There were 32 members in attendance, plus our speaker, for this week’s meeting.  Two longtime members who we have missed joined us today, Jean Wright and Louise Holland.  Two Paul Harris Fellow pins were presented; Lee Padgitt received a PH +1 pin and David Birkenstein received a PH +4 pin.  Congratulations Fellows!
 
The speaker for our meeting was Bill Durkin whose topic was “Resolving Conflict the Positive Way.”  Bill is the founder of One Positive Place.  Upon graduating from Loyola University on a basketball scholarship he went to work for W. Clement Stone after volunteering at his company for three months without pay.  He was brash enough to call Stone at his home after getting his phone number “accidentally” at the Stone headquarters resulting in a personal meeting with Stone.
 
Though not a Rotarian, Bill said the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” has served as a guiding principal in his business and raising his family.  In business, the question is how leaders can get the most out of their employees, and as Bill said about 50% of the people leave their spirit in the car and simply work only for a paycheck.  He finds that low performers often spread their negative attitudes. 
 
In conflicts there will be either two winners (ideally) or two losers (typically).  While conflict is inevitable combat is optional.  We are constantly gathering facts that support our opinion; it is the reason that people who watch MSNBC don’t watch FOX and vice versa.  In working with conflict we should highlight our sameness, listen and find common ground.  Be a creator, not a critic.  Realize it is harder to build and building than to tear it down.  Bill finished by pointing out how Rotary’s Four Way Test provides a great guideline for dealing with conflict.
 
Bill has also published a small book for those who are in the hospital and/or are ill, which is titled, “Strive to Thrive Today.”  It provides suggestions to gain control of one’s situation in extreme circumstances and what you can do to create better results for yourself.  The book is available on Amazon.