At Lincoln South Rotary Club on February 4, we were happy to welcome District Governor Carol Horner as our presenter.
Though we were meeting by Zoom only, the members were all engaged. We had a lot of socializing before the meeting and interactions with Carol during the meeting.
She started by congratulating Lincoln South Rotary Club and our continued support of The Rotary Foundation. We received certificates/banners from Rotary International. One was for our strong support of End Polio Now. We also received a banner for 2nd in the District in Per Capita Giving to the Annual Fund. Carol pointed out that Rotary first determines the clubs that have given at least $50 per capita. Then, they determine those that were in the top 3 in the Districts (above that $50). Banners are presented to those - only 1,530 were given worldwide (out of 34,000 clubs).
She was excited to announce that she had been selected from over 1,000 applicants to be a presenter at the International Convention in Houston. She will be leading a break out session which will focus on collaboration - finding solutions. She talked about how the Spiral of Accountability demonstrates finding solutions - collaborating - making positive changes much like Rotarians have been doing. The spiral is designed to help move destructive behaviors to productive behaviors - to move from being in mysery to being in synch.
Carol talked about being open to more ideas and different experiences. Listen and learn - gain understanding. We all need to take responsibility for learning and growing.
She pointed out that often others reach to others to find solutions. Rotarians aren't like that - they find solutions. That was what happened with the polio eradication efforts. The solution was known, but they did not know how to get it out to the people. Rotarians were able to make it work. Rotarians were able to get volunteers and also to hold governments accountable. The others working on eradicating polio could not accomplish that. Being a non-governmental organization, Rotary had a lot of influence.
Carol was excited about the progress that has been made to End Polio Now. The cases have decreased and Rotary International has now stated that they believe eradication can be achieved by 2026. She shared that there was a great deal of concern when the situation in Afghanistan became grave. But, Rotarians in Afghanistan were able to talk with various people and get support to continue the polio eradication efforts. The Taliban agreed and supported the immunization days, protecting the workers, so that the work to end polio could continue.
She pointed out that the reason the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation supports us is because of the collaboration - the process. They have duplicated our system with other projects. Also, our monitoring systems have been duplicated and have assisted with tracking COVID.
We can be proud of what we have done with our End Polio Now efforts - and the impact those efforts have on other problems.
Carol promoted the upcoming Rotary International Convention. It will be June 4-8 in Houston - easy travel - it is in our time zone. It will be in-person with protocols such as requiring vaccines or negative tests. They are still evaluating the level of mask requirements that will be put in place.
She also talked about the Rotary District 5650 conference in Council Bluffs July 7,8,9. There will be music. There will be dancing. July 7 is a professional development day for Young Rotarians. Thursday night will be a party at the Hoff Center which is open to the public for viewing art and enjoying the musicians. Saturday morning service project will be feeding the homeless. Saturday night will be the club recognition celebration.
Carol has been a Rotarian since 2005 and was President of her club, Rotary Club of Council Bluffs, in 2010-11.
She has served District 5650 as District Trainer, and Area Governor. During her year as District Governor, Carol’s primary focus will be on increasing member diversity and building a strong sense of belonging in the Rotary Clubs of District 5650. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and sustaining member of The Rotary Foundation. Her Rotary awards include: 2013 Rotary International Avenues of Service Citation; 2016 and 2018 District Chair of the Year; and 2017 Rotarian of the Year for her Club. She is a facilitator for Rotary Leadership Institute – Heartland USA Division.
Carol Horner is President and Founder of Synchronicity, Inc. She works with companies and organizations that want their employees, teams, and leaders to "be in synch" and make impact. Carol integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion in all her work. She is currently authoring a book about her Spiral of Accountability Model.
Carol enjoys wine and scuba diving although not at the same time! She also enjoys exercise, sports, kayaking, golf, and the outdoors.
Her favorite thing about being a Rotarian is her opportunity to be a part of saving the world!