Welcome Message
GREETINGS FELLOW ROTARIANS!
I am Past District Governor (2014-2015) Deborah A. (Deb) Glisson. As Chair of this Empire Multi District Presidents’ Elect Training Seminar, it is my pleasure to welcome you to your 2021-2022 Virtual PETS Event!
The District Governor’s Elect of your Rotary Districts (7120, 7150, 7170, and 7190) have been working diligently over the past 10 months to plan your PETS experience. It will be one that provides opportunities for you to connect virtually with current Rotary leaders from locations miles and miles from your homes as well as those who may be your next-door neighbors. Those speakers will provide the most current information, thoughts, ideas, and training to prepare you for your year as Club President. You will be exposed to a variety of aspects of the Rotary experience.
We are especially honored to have our incoming Rotary International President, Shekar Mehta, join us in the virtual format. President Elect Shekar has asked that he be permitted to speak for 15 minutes and then to address your questions for 30 minutes!
I anticipate hearing details from him regarding how he is urging members to become more involved in service projects. He has said that, “caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own.” Mehta, a member of the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, West Bengal, India, revealed the 2021-22 presidential theme to incoming District Governors on February 1st during the Rotary International Assembly.
Additionally, Mehta has spoken about how participating in service projects through Rotary changed him as a person and made him empathize more with the needs of others. Soon after joining his club, he helped carry out projects that benefited rural communities in India.
Throughout this PETS event, you will be able to connect with your President Elect counterparts from across New York State. Please take advantage of the ZOOM Chat feature. Zoom technology hosts from each district will be monitoring Chats during each session. They will be available to assist you. You may want to share your contact information, exchange ideas, ask pertinent questions, offer thoughts, etc. in the Chat area.
Thank you very much for participating with us at this MD PETS! Your Rotary Adventure as Club President has just begun! I and the entire Empire MD PETS Committee wish you all the best that Rotary has to offer through Service Above Self!