Mesa West Rotary may have been the best-represented club at the Big West Rotary Zone Institute held in Denver September 5-8, 2019. The Institute followed the Governor Elect and Governor Nominee training sessions that were held earlier that week. Two Mesa West Members - Allan Cady and Chris Krueger were invited by District Governor David Simmer to participate in training for Emerging Leaders. Lucinda General is active at the zone level and served on the Institute planning committee as well as participated as a trainer. John Pennypacker served as an aid to one of the many Rotary VIP's at the Institute. Don LaBarge played a huge logistical role. He transported the flags representing all the countries where Rotary is represented from Arizona to the Institute and was involved in getting them placed strategically in the rooms where the general and plenary sessions were held. The six photos on the left were taken Thursday evening at a mix-and-mingle social event. Photo-documenting their attendance at a Rotary make-up by attending the Institute were Allan Cady, Polly Cady, Jeanie Morgan, Chris Krueger, John Pennypacker, Don LaBarge, Lucinda General and Wayne General.
PDG George Wheeler and his Rotarian-wife Willie are long-time friends of Mesa West. John Pennypacker is shown presenting an End Polio Now hat to Mike McGovern, chair of the Rotary International End Polio Campaign. The photo taken on the bottom right was taken the evening of the Roaring 20's graduation celebration for the District Governor Class of 2020-21. Shown in the photo l-r are John Steelquist, RI President-Elect Holgar Knaak, John Pennypacker, and Laura Steelquist.
The Rotary Zone Institute was abundant with inspirational and motivational speakers. One of the things that becomes abundantly clear is that Rotary is rich with servant leaders - leaders at all levels who are approachable and who have and continue to put service above self.