The beginning of October brought Rotary Zone 25B-29 Institute to Prior Lake as it took place at Mystic Lake Center. A Rotary Zone is made of many Districts; 24 Districts from the Upper Midwest down to Texas were represented this year. As the "unofficial" host Club, Prior Lake Rotary was involved in all facets of the Rotary Zone Institute including planning, attending, volunteering, and hosting.
The Zone Institute includes Learning Sessions the first 2 and a half days of the 4-day event, which consists of facilitated sessions of current, incoming, or upcoming District Leaders from District Governor to specific areas such as Membership, The Rotary Foundation, or Public Image. Prior Lake Rotarian Kyle Haugen, a Past District Governor (PDG), was the facilitator for the District Governor Nominees (DGNs), who will lead their District in the 2027-2028 Rotary year.
Another Learning Session was the Leadership Development track. These are individuals selected by District Leaders who have shown the interest and aptitude to move into roles at an elevated level. Prior Lake Rotarians Angie Kierstead and Oksana Oleksyszyn both were selected. Said Oksana about this opportunity, "My experience was truly uplifting. I learned so much from other Rotarians being vulnerable and sharing their stories, Hearing their struggles, why they joined Rotary, and why they stay. The WHY is different for everyone, yet we come together for a common cause." Angie's big takeaways were don't go it alone. "Our Prior Lake Rotary Club is such a special and impactful club on its own. AND we are connected to an ecosystem of so many other Rotarians with shared hearts of service seeking to make the world a better place. We truly have the ingredients to UNITE FOR GOOD this year and into the future." She went on to say, "The more ways we can collaborate with other clubs across our District, Zone, or other parts of the world – the more we can accomplish. This goes for local non-Rotary partnerships as well."
PHOTOS (Upper left and clockwise): Oksana and Angie with event emcee and Past District Governor Ben Bauer; PDG Kyle Haugen at one of his sessions with the DGNs; Oksana, Angie, and Kyle with Past Rotary International President Jennifer Jones; the full Leadership Development group photo
Prior Lake Rotarians were also asked to volunteer for specific roles and to open up their homes. Sergeant at Arms, or Greeters, were needed in the morning to help attendees get to where they needed to go, and assist in other ways. Prior Lake Rotarians stepped up including Harry Algyer, Milan Bidas, Matt Fulton, Mary Haugen, Sherry Hoffman, Sandy Kaul, Robin Sims, and PDG Paul Perez, who planned and coordinated the volunteers.
Thursday night of the Zone Institute is a special evening of fellowship and reunions. The various tracks, along with Past District Governors, dined at various restaurants around town. This was coordinated by Kyle Haugen, Daran Adair, and Paul Perez. Other Prior Lake Rotarians contributed by opening up their homes for an more intimate setting where they served dinner. These included Sheldon Bryant, Manny Perez, and Robin Sims. Manny, who hosted a large group of Membership and Public Image people, said about the experience, "Being a part of the Rotary Zone was an honor. The people I met, and the vision they have is unbelievable! They are going to continue to do good things."
In advance of the Zone Institute, at 10/1/25 Prior Lake Rotary meeting Wednesday morning, a panel of dignitaries were present and participated in a panel as the main speakers at the meeting. These included Rotary Director Salvador Rizzo Tavares and Rotary International Director-Elect Tom Gump. Members in attendance and joining on Zoom had the special opportunity to connect with them and hear about their dedication and heart for Rotary, which was clear in our Q&A discussion.
PHOTOS (Upper left and clockwise): RIDE Tom Gump and RID Salvador at the Wednesday morning Prior Lake Rotary meeting; Greeters Harry Algyer and Sherry Hoffman; at the home of Manny Perez and Suzi Dahl for the Thursday fellowship dinner; Rotary friends hosted by Sheldon Bryant and Peggy Brooks
