I would like to take this opportunity and platform to recognize and acknowledge all those people who came together to put on the 2021 Virtual Zone Summit which will be taking place on November 2-4. Planning any event takes a tremendous amount of resources with time being the top one. In alphabetical order please note the following individuals who went above and beyond to produce the top-notch program we will be experiencing with attendance well over 1,000.
Sherry Chamberlain – Together We Connect Chair
Bruce Goldsen – Co-Communications Chair
Sue Goldsen - Co-Communications Chair
Peter Schultz – Together We Celebrate Chair
Liz Smith – Video Producer
Thank you to our Speakers: Chris Wells, Tunji Funsho, Stephanie Woollard, Dean Rohrs, Todd Jenkins, Chantal Vallee
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and recognize Rotary International Vice President Valarie Wafer who gave me the opportunity to be the General Chair of the event, brought forward the concept and provided the vision for the above group to execute. While we all agree an in-person event would have been great having an event online provides a platform for many more of our members to participate and benefit from the program.
In the future (assuming health safety allows for it) all Zone events will provide both an in person and online format for as many of our members as possible to be able to participate beginning with Life Below Water in September of 2022. All main plenary sessions will be recorded and presented later online during an online version of Life Below Water. The same will occur for the Zone symposium that will take place in November, Life on Land. It is my hope that as our District leaders plan District Conferences or any District event consideration is given to recording the event and having a special dedicated online showing if the event cannot be simulcasted live so more of our members can participate and attend.
 | On a separate note… It is happening! While not overnight, slowly but surely events are starting to return to in person. From District Conferences to Anniversary Celebrations and everything in between Rotarians are coming together and it feels great. There is nothing better than in person fellowship which was one of the major losses felt with the online format many of our events have had these past 18 months. Maybe it is the concept of you do not know what you had until it is gone but now more than ever I for one appreciate the ability to come together in person and share the joys of Rotary fellowship. While nothing is a given in our current environment, for the first time in a couple of years event planners can breathe a little sigh of relief as they plan future events as more people become vaccinated and safety protocols become main stay in many of our areas. A step in the right direction is the recent U.S. lift of restrictions for vaccinated foreign travelers beginning on November 8th. Let this be the beginning of all borders reopening and free travel occurring throughout the Rotary world. |