Emerging Leaders, L-R: Area Governors Roy Meenes, Karen Fleck and James Garcia
Each year, Zones 26 & 27 holds a Camp Big West Zone Institute which brings together members and guests from throughout the western United States and Canada.
The Institute features:
• Interactive, peer-based discussion and learning sessions.
• Inspirational speakers and presentations.
• Special program for Emerging Rotary Leaders from all 30 Districts in the Zones.
• Service activities.
• Networking and fun!
The Institute now offers opportunities for emerging leaders at its Emerging Leaders Conference, an extension of the Camp Big West training. 60 emerging leaders from districts all over the Western United States made up of assistant governors and aspiring district governors attended five days of training. Three assistant governors from District 5340 attended: Area 5 Assistant Governor, Karen Fleck (Santee-Lakeside Rotary Club), Area 1 Assistant Governor, Roy Meenes (Carlsbad Rotary Club) and Area 10 Assistant Governor, James Garcia (El Centro Rotary Club).
For our three emerging leaders, attendance was transformational, each having their own unique experience, inspired by exceptional speakers, participation in a variety of workshops where best practices were shared and discussed, and the learning opportunities that came through networking and friendship building; all of which provided a plethora of ideas and knowledge that they could bring back home to share and implement in their own clubs and areas of responsibility.
When emerging leaders were asked to reflect on their experiences, there were common themes in their remarks. All noted the exceptional quality of the speakers and facilitators as well as being able to hear from top-level RI leaders who were active participants throughout the conference.
Karen Fleck reflected on her experience and noted “the conference was like RYLA for adults”. “The level of knowledge and energy directed at future leaders, in every room, was off the charts. The speakers were world class – they offered inspiring examples of how one person or one Rotary club can have an influence in the world; despite the hardships they faced.” “I judge the effectiveness of a conference by the knowledge and takeaways I bring home with me. The Emerging Leader Conference and Zone Institute provided innumerable small and large ideas that I am motivated to bring to my club, my area, and my district”.
Roy Meenes recounts how he appreciated how the facilitators ensured the program provided inspirational and interactive designed leadership educational sessions that emerging leaders would apply in their own respective Rotary journey. “Throughout the entire institute, having the opportunity to spend time meeting and discussing Rotary with these accomplished Rotary leaders was an inspirational and memorable experience I will never forget.”
James Garcia shared his experience at the Zone Institute was a fantastic growth and learning experience. “The exercises and group activities our leaders provided were very insightful and really helped expand and crystallize the effects we can have as leaders.” He said he particularly benefited from hearing past and present Rotary leaders share what Rotary has done for them, in their lives and careers, as well as the tremendous impacts they have made through Rotary in their communities, on important causes, and in some cases, on countries. “I came away with greater inspiration and insight into what it means to be a Rotarian and what we, as Rotarians, can do together for the greater good. My biggest takeaway was that Service Above Self through Rotary can have as big an impact as you decide it to have”.
Also attending Zone Institute leadership training was District 5340’s governor line including District Governor-Elect Michael Brunker and District Governor Nominee, Mora Keller. Past District Governors also in attendance were Marge Cole, Don Fipps, Mel Gallegos, Luis Carranza and our current Governor, Jeb Bakke.
