Lawrence Central Rotary

Category: News

Dr. Barbara Gilbert Discusses the True Power Communication in Conflict Resolution.

Dr. Barbara Gilbert, a clinical psychologist practicing in Lawrence, spoke to Central Rotarians on February 12th about True Power Communication in conflict resolution.

Her presentation, which was based on a three-hour workshop that she conducts, listed ways to build a successful relationship.

“The fundamental premise is that there is no one right way to engage in a relationship except authentically,” she said. “Everything in a relationship is up for negotiation. Thus skills for authenticity and for various forms of negotiation are the building blocks for healthy relationships.”

Conflict in relationships usually is not true conflict but rather confusion about how to go about advocating well for ourselves. Saying that the more skills we have to negotiate the better, she listed three tools to use: personal respect, which nurtures a relationship; personal accountability, knowing what you want; and responsibility to respond effectively.

A personal awareness path, she said, starts with the five senses and how we interpret sensory responses. Emotions arise out of the interpretation, then longings and then intentions which we can choose consciously followed by conscious choice of action. Working with conflict resolution she said, our authentic selves are the only things we can bring to conflict resolution.

For more information about Dr. Gilbert check out her website at barbarajgilbertphd.com

February 14, 2014
Falling Forward Foundation Aims to Help Those With Rehab for Stroke, Brain, and Spinal Injuries
For Sam Porritt, the Falling Forward Foundation is personal. Very personal. Sam told his own story of unexpected injury to members of Lawrence Central Rotary. In 2011, a fall during a “perfect” vacation in Italy left him paralyzed from the waist down. Thanks to the good fortune of holding an extraordinary insurance policy that paid—and continues to pay—for his therapy, he is now able to walk, spread the word, and advocate on behalf of those with less good luck.

The statistics are sobering. A million people each year live through a debilitating injury, illness, stroke, or other trauma and go to rehabilitation. Most insurance policies pay for 20-30 rehabilitation therapy sessions, the medical standard. For some people, 20-30 sessions is sufficient to regain a normal life. But for too many others, 20-30 sessions is just not adequate. Without recourse or funds, these patients must leave treatment before they have recovered as fully as possible.

Porritt after an incredibly long rehab process.

Porritt reminds us that this type of accident can happen to anyone. His research declares that a dollar spent in rehabilitation can save society $11 in future disability payments. In the 5 months since launching the Foundation in August of 2013, they have funded the continued rehab of 5 patients.

Porritt asks that we spread the word about this need and consider a tax-deductible donation to Falling Forward Foundation. The organization has no operating costs, as Porritt is donating his time for advocacy and fund-raising. All money received goes directly to patient care at Lawrence Memorial Hospital Therapy Services and Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City.

For more information about the Falling Forward Foundation go to http://www.fallingforward.org/

Their social media outlets are:
February 7, 2014
Lawrence Central Inducts Two New Members

L-R: Olathe Rotarian Dennis Meyer, Audrey Coleman, Charlie Bryan, Michael Steinle

Lawrence Central Rotary club president Tobin Neis installed two new members at the January 29th meeting of the club. Charlie Bryan and Audrey Coleman were welcomed into membership and received Rotary pins and packets of information. Bryan’s was presented by his sponsor, Michael Steinle. Coleman’s stepfather, Olathe Rotarian Dennis Meyer, surprised her by coming to the Lawrence meeting and participating in her installation.

Neis interviewed the new members, asking questions about their occupations (Bryan is a Comunity Health Planner with the Lawrence, Douglas County Health Department. Coleman is senior archivist at the Dole Institute); their families (two young children each); their personal interests and their interest in community service (both have been active for years.)

We’re excited to have these two dynamic individuals as a part of our Rotarian family!

January 30, 2014
Lawrence Central Rotary Expresses Support for Multi-Use Path from Hobbs Park to Constant Park

On February 4, the Lawrence City Commission is considering a Transportation Alternatives KDOT grant application to extend the Burroughs Creek Trail by creating a new multi-use path from historic Hobbs Park in the East Lawrence neighborhood through downtown Lawrence to Constant Park in the Pinckney neighborhood.

The members of Lawrence Central sent Mayor Mike Dever a letter expressing our support for this grant application being submitted by the City of Lawrence.

Conceptual Map of the Proposed Route

The proposed route will connect the Arts District to Downtown. Lawrence Central Rotary understands the importance of multimodal transportation in the Lawrence-Douglas County Region and throughout Northeast Kansas. Lawrence Central Rotary also strives to support local government commitments to create multimodal infrastructure and particularly the development of facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians. Many different types of people in our region use our area’s bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and they desire to have a transportation system that is supportive of healthy and active transportation choices.

Lawrence Central Rotary strongly supports efforts to create a complete transportation system for Douglas County, and we believe that this proposed TA project will help in that effort.

Lawrence Central Rotary hopes that this project will be a fundamental first step of the local commitment to connecting the East Lawrence neighborhood not only to Downtown but also provide a pedestrian route that could access the Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

To see a copy of the letter click this link: –> LCR BCT Trail Support Letter 01-14

January 30, 2014
Lawrence Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee Seeks Two Candidates

The Lawrence Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee is looking to fill two member seats at large, for positions Lecompton and Baldwin City have elected not to fill through their appointments. The first consideration for appointments will be at our February 4th, 2014 meeting. Please attend the February 4th meeting if you are interested in serving a three year term on the BAC.

Please find the agenda packet for our next BAC Meeting on February 4th, 2014 at the following link: http://lawrenceks.org/boards/bicycle-advisory-committee
This meeting will be held in the Public Works Conference Room, Lawrence City Hall, 6 East 6th Street, at 5:00pm.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee provides a communication linkage between the City and County Commissions and the community on bicycling related issues. The Committee works to improve bicycle safety and awareness through education of motorists and non-motorists; review, update, and oversee the distribution of the City’s Biking Map; seek information from multiple sources on current trends, programs, and facilities outside the local area; and promote bicycle awareness by coordinating activities with the City, County, the school district, universities, and the local bicycle clubs.

For questions please contact:

Jessica Mortinger, AICP, Transportation Planner – jmortinger@lawrenceks.org
Lawrence – Douglas County Planning & Development Services | www.lawrenceks.org/pds/
City Hall 6 East 6th Street
P. O. Box 708 Lawrence, KS 66044-0708
office (785) 832-3165 | fax (785) 832-3160

January 29, 2014