Gone are the days where Rotary Zone Institute was just for the Past District Governors of districts and their partners to get together, swap stories and listen to a few good speakers. Times have certainly changed, as we now have experienced two years of Future Leaders’ Seminars in Australia and New Zealand which have opened the door and welcomed these up and coming leaders within our Rotary Districts to also attend Rotary Institute.
Then families like my own are also welcomed with open arms. It does mean a juggle, but it allows both myself and Mike to attend. Our young children, Brayden (4 ½) and Isabella (10 months), attended our recent outstanding Institute in Invercargill, and as seen in the photo, they got right behind the theme Create a Ripple … Cast the First Stone. Brayden loved throwing the stones and Izzy just watched and giggled.
It just goes to show that Rotary is moving in the right direction. Institute is now more than the old and crusty, as many call us, getting together. We start training them young, and you never know, they too could end on the Rotary world stage one day.
I would be missing out on so much Rotary if I didn’t have a club or District that was so supportive of young families. It is a juggle, but who’s life isn’t these days. No matter what age you are, there is always something you have to juggle to have Rotary as a part of it. I am just thankful for the major support we have from everyone, so I can do the jobs I love doing in Rotary.
- By PDG Leanne Jaggs, Rotary Down Under NZ Promotions Committee District 9920 Representative
