Rotary University

Congratulations to our newest Rotary U Graduates. 

Kathy Swanson and George Green completed their Bachelor's Degree this month.   

Way to go Kathy and George!!!

Come enroll at Rotary U!  Rotary University is an orientation and training committee for new members to the club.  But it is also great for existing members to brush up on the club's committees, the goals of Rotary and just meet new members.

Rotary U meets twice a month - the first and third Wednesday - at 11:00 in the Boardroom of the Bright Shawl.  All new members are part of Rotary U for the first six months.  At the meetings, you will meet other new members, learn about how our club works, our projects and goals for the year.  You will also learn about Rotary International and District 5840 and your role as a member of an international organization.

RU members can also earn degrees in Rotary science.  Earning degrees is optional but it's a great way to get fully integrated into the club.  Degree seekers will have to meet certain obligations in areas such as attendance, committee and volunteer work.  The more you do, the higher the degree you can earn. But degrees aren't just for new members.  Even existing members can work toward a degree.  Download a degree form: Rotary U

Rotary U is constantly changing to keep up with the changing face of Rotary.  This year new chair John Lovitt is arranging for committee chairs to attend RU meetings to educate the members about the purpose of their committees.  Everyone is welcome to come and learn about our club's committees.  The schedule of committee speakers will be listed on this page.  Please feel free to attend.

ROTARY U TOP TEN

Each week Rotary U Chair, John Lovitt, shares a "Top Ten List".  Check back here often to get the latest "Top Ten".

Top Ten: Listening & Non-Defensive Listening 
 
Definition of listening: listener, from the heart, provides verbal and non-verbal responses that match the intended message of the person sending a message.
 
1) The greatest barrier to communication is the assumption that it has taken place. Listening removes or significantly diffuses this assumption.

2) We underestimate the value of listening and overestimate our skill of listening.

3) We listen as we are, not as they are.  As we begin to listen as they are (being in the present), we become much more effective.

4) Roadblocks to listening are self-imposed. These roadblocks reduce our interpersonal credibility, and imply that we don't care.

5) On an average we listen 5-10% of the time, and promote our ideas 90-95% of the time. We may hear what other people are saying, but we are not listening and understanding what they are intending to tell us.

6) Without non-defensive listening (listening from the head), we allow others to give us their problems. With non-defensive listening, we allow them to keep their problems. We are in a better place to help when they ask, if we don't take on their problems.

7) There are four ways to listen: a) content, b) context, c) feelings, and d) non-verbals. As a general rule, we ask questions for context first, move to feelings, if appropriate, and move to content next. We are watching non-verbals throughout the process for agreement or disagreement with what they are telling us.

8) "But I thought you said", is the most common expression used today. Refer to #1.

9) We can only listen in the present. The past and future create roadblocks to listening.

10) We are intentional in our listening or it just doesn't happen-advocacy is ever-present and listening is hardly-present.