Ascot Rotarian, Jodie Sparks, spoke of her experiences as one of the international trainers to provide support for Incoming District Governors this morning at our twice-monthly meeting.
Jodie has, for the past 2 years spent these two weeks of January, in a much cooler place - San Diego, as she has been involved in facilitating the development and learning of the incoming District Governors from around the Rotary International world. She was one of some 35+ leaders from 27 countries who spent a week together, learning about what it takes to be a great facilitator; and then another week facilitating the learning of the incoming District Governors as they embarked upon their year as their District's DGs.
As Facilitators, Jodie said they get to learn about the incoming year's theme in advance of the rest of us - but must make sure that they are not responsible for leaking it to others prior to the official launch. They also get to find out about the year's vision and goals too. They learn to become facilitators and learn how to facilitate in a situation where people from more than one language group will be in the room. Jodie mentioned that she was in awe of those who could speak multiple languages, and those who could translate one language into another.
About 2 months before the event they receive the materials they will be working from - several hundreds of pages of workbook materials and learning guides to go through and put into action when they are performing their duties as facilitators.
Seemingly it is not all work and no play, as Jodie mentioned there is a social side to the learning - they have networking lunches to go to so they get to meet each other; team dinners to attend, they usually provide a gift exchange to showcase something distinctly from their own country; and are able to enjoy snacks and drinks from each other's countries. I don't think Jodie took vegemite along for this activity, but she did say she provided some great Australian Shiraz to share. One thing she did mention was that it was clear that language was no barrier to creating great friendships and enjoyment.
During the second week of the event, over 500 incoming District Governors would descend on the premises and be involved in the week long program of induction. Their program follows a similar pattern to a Rotary International Conference with an opening general session on Day one; daily plenary sessions followed by numerous break out sessions of about 90 minutes each. The facilitating team were then expected to facilitate at these break out sessions which included some 20 - 25 of the incoming DGs. They had access to no electronics, (so no microphones, no laptops, no digital aids) - just their own voice and flipcharts that they had prepared the night before.
Jodie mentioned that the days were long - they were up and about by 6.30 am setting up the room for the Training Leader Breakfast at 7.00 am and then finishing most days at about 10.30 pm - when she and others would head back to their rooms, and start preparing for their next day.
It was an amazing experience according to Jodie; and she knows that Rotary has a place in the world with a bright future.
Thanks Jodie it was a great reminder that together we can achieve some amazing things. Well done, and all the best for the next round of Rotary International training you will be involved in.