Rotary Week

Well, we are back from a week of Rotary in Bellevue, Washington. It was my first serious training on the way to taking on the District Governor's role (District 5190) for the 2012-2013 year. (For non-Rotarians, that is July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013). It is a very big deal, and Kim will also play a major role as my sidekick (of course we have been sidekicks for nearly 37 years now :) . It will be a lot of work and responsibility, and I wouldn't have taken it on without Kim's commitment.

A reception at a local art gallery.

Any who, the first three days were classroom training called GNATS. That stands for Governor Nominee Advanced Training Seminar. It was very informative, but the best part was meeting my fellow Governor Nominees from our Zone (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and some of British Columbia!) There were 24 Governor Nominees (DGNs) there. It was very well done, and I know it will greatly aid me in getting organized for this important task. The training started Tuesday, and ended on Thursday.

 

However, that wasn't the end. The Zone Institute (a big, hairy conference for all the aforementioned Rotary Districts) ran from Friday through Sunday noon. This is a huge annual affair designed for current and upcoming District Governors and other district level leaders. It was amazingly well done with the theme "Around Our World". The daily programs and presentations were international, with different countries featured. The focus was on service Rotary can and is performing around the world, and was quite inspiring. It really renewed our sense of the "hugeness" of Rotary, and the potential for changing the world in a positive way, one project at a time. 

Arms spread, palms up!

Jon and Martha Greene "Out of Africa!"

The social side was very enjoyable too. Lots of good food and company, nightly receptions, and offsite gatherings. Thursday night was the formal dinner.  (Remember my tuxedo story?) The folks took the theme to great lengths. Upon registration, we were issued "boarding passes" and the Sargent at Arms were dressed up as TSA employees. I was "wanded" as you can see in the photo.


Then on Saturday night international garb was encouraged. Kim was incredibly beautiful in a dress her sister purchased in China, and I wore my new suit. It turned out to be more of a costume party, so I could have worn the funky "kimono" looking robe thing that Kim bought me at the local thrift store. I was comfortable in my suit though, and just told people I was dressed as an African businessman.

Kim and I with
RI President Ray Klingsmith

After brunch on Sunday, we met with Kim's cousin Steve Barkley. He and his wife Sally live close to Bellvue in the town of Woodinville. He gave us the grand tour taking us to Snoqualmie Falls, and around the greater Seattle area including lunch at a Thai restaurant. Steve then took us to visit the grave site of one of Kim's great grandfathers. Captain John "Jack" Fenn. (Her Daddy's first name was Fenn.) Jack was a sea captain and sailed up the coast bringing supplies and gold seekers to the Klondike. After a very busy day, we got back to the hotel at about 7:30 and just crashed.

Snoqualmie Falls

Captain Jack's Headstone

The trip home Monday was uneventful, and we got back to the house about 3:30 in the afternoon. All the animals were glad to see us (as was Lucy). After unpacking and cleaning out all the spoiled food from the refrigerator, we kicked back and relaxed. On Tuesday, I vegged out all day reading my book by the fire (cold and rainy weather outside). After more than 7 days straight of interacting with people I needed some "recharge time". So, I am back at it now, and yesterday put a new generator in the old '65 VW Beetle. But I'll save that for the next post!

That's all!