Networking session fosters Future Vision partnerships

 

 

Emilio Ruiz-Jarabo (left), incoming governor for District 2201 (Spain), and District Rotary Foundation Chair Eduardo San Martín Carreño pick up stickers to find potential partners for projects based on the six areas of focus during a networking session for Future Vision pilot participants. Alyce Henson/Rotary Images

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After a long day of Future Vision Pilot Training, district leaders were ready to put their knowledge to work by swapping humanitarian project ideas with their peers.

“This is the way to do it. This is going to open up communications for leaders from pilot districts and then do the same for the rest of RI,” said Stephen May, governor-elect of District 7930 (parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, USA).

The 17 January networking session was part of a two-day training event in San Diego, California, for incoming district governors and Rotary Foundation chairs from the 100 Future Vision pilot districts and for regional Rotary Foundation coordinators. The purpose of the training is to prepare district leaders for the 1 July launch of the Future Vision pilot, a test of The Rotary Foundation’s new grant structure.

“This is a unique opportunity to look each other in the eye, shake each other’s hand, and make a human connection,” said moderator Carolyn E. Jones, a past Rotary Foundation trustee.

To make it easy to spot potential project partners, district leaders donned colored stickers representing which of the six areas of focus for Foundation grants they would like to discuss. Some were in the early stages of deciding which type of project to pursue; many had proposals in hand, ready to get into the details.

There was plenty to talk about. Throughout the day, participants attended plenary and breakout sessions to discuss the new Foundation grants structure, their responsibilities as district leaders, and district qualification and stewardship. The sessions featured question-and-answer opportunities with current and former Foundation leaders, Foundation staff, and other Rotary experts.

Rotary leaders encouraged the pilot participants to continue to develop partnerships online through the Future Vision pilot LinkedIn group.