Rotary International President Visits St. Joseph, Missouri as Part of Global Tree Planting Initiative
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (PRWEB) May 31, 2018 -- As part of a global challenge for Rotarians to plant more than 1 million trees worldwide, Rotary International president Ian H.S. Riseley visited St. Joseph, Missouri. Riseley, a member of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia, has been a member of Rotary since 1978. Riseley attended a tree planting ceremony followed by a news conference at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, May 30, at the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau in downtown St. Joseph.
As President of Rotary International, Riseley challenged Rotarians worldwide to plant trees to protect the environment. “There’s something about planting a tree that speaks to people in a very primal way,” said Riseley. “It shows Rotary’s a long-term commitment to the community.” To date, an estimated 1.2 million trees have been planted by Rotarians across the globe, including more than 200 trees planted by Rotarians in St. Joseph.
“It is an honor to host Rotary’s international president in Missouri,” said Erik McGuire, service officer for the St. Joseph East Rotary Club. “Rotarians throughout the world are engaged in providing solutions, from eradicating polio to alleviating poverty, hunger and illiteracy. President Riseley’s visit is a testament to Rotary’s global commitment to making a difference in our communities.”
Riseley is a chartered accountant and principal of Ian Riseley and Co., a firm he established in 1976. He holds graduate degrees in taxation law, accounting and income tax.
Riseley lives in Moorooduc, a rural township south of Melbourne, where he and his wife, Juliet, who is also a member of Rotary, practice a personal philosophy of sustainable and organic living.
Over the past 11 months, Riseley has participated in dozens tree plantings in countries across the globe. “I’ve helped plant trees in Sardinia, in Latvia, in Australia.” notes Riseley. Everywhere I go, I get my hands dirty.”
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Visit Rotary.org for more about Rotary.
Elizabeth Usovicz, Rotary International, Zone 31, http://www.rotary.org, +1 (913) 638-8693, [email protected]
Share this article