We are pleased to announce that PDG Margie Kersey (D6900) is the new Curriculum Chair for the Sunshine Division. Many thanks to RC Marcy Ullom who served in that role for the past few years

Jeanette Loftus (D6970) has been selected to serve as the new RLI Sunshine Division Faculty Chair beginning July 1, 2013

PDG Vince Cautero (D6950) has been selected to serve as RLI Sunshine Division Secretary beginning July 1, 2013

How many of you used to (or still do) cringe when you heard the word “midterm”?  Probably because it elicited memories of school tests and subsequent reports (grades), either good or bad.  I know which way it usually went for me; and yet still I chose to use “Midterm” as the title of this missive.

What it does mean is that we are halfway through the Rotary year, and thus, into the second half of the RLI season.  So how are we doing so far?  Well, fortunately, we are past the Holidays so we do not have to worry about who was naughty and who was nice.   And that is probably a very good thing indeed.  Okay – that’s enough fluff and filler.

There have been a number of outstanding Institutes hosted by our member districts during the past six months.  Our Discussion Leaders continue to live up to their standard of excellence; based on the evaluations they are better than ever, not an easy task considering we have always had quality Rotarians serving as DLs.

Finally, the new curriculum (first introduced back in August 2012) has received rave reviews from our very discerning and learned participants.  And speaking of curriculum, the Sunshine Division has a brand new Curriculum Chair, of whom you will learn more about elsewhere in this newsletter.

Cheers.

DRM

Douglas R.  Maymon PDG
RLI Sunshine Division Chairman 2012-14
954-249-8489
dougmaymon@gmail.com
Skype: DRMaymon6990  

The RLI-SD Board of Directors recognized PDG Gary Israel (D6960) for his years of service as the Chairman of RLI Sunshine Division 2010-2012. During this tenure as chairman Gary oversaw many changes in the structure and function of RLI-SD such as revision of the curriculum, implementation of a new web presence and integration with social media, establishment of regional coordinators, and a host of additional initiatives that furthered the Object of Rotary though the positive grown of RLI-SD across its member districts.

PDG Gary Israel & PDG Doug Maymon

In Gary’s sunset year as chairman over 2,900 Rotarians, Rotoractors, and spouses participated in RLI-SD sessions. Gary remains involved with RLI-SD serving as both the Past Chairman and the RLI Director of District 6960.

The Rotarians, Board of Directors, and member districts thank PDG Gary Israel for his past, present, and future service to the Sunshine Division.

On Saturday, January 14, Gary Israel, chairperson for the Sunshine Division of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), and members of the leadership team challenged 30 area Discussion Leaders from Florida and Georgia to engage in a number of “Best Practices” for facilitating future Institute sessions.

With the help of PDG Rich Panyik, Stephanie Windham, current Club President and first woman from the Griffin Rotary Club, acted as local sponsor for the event.  Members from District 6910 attending the January Symposium included Carolyn Collins, first RLI district chairperson; Mark Poulsen, district RLI chairperson; Margie Eddy-Forbes, DGE; Rich Panyik, PDG; Hank Tanner, Quentin Thomas, Bruce Watterson, AG; Chris Stallworth, RLI  DL and Communication Technology; and Michael Horgan, past AG and PP.

Allan Soto, former RLI district chair and now Public Relations coordinator for the RLI sunshine division was unable to attend the January Symposium, but he along with over 85 discussion leaders from the sunshine division re-certified at an earlier Curriculum Symposium held in Orlando in December.

As he introduced the Institute’s newly-renovated curriculum, Israel challenged the group to be prepared for all class situations, paraphrasing Lou Holtz’s quote “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

Charged with Symposium presentations on Service Projects and on International Service, Rich Panyik said, “The RLI experience is about taking a Rotary Club member and helping him or her become a Rotarian through awareness and understanding.”

Affirming the message of Mark Poulsen, who conducted symposium sessions on Rotary Opportunities and Strategic Planning, DG Bill St. Clair added, “I think that it is critical that AGs, District Leaders and Club Leadership attend RLI classes. New members also should attend! It is critical to getting them off on the right foot in starting their year. It is also important in assisting each leader implement Rotary programs during the year.”

Working to advance communication technology and techniques within the Institute, Chris Stallworth asked the discussion leaders to forward commentary from current or previous RLI delegates to his attention for posting on the District website as well as the Sunshine Division RLI website. “The Institute has generated dozens of positive reactions, especially members sharing why they joined their clubs and how they continue to benefit from membership,” Stallworth said.

“One of the best things about RLI is its ability to modify its curriculum, to update its approaches to sharing the successes of Rotary International,” Israel said. “We take every delegate’s input and listen carefully for ways to improve the training. I see future Institutes igniting the next generation of Rotarians as well as the allegiant current membership.”

Submitted by C. Bruce Watterson, Rome Seven Hills Rotary

No it wasn’t a winter getaway, it was the RLI Recertification Symposium. Eighty-nine current DL’s gathered at the Orlando Renaissance to get updated on the new RLI Curriculum and review best practices. The new curriculum will be put into effect January 2012. New classes include Object of Rotary and Rotary History, as well as a revision of existing classes. Registration for 2012 RLI dates is open…click Course Schedule to view upcoming courses.

We have completed a very successful year and are updating the Rotary Leadership Institute Sunshine Division web site for 2011-12. The registration pages and course schedule pages are up and running while they are being updated.  Please check back as we continue to update all of the pages on the site and add more.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know.