NETWORKING INTO A NEW COMMUNITY

People ask me why would I leave my home for six months in Vancouver, Washington and move to Palm Springs to help bring back a rodeo. Let’s get the obvious behind us. Yes, winter in Palm Springs is terrific. During the day, we are averaging about 70 degrees—though one of my major surprises was how quickly it gets quite cool once the sun sets behind the mountains. You wouldn’t think of leaving in the evening without taking at least a heavy sweater.

Now why did I really take this position? By the way, I have been promoted from Director of Fundraising to Vice President of Operations. No question the new title more accurately describes my position. As my CEO says, “Kathy is our boots on the ground.”

Twenty-two years ago, the rodeo was an integral part of the fall activities of this community. Cowboys ruled and the Smoke Tree Stable served as one of the real social centers of the Coachella Valley. Frank Bogert, a cowboy, appreciated and loved for his outspoken personality became a real friend of the stars that made Palm Springs their home. His popularity, but even more importantly his belief and commitment to Palm Springs propelled him into the position of Mayor of Palm Springs. In front of City Hall in Palm Springs, is a bronze statue with him riding a horse. Frank Bogert passed on at the end of March 2009 – at the age of 991/2. I only wish I would end my life with such a legacy-one that always elicits smiles and positive comments when his name is mentioned.

With all of that being said, I am a person who enjoys starting projects from scratch. Normally, I worked on the projects in my home of Vancouver, Washington where I was really part of the community and know leaders personally. This time, I looked at as an opportunity to see if my networking skills would carry over to a community in which no one knows me.

My belief that I would have many stories to enhance my networking skills and my forthcoming networking book has certainly come true. I have more than enough stories to fill two more books for I learned networking-building relationships, take the same slow and steady patience everywhere. Strong relationships are not made in one meeting.

Am I out of my element? Sometimes, yet, honestly there has been few surprises. Throughout my life I have been honored to have met fascinating, important people and visiting magnificent homes. That is why when I was invited to have a one-on-one meeting with a sponsor in his $10 million home, my mouth did not fall open when I was given a tour and viewed the valley below from just about every room in home.

Now we are two months away from the opening date of the Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo. We have formed a committee with his friends and family that will help honor this outstanding cowboy, yet more importantly the man. Therefore, the ball the night before will honor Frank Bogert and then for three days March 12, 13 and 14, 2010 we celebrate a way of life that exists for many cowboys that follow the professional circuit.

I am proud to be part of a project that stretches my colleagues and me. More importantly, allows people in the Coachella Valley to see a sport that remains popular in thousands of towns throughout the United States. Won’t you join us?

Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo and Palm Springs WestFest, March 12, 13,14, 2010, Palm Springs, California. When you come, be sure to find me.

http://www.palmspringswestfest.com

IMPROVING COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

What do you want to accomplish in 2010? If you don't have the answer to this question, you cannot develop the steps to get there.

MISSION VIEJO RODEO BRINGS KNOWLEDGE AND FUN

Since I am using my networking skills to help raise funds to bring back the rodeo to Palm Springs after 22 years, six of us were invited to see the inner workings of this nine-year old rodeo. http://rmvrodeo.com

The day began with putting on an appropriate cowgirl-like outfit. Had the jeans and a top that would work, bought western looking earrings, and borrowed the hat and belt. I have a new appreciation for people who have to wear a belt every day…..not use to wide belts. The loops on my jeans barely accommodated the belt embellished with a great gold rhinestone buckle. Shoes, well we won’t get into that….my boots have not arrived.

Picked up my colleague and we made the two-hour drive to the rodeo grounds that was set in a valley, on a ranch, surrounded by magnificent mountains. We parked the car and the learning began.

First, we met with a woman in charge of all the vendors. Then we spent about an hour with the man who was “in charge” of the event. He let us in on unknown details and shared with us what they had tried in the past that hadn’t worked and why certain things work well.

The big white tent placed along the side the arena was filled with tables covered with white tablecloths and flower arrangements. Think of the feeling of going to a dinner theatre…only in this case, the rodeo takes place in front of you while you eat dinner. This area is reserved for the sponsors who dined on western barbecue complete with freshly grilled steaks.

We watched the stadium bleachers fill to capacity with folks who had bought general admission tickets. At both ends of the arena were the chutes where the real action always began.

At the appointed time, the announcer got our attention. About 30 people walked out with a 40 by 40 foot American flag and unfurled it before our eyes. We sang our national anthem under the brilliant blue sky and sunshine. Once that ended, three service members from the area were asked to come to the center of the arena…the crowd broke into an amazing applause.

While the service members were standing there, the champion cowboys were called to the arena and each one of them shook the service members’ hands. At the chute area, in front of us, the Rodeo manager, Cotton Rosser (83 yrs old) waited on his horse to shake every cowboy’s hand as he came back to the chute gate.

Then the action began. I have a feeling before long the names of the cowboys will start becoming very familiar to me as we develop our own rodeo Palm Springs that will be held March 12, 13, and 14, 2010. http://www.palmspringwestfest.com

When I arrived “home” that night, I thought about the day. I had been privileged to see and learn how a rodeo is put together. I saw the look of expectation on the cowboy’s face and watched as some of them limp from an injury they had received at a previous rodeo on the circuit. The filled to capacity stadium and dining tent help me understand the thirst to take ourselves out of our daily life routine.

My reasons for getting involved with this project was, in large part, the feeling that I could help people remember history and help others experience the western way of life that helped form this entire Coachella Valley. I look forward to this Palm Springs Wild West Fest & Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo with great anticipation.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Do not go anywhere without a something to write on – your many brilliants ideas will be quickly forgotten if you do not write yourself a note.