Greetings Fellow Rotarians: What Say You About Rotary?
When someone asks, “What say you about Rotary?” the response can be summed up in a few words: service, fellowship, and impact. Rotary is not just a meeting each week—it’s an invitation to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
Across the globe and right here in our community, Rotarians are living out the motto “Service Above Self.” Whether supporting students, addressing local needs, or contributing to global initiatives, Rotary gives ordinary people the chance to achieve extraordinary results. Each project, each act of service, and each friendship formed strengthens not only our club, but also our community as well as yourself personally.
Being an ambassador for Rotary means sharing that story. It’s about letting others see the value of Rotary through our experiences. When we invite someone to join, we are not simply asking them to attend a meeting—we are opening the door to meaningful service and lifelong friendships. Every new member brings fresh ideas, energy, and vision, helping our club grow stronger and our impact reach further.
So, what say we about Rotary? We say it’s a place to grow, to serve, and to belong. And most importantly, we say: come join us and see what Rotary can mean for you.
Rotary Club of Arlington’s Vision Statement:
“To inspire and unite individuals who passionate about making a lasting impact locally and globally through service, connection and leadership.”
It Happened Last Meeting
By LeeAnne Chenoweth Lawson
Hello Rotarians!
President Randy Hendricks rang the bell and called our meeting to order.
Prayer and pledge: Andy Bowne. Greeter: Jim C Quick
Announcements:
Karina Tobar, Jock Bethune and Judith Scott invited us very enthusiastically to our next happy hour Monday Aug. 25, 5-7 PM at Arlington’s Rodeo Goat on Division.
Clete McAlister urged us to attend the American Soldier Toby Keith Tribute Concert on Sept. 11, 7 pm at the Levitt. Not only will it be a great concert for a great cause, but your business could get some recognition as a sponsor.
LeeAnne Chenoweth hopes to fill the front row tables with Rotarians on Rotary night atTimeless Concerts, Sat. Sept. 20, 8 -9 pm concert in Ft Worth (music theme is Spanish Language…great works for piano and strings by tango composers, classic songs of Mexico and Spain and more) followed by a party. Info at www.timelessconcerts.com (Did I forget to say free wine and soft drinks and parking?). Casual dress. If you can’t attend Sept. 20, come to our earlier concert in Arlington, Sat. Sept. 6.
Derrick Kinney brought up the fabulous idea of creating a community garden! A wonderful way to provide not only beauty, but a place where people can work together to cultivate plants, and the produce can feed those in need. We need to brainstorm!
New member! Tommy Thompson presented a blue badge to new member Josh Inguanso.
We were led in song by Mac Martin (pianist Janey Johnson), singing “This Land Is Your Land.”
Birthdays: Richard Greene, Aug. 17; Deborah Coppola, Aug. 19: Judith Scott, Aug. 20.
Anniversaries: Joan Church, 11 years; April Pettitt, 7 years; Sheri Quick, 2 years; Theresa Crouch, 2 years.
Our speakers today: Stacy Bridger introduced our speakers for today, Drs. Bobbye and Britton Wood, who happened to be her parents! The couple gave a very interesting, inspiring talk about the importance of good communication, with much good humor, too! They co-authored a very highly rated book with their mentors, the Maces. I found the book on Amazon: The Marriage Pioneers: Three Timeless Strengths for Today’s Marriages Paperback – February 28, 2019, by Dr. Britton Wood (Author), Dr. Bobbye Wood (Author)
Drawing from their extensive world-wide research into what makes a successful marriage, Drs. David and Vera Mace introduce the Primary Coping System, three timeless strengths which can simultaneously bulletproof and invigorate today’s marriages. Launched against the backdrop of a world-wide economic depression and the devastations of World War II, the Primary Coping System was designed to build strengths in families through improving the relational health of the married couple. These effective strengths transcend time, and their relevance is presented in interview form by Drs. Britton and Bobbye Wood. Their mentors, the Maces, founded the global organization, originally called The Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment and now named simply Better Marriages. Derived from candid and insightful interviews with the world-famous Maces, this can be the go-to book for couples who, like these marriage pioneers, are “strongly autonomous and have the courage and resolution to go after what they want.”
Designated Ambassadors for Better Marriages, Drs. Britton and Bobbye Wood have traveled to many countries promoting the value of marriage enrichment and successful couple relationships. Married for 62 years, the Woods credit Drs. David and Vera Mace with the relational tools to help marriage grow over the years. Britton has been a minister, college and seminary teacher, author, and marriage therapist. Bobbye is a retired English teacher and author. Together they have three daughters and sons-in-law, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Currently both Britton and Bobbye are instructors in an Empowering Families Project and leaders in Marriage Enrichment Groups in Fort Worth, Texas.
There was much information discussed in their presentation, making me wish I knew shorthand! They certainly kept my attention! One of the subjects they brought up is the fact that there seems to be a mental health crisis among our youth. Children as young as 8 are experiencing anxiety. Children feel stressed when parents are not taking the time to communicate. Children need to have discussions with parents about how to deal with conflicts or any number of problems. Parents cannot assume that children will learn all life lessons at school and must take time to really talk with and listen to their kids.
Communication style was discussed, as well as a humorous acronym: FOOIE, Pronounced PHOOEY! This stands for “Family Of Origin Impacts Everything!” Of course, a humorous story followed, from their early years in their marriage, when struggling to understand each other. We grow up seeing how our families respond to differences and conflicts, so we tend to imitate that. Being aware of this and asking each other why we feel a certain way during conflict, can open important discussion and help us understand a different point of view.
The Woods identified four different talk styles. We were encouraged to think about our own talk styles. Here are their examples:
Small Talk: The word “it” is used, for discussion about weather or objects, for instance, and no one is hurt. However, small talk does not help a relationship grow deeper.
Control Talk: The word “you” is used. “You” has more impact and could end up causing a person to feel defensive. This style is appropriate for classroom instruction or in a courtroom.
Search Talk: When the key word is “we”, and could be used when brainstorming with others, or planning something together.
Straight Talk: when the word “I” is used, is when something more important is being disclosed; it is more inviting, pleads for more understanding.
Thought: “The most important area distinguishing happy and unhappy couples is communication.” Olson & Olson.
A book was donated to Webb Elementary School in our guests’ honor.
Speakers next week: Aug. 28 our speaker will be Stephen Raeside from Tarrant County Food Bank.
We were grumpy today, as there was no last laugh!
President Randy led us in the four way test and we were dismissed.
