An Innovative Concept
   Recognizing that Rotary Clubs in “capital” cities have members from the
diplomatic and governmental communities, access to national and
international governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the
ability to mobilize extraordinary resources in the service of others,
the Rotary Clubs of Washington, D.C. (USA) and Paris–Academies (France)
formally launched the Capital Cities Network (CCN) in April 2007. The
Rotary Clubs of Seoul (Korea), Santiago (Chile), Taipai (Taiwan), and
Tokyo (Japan), all with preexisting relationships with Washington,
D.C., also are founding members of CCN. This year, we plan to expand
CCN, as other clubs join, and formally petition the R.I. Board for
recognition as a “fellowship” organization.

Opportunities
   Member clubs have already begun leveraging their unique relationships
through Rotary Foundation matching grant projects, student exchanges,
and the first CCN club exchange between members of the Washington, D.C.
and Paris–Academies clubs last spring. CCN members are currently
discussing ways to work with organizations such as the World Bank,
Pan-American Health Organization, and European Union to carry out
“mega” projects valued at US$1 million.

   The Rotary Club of Washington, D.C., on behalf of CCN, is preparing a
proposal for the 2008 R.I. Convention committee to organize a panel
discussion on the convention program to showcase the success of the CCN
model and provide a public forum for interested clubs to learn more
about the opportunities for service that are possible when capital city
clubs use their unique resources to collaborate. Presidents of several
CCN clubs will be invited to participate in this high-profile event, if
approved by the conference program committee.

Join CCN
   There are no formal requirements to “join” CCN, although CCN was
launched primarily for clubs in national, states, regional or
administrative cities and capital city clubs with a sincere interest in
proactive service are encouraged. Until the CCN online community is
launched in coming weeks, contact Joan Bristol or J.W. Arnold, CCN
coordinators, at info@RotaryCCN.org.

     “There is a great deal of interest across the Rotary World in the
Capital Cities Network as we explore, together, the amazing
opportunities for service. Please accept our invitation, along with the
Presidents of the other CCN clubs, to consider joining us in this
innovative network.”
-- James Brookshire, President 2007-08, and Robert Warne, President
2006-07, Rotary Club of Washington, D.C.