Joan Levine and Yehuda Winter discuss “Reflective Listening.”

Last week’s program was developed around Rotary’s “peacebuilding” Area of Focus. The ability to communicate effectively is an important peacebuilding skill. And active, compassionate listening is an important aspect of effective communication.  Our meeting featured an interactive exercise to learn about the principles of “Reflective Listening,” and to try them out.

Yehudah describes a situation for the group exercise.

According to our speakers, Joan Levine and and Yehuda Winter, “reflective listening” is used for purposes of clarification. It is  restating what you heard another person say, and is a useful tool when you do not fully understand what someone is communicating. It involves listening carefully at four levels:

–First, for facts.  The listener repeats what the person has said and checks for confirmation that the important parts of the communication were heard accurately.

–Second, for feelings. The listener expresses the feelings heard and experienced, and asks the person for accuracy.

–Third, for values. The listener expresses the heart-held values heard and asks for accuracy.

–Fourth, for body language. The listener observes the speaker’s body movements, including head, hands, posture, energy, timing and use of space.

Club members sit in a circle to practice listening skills.

The benefits to using Reflective Listening are:

  • Communication levels may be deepened
  • The listener may become more empathetic towards the speaker
  • The speaker may be able to gain greater self-understanding, clarity and vulnerability through effective mirroring
  • A shift in perspective may occur by reflecting back statements

Joan and Yehudah are offering a weekend seminar on Compassionate Listening Basics April 27-29 in Portland. For more info or to register, call 503-287-8737 or go to [email protected]

GUESTS

Casey Kulla, an organic fruit and vegetable farmer from Grand Island and candidate for Yamhill County Commissioner, paid us a visit.

AUCTION UPDATE

Mike Donohue will be the auction emcee.

Exciting news! Filling the shoes of John Kerekanich this year will be well-known television personality and now Newberg resident Mike Donohue, who will be our emcee.  Matt Willcuts will be the auctioneer for the big event.

Leah Griffith reported  that 70 silent auction items are still needed for the April 28 auction, so if you can donate, please do now!

Also, sales of Golden Tickets (which are $100 each and provide the selected winner a chance to pick any oral auction item before the auction) are a little slow.  Time to buy!

AROUND THE WATER COOLER

Jim McMaster reported the new Aquatic Center is nearing completion. He plans to arrange a special tour of the facility for club members soon.

Rachel Huber will be out on medical leave for 8 weeks due to a surgery…..wishing her a successful procedure and speedy recovery.

Club President Todd Engle and his wife just had their 35th wedding anniversary….thanks to Todd’s mother-in-law, who reminded them of that fact. Both Todd and his wife had forgotten about it!

And Walter and Julie Want have returned from celebrating their 52nd anniversary– in Paris.

Dr. Stan Kern declared that he and Patrick Bancke (both at right) were the “oldest and the youngest” members of our club!

 

 

 

HAPPY HOUR–NOT LUNCH–THIS WEEK! 

Remember, no lunch meeting this week. Instead, please invite your spouse and friends to our special social event. On Wednesday, from 5 to 7pm, we’ll be meeting for Happy Hour at Barley & Vine Tavern, 408 East First St. Refreshments will be served. No host bar. Hope to see you there……