So, this was my first District Conference - thanks to Zoom. Thursday evening I saw Ted in his "box" and Saturday morning I saw Kathryn in her "box". Thursday evening we had the pleasure of listening to PDG Mike McGovern from District7780. He has served as Rotary International's PolioPlus Committee Chair since October 2014. After there was three breakout sessions: Moving from Diversity to Inclusion, This is Not Your Grandfather's Rotary, and Human Impact on the Environment. Rose attended the Diversity session led by Dr. Todd "Bowtie" Jenkins from District 6110. He is a proud Rotarian, Paul Harris Fellow and Global Inclusion Trainer, Strategist and Consultant with Bowtie Leadership, Inc.
Friday began with some social fellowship followed by Keynote Speaker Dean Rohrs, who stepped in when Valarie Wafer was unable to attend. Dean spoke a bit about her background and Rotary travels and then focused on Rotary's core values of Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership. Along the way she shared some stories to make her point. For those who stayed on after Dean's speech, it was Trivia time.
Saturday morning began with a little social fellowship. Many folks had decided to wear hats - all kinds!! After opening remarks and an inspirational moment from DGND Angela Ponte, we had a choice of three breakout sessions: Peace Fellowship Strategies as a Police Officer - Its Impact and Value, The Rotary Foundation: What You Always Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask, and Club Service Challenges and Successes in a Virtual World. Rose attended Peace Fellowship Strategies led by D. F. Pace, Esq, who is an attorney and inspector in Philadelphia. He currently serves as the Commanding Officer of the Department's Police Board of Inquiry. He is a 20-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and holds a Law Degree and Bachelor's Degree as well as graduating from the FBI Academy. He has traveled across the country with the mission to train front line supervisors in leadership skills, human resource management. He said that "his most memorable and meaningful experience" was the three months at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand where he earned a Rotary Peace Fellow in Peace & Conflict Studies in 2011.
The second group of breakout sessions included: Let's Grow your Rotary Club's Membership, Rotary's Youth Programs -Seizing the Future and Fundraising in a Pandemic. Rose attended Rotary's Youth Programs. Lew Gordon discussed the Rotaract Program, PDG7890 Dave Mangs spoke about Interact Program and Beth Richards spoke about RYLA. This year RYLA will be a 3-day virtual event with the program focusing on Personal Development, TeamBuilding and Service.
With just a few minor glitches, like getting into the wrong breakout session, the programs were all well done and Rose was happily ensconced at home with Pep and Spot!
