DISTAS 2008

The Rotary Club of Kalibo attended District Assembly of Incoming club officers for RY 2008-09 last April 2, 2008 at Bacolod Busines Inn, Bacolod City. Fellow Rotarians who were present headed by Incoming President Megs Lunn were Incoming Secretary Leny Alcedo, Rtns. Boy Bermejo, Frank Kennedy and PP Botoy Villorente who also served as one of the good speakers during the training. Spouses Tessie Kennedy and Rencee Villorente were also present to support their Rotarian spouse.

It is this year that we appreciated the training, notwithstanding the eloquent invited speakers by the committee. The delegates participated during the break out sessions particularly on Public Speaking. The facilitator, Distinguished Toastmasters Greg Vallejera (District 75, Toastmasters International) challenged the club presidents to a 2-3 minute impromptu speaking. The exercises were participated by some presidents, some obviously went out to excuse themselves from the exercises (he he he). It was a real learning opportunity for some of us who really cares on how we present ourselves as club presidents in way of speaking. Though in Rotary, we count on the deliverables, but one important way to deliver Service Above Self is COMMUNICATION.

While the incoming club presidents are having fun with the “butterfly in their stomach”, on the other side of the sessions, were the Incoming Secretaries exercises facilitated by Incoming District Secretary Alex Ong who discussed about Monthly Attendance Reporting and other Secretarial responsibilities of a club secretary.

PP John P. Etabag of Rotary Club of Silay, during the training spoke on Principle – Centered Leadership. Likewise, his presentation was impressive. The importance of TRUST, COMMUNICATION, MANAGEMENT OF DIFFERENCES, AFFILIATION OF STRENGTH, GOALS & OBJECTIVES, RULES & FUNCTIONS AND SUPPORT SYSTEM in an organization. The empowerment of members in an organization comes with trustworthiness in order to deliver the services asked. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey was also shared by PP John.

PP Botoy Villorente presented how Public Relations on Rotary are to be carried out by all the members of the club as public relations man and not just the committee in-charge. That, the best public relations is Excellent Performance. His presentation is the shortest, however, precise and practical. It comes from a seasoned experience and exposure on Tri-Media and Public Relations, being President of the Aklan Press Club for many years now.

We also had the chance to browse elbows with the Honorable Rafael L. Coscolluela, the former governor of Negros Occidental and now the administrator of Sugar Regulatory Administration, who was our distinguished guest speaker on LITERACY. He stressed on the importance of education of which is one of the programs of the Rotary International – LITERACY AND NUMERACY.

Kodus to the host club, Rotary Club of Bacolod Central and the DISTAS committee for coming up with an impressive speakers and presentation this year. To those who attended the sessions, thank you very much. I am still working as your Fellowship Chair here hehehehe….of course, for the rest of you who missed DISTAS, you missed the fun, too! Anyway, we are positive that WE MAKE DREAMS REAL this Rotary Year 2008-09.

You all deserved a PAT IN THE BACK! Mabuhay!