My week didn’t exactly start the way I planned. By Wednesday, my computer keyboard decided that the letters C, D, E, and R were going on vacation—they simply stopped working. I was incredibly grateful this happened then and not Friday night. I had a backup computer… but if you’ve ever set up a new one, you know—none of your passwords are saved.
I found myself already looking ahead to Sunday morning.
The conference would be over. I could move on.
And then I caught myself.
Because that’s not what this is about.
This is about being present. Experiencing the moment—even the stressful ones.
So I made a decision. I was going to experience the conference live and in color… not just go through the motions because I was tired.
And that’s exactly what I did.
From the opening moment… to putting away the last centerpiece mirror and succulent… to packing up the car late Saturday night—I was in it.
And as I drove home, reflecting on the weekend, I felt something I didn’t expect to feel so strongly…
Pride.
Pride in this district.
In every Rotarian—from the Quad Cities to Belvidere, from Rockton/Roscoe to Toluca, and everywhere in between.
The energy. The conversations. The learning. The laughter. The generosity—including what we raised for End Polio Now.
You showed up.
So, thank you.
Thank you for your passion.
Thank you for bleeding Rotary blue.
And thank you for showing us what’s next for Rotary—for our district, our clubs, and our communities.
Melissa
District Governor 2025-2026