Several Lincoln South Rotary Club Members shared their reflections of the 2022-23 Rotary District Conference at Nebraska Innovation Campus on April 1 as well as the pre-conference activities.
Here are the reflections from some of the members attending from Lincoln South Rotary Club:
Mary Gilbride:
The District Conference was a wonderful opportunity to connect with Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. The programs were thoughtful, well-organized and served to remind us of our commitment to service, both locally and abroad.
Tom Hyde:
I liked the information on Ukraine - Senator Tom Brewer's first hand account of the situation, and the service of District 5650 leaders in Warsaw, as they aided the women and children who fled the Ukraine.
The story of women in Rotary - I was amazed (and embarrassed) that the leadership of Rotary so opposed women Rotarians that they appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. I was inspired by Dr. Sylvia Whitlock, one of the first women to join Rotary, and the first woman President of a Rotary Club.
I was proud of our club as President Matt presented Dr. Brady Beecham, former Youth Exchange Student, Ambassadorial Scholar, with a Paul Harris Fellow.
Suni Kasibhatla:
There were so many highlight moments at the conference. If I had to choose a couple, I would say listening to Dr. Sylvia Whitlock was one of the best moments in life. Her journey to be part of an organization to help the community and paving the road for the next generation women community leaders was inspiring.
I must mention Tom Brewer's contributions to Ukraine and his work on the field to help end the war and the soldiers in Ukraine is everything Rotary stands for.
Last but not least, Steve Glenn's Safe Harbour initiative / efforts proves that giving back to the community is not something you plan for years or these big initiatives. It means rising up to the situation and doing the right thing.
I was honored to be in the same room as some of the community leaders and follow in their path to help the world in my own way.
Suchitra Pattnaik:
(Suchitra attended Friday night)
It was really very happy moments for me seeing so many Rotary members,and all the arrangements including music, food etc.
The most exciting experience for me was to meet Dr. Dr. Sylvia Whitlock. I spoke with her for a minute, very touching.
Nikki Isemann:
(Nikki attended Saturday around lunch)
Dr. Brady Beecham, MD – Rotary Club of Lexington, RYE & Ambassadorial Scholar is an impressive young ER Family medicine doctor who took on multiple roles during the pandemic serving her community along with her husband Epidemiologist, Dr. Aravind Menon. Dr. Beecham as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar when I was the President of Lincoln South Rotary a “few” years ago, and she is still a very impressive speaker and an inspirational professional!
NE Senator Tom Brewer - knows exactly what is advisable with respect to the needs for the Ukrainian people.
Dr. Sylvia Whitlock - First Woman in Rotary was the highlight of the day for me. She was a hilarious speaker who survived some early years of discrimination in the 1970s in California not only as a woman of color, but as a woman. Her cheerful, determined attitude and the support of her Rotary Club, which was temporarily an EX-Rotary Club, demonstrated the resolve this group of Rotarians haf to break that glass ceiling for women in service organizations nation-wide.
Sue Merrill:
(Sue and Dave attended the Saturday Evening Banquet)
Although I did not attend the entire conference, I was delighted and inspired after attending the Saturday dinner with my husband and my fellow Rotarians: Tom, Matt and his wife Maddie, Mary, Suni, and Nicki (even though Mary, Suni, and I were sushed for being so giggly.) Meeting new District guests and listening to all the incredible achievements and plans for the future made me swell with pride that I'm a Rotarian!
Nicki Klein:
(Attended Saturday only but worked on the Conference as District Executive Secretary)
I was pleased to be part of the conference team. I was not able to hear all of the speeches and presentations but jumped in and out of the room as I was able.
I loved Brady Beecham - getting caught up with her and so proud that we presented her with a Paul Harris Fellow.
Dr. Sylvia Whitlock - meeting her was a thrill. She is so vibrant and is able to bring levity to the serious issue of challenges to "allow" women into Rotary.
Finally, I was overwhelmed with the number of Rotary Clubs that attended the District Conference. Rotary District 5650 truly reached all of our District. We had members from as far north as Wayne Nebraska, far south to Falls City Nebraska, west to Aurora Nebraska and east to Red Oak Iowa.