It’s Saturday night, March 1st and I have just completed a day and a half of the Midwest President Elect Training Seminar. I want to thank you for your generous support of this intense weekend of learning how to be a Rotary leader. Last year I was blown away by the plenary speakers at the general sessions and the dedication of the fellow Rotarians who facilitated the break out sessions. This year’s seminar has matched the high bar set by last year’s. I have another half day tomorrow that I am very much looking forward too. I have met so many Rotarians from Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin who have shared so many experiences and ideas.
I want to share something from each of the general session speakers that has inspired me.
Nicki Scott, International Vice-President during the presidency of Jennifer Jones.
A manager does things right. A leader does the right thing. Don’t be afraid of change; it can always be reversed. Say yes to change. Initiate change with a compelling vision and a sense of urgency. Empower others. The best leaders create leaders. Involve as many people as you can.
Taylor Huie, Rotary International Membership Growth Committee
It is an honor to lead your club. Embrace it. Rotary has 1.2 million + people of action. The world has 8 billion potential people of action. Right now, about 1 billion people prioritize giving back to their community. There is so much opportunity for growth. Who are our potential members of Rotary? Get out into your community and interact with potential members.
Salvador Rizzo Taveres, Rotarian from Nuevo León, México. CEO of Grupo Rizzo, that includes a wholesale office supplier and hardware and software sales to private companies, educational institutions, and governments. He established Rotary Leadership Institute in 11 countries and led them for 10 years, training more than 5,000 Rotary Members.
His message to us was Innovate, Transform, and Connect. He encouraged us to stay relevant, innovate in membership, transform how to carry out service projects, and to connect more deeply with our members and with humility with our partners.
Ed Futa, member of Madison Rotary Club, past General Secretary and Operating Officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, and since 2016 Primary Rotary International Representative to the United Nations.
I was unable to take notes for Ed’s presentation because the lights were turned down low. But, I can assure you that it was incredible. He told us how much good that Rotarians do in the world and how they are there for their communities. He talked about an area where a tsunami had caused great destruction. A few years later all of the aid workers are gone. And who is still there? The Rotary Club. It’s their home and they are caring for it. Ed talked about an area where girls couldn’t go to school because they have to carry water all day so that their families aren’t thirsty. Ed’s solution? Rotary drills wells. Now girls and boys go to school. He finished by telling us to go out into our communities and make a difference.
Sunday morning I have one more district breakout session where I will be meeting with my assistant governor and my fellow president elects and one more general session where I will hear Gary Metevier’s presentation on the power of storytelling. Another Midwest PETS training will be completed. My plan is to share all of the inspiration and enthusiasm with you, my fellow Changemakers.