Amy Kilgore’s mission as District Governor this Rotary year is to imagine “how we create a place in the world.” Hopefully in doing this we will create fun and silliness that is meaningful and have an impact. All Rotarians are Rotarians for a reason. Something inside of us has lit a fire in us to help those in need.

Amy’s plan is based on Adventure and Fun at the circus. At the Rotary International Convention, Gordon McInally, President of Rotary International (RI) for 2023-24, introduced his theme for the year: “Create Hope in the World.” Rotary can accomplish many things by using the resources of our clubs and members. Even with our differences, we can come together to create hope for others for a better future for all.

Linking the theme for Rotary with the idea of a circus for Amy’s 5910 theme was not as difficult as it seemed at first. Gordon McInally recalled the story of Kintsugi to members at RI. It concerns a person disfigured in his face during life and considered broken. However, he took the idea of “broken” and made it his own by making his life whole and having an impact on others. Differences should be understood and celebrated. We need to recognize when people need help and determine what we can do to help.

The Rotary Action Plan asks members to increase their clubs’ impact for the good of all. She is asking each club to determine who they are and what their focus is. This plan involves three goals:

Each club will look to do a joint service project with another club or organization.

Each club will submit one story to be shared with the District at the District Conference.

All clubs will participate in regional collaborative skills.

We will be stronger together. Don’t miss an opportunity to show leadership or impact others by service.

Amy had a final story concerning regional collaborative skills. She was at a meeting honoring Rotarians when one of the members received a phone call that there was an active shooter at the Santa Fe High School. She left the meeting as her job was prevention of crime in the school system. Shortly thereafter, another member received a call to come to the scene as a resource from another local school system that would be needed at an active-shooter situation. The last call came to Amy. Her job in her school system was to bring her service dog to the place where parents were waiting for word about the fate of their child and reunite with them if they were ok. Her description of the day was “It was the longest and shortest day of my life. It was also the most difficult days of my life.” She immediately understood the need for knowing resources in Rotary and being able to assist.

She urged members to not miss an opportunity to be a leader.

Photos by: Jennifer Gregory