The primary purpose of Rotary's International Assembly is to train incoming District Governors to prepare them for the coming year. About 530 District Governor-Elects from around the world gather for 4 days of intense training and fellowship. It is an amazing mix of Rotarians from around the world and past, present and future Rotary leaders. It was very fun to share a meal with a Rotary International leader and find that they are Rotarians just like you - but they have said "yes" to repeated requests for their help and involvement until they find themselves as a Rotary President, director, trustee, etc. Anywhere and anytime Rotarians gather - even for the first time - they meet as family. I have found that true at every Rotary event I have attended.
The days were busy and tiring. The schedule at first glance does not look intimidating. Most days have a general session and a breakout each in the morning and afternoon. The sessions and breakout are both intense mentally and, in some cases, emotionally. All of them are inspiring and motivating. At meals you are seated with DGE's from around the world. Sometimes language is a barrier; Google Translate can be a great help!
Beyond the training, motivation and inspiration are the bonds of friendship and fellowship that you build with Rotarians around the world. You find that you have over 500 new sisters and brothers! My Zone 30/31 classmates are some of the dearest friends I will probably ever make. Cultural night - when each zone around the world sets up a booth to represent their culture (we did college football complete with cornhole) - is simply amazing. The vast array of dress, culture and food all meeting within Rotary was an evening I will never forget.
The simplest way to sum up the International Assembly is to say that it is the Rotary experience turned up to eleven fifteen!
Dale Smith
District Governor Elect (DG 2024/2025)
Rotary International District 6630
Past-President
Rotary Club of Mentor
Create Hope In The World
330-968-7683
