Debra Fine presented ways to strengthen our connections during COVID-19. Debra is the author of a number of books including, The Fine Art of Small Talk. She spoke about how to launch conversations via Zoom, and encouraged our club to continue with breakout chats following our Zoom meetings, where we can visit with smaller groups of members. Debra's club in Denver has implemented Rotary Happy Hours via Zoom, where members are assigned to groups according to their last name.

 

Generally speaking, Debra asked us to be the one "who assumes the burden" in meetings. Launch a conversation with people that has nothing to do with the business at hand. The best way to start a conversation is to ask the other person "what keeps you busy outside of work (or school, or children or home, etc.) Stay on topic in your response to the other person's answer (i.e. if the person mentions gardening, then elaborate on gardening).

 

Give people something to talk about when you start a conversation. When someone exposes something about themselves, show compassion and empathy. Don't try to upstage them with your challenges, but be willing to share your challenges after listening to them. Stay away from questions that require a "yes" or "no" answer. By implementing these tips, we can all improve our conversations!

The Rotary District 5450 Annual Conference is scheduled for Saturday, August 29th and will be a Virtual on-line event.  It’s a great chance to learn from other district clubs and share ideas.  The cost for the event is $22, with $20 donated to Polio Plus in the registrant's name.

 

Speakers include Jake Norton, official National Geographic expedition photographer, NASA Flight Director Jeff Radigan and Eric Weihenmayer, the first person wihout sight to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. For registration, click here.  

Dan Gust - 1/8

Alissa Jeffery - 1/11

John Caldwell - 1/14

Raeann Larsen - 1/18

Rose Crispin - 1/22

Debby Paris - 1/31

 

Clay Douglas - 1/1 - 29 years

Ron Lichter - 1/1 - 28 years

Jack Cletcher - 1/8 - 36 years

John Mees - 1/8- 36 years

Chris McVay - 1/15 - 8 years

David Wright - 1/17 - 9 years

Ken Cline - 1/18 - 10 years

Ryan Mason - 1/19 - 11 years

Les Wright - 1/20 - 12 years

Linda Snyder-Crockett - 1/28 - 24 years

Roger Jurgens - 1/29 - 36 years

Brian Coats - 1/31 - 26 years

 

 

Our Family of Rotary Chair, Diane Stow is available to members during this challenging time.  We want to serve and support one another.  If you have needs or know of a club member in need, please reach out to Diane Stow.  You can email Diane or contact her at 303-775-3338.  



Hello Everyone,

 

The Rotary theme for 2020-21 is Rotary Opens Opportunities.. A key goal for the upcoming Rotary year will be how do we maintain and continue all that the club has built over the last 100+ years?  What do we need to do to maintain the club as a cohesive unit?  How do we continue to support our community through local grants and projects?  How do we continue to support Rotary International, the Foundation, and Polio plus?  Also, how do we prepare for the day when programs like RYLA are able to resume?  

 

A friend of mine is a multiple time cancer survivor.  He always says that tough times mean that better ones are in the future.  With that in mind, my focus will be on how we maintain what we have today, and how we prepare to transition to the other side of our current paradigm.  Longmont Rotary has a great tradition and a great group of people.  Like everything else these days, things will be a little more difficult than usual, but we can and will succeed.

 

Thanks

Dave