The Gathering, Rotary District 5190's District Conference in 2023 just wrapped up in South Lake Tahoe.
Together We Are One
This year, with District Governor Jeff Gabriel's discovery that he was not Welsh, but indeed Scottish and his desire to bring unity across all clubs, the conference was named The Gathering and had a Scottish theme, full of Clans, Kilts, Energizing Speakers, Highland Games and loads of FUN!
The weekend started with a Golf Tournament, Beer Tasting, Interpretive Walk & Tree Planting, more Beer Tasting and of course the House of Friendship, where we got to see what was going on in each Area.
Saturday started really early, definitely a Starbucks kind of morning. All of our meals seemed to go off without a hitch, although Saturday dinner was fully sold out. Everyone in our club did get to eat, we just sat alone, making new friends. It was kind of like our club meetings where we can sit with someone new each week.
Throughout the conference we had some great Keynote Speakers.
Jason Browne, created a movie and sequel for us. Jason was here as a representative for the President of Rotary International, Jennifer Jones, and message was about Imagine Rotary, thru youthful eyes.
Dr. John Francis, known as the Planet Walker and author of the book titled, "Planet Walker", who walked the US for 22 years and was silent for 17 years, talked to us. His message, as an environmentalist, was not only that the trees are connected but we as humans are also all connected as one.
Joey and Luna Vaesen, teaching us all about Curling(the sport). They also spoke about teams and diversity within teams, how bringing in more youthful members along side the seasoned pros is helpful, is needed. How everyone will bring something to the table, how we don't all have to have the same skill set but together as a team, we are better than alone. Oh, and surveys.. Not only provide surveys but to look at the surveys and listen. Survey new members, survey seasoned members, exit surveys, and listen.
Jake Willers, told us of how he started (and nearly ended) his life in photographing and videoing wildlife. He spoke greatly of "Awe".
We heard the winning contestant for the District Speech Contest give her amazing speech of how she was bribed into community service by her sister with a starbucks but then realized that it was what she needed and how it has changed her. By the way, she is only a Freshman which you would never had thought by listening to her.
We were blessed to hear the winning performance from the Warren & Fannie Annis Youth Music Contest at our Saturday dinner playing the Violin just before being swept off to her prom.
We watched the parade of Rotary Youth Exchange, both inbound and outbound, including Max & Lili, our inbounds and Ashtan, our outbound..
There were breakout sessions for Engaging with Younger Rotarians and The Art of Not Having to Do It All.
Saturday had a very nice mid-day Scotch Whisky Tasting. Do you know why some places spell it Whiskey and some spell it Whisky? I truly believe the Whisky Tasting is what brought Jonathan to victory as the best Scottish dancer at the Highland Games.
We were entertained by the Northern Nevada Scottish Highland Dance Troupe, Sean Cummings (yourbagpiper.com) and Reno Biondi in the Piano Bar.
Great fun was had by all and I encourage everyone to attend next years multi-district conference. It's going to be HUGE! 3 districts coming together at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno for "Better Together" and the registration is now open. Register now for the best pricing! For conference details, click here or click Conference Registration to register now!