The first-ever virtual District Conference was held Friday evening and was a great success! About 200 Rotarians from all over the district tuned into the Zoom production. Congratulations to District Governor Rich Kirkham for a fun and informative program. The committee really outdid themselves! (If you missed it, watch here)
We heard from several of the Youth Exchange kids. Luke from Croatia told about blowing up the chem lab. Alisa from Finland spoke amazing "American" and learned to eat with a fork (what?) and enjoyed going to Walmart in her pjs. Mike Markley will be following John Lodal as the District RYE Chair.
By the way, Michela's term as District Public Image Chair is ending. You done good, Michela! The new chair is Lauren Murdoch from Blackfoot.
Doug Vincent, Rotary International Rep from Canada spoke about Rotary grant programs. He was disappointed he couldn't do his usual live magic show to make his point! His wife entertained us with a great rendition of "Blue Bayou".
Awards were presented to clubs to acknowledge their accomplishments in this Rotary year. Metro was among the clubs who won a Presidential Citation. We were also mentioned for our use of Rotary "branding". Metro WON a Foundation Award for highest per capita giving ($285).
We enjoyed an interview with Mrs. Paul Harris. She recalled her husband and his buddies meeting at at burger joint in Chicago in 1905. They needed a name so they suggested "Five Guys". Mrs Harris vetoed that idea and suggested "Rotary" instead. She also claimed to have floated the idea of building a public rest room as their first project (they wanted a velvet covered smoking room!)
Our featured speaker of the event was Chad Hymas. Wow! A powerful inspirational message from a guy who lost almost everything in a farming accident 20 years ago. His message was: there is no more "normal". Rather, we should ask "What's the new NEXT". Just like he did when he became paralyzed, we have to adjust to the new NEXT.
At the end of the event, the gavel was passed through cyberspace to Ben Nelson, incoming District Governor from Burley.
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