of Palau meets every Wednesday at noon at The Penthouse Hotel in downtown Koror, and anyone is welcome to attend as a guest, to consider joining the world’s first and largest community service organization, or to volunteer with its many projects. Its President is Christina R. Salii, and the Assistant District Governor for the Pacific Basin Group Clubs, consisting of the four Rotary Clubs of Guam and the Rotary Clubs of CNMI, Pohnpei, Truk Lagoon, and Palau, is Palau Rotarian Risong Tarkong.
