Rotary Academy holds pre-PETS seminar, DGE Sid Garcia at helm
Last Thursday, 25th September, the club presidents who will be serving next year when DGE Sid Garcia becomes district governor gathered at the Makati Sports Club for a must-attend seminar to prepare themselves for the year ahead. At the helm of the Pre-PETS (preparatory to the Presidents-Elects’ Training Seminar) was the man who will be guiding and working with them throughout their term as club presidents—DGE Sid, of course. DGE Sid introduced three key members of his team—IPP Pepito Bengzon, who will be his PR point man as Senior Asst. Governor for Public Relations, PP Jonny Carlos, who will take on the job as Senior Asst. Governor for Club Operations, and PP Conrad Marty, who will handle the finances as District Treasurer. Also there in a show of support were PE Felix Amparo and Ann Tesha Garcia.
The seminar participants were guided by this thought: “As a club president, I will be the catalyst, prime mover and servant leader who will make my club an effective member of Rotary International. In the process, I will become a better person and a better Rotarian.”
The program, which began in the late afternoon and ended at 9:00 PM, kick-started with team cheer/presentations on the concept of club presidency. IDS Lita Wells of RC Makati J.P. Rizal introduced DGE Sid, who delivered an inspirational message to his team. In his message, DGE Sid counseled the incoming club presidents to have a positive mindset and wear a happy disposition as they prepare themselves for the job ahead. He advised them to decide, this early, on their goals and targets in terms of membership growth, member’s support for club projects and activities, district events such as the District Assembly and District Conference, and the Rotary Academy; and The Rotary Foundation, and to start identifying and appointing club leaders who cane help them with their work. Finally he enjoined them to familiarize themselves with the Club President’s Manual, attend all PETS training activities, as these are designed to ensure that they succeed in attaining their goals, and to feel free to solicit the advice and assistance of district officers, whose reason for being is to help make their clubs more effective and strong. In closing DGE Sid told his team: “The role of a Club President is to inspire members to do more, learn more and be more! Remember, as president, you have been given the privilege to lead the club to greater heights for one year. Use it well.” He left them with a quote from Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Four past presidents delivered testimonials on their challenging and enriching experience of a club president—PP Patti King of RC Makati J.P. Rizal with the topic, “I Wanted to Leave a Legacy;” PP Doris Ensomo of RC Makati San Antonio, “My Horizons were Widened;” and PP Bobot Ramos and PP Rene Aquino, both of RC Parañaque East, “I was Challenged to Exceed my Best” and “I had Better Resources, My Business Improved,” successively. PDG Jimmy Cura rounded up the program with a talk on servant leadership in the context of the Object of Rotary. IED Sue Sta. Maria of RC Makti Urdaneta emceed the program.
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