Rotarians in Zones 26/27 traveled to Tucson earlier this month to attend the 2021 Big West Zone Institute, the first in-person Rotary zone activity in over a year. The event gave Rotarians a chance to meet Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta and hear first-hand about the work Rotary is doing throughout the world. The institute was preceded by a week of Governor-Elect and Governor-Nominee training and ended with a celebratory graduation ceremony Nov. 13 honoring all 30 Governors-Elect, including District 5495 Governor-Elect Larry Horton. A photo album showcasing activities during the institute can be found here. The event provided the current class of 2021-22 District Governors their first opportunity to meet and speak with RI President Mehta. In addition to training for the future governors, the institute itself featured a number of programs on such topics as empowering girls, promoting Rotary, building membership, diversity and more. A panel discussion exploring RI President Mehta's "Empowering Girls Initiative" and featuring the RI president was moderated by District 5495 Immediate Past District Governor Elizabeth Mahoney. Elizabeth is currently the Zone 26 Ambassador for the Empowering Girls Initiative. The highlight of the institute was Saturday evening's Governor-Elect Graduation Ceremony. The entire class of 2022-23 District Governors was introduced one by one and saluted by RI President Mehta and RI Director Vicki Puliz. Our own DGE Larry Horton was accompanied on state by his wife, Jenn, and daughter, Emily. | 
