Lone Star P.E.T.S. Inc.

P.E.T.S. is the acronym for "President Elect Training Seminar."  This is an event occurring one weekend a year when Rotary Club incoming presidents from nine Rotary Districts are trained for their new responsibilities.  Basically, the program addresses leadership and management skills and reinforces the participant's knowledge of Rotary International and its myriad programs and opportunities for service.  Lone Star P.E.T.S. has historically been held in the Dallas/Fort Worth area because of its central location, ease of transportation and the availability of outstanding facilities.

T. Paige Carruth is the Coordinator for the Lone Star P.E.T.S.  There are currently nine Rotary Districts that make up the membership of Lone Star P.E.T.S. Inc., including 5730, 5790, 5810, 5830, 5840, 5870, 5890, 5910 and 5930.  Almost all of these Districts lie totally within Texas with the exception of District 5830 that has two clubs in Oklahoma and one club in the Arkansas portion of the city of Texarkana.

There are eleven clubs in far West Texas that are in District 5520 and not a part of Lone Star P.E.T.S.  There are 61 clubs in District 5520, of which 50 are in New Mexico.

Lone Star P.E.T.S. was formed in 1986 with nine charter districts that are still voluntarily participating today.  The organization was formally incorporated as a nonprofit corporation with the State of Texas in 1989 under the name of Lone Star P.E.T.S. Inc.

Following the letter and spirit of The Manual of Procedure, District Governors Elect are involved in planning and conducting this P.E.T.S.  For some District Governors Elect, this weekend provides the first opportunity for them to get acquainted with those club presidents with whom they will be working during their Rotary year and in their respective leadership roles.  Goals are set and a plan of action is introduced that hopefully will enable the clubs individually, and the District generally, to have the best year ever.

District Governors and Governors-elect nominate Discussion Leaders as well as future Operating Chairmen from within their respective Districts.  They review the curriculum, promote attendance and participate generally in evaluating the effectiveness of P.E.T.S.

Through a survey, an attempt is made in January to determine the relevance of the training received at P.E.T.S.  The group targeted is current club presidents after they have held office for six months.  Survey results are evaluated with the intention of making improvements and refinements in future P.E.T.S. programs where possible and practical.  Lone Star P.E.T.S. is administered by a Board of Trustees that is composed of the current Operating Chairman and four most recent past Operating Chairmen.  Additionally, an Advisory Board, consisting of all Past Rotary International Directors currently living in the organization's nine districts, is invaluable as they offer advice and suggestions.

Curriculum is reviewed annually as are the 40 Discussion Leaders that use the material in conducting discussion groups that are the heart and soul of this training effort.  Participants are divided into 20 discussion groups based on the number of members in their respective clubs.  Each participant is exposed to a total of six Discussion Leaders during the three half-day sessions.  Evaluations by participants of Discussion Leader performance are taken very seriously by the Board of Trustees in a continuing effort to maintain the highest quality of training possible.

Realizing the great importance of spouse support for the club president, a separate and specific program of indoctrination and inspiration is available.  Basic Rotary information is provided, realizing that many spouses have limited exposure to Rotary and its programs.  A growing number of spouses, however, are themselves Rotarians and/or are male, causing the program to be continually reviewed and modified to reflect new trends within Rotary specifically and in society generally.

Responding to the relatively new District Leadership Plan, Lone Star P.E.T.S. has begun training sessions for Assistant District Governors.  This training effort is a necessary and logical step as future leadership is being developed not only at the all-important local club level but at the District level as well.

One of the outstanding advantages of Lone Star P.E.T.S. is providing an opportunity for club presidents-elect to hear top-level Rotary International officers as they speak at the Plenary Sessions.  Additionally, these officers make themselves available to meet with smaller groups and with individuals sharing their insights, concerns, hopes and plans.  To hear these leaders speak to a large group and then perhaps later engage them in personal dialog is a rare opportunity indeed.

With the years of experience, history and tradition upon which to build, future Lone Star P.E.T.S. will be stronger because of these giants of Rotary who have shown those of us who follow just what "Service Above Self" is all about.  Our task is to improve on what is already good so that future generations of club president-elect will be better able to lead Rotary knowing full well the best is yet to be.