Better Together Zone Institute, Victorian Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Zone Institute is a week-long conference geared toward Rotary leaders on the District Governor track and future leaders who wish to contribute at the District level. Renee Yancy, Past President of the Detroit Rotary Club, and I had the privilege to attend the conference with DG Linda Morrow, DGE Kim Spirou, and DGN Therese Maggioncalda. There were 400 Rotarians in attendance from the US, Canada, France, and Bermuda. We heard keynote addresses from 2023-24 Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally, from Scotland, and Rotary International President-Elect Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, from Nigeria.

There were numerous breakout sessions supporting Rotary’s focus on chartering new clubs, embracing diverse club formats, and expanding Rotary’s reach to new communities, which is vital to building a stronger, more impactful organization.

We heard an inspiring talk from Canadian Rotarian Julie Mulligan, who was honored and excited to lead her District 5370 Group Study Exchange team on a month-long exchange in Northern Nigeria. Just one week after arriving, she was taken hostage at gunpoint from her host's car and held captive for two weeks. She shared her personal story of survival and resilience, recounting her time in captivity and the lessons she learned.

In addition to the inspiring speeches and collaborative breakout sessions, the Zone Institute offered valuable opportunities for networking and sharing best practices among district leaders. Attendees participated in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and social events designed to foster innovation and strengthen leadership skills. The conference fostered a sense of unity and purpose, encouraging participants to return to their districts with renewed enthusiasm and actionable strategies for advancing Rotary’s mission.

Bill Friske

Assistant Governor 2025-28