Wow, what an amazing week!
Janet and I spent last week in Boca Raton attending Rotary International Zone Institute which included Governor-Elect leadership training and great Rotarian fellowship. In Zones 33-34 I have 28 classmates all preparing to be Governors next year. I know my wife Janet and I will have fond memories forever of our experience in Boca Raton this past September.
Rotary International Zones 33-34 encompasses 29 districts in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. There are 26 countries and regions represented in Zones 33-34. Our fellow Rotarians speak English, French, Dutch and Spanish as primary languages. The Zone Map right shows the districts, states, countries, and regions of Zones 33-34.
The Zone Institute started September 3rd, the day after Labor Day. We engaged in training classes Tuesday for DGEs, DGNs and spouses until approximately 5:00 p.m. followed by fellowship hour and then dinner for DGEs, DGNs, spouses, trainers, and the executive committee. PDG Jamie Mick was one of our featured speakers and in my humble opinion; she “knocked the ball out of the park” with an inspiring presentation.
Wednesday was more of the same, and the current DG’s arrived to add to the fun. We had a great deal of support from regional Rotary coordinator volunteer teams covering a variety of topics all directed at understanding Rotary, membership concerns, public relations, improving our communities and recognizing regional and international issues
Thursday the training continued for DGEs, DGNs, DGs, and spouses and that evening we had a reception for all Institute registrants which included a horde of Past District Governors and their spouses who descended upon the conference to take part in the activities.
Friday we started the day with a Plenary Session and then an interesting Foundation Luncheon reviewing achievement. You may be interested to know that own our zone #34 was #9 in total Foundation contributions; #7 in Polio Plus contributions; #15 in Endowment contributions; #5 in Annual Fund contributions and #5 in Annual Fund per capita, in the entire Rotary organization. WOW!
After lunch just my twenty-eight classmates and I met privately with Rotary International President Elect Gary C.K. Huang. RIPE Gary Huang spoke to us for about 30 minutes and then answered questions for another 30 minutes. It was a very good hour and we learned a couple of simple Chinese songs he wants us to memorize and sing when we meet again in January.
President Elect Gary urged Rotarians to THEME by participating in Rotary Days, which our local clubs will host a fun informal event in our communities for the non-Rotary public as an opportunity to introduce them to Rotary. President Elect Gary said he would send a Presidents-Rep to celebrate any project to attract new potential members.
Elsewhere, Mrs. Huang hosted an afternoon tea with the spouses, which included six husbands and a host of Rotary luminaries. Friday evening we engaged in class’ reunion dinners with our fellow DGE’s. Actually the DGN’s, the DG’s and the PDG’s all had separate class reunion dinners at a variety of places around Boca Raton. Our gang of 29 DGE’s went to a decent Steak House for a nice meal and great fellowship.
2014 – 2015 District Governors in Rotary Zone 33-34 with Rotary International President Elect Gary Huang
Friday Afternoon Janet and I visited the “House of Friendship” which displayed a half dozen or so Rotary vendors, such as Russell-Hampton, Gerry White Pin Company and Awards for U, plus an equal amount of Rotary partners such as Shelter Box
One interesting organization, Josh the Otter was present and promotes child safety around water and swimming pools. The representative of Josh the Otter said they would love to attend our District Conference in 2015 and I will make that happen. In the meantime you can find out more about Josh the Otter here.
Saturday we had a Plenary Session in the morning where Janet and I, my clasmates and their spouses were introduced and then lunch on our own. Some folks had Saturday afternoon off, but yours truly and my 7 DGE companions from Florida attended a Florida PETS committee meeting for 2 hours. After the meeting Janet and I had a couple of hours so we walked around and took in the sights for a while then went back and dressed for the Grand finally which was the Directors Banquet.
DGE Edward and Janet being Introduced Zone 33-34 at Plenary Session
Rotary International President Elect Gary C.K. Huang was the featured speaker and he delivered a message about being prepared and used the grasshopper and the ant fable that his mother taught him as a child. Gary Huang was born on mainland China and then his parents moved to Taiwan when he was a child. Gary has a Chinese accent but, you can understand him fairly well. Gary is very proud of the fact that he is Rotary’s first Chinese International President.
After the Directors Banquet a silent auction was closed out with the proceeds going to the Rotary Foundation. There was a lot of nice stuff; Janet and I dabbled, but refrained at the end when the bids departed to the stratosphere.
DGE Edward and Janet on their way to the Directors Banquet
Sunday morning we had a wonderful interfaith worship service with Hal L Salisbury officiating and celebrating Rotary. There was an outstanding choir composed of Rotarians and we sang along on a few easy well-know songs such as Amazing Graze and Swing Low Sweet Chariot. The service was draw to a close by John Roberson paying respect and honoring the Rotarians whom had passed during the year.After one short Plenary Session Janet and I packed our bags, loaded our car and headed home. Four and one half hours later we arrived home to a couple of happy little dogs which our “baby sitter” watched over while we were away.
My passion continues to be membership. It is overly apparent we need to increase membership with quality people. Just about all 29 Districts are having membership and retention issues. Rotarians must seek new and compelling ways to attract and engage Rotarians. The goal of our District starting right now is for EveryONE to BringONE.
My purpose as Governor is to SERVE YOU, and help you accomplish your Rotary objectives. Please email or call with any comments or concerns you may have. Janet, I and our entire district team look forward to working productively with you to accomplish the objectives established for our District.
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Next year’s Rotary International Zone Institute will be in Asheville North Carolina
Rotary International Convention 2014 is Sydney (Australia)
Rotary International Convention 2015 is Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Rotary International Convention 2016 is Seoul (South Korea)
Rotary International Convention 2017 is Atlanta Georgia