2008 Rotary Rose Bowl Float

2008 Rotary Rose Parade Float

Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee’s entry into the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade, entitled “Sharing World Literacy Day,” celebrates the leadership in service by Rotarians worldwide.

Eight International Exchange Students on the float represent different parts of the Rotary World. The theme of this year’s parade is “Passport to the World’s Celebrations” and this will be Rotary’s 28th consecutive year of participation in the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional people united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Since this is not a project of Rotary International, no Rotary International funds are used for the Float. The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee thanks you in advance for your contributions, participation and continued support in our efforts to show the world that “Rotary Shares” by Sharing World Literacy Day to service in the World.

Last year, more than 1300 Rotarians and their families, Rotaract Club members, and Interact Club members volunteered their time and effort to help decorate the float. These Rotarians worked countless hours putting flowers, seeds, dried petals, and greenery on every square inch of the float.

But volunteer efforts are not enough; we need your financial support as well. We ask for your donation of $3.00 (or more) per member to help us show the world that we truly are dedicated to and believe that "Rotary Shares" In International Service. Thank you in advance for your contributing to your 2008 float.Ray Bushnell, Chairman, 2007-2008Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc.P.O. Box 92502, Pasadena, CA 91109-2502 chair@rotaryfloat.org

Message from President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, Rotary International

2007-08 Rotary’s participation in the Pasadena Tournament f Roses Parade is a wonderful way to reach out to millions of people. Television coverage amplifies our efforts by delivering a message of what Rotary stands for and what Rotarians do for mankind.

Our float for the year 2008 is entitled “Sharing World Literacy Day.” It highlights Rotary’s commitment to literacy. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses estimates that the parade is seen by 40 million people in the USA and 300 million people internationally in more than 150 countries. What a wonderful audience to tell about the efforts of 1.2 million Rotarians to improve the quality of life by educational and humanitarian help to people around the world.

The ability of Rotary to be represented in the Rose Parade for the twenty-eighth consecutive year depends entirely upon contributions of Rotary clubs in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to the multi-district Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee.

On January 1st 2008, as your club members watch the Tournament of Roses Parade on television, I know they will take pride in having helped to make the Rotary float possible.

Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, President, Rotary International, 2007-08

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rotary International pay for the float? No. Rotary International endorses the Rotary Rose Float, but Rotarians in the United States and Canada donate all of the money to pay for the float. See the Contributions page for more information.

How are the contributions used? Approximately ninety three percent of the money raised goes directly into building, decorating and entering the float in the parade. The other seven percent pays for raising the money. 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." When Rotary International's directors approved the first entry in the parade over 20 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! Again, last year the Rose Parade scored a new record viewing audience; over 100 million in the United States and another 300 million around the world in more than 100 countries. For the 24th consecutive year Rotary again proudly presents its float to North America and the world .And each year, more Rotary clubs enthusiastically contribute financial support to this most important Rotary 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 page on this website. You will be able to volunteer on-line to decorate the float.

How are floats selected for entry into the Rose Parade? The Tournament of Roses selects applications for Rose Parade Floats carefully. There are about 60 floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade each year. Floats are sponsored by municipalities, community volunteer organizations and commercial sector. Rotary International is fortunate to be one the three service clubs invited to appear in the parade. We are very proud to be a part of the prestigious Tournament of Roses New Year's Day Parade.

When did Rotary 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 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 3,000 Rotary Clubs to fund the Rotary International float. Rotary has entered a float every year since 1980.

How many people will see the Rotary float? Over 425 million people see the Rose Parade New Year's Day. The Rose Parade is seen by an estimated U.S. audience of 40 million people and an estimated international audience of more than 300 million in over 150 countries. The Pasadena Police Department estimates that approximately one million spectators view the Rose Parade in person. Another 200,000 visit the Post Parade Float Viewing Area where the floats are on display for several days. Following the parade is the Rose Bowl Football Game, the "Granddaddy of all Bowl Games," which is viewed by about 1/3 of those who viewed the parade. This means that your Rotary International float is seen more than the Rose Bowl is! The A.C. Nielsen Company's combined national rating for the Tournament of Roses Parade as broadcast by the three major US networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) was 16.5 for a share of 37.

Share your ideas in approximately 100 words on the 2008 Rotary Float and earn a Make-up