Celebrating World Wide

“Service Rocks!”

Presented by

The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee

Promoting Rotary to the World Since 1980

About the Rotarians Featured in the Rotarian Ad

 

Rochester Rotary Club
District 6380,  Detroit Area, Michigan

 

 

A Rotarian since Feb 2007, Rhonda Panczyk served as the 2014-15 President of the Rotary Club of Rochester Michigan. With over 100 members, she is only the 6th woman of the Rochester club to serve as President. During her year, the club established the “Corporate Membership” option, and also had 4 Interact clubs, and 1 Rotaract club – all qualified and received Citation Awards.

Rhonda is currently serving as District 6380 Membership Chairperson, while serving her 3rd 1-year term as an Assistant District Governor of 5 clubs. Rhonda is a Major Donor of The Rotary Foundation and a member of the Paul Harris Society. In 2014 she became certified from the Rotary Leadership Institute, Great Lakes Division.

In 2014 Rhonda attended the Rotary International convention in Sydney Australia, and in 2017 the RI convention in Atlanta Georgia. In 2016 she attended the Jubilee of Rotarians at the Vatican in Rome Italy, and is featured in a Rotary International video along with Pope Francis, Rotary Int’l President K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran of 2015-16, and Mark D. Maloney President of Rotary International for 2019-20. In 2017 she traveled to Ghana to participate in the West Africa Rotary Project Fair and Polio Immunization Day.

Additionally, Rhonda is on the Board of Directors for Casa Colibrí a not-for-profit humanitarian organization committed to helping the Mayan people of northwest Guatemala improve their lives through programs in health, education, and infrastructure. 2017 marks her 5th medical mission to Guatemala.

In high school she won a 4-year half paid National Talent Search Scholarship for outstanding creative achievement from Pratt Art Institute in Brooklyn NY. In addition, her art portfolio received a National Certificate of Merit from The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards – her entry received Scholarship Nomination for excellence in the Visual Arts.

Helping others is her passion. She loves God. She loves to laugh. She loves to be around positive people that make her laugh. She loves to travel and explore new places & cultures.

 

 

History

While watching the 1978 Pasadena Rose Parade on Television, Jack Gilbert, who was President of the Wilshire Rotary Club, in Los Angeles, California, and subsequently chairman of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, had an idea. Rotary would be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 1980. Jack believed that by entering a float in the 1980 New Year’s Day Rose Parade, Rotary could communicate its message, “Service Above Self” to millions of people worldwide.

Jack shared his vision with other Rotarians, who supported the idea. Seven Governors in Southern California agreed to underwrite the cost of the float and make up any shortfall not covered by Club contributions. Fortunately, the Clubs contributed $35,000 which covered the full cost of the original float.

This first Tournament of Roses experience lead to the formation of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee which now receives contributions each year from approximately 8 Rotary Districts and an additional 700 Individual Rotary Clubs to fund the float. The Committee has entered a float every year since 1980.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rotary International pay for the float?

Rotarians, Clubs and Districts in the United States and Canada donate all of the money to pay for the float.

How are the contributions used?

Approximately ninety-three percent of the money raised goes to costs directly into building, decorating and entering the float in the parade. The balance of the funds raised pay for business, banking, insurance and other miscellaneous costs related to the float and hosting the RI President while attending the parade and other related activities. None of the money raised for float construction is spent on professional staff or committee perks.

Why do we enter a float in the Rose Parade?

Paul Harris said, “In the promotion of Rotary, it is important to reach large numbers and you cannot reach them privately.”

Statistics have proven that when Rotary International and/or the Rotary Foundation creates public relations events and promotes Rotary membership increases as well as general knowledge of Rotary. By supporting the Float you can assist in a public relations effort to do BOTH!

When Rotary International’s directors approved the first entry in the parade over 38 years ago, they saw in it an unrivaled opportunity to bring Rotary’s name into public view. They reasoned that an eye-catching float would capture the interest of network commentators and remind the world, of Rotary’s good works. And so it has! And, this year this effort is doubly important as we are publicizing the 100 years of achievement by The Rotary Foundation!!!

Last year the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee had a viewing audience of 41.8 million households in the United States and 28 million households around the world in more than 243 countries/ territories. The Tournament estimates that more than 700,000 are present live on the parade route, over 22,000 view the floats as they are decorated; and almost 122,000 view the post-parade floats.

For the 38th consecutive year the Committee again proudly presents its float to North America and the world. And each year, more clubs enthusiastically contribute financial support to this most important Rotary Foundation public relations project.

Where can I get information about the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game?

Visit the Tournament of Roses website: www.tournamentofroses.com

Can I see the float during decoration?

See the Viewing the Float page for information. Each year, over 100,000 people view the float under construction.

Can I help decorate the float?

Yes. See the Decoration Schedule and Signup pages on this website. You will be able to volunteer on-line to decorate the float starting in the fall each year. Approximately 800 Rotary Family Volunteers help prepare and/or apply the organic materials to the float.

All volunteers must be at least 13 years of age and be a member of the Rotary family. The suggested donation to decorate is $5.00.

How are floats selected for entry into the Rose Parade?

The Tournament of Roses selects applications for Rose Parade Floats carefully. There are about 40 floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade each year. Floats are sponsored by municipalities, community volunteer organizations and commercial sector.

All floats must be designed within the theme of the Rose Parade which for 2018 is “Making a Difference”. The Tournament of Roses must approve all float designs.

We are fortunate to be to appear in the parade and are very proud to be a part of the prestigious Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day Parade.

When did the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee first enter a float in the Rose Parade?

While watching the 1979 Pasadena Rose Parade on Television, Jack Gilbert, who was President of the Wilshire Rotary Club, in Los Angeles, California, and subsequently chairman of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, had an idea. Rotary would be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 1980. Jack believed that by entering a float in the 1980 New Year’s Day Rose Parade, Rotary could communicate its message, “Service Above Self” to millions of people worldwide.

Jack shared his vision with other Rotarians, who supported the idea. Seven Governors in Southern California agreed to underwrite the cost of the float and make up any shortfall not covered by Club contributions. Fortunately, the Clubs contributed $35,000 which covered the full cost of the original float.

This first Tournament of Roses experience lead to the formation of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee which now receives contributions each year from approximately 8 Rotary Districts and an additional 700 Individual Rotary Clubs to fund the float. The Committee has entered a float every year since 1980. See the History page for pictures and descriptions of previous floats.

How many people will see the float?

Nearly 70 million households see the Rose Parade, this year held on Monday, January 2, 2017 as the Rose Parade is never held on a Sunday.

The Rose Parade is seen by an estimated U.S. audience of almost 42 million households and an estimated international audience of 28 million households in over 243 territories. The Pasadena Police Department estimates that approximately 700,000 spectators view the Rose Parade in person. Another 144,000 visit the Parade Float Decorating Sites and/or the Post Parade Float Viewing Area where the floats are on display for two days.

See the Viewing the Float and Parade page for additional information about viewing the float being decorated, in person on January 2 and on television

How can I contact the Rotary Float Committee?

Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 92502
Pasadena, CA 91109-2502
chair@rotaryfloat.org