There are many “gems” to be garnered through attendance at Rotary District 5400 Conference each year. A few of my personal favorites include: First and foremost, the opportunity to meet and mingle with the in-bound and out-bound foreign exchange students. Their enthusiasms are sweet, goal-oriented, and contagious!
It was my privilege and honor to meet and interview in-bound, senior student from Cherkasy, Ukraine, Orest Shemshur. The time spent Orest will forever be on my mind and in my heart. His journey to America, was long and arduous involving a 24-hour bus ride from Ukraine to Poland, and a 24-hour flight from Poland to Salt Lake City, Utah; with two flight transfers in Germany and Texas before meeting up with Alex and Anita Swainston, his host family. Listening to Orest speak about his family, his education, and the changes wrought because of Soviet occupation in Ukraine touched my soul. Of his experiences in Idaho he said, “I’ve seen and done amazing things, and have met many awesome people! I believe we will keep in touch. We Ukrainians are grateful for the support from the United States of America. We are still fighting. Please don’t forget us.” His plans for the future include staying in touch with the people who have impacted his life in Idaho, and going to college in Lithuania.
It was a delight to meet and interview out-bound sophomore student, Grace Larsen from Pocatello. Her excitement bubbled over as she explained. “I’ve always wanted to do a foreign exchange.” She will be going to Sao Paulo, Brazil. She is looking forward to playing soccer in Brazil. She is a third-generation soccer player in her family. In her fund-raising efforts she made and sold homemade cookies, and those funds were matched by her uncle. She is saving up for side-trips to the Amazon. Her dream is to one day be a geologist and travel all over the world!
And Public Image-Telling your Club Story & Your Rotary Story, facilitated by Cornelia Sprung, who shared “Keep it simple, end strong. One story may move people to action. Stories of: challenge, connection, and ingenuity. Storytelling creates bonds within a club. The roots of Rotary International is telling and sharing their story. Every person brings value to the club through their story of different experiences, creating human connections. Tell your story, your clubs’ story. Use your own voice. Remember, one story can move people to action.” -Cornelia Sprung.
More “gems” of District Conference are the opportunities for community service. I especially enjoyed the Idaho Diaper Bank service project facilitated by Traci Lofthus, Executive Director. And the opportunity of meeting and sharing the experience with seven other Rotarians in our district. We happily counted-out and shrunk-wrapped 25 disposable diapers into bundles, to be distributed throughout to babies in need throughout Boise, and Meridian.
District 5400 conference celebrations included evening speakers and video presentations at dinner. Most notable, was Ben Nelson from Rotary International who incorporated laughter into his speech as he announced the ‘Barker Award’.
The ESAT video presentations by Liz Alexander of students’ entries were very special as they were viewed the winners were announced. First Place, Elizabeth Beutler, Soda Springs; Second Place, Ella Driever, Boise; Third Place, Miliah Clawson, Boise.
My favorite quote from District 5400 conference is by Charles Dickens; and was shared at the beginning of conference. And seems fitting to share here: “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.” Rotarians magnify this quote magnificently on a daily basis throughout District 5400 and the world!
~ Sharon Dowdle, Board Member, Rotary Club of Twin Falls
