Posted by Terrence Dalton on Oct 22, 2020
The Rotary Club of Akron was honored to have District Governor (DG) Patricia (Pat) Myers as our featured speaker during our October 20, 2020 meeting. For our fellow Rotarians who haven’t had the privilege of meeting DG Myers, I would like to share a little of who Pat is. Click to view presentation.
 
DG Myers grew up in Ohio. She earned a Social Work degree from the Kent State University Honors College where she still serves on the Alumni Board. She also earned an MBA from the McLaren College of Business at the U. of San Francisco. Her career included: Director of the Palm Beach County Habilitation Center, Grants Manager of the State of Florida, Board member of the Florida Institute of Governments, which she established, and Executive Director of the Foundation, Development and Government at Palm Beach Community College and for the Community College System of Florida.
 
In 1990, she was asked to return to KSU to lead a foundation and corporation grants campaign. For 20 years she was the KSU Legislative Agent for their eight-campus system. She was also a loaned executive to the Chancellor of the University System of Ohio. Pat has received many awards and honors, too numerous to add to this article. 
 
Her Rotary experience started when asked to join the Hudson Rotary in 1990, serving on many Rotary committees and is a founding member of The Hudson Clocktower Rotary. The new club formed with a group of dedicated Rotarians who saw a need to provide training for future leaders to keep Hudson strong. They took action by establishing Leadership Hudson and Junior Leadership Hudson, where Pat continues to serve on the board.
 
DG Myers began her presentation by thanking the Club for inviting her to speak with the Akron Rotary Club. She stated “It is an honor to serve your widely respected and admired club, and a bit intimidating to be in the presence of a club filled with outstanding leaders. When I came to the 100-year celebration at The Hilton in Fairlawn, and watched the video of your history, I was impressed with the leadership of Akron Rotary in your community, particularly your focus from that first year on youth, and children with special needs and how every step of the way you have used your leadership skills to unite, take action, and create lasting change.” 
 
DG Myers continued by recognizing the involvement of so many of our club members, past and present, with District leadership activities.
 
DG Myers thanked Dr. McGregor for agreeing to use his leadership skills to serve as President. “When you and I talked you shared that as a medical professional, you realized even before we had to cancel All Ohio President Elect training in March, that you would need to plan differently for your year as President. I heard your concern of understanding the seriousness of the Virus first-hand in your work you looked at how to keep your club Members and others safe as they planned their meeting and events for the year. You formed a risk management team of professional medical, legal, insurance, finance club members, and developed a rubric to assess the risk if meeting In-person or holding events or fundraisers. Rob- Your club is fortunate to have you at this time – today – this year.”
 
A Year of Change:
 
DG Myers commented, “this is a year of change and like Rotary International President Holger Knaack’s theme of “Rotary Opens Opportunities,” The Akron club - is finding opportunities -to answer a call for help, to honor people; to provide needed school supplies, food, PPE, even camp – to unite – take action - to connect even if at home staying safe. We are people who love being with others who share the same core values we have had for 115 years –we like to serve, laugh together, share concerns, celebrate good news, care for others. We have all had to share in this difficult time.”
 
We have had to stretch and learn new Habits and – yes- technology. I say – we were kicked into using technology whether we wanted to or not.”
 
How does DG Myers see the year ahead?
 
“My vision is the same as Rotary’s vision. My goal this year is that each of our clubs and members are connected and engaged. My Objectives include to sharing with each member the opportunities, resources and support that Rotary International, the district and other clubs can provide, as they become available. As we open our eyes and minds, suddenly – we see, as your President is doing –that we can still reach out to those who needs a hand.”
 
How can we in our clubs, district or Rotary International take this time to look at how we can restructure our committees, events, fundraisers, our goals and activities, our youth and students, to think and plan – together. Those of us volunteering on district committees are asking questions –How do we meet together when we cannot be in person?  Do we need to have all these meetings – can we use technology even after there is a vaccine-should we have hybrid meetings, how can R.I. and the district honor the donors to the Rotary Foundation annual fund, to keep the fight to end polio and provide grants for needs relating to the pandemic, shelter boxes for other natural disasters, youth exchanges.
 
How can R.I. and the District provide the support for your club -and its officers -more effectively. How can we all share ideas and resources?”
 
In conclusion, DG Myers quoted Past R I President Ian Riseley who said
“Our Challenges are Our Strengths.”
 
For the entire presentation of DG Myers, please view the recording.
 
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