Rotary Leadership Institute hosts Curriculum Symposium in Griffin
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
RLI Discussion Leaders Gather in Orlando
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.
RLI’s Success in St. Maarten
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RLI Sunshine Division enjoyed great success in its recent RLI held at the University of St. Martin in Philipsburg, Sint-Maarten. With thirty Rotarians representing the Rotary Club of St. Maarten, St. Barths and Anguilla, RLI participants enjoyed a day of sharing experiences and knowledge about Rotary International. Discussion Leader Diana White was quoted as saying,Rotary is somewhat unique in terms of having its membership having different vocations…We try to have a mix that is representative of the community in ever sense–professionally, ethnically and gender diverse.” Sessions on public relations and Rotary policies were a favorite among many that participated in the day’s session.
Chairman’s Message
As we near the end of the first semester of this Rotary year 2011-12, I would like to bring you up on happening around the division. First of all, We had our annual meeting in early July where we adopted some curriculum changes (more on that later), approved a redesign of our website (still in progress, but getting close) and welcomed some new District Directors, a new Regional Coordinator and a new Rotary District to the Sunshine Division.
We welcome District Directors Jeannette Loftus (6970) and Ted Thompson (6920), Regional Coordinator, Larry Johnson (6970) and District 4370 which includes Aruba, Bon Aire, Curacao and the eastern part of Venezuela!!!
With only a couple more events for 2011 in the Caribbean, we have held many events this year with either 2 Part I’s or 2 Part II’ so we are building for the future. We have also had a number of Discussion Leader Training sessions to boost our DL capabilities. We are working to help our friends in 7020 become less dependent on the mainland by increasing the number of qualified DL in some areas. A good example was the class of 8 trainees held October 1 down in the Cayman Islands. Thanks to RLI coordinator for the Caymans for his hospitality and the warmth of those participating!!
An important event is the December 3rd Curriculum workshop in Orlando. At this event we have the Executive Committee, Regional Coordinators. District Directors and Discussion Leaders all work-shopping their facilitation techniques and being introduced to new curriculum sequence as well as some new classes. By the end of the day we hope to have everyone in attendance up to date in best practices so that we hit the street polished and running for the new year!!
My thanks to each and every one of you who have given of your time and talent this year or been a part of any of the classes that have been given. Together we are working to strengthen the many Rotary Clubs throughout the Division. You are the best!!!!
Thanks for making the Sunshine Division the BEST of the BEST!!
Gary
Gary Israel, PDG
RLI Sunshine Division Chairman, 2010-12
All Florida Multi-District PETS Training Chair (2010-12)
District 6960 Rotary Foundation Chair (DRFC)
glipdg@embarqmail.com
239.287.4246
Skype: garyisrael.estero
What is RLI?
The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a multi-district, grassroots leadership development program of member districts organized into regional divisions in various parts of the world. It is not an official program of Rotary International and is not under its control.
A Short introduction video about the Sunshine Division
Welcome to RLI – Sunshine Division!
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.
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