Kennewick, WA (June 1, 2023) – Leaders and members of Rotary District 5080 and District 5100 joined forces to host a remarkable Joint District Conference, centered around the theme “Friends and Neighbors: the Magic of Rotary.”
This event was held May 18-21, 2023 in Kennewick, WA, and consisted of Rotarians from the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Canada). Among the many highlights of the event was the captivating keynote address delivered by renowned leadership expert and former college basketball coach, Jamy Bechler.
Bechler’s speech (“Success is a Choice”) centered on making a difference in people’s lives. His engaging and empowering address resonated with attendees, who praised his message of making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Steve Williams, the District 5100 Governor and Conference organizer, expressed his enthusiasm for Bechler’s presence as the keynote speaker at the Saturday evening Governors’ Banquet.
“His presentation about making a difference in people’s lives spoke volumes to the attendees because that is exactly what we try to do,” said Williams. “Comments from attendees such as ‘he was the best speaker’ and that ‘his message was spot-on’ confirmed that Jamy effectively shared his message of positivity and that he was the right guy to have at our conference. He engaged the audience with stories of his own personal journey and challenged us to do more and be better.”
As the author of five books, including “The Bus Trip” and “The Coach’s Bulletin Board,” and the host of the “Success is a Choice” podcasting network, Bechler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work as a leadership consultant. With a background of 20 years as a college basketball coach and high school athletic director, Bechler now assists high-level individuals and teams in maximizing their potential in the realms of leadership, culture, and teamwork.
In addition to serving as the keynote speaker at the Saturday evening Governors’ Banquet, Bechler also spent time with a group of Youth Exchange students emphasizing how they can be people of influence and make a positive impact on the world around them.
Josh Burns (President of the Rotary Chapter in Hermiston, OR) sat in on Bechler’s conversation with the youth and came away impressed.
“I was blown away by how well he connected with kids from across the globe, engaging them to lead their peers in practical and achievable ways and be positive people of significance,” said Burns. “He emphasized how success is defined as achieving your own full potential; significance is defined as helping others do the same. I couldn’t wait to share that message with my own kids at home.”
As a conference attendee, Burns approved of the decision to bring Bechler in to speak and felt his message was exactly what was needed.
“Within moments of Jamy starting his speech any question someone might’ve had about why a former basketball coach was brought in to speak to a bunch of service-minded individuals was quickly put to rest,” said Burns. “He humbly engaged us to remember the importance of positivity, grace, and seeking the good in others as we lead our own organizations.
Bechler’s message of positivity and grace struck a chord with many conference attendees, resonating strongly in the current social climate. Burns, in his role as a Club President for a service organization, highlighted the significance of empathy, understanding different perspectives, and recognizing the goodness in others while striving to serve the community. “Jamy reminded us of the importance of those leadership attributes in a humble, engaging, humorous way that will stick with me,” Burns emphasized.
Jamy Bechler’s “Success is a Choice” message and emphasis on making a positive difference, coupled with his ability to connect with diverse audiences, inspired Rotary leaders to enhance their service efforts and reinforced the importance of empathy and understanding in today’s society.
“This was an awesome event”, said Bechler. “I was honored when Steve Williams reached out to me a few years ago about serving as the keynote speaker. The hospitality I received from the Rotarians of districts 5080 and 5100 was first-class. They really made me feel welcome. This was no surprise since that’s who they are.”
Bechler continued, “How you do anything is how you do everything. I love Rotary’s mission but it can’t be fulfilled if the people aren’t a reflection of that purpose. There were a lot of people at this district conference that have a passion for making the world a little bit better. I am so glad that there are organizations like the Rotary out there making a positive difference in the world.”
Learn more about Jamy Bechler by visiting his website JamyBechler.com or on Twitter @CoachBechler. To get involved in your local Rotary club or find out more about Rotary International please visit Rotary.org.