Forever the optimist, I view every situation for all that it provides not takes away.  The obvious is the ability to connect now like we have never before.  With that in mind I, and my fellow 2022-24 Director classmates, have had access to something that has never been granted before.  Traditionally the first year after a Director is nominated there is limited interaction with the sitting Rotary International Board other than between current and nominated Directors for each Zone and any personal relationships that may exist.  In Zones 28/32 we are extremely lucky as not all Zones have the relationships between the sitting Director and the incoming Director as we do. This affords the ramp-up time to be spent being counseled by the sitting Director as the incoming Director gets ready to take the position.   Director Valarie has spent countless time with me going over the current Board matters and getting me ready for the position.  What traditionally occurs during one’s nominee year is they may attend Council on Legislation as an observer or go to events during the International Convention, but because of economics and logistics an incoming Director does not attend their first board meeting until the January of their elect year (6 months prior to assuming the position).  In that short period of time a Director Elect has to get fully up to speed with all that is going on as they will be charged with making important decisions based on conversations and concepts that are years in the making.

 

Now for the silver lining, due to the convenience and access that Zoom allows, Immediate Past Rotary International Holger Knaack invited all Directors Nominee to sit in on all Board meetings beginning January of last year which is a full year ahead of when access is traditionally granted.  Because of this I have had the opportunity to attend every Board meeting since, which are now occurring monthly, and the experience has been tremendous.  To be in the know so early in the process and be able to sit back and observe is something that is truly amazing, and I am grateful to have this opportunity. 

 

While I can not guarantee this will translate into every decision that occurs during my term on the Board being the right one, I can guarantee that the decisions on items that have been discussed over a long period of time will be understood and the historical perspective (at least 18 months’ worth) will be with me and my fellow Director classmates.

 

We can all agree we are ready to resume life pre-pandemic and that day cannot come soon enough.  But while we wait for that we must take the wins where we can and being able to attend every Board meeting a year earlier than expected is a win.