Be Inspired and Have Fun

San Juan Capistrano Rotarian Ray Perez dressed as Father Serra, the founder of Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Rotary district conferences are a great opportunity for Rotarians to learn, grow, and connect with other Rotarians from our district. My first District Conference was in 2004 and it was a BLAST! Especially the Hospitality Night. I met other Rotarians from other clubs and got to learn about the various projects they were doing.

I'll always remember SJC Rotarian Ray Perez dressed as Father Serra, the founder of Mission San Juan Capistrano, handing out shots of tequila to all comers.

Here are just a few of the reasons why I love attending. The next one is May 5-7:

• Learn about Rotary International and our district. I learned so much about Rotary International's mission, programs, and initiatives. The scope of our work is amazing.

• Network with other Rotarians. I got to meet other Rotarians from our district and learn about their clubs and projects. I took the opportunity to build relationships with Rotarians who helped with the projects our club was doing.

• Gain new skills and knowledge. The featured workshops and breakout sessions on a variety of topics, such as leadership, fundraising, and project management were great. They helped me develop the skills I needed to be more effective in my Rotary club and in my community.

• Be inspired and motivated. I was inspired and motivated by other Rotarians who are making a difference in the world. I heard stories of Rotary's impact on people's lives, and was be inspired to take on larger and more meaningful projects.

If you're a Rotarian, especially a new Rotarian, I encourage you to attend the district conference. It's a great opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with other Rotarians who are making a difference in the world.