November Update

November kicked off with a wonderful committee-focused meeting, where members sat down and divided up according to their individual strengths and areas of interest in the wide scope of things we do at UO Rotaract. We were also visited by Emily Hunt, an outstanding gal who helped to spread the word about participating in your local Neighborhood Association! There are over 20 different neighborhood associations spread throughout the Eugene/Springfield area, each offering unique and fun ways to participate in your own community. Interested in learning more or finding ways to get involved? Visit eugene-or.gov/535/neighborhood-associations for details. Thanks Emily!

Later on, the whole club was relaxed and soothed for an evening of calm and collectiveness by President-elect David Hernandez, who treated the group to guided meditation and provided several tips and tricks to getting through the roughest parts of the term. Parts of this meeting included practicing breathing exercises, listening to Himalayan singing bowls (well known for their soothing qualities) and reminding ourselves that self-neglect is one of the worst things we can unknowingly do to ourselves. Per David’s suggestions, here are some tips for taking care of yourself:

• Take a few minutes to close your eyes in a quiet or calm environment, and allow yourself to breathe deeply and slowly. This will relax your heart rate and soothe any underlying anxieties you may have had beforehand. Make sure to slow yourself down in this moment and be present. 
  
• Stretching! Moving your body and getting the blood flowing is a great way to actually release some negative energy and remind your body that you’re listening and paying attention to what it needs. Start out with basic stretches for legs and arms, or check out youtube for free guided stretching and yoga for beginners. 
  
• Remember that self-care looks different for everyone. Take time to assess what is best for you and then do your best to provide your body and mind with those things! You are your own best friend when it comes to self care.
  
  

As per usual, UO Rotaract also reported for duty at yet another fun-and-food-filled evening with FREX at Food For Lane County. Members really enjoy returning for repeated service projects as it allows us to establish a feeling of permanence within the community and develop strong bonds with other service organizations like our friends over at FFLC! If you’re interested in joining us on our next adventure to FREX, keep an eye out for it on our upcoming opportunities sheet. 

Mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, bread rolls, oh my! During the holiday week, a delicious Friendsgiving was hosted by Alexi Overland and Daria Wonderlick in place of our regular meeting to allow for team bonding and time to really spend time together as a group. Friendsgiving boasted a wide array of snacks and treats provided by Rotaractors and their (mostly) home cooked meals, partnered with fun games and an evening of laughter and food. Make sure to take some time to reflect on what you are grateful for over the next holiday-filled weeks and also digest the history behind the events that took place that foster the holiday environment we exist in today. 

 What better way to finish a long Fall term than with a celebration for our latest and greatest members: Induction! UO Rotaract enjoyed delicious pizza and drinks at Falling Sky Brewing on the ground floor of the EMU yet again as we rang in the end of another term. Estella Rosen and Marie Burgess were welcomed officially into the club as members, and we added just another layer of fun by naming October and November Rotaractors of the Month as well. Sarah Acker shone out as a dedicated member of the club and an always-smiling face, and Estella Rosen stole the spotlight one more time after diving head-first into Rotaract happenings upon arrival. 

We’ll be back at the beginning of January for Winter Term and a whole other roster of exciting plans and events. Until then, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from all of us at UO Rotaract! 

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