DISTAS 2015

Why you should read this article: 1. You might learn something important, 2. Maybe you are even supposed to do something discussed here, and 3. The article is short (for a change).

Every year, there are training events that Rotary International and our district require (or strongly encourage) of clubs and specific officers and committee chairpersons. One of the most important of these is the Annual District 3810 Training Assembly, also known as "DisTAs." It is designed to assure that incoming club leadership – specific officers and committee chairpersons – are at least familiarized with the basic requirements of their position, including critical policies, procedures, timelines, reporting requirements, and so forth. In other words, that we at least know what we are supposed to do. It is also a one-day learning opportunity for new Rotarians who might not yet have been able to avail of the required three-day "Rotary Leadership Institute."

Please note that many of those who are strongly encouraged to participate in Distas have already participated in other training or in previous years, but the district wants current training in the responsibilities of those elected or appointed to specific assignments or positions on an annual basis. For example, even though President-elect Ebot has already undergone numerous trainings in his responsibilities as incoming president, he is never-the-less expected to participate in this final training before assuming office, as are other experienced directors and committee chairs, as well as those who are new to their upcoming Rotary responsibilities in RY 2015-2016.

This year, the Distas is strongly encouraged of the following RCM club members:

· President-elect Eusebio V. "Ebot" Tan

· Secretary-designate Rtn. Jorge Q. "George" Salazar (also recommended for A.S. designate Rtn. Alvin D. Lacambacal)

· Treasurer-designate Rtn. F. Francisco S. "Chito" Zaldarriaga (and recommended for AT Designate Rtn. Raoul A. Villegas)

· Foundation Director Oscar Del Rosario and Foundation Chairs AS Conrado B. "Addie" Topacio and PVP Lance A. Masters

· Membership Director Jesus M. "Susing" Pineda, Jr. and Chair PVP Fausto R. Presyler Jr.

· PR Director Issam Eldebs and Chair Rtn. Antonio A. "Tony" Lopa

· Community Service Directors VPE Teodoro J. "Teddy" Ocampo, DE Mariano B. "Ning" Lopez and DE Amado D. "Amading" Valdez

· Vocational Service Director IPP (now Pres) Frank Evaristo

· International Service Director Oscar A. "Oca" Del Rosario and Chair PD Edgar L. "Ed" Lee

· Youth Service Director VPE Teddy Ocampo and Rotaract Chair PS Albert S. Alday.

· All Rotarians who have not yet undertaken the Rotary Leadership Institute are also encouraged to join and learn more about how we can help make our clubs ever more effective and get more out of our membership ourselves.

The event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Manual Roxas and will be held at the Midas Hotel and Casino, on Roxas Boulevard, in Pasay. Kindly mark your calendar for all day, Saturday, May 30. The registration form will be printed in next week's Balita.

Remember, this year in particular we must be the exemplar of all that is right and good in Rotary as we support incoming President Ebot, and demonstrate to all the clubs in the District that the home club of DGE "Obet" Pagdangnanan is not only the first club in all of Asia, but indeed the best, active and visible in all of the district activities and taking frequently taking critical leadership roles. Participation in the Distas is one of the requirements for the Presidential challenge, awarded each year by the Governor only to club Presidents whose clubs fulfill all the requirements of the challenge. Please mark your calendars to enroll in Distas this year.