Assistant Governors
One of the most important positions in our District is that of Assistant Governor. Full disclosure: I was an Assistant Governor for three years.
Our District runs from the border at Tijuana to the northern tip of Oceanside; east all the way to the Arizona border. It is a large swath of Southern California encompassing San Diego and Imperial Counties.
To support the clubs in such a large territory, the District is divided into sixteen areas with Assistant Governors responsible for up to six clubs. The only requirement in becoming an AG is having been president of a club.
The AG has several responsibilities while serving the clubs. The AG attends each club in the area once a quarter. In visiting the clubs, they are updating the clubs on activities in the area and the District. This includes keeping the clubs apprised of training seminars and other District events.
They hold monthly meetings with the area’s presidents.
They help trouble shoot with the club that is having challenges; guiding the president and club in setting goals and staying the course to achieve those goals. They serve as a mentor to the leadership in the club. And, the AG helps identify future leaders for the clubs and District. This is particularly important as club seek to find a successor to the presidency.
The AG becomes the eyes and ear for the District Governor so that we can help the club through challenges such as intra club conflict, supporting the club’s efforts to get a DDF project or Global Grant.
I loved my time as an AG to six clubs. Each club was different and had it own personality. It was so much fun seeing how the clubs ran their meetings. I felt very much a part of the clubs as the clubs made me feel a part of them. Yet, I could offer help and guidance as an outside consultant.
The experience and training I received being an AG held me in great stead as I became District Governor. Believe me, becoming District Governor was not my intention or design when I agreed to be AG.
Aside from visiting the clubs, the thing I valued most was the relationship I had with each of the presidents. We engaged in conversations about the good, the bad and challenging in leading a club each week. The bond the presidents developed with each other helped them and drew the clubs closer together in the area. And, it was so satisfying to watch the presidents grow from day one until the close of the Rotary year. You couldn’t drag some of them of the stage at the end.
I am so proud of our Assistant Governors this year. They have done a great job serving our clubs, keeping their spirits up and the members connected.
Please reach out to your Assistant Governor and get to know them. They are a terrific source of help to all of us.
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I have often been asked when going to clubs: What can we do as Rotarians to help out during this time of the pandemic? The great thing about Rotarians is that we are a solution in search of a challenge.
Well, now we can do something real and tangible to help. There is a great need for logistical support at vaccination centers. In particular down at the parking lot of the old Sears building in Chula Vista. This vaccination center just opened up under the auspices of Sharp HealthCare.
Thanks to the efforts of the publisher and editor of Newsbits, Sandy Pugliese, we Rotarians can now volunteer at the Sears site to help with logistic support as our friends and neighbors get their vaccination.
The need for volunteers will continue for some time as health care providers ramp up their efforts to get more vaccine into the arms of qualifying participants as soon as possible.
Sharp HealthCare through its “Sharp Lends a Hand” program will be the host for future volunteer registrations. Volunteers will be able to sign up using a portal and selecting the time and date most convenient for them. This portal is now operational and can be found at: https://www.sharp.com/health-classes/category/sharp-lends-a-hand-52.
This service project opportunity by Sharp suits us just perfectly. Volunteering at vaccination clinics is being part of the long-term solution - one that will bring about herd immunity over time. Rotarians are People of Action. We can make in this effort by donating our time to this cause.
One of the questions raised is whether volunteers can be vaccinated. At this time, the answer is no. The reason is that the vaccine is still in limited supply and Sharp must adhere to the tiers in determining who can get the vaccine.
Social distancing is practiced, and everyone is required to wear a mask. No one having symptoms such as fever or sore throat should volunteer. Rotary encourages its members to make a self-determination as whether to participate or not based on your own-risk factors.
If you have questions about this volunteer opportunity please contact AG Sandy Pugliese at 619 813-8922 or by email at sandyp304@gmail.com. Sharp is her former employer and she has all the contacts for getting answers and for facilitating registration as necessary.
Thank you everyone for being great people of action.