Strengthen Rotary clubs Through Quality Learning and Development - Lorrie Apel

Most people associate learning with formal education at school, college, university etc.  We are all told, from an early age, that we should get a good education. However, in the words of Mark Twain, “Never let formal education get in the way of your learning”. That’s the essence of lifelong learning and development. As humans, we have a penchant to evolve – learn new skills, habits or hobbies. Our ability to learn is innate. Knowledge can be acquired, and skill sets developed anywhere – learning is unavoidable and happens all the time. When we create and maintain a positive attitude about our learning our experiences in life are enhanced. Just so with our Rotary experiences. Just about the time we think we know all about Rotary, we learn something new!

 

Helping Rotarians gain new knowledge and develop new skills, improves the effectiveness of clubs and our District in supporting Rotary’s goals and commitment to build communities and improve lives across the world. Learning and development activities accessed through Rotary have benefitted Rotarians both personally and professionally.

 

Our Rotary District 5400 has made a commitment to learning and development for all Rotarians with a District training committee, called “District Learning and Development Team” to oversee training in the district and plan and conduct education and training events for all Rotarians. Currently the District Trainer leads the team and we welcome new members! If you are interested in being a part of leadership development for your club or others please contact: Lorrie Apel (lorrieapel@gmail.com 208-850-1027)

 

The goal of the Learning and Development Committee, is to strengthen Rotary clubs through quality learning and development opportunities designed to meet the needs of all Rotarians. In this new post Covid world, there are many new avenues to present as well as partake of learning opportunities. For instance if you want on line learning there is The Learning Center and catalogue accessed through My Rotary

There are 112 courses in English, covering topics from Building Consensus to Club President and Secretary Basics. They can be done in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. If you’ve never done any online training, these would be good ones to start with. RI has done an outstanding job making these courses user friendly.

 

If you are not too tired of Zoom trainings, there will be two consecutive Tuesdays in January (the 17^th and 24^th 6-8pm MST)  covering Rotary basics of Leadership, Membership, Public Image and Foundation. They are designed for Presidents Elect and contain great information for anyone who wants to learn more. Reach out to Lorrie to get the Zoom link.

 

The L&D team conducted two in person trainings in the fall of 2022, one in Pocatello and one in Boise. What fun we had learning together! The plans for the Presidents Elect to go to Pacific NW PETS in person are in place. Our District is well represented at NW PETS with an eye to our unique challenges.

Let’s not forget that learning for its own sake brings its own advantages. For example, learning in whatever context:

Your L&D team understands that our ability to learn is innate, that human penchant to evolve and learn new skills, habits, and ways to make ourselves and our clubs better. We are working hard to help you all learn!