Our second team meeting took place on Saturday, February 18. It was a sunny, pleasant winter day at the Lake of the Ozarks where we met for camaraderie, team photos and preparation. Our District Governor, Rita Esterly, was able to find us an available condo on the water to escape from our busy lives (cell phone service was spotty, representative of our time in Italy, I’m sure) and begin preparing for our exchange. The day started with food, of course. After munching on some lunch we begin running through our to-do list. Our conversation and discussion led us to our team identity or brand, if you will (that is the marketing person in me). We decided our team “skit” or “song” should be “Take me out to the Ball Game,” representing our World Series Champions, The Cardinals, and America’s favorite past time, baseball. (We’ll try and share a video of us performing this summer). As ideas came together, excitement built.
Next it was time for team photos. We got all dressed up in our official uniforms and I have to say we are a pretty good looking group. See for yourself below. Thanks to Jackie Howard for being our professional and patient photographer.
And then it was time for presentations. We diligently worked through the evening and night on the presentation we will present at the district meeting in Italy and to the Italian Rotarians. Okay, we may have had a comparative Missouri wine and Italian wine tasting, as well as some pizza, but when in Rome, right? Feeling accomplished and tired, we called it a night.
Sunday began with a delicious breakfast and Rita arrived just in time to watch us run through our presentation for the first time (in English). We ended our weekend by taking advantage of the outlet mall at the Lake and getting the rest of the pieces of our matching uniforms.
Our first overnight stay was a success. We all learned a little more about each other and left even more eager for our journey together. Next steps are translating our presentation to Italian and practice, practice, practice! We are meeting in early April to rehearse together and for a bike ride on the Katy Trail. Until then – Ciao!
