Celebrating Barbara Bowman’s completion of Governor Line Education are, from left, Wayne Bowman, Past District Governor Whittney Smythe-Smith, District Governor Donna Hood, District Governor Nominee Dave Frank, District Governor-Elect Barbara Bowman, Past District Governor Maile Foster, Montana Past District Governor Shawna Kazanow and Ralph Hood.
District 5470 was well represented at Camp Big West, the Rotary Zones 26 & 27 Institute held at The Wigwam in Arizona, where Rotary leaders from across the West gathered for several days of education, leadership development, fellowship and connection.
The week offered plenty to celebrate for District 5470, with several district leaders reaching important milestones in their Rotary journeys.
District 5470 leaders gathered during Camp Big West at The Wigwam in Arizona. Pictured from left are District Governor Nominee Dave Frank, Emerging Rotary Leader graduate Nick Adams, District Governor Donna Hood and District Governor-Elect Barbara Bowman.
District Governor Nominee Dave Frank joined the newest class of Rotary District Governor Nominees from Zones 26 & 27, continuing his preparation for future district leadership. Frank, a longtime District 5470 leader, joined fellow nominees from throughout the two zones for education designed to help prepare them for the responsibilities and opportunities ahead.
District 5470 Membership Chair and Assistant Governor Nick Adams also reached a leadership milestone, graduating from the Emerging Rotary Leaders Program. The program brings together Rotarians who are expanding their Rotary knowledge, strengthening their leadership skills and preparing to make an even greater impact in their clubs, districts and communities.
Adams was joined during the week by Frank, District Governor Donna Hood and District Governor-Elect Barbara Bowman as District 5470 participated in the broader Institute activities.
Bowman completed this year’s Governor Line Education, another important step in preparing to serve as District Governor. Her accomplishment was celebrated with Rotary friends and leaders during the week, including a champagne toast and the Governor Graduation Gala that concluded the Institute.
The week, however, was about much more than graduations and leadership titles.
From classroom sessions and conversations with Rotarians from across the region to time with Education Chair Clint Schroeder and members of Hood’s governor class, Camp Big West offered opportunities to exchange ideas, build relationships and learn from Rotary leaders with a wide range of experiences.
There was plenty of fellowship mixed in as well, including travel together, informal conversations and an evening of dinner and fun at Topgolf.
Those connections are an important part of events like the Rotary Zones Institute. Leadership development in Rotary does not happen only through formal training. It also grows through conversations, shared experiences and relationships with Rotarians beyond one’s own club or district.
For District 5470, Camp Big West provided all of that: education, celebration, new ideas and stronger connections that district leaders can bring home to clubs and communities across Colorado.
Congratulations to Dave Frank, Nick Adams and Barbara Bowman on their accomplishments, and to all of the District 5470 Rotarians who represented the district during a memorable week of learning, leading and connecting.
