District Conference - Thank Yous

Those of you who were at this District Conference, or have been to others, know that it could not possibly be a one-person show.  MANY hands went into our district conference.  The District Governor does not do it alone and if he or she deserves any credit at all, it is only for asking the right people to do the heavy lifting.  In that regard, I WILL take credit for recruiting two magnificent Rotarians to be conference co-chairs this year – Sharon Bloodworth (Minneapolis #9) and Christine Taylor Kras (formerly of Minneapolis City of Lakes  - more about that shortly).  I asked Sharon and Christine to chair the conference well over a year ago, but both readily accepted the challenge.  Time proved that I chose well.  For the most part, the rest of our conference “org chart” was filled in by them, not by me.  And fill it they did, with an incredible assemblage of Rotary talent throughout the district. 

 

One thing you should know about Christine.  The reason I said “formerly” of City of Lakes is that in the midst of our planning for the conference, Christine got married.  Christine’s husband, Teun, from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, works for Cargill, and at the end of the last calendar year was transferred to Amsterdam.  For some, this would be a reason to withdraw from the position she had undertaken; not Christine.  She continued by long distance with the planning of the conference, joining our regular meetings via Skype despite the 7 hour time difference.   And not only that – she came all the way from Amsterdam to attend the conference and take part in the intense work in the days leading up to the conference.  Talk about Rotary dedication!  It is the reason, among others, that I was able to read a resolution in the evening from our club’s board of directors, naming Christine as an honorary member of our club.   Christine, by the way, is now in the process of joining the Rotary Club of Amsterdam International, an English-speaking club.   That club will never be the same!

 

Many thanks go to everyone who worked alongside Christine and Sharon to make the conference a success.  At the risk of missing anyone, they should be named:

 

Emcees: Natalie Johnson Lee (North Minneapolis-Morning, Ted Risdall (Minneapolis #9, Brock Ray (Minneapolis City of Lakes-Evening)

 

Marketing/Communications: Beth Grosen (Minneapolis #9)

 

Photography and Photo Booth: Michael Proebstle (Eagan)

 

 

 

Opening Ceremony: Matthew Prediger (Minneapolis City of Lakes)

 

Registration: Diane Confer (District Executive Secretary and Maple Grove Rotary) and  Kathy Koehler (Bloomington Noon)

 

Lunch Keynote Emcee: Ted Risdall (Minneapolis #9)

 

Hall of Friendship: Victoria Keller (Minneapolis City of Lakes)

 

Awards Showcase: Carol MacDonald (Burnsville Breakfast) and Dick Hall (Minneapolis City of Lakes)

 

Speaker Host: Melissa Musliner

 

RI President Representative Host: DGE Tim Murphy (Edina Noon)

 

Closing Ceremony: Christopher Taykalo

 

Decorations: Ann Dillard, Susan Smith, Natalie Johnson Lee (North Minneapolis)

 

Thanks to all – some 300 – Rotarians and guests who attended this very special day.  There are many other things happening on a spring Saturday, but you chose to make this your priority for the day.  It would not have been the fun time it was without all of you coming together in fellowship, sharing a laugh or two, singing along, and being inspired by what our clubs are doing.  The district conference is for you, and our efforts would be for nothing if it were not for you.  Thank you for your commitment to Rotary, thank you for sharing in the joy and accomplishments of your fellow Rotarians.  You made the work worth it. 

 

For those of you who could not attend, please join us at next year’s District Conference, under the leadership of Tim Murphy.  Tim and his conference chair Jody Kern are already planning the event, which will be held May 12-13 at Mystic Lake Conference Center, in conjunction with District 5960, the first time our two districts will do it together in some years.  Mark your calendars!  Don’t miss another one!