Posted by Michele Starwalt

CLT.......VICTORIUS

Just as the Mexican forces celebrated victory over the French troops on May 5th of 1862, attendees at the Cinco de Mayo Club Leadership Training (CLT) walked away feeling victorious, inspired, and energized as they had participated in dynamic workshops including “Show Me the Money;” “New Club Flexibility,” It’s Not a Zoo,” and “Circle the Wagons,” amongst many other empowering and thought provoking sessions. Workshops were hosted by DG Reg Madison, DGE Melisa Schrock, PDG Kevin Crosby and a host of influential business leaders, marketing experts, and dynamic Rotarians.
 
Built in 1901, the majestic and architecturally brilliant former Buffalo Post Office now home to Erie Community College, was the setting for the lively and engaging morning and afternoon events. Each moment from registration, to coffee breaks to a sit down lunch and breakout sessions offered the opportunity for seasoned Rotarians to network with their longtime friends while they welcomed and imparted Rotarian pride and knowledge to dozens of new Rotarians who are ready to make their own clubs and District 7090 shine throughout the upcoming Rotary year.
 
A brand new Rotarain, Nehal Mahran of the Ancaster Evening Club, stated that she was thankful her President, Celine Legret encouraged her to attend the CLT as it offered Nehal a chance to network with professionals from many career paths and discover how, “Rotary all comes together and inspires Clubs to collaborate in the future.”
 
Veteran Rotarians, such as Lorne White from the Rotary Club of Ft. Erie, were eager to be part of the day, once again. This particular longtime Rotarian is a two time past president, has attended multiple CLTs and Lorne staunchly believes that participating in these fun-filled and informational district events helps to keep clubs active.  He happens to be is a great role model not only for his club but for the district by being an active member and devotedly bringing district information and events back to his fellow Rotarians.
 
Boisterous laughs, newfound friendships, and soon to be experts in social media could be found exiting  room 412 after the workshop "Social Media" presented by Paul McAfee and Lisa Mueller was complete. The Cinco de Mayo theme resonated as participants discovered that # hashtagging is not just for millennials, and the power and creativity it holds for even the smallest of clubs is quite useful! Rotary Trivia games, The Rotary Foundation successes and challenges, vocational service ideas, and becoming effective leaders were topics brought back to dozens of clubs and, as at any Rotary event, the tasty food and camaraderie were proportioned in exact measure.
 
Congratulations to all who attended the CLT of 2018; committee members are sure to see you next year and with many of your fellow seasoned and newbie Rotarians!