The President Elects’ & Secretary Elects’ Training Seminar for the RI Year 2022-23 was a pivotal event for everyone involved, both the organizers and participants. This program sought to create a foundation for the newly elected Presidents and Secretaries of Rotaract in Rotary International District 3220 so that they may internalize the skills and qualities required to be the leaders they were meant to be.
Taking place on the 28th and 29th of May 2022 at Tangerine Beach Hotel – Kalutara, PETS & SETS was never bound to be a anything less than a high-energy event, with a multitude of challenges and opportunities allowing the new leaders to learn. With more than 250 incoming office bearers participating in activities, the program focused greatly on fostering notions of leadership, teamwork, communication, administration, critical thinking and decision making.
The District Rotaract Representative for the RI Year 2022-23, Rtn. Rtr. PP Ahamed Hussain addressed the new Presidents and Secretaries on the first day, remarking the significance of the journey on which they have set out, a view which was shared and recapitulated by the IPDRR Rtn. Rtr. PP Akhila Wijetunga. This was also the first time the new Rotaract leaders got to officially meet the District Steering Committee for the RI Year 2022-23. The members of the District Steering Committee were allowed to share with the audience their overarching visions in respect to each of their particular Avenues. From service initiatives enveloping communities to fellowship programs connecting regions, the recurring theme pointed towards a post-pandemic resurgence. The path forward seemed nothing short of exciting, and each of the Avenue Directors emphasized the importance of every club being a part of this collective journey. The participants were separated into groups, where they were prompted to work with each other on a solution for a case study assigned to each group, that would need to be presented the following day.
The evening session involved a treasure hunt, which all-too-poetically concluded with the discovery of a mirror by the winners. Not only did it test the strength of the participants in problem solving, decision making and cooperating, it also reaffirmed the idea that our greatest treasure is ourselves. The evening drew on towards the highly anticipated dinner, which was promptly followed by music and dancing. As the hours passed by, many were retiring to their rooms for sleep, but if one were to stroll through the hotel lobby, they would have noticed many Rotaractors gathered in groups, discussing, preparing and planning for the next day.
Day 2 commenced with an early morning wake-up call nobody appreciated, much less the participants. The ADRR overlooking the Sports and Recreational Activities Avenue, Rtr. PP Rashmika Silva, conducted a PT session, which was regularly interrupted by punishments doled out to latecomers. The highlight of the day was the presentations made by each group. They were all judged by a panel of experienced Rotaractors and given constructive and comprehensive feedback, focusing considerably on the sustainability of the solutions proposed by the teams. Subsequently, it was announced that these case studies related to the TogetherSL initiative, driving home the importance of the effort made by the new Presidents and Secretaries. The event came to a close with as much excitement as it started. Where strangers had walked in, friends were walking out. Where there had been anxiety, now there was reluctance to depart. PETS & SETS 2022-23 was everything it needed to be for our young leaders: guidance, encouragement and hope for the exciting year ahead.
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