Having a Ball at the 2230 District Conference - May 20, 2006

Saturday, May 20, we had the opportunity to participate in the District 2230 District Conference. It was both very similar to and very different from our experience at the District 7610 Conference in Fredericksburg. We were very fortunate to be able to meet participants from all of District 2230 including Belarus and Ukraine. Seth and I enjoyed using our Russian skills to speak with them.

On Saturday afternoon, we did our presentation in a large auditorium in a state-of-the-art conference center in the Krakow Old Town. We presented along with a GSE team from Germany who were just finishing up a two-week exchange. It was fun to speak with them and share experiences. The presentation went very well and everyone loved the hula, especially. Upon recommendation from the incoming team from Poland, we taught the hula to District Governor Jan, the Rotary International Council Director, Solve Kernell, and many others during our presentation. It was very fun! Mr. Kernell used the hula and leis as an example of extending friendship during a speech later at the conference.

On Saturday evening, we were guests of District Governor Jan and the District at their Rotary Gala. Live music and a lot of great food (and drinks) provided for a very entertaining evening. We had a great time mingling and visiting with Rotarians and I think we all found at least one person to speak with who shared some of our vocational interests. We enjoyed sitting at a table with some Rotarians from the Ukraine and discussing the changes taking place in their country now.

We were forewarned that their would be dancing into the middle of the night at the District Conference and there was. The live music was interrupted throughout the night for an auction and the presentation of awards, but the dancing floor was full from about 8:00 pm to about 1:30 am. It was very fun to watch and participate in some of the traditional Polish dances. I personally am amazed at how well everyone knows the traditional songs and dances, especially after they have had a few drinks.

It was an honor to participate in the District Conference in such a beautiful city. I think we were all surprised by how quickly we fell in love with Krakow. It is a beautiful city that never sleeps. As soon as I have some pictures ready to post, we will share them with everyone!