Weekly Bulletin - March 23rd Meeting
Author and entrepreneur David Greenwood of Hudson explores the relationship between entrepreneurship and ADHD.
Guests:
- Karen Druzisko
- Sarlah Bernard
- David Greenwood, speaker
Announcements:
- Red Sox opening day at Stow COA is Monday, April 3. We have all the volunteers needed.
- Monday, April 3, is the District Assembly, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. It focuses on developing service projects. Details are on the District’s web page.
- Sunday, April 9, we work with the Lion’s Club to provide Breakfast with the Eastern Bunny. Two or three more volunteers would be appreciated.
- Repair café is coming up on April 22 at Stow Community Center.
- AB Club's Wine Tasting event happens on April 27 at Boxborough Regency Hotel.
- April 28 is the Reality Fair at Nashoba Regional High School.
- District Quad Conference (four districts together) is coming April 28-30. It’s an opportunity to find out what Rotary is doing across southeastern New England. Details are on the District web page.
- The Stow Spring Fest is May 13. We were asked if we would like to support this community-wide event, with help for parking.
- Our turn at Guest Table community dinner is Friday, June 2. We’re on deck for clean-up, 6-8 p.m.
- June 10-14 the Rotary International Convention is in Atlanta. Five people from our club are attending.
- Thursday, June 10, we kick off Wings and Wheels.
- We received seven RYLA applications this year.
- Far off is Hudson Brewfest. It will be held at the Elks Club (we’ve outgrown the space at the center of town). We need as many volunteers as possible for this, our major fundraiser for the year.
- Paul Harris awards were given to Howard (+4) and Laura (+4).
- We’re all invited to the Million Dollar Dinner on May 25 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. It isn’t necessary to have given anything, but it’s a celebration of those who have.
- Short notice, but Monday evening we’re invited to attend an award celebration of the grant the airport has received for improvements. Rotary has also contributed, and we will be honored as well.
Happy/sad fines:
- Bob: will be one of 50 former Peace Corps volunteers giving out water at the Boston Marathon.
- Laura: is thrilled at the turnout for Stop Hunger Now; we made front page of the Maynard Villager.
- Jacky: is sorry to have missed the food packaging; but delighted with the quality of skiing this year.
- Brian: is happy to be going to Opening Day; and sorry that we have to put up with him as speaker next Thursday.
- Ron: is happy his friend Karen is here; and his son got a job at Mahoney’s Garden Center.
- Howard: the food event Saturday was fun, especially working with the Assabet JROTC; and welcomes both guests.
- Carl: his daughter is coming home from school this weekend.
- Karen: wishes more people knew about Rotary, and is happy to be here.
- Chris: is happy Stop Hunger Now went so well, despite the double-booking of the cafeteria; welcomes Sarlah, who has applied for membership; and happy that Mary could take over the meeting, since he expected to be away; his son is coming home this weekend; and glad to have invited the speaker.
- Mary: extends another welcome to our guests; and is glad, that we packaged 15,000 meals, which speaks to who we are and what we do.
Program:
In a book on Adult ADHD, Hudson author and entrepreneur David A Greenwood explores how entrepreneurs and other highly successful individuals in business not only manage their Adult ADHD but thrive with it. The book includes many strategies for living a fulfilling life with Adult ADHD including real life examples.
Jimmy Buffet wrote a line that says “I suppose the need to focus never arose.” Focusing on things, David says, was like torture. “A Swiss army knife, that’s my life.” That’s his professional career. He opened a karate school, owned a restaurant, worked for Special Olympics, and opened his own public relations firm. His father worked at the same job for 40 years; that would have driven David crazy. For the entrepreneurial spirit, having 5 of 6 careers is fine.
When he was six, he was sick, until his temperature showed that he was well; he tried to run from the house, and instead ran into the glass storm door. People with ADHD forget details. He forgot to hit the latch. Entrepreneurship doesn’t seem a natural path; but it is. People with ADHD move at a faster pace, get frustrated with corporate structure, or have issues with authority. Successes: the founder of JetBlue; James Carvill (got Bill Clinton elected); Tony Robbins. If they can succeed, with ADHD, they’re doing something right.
For his upcoming book, he interviewed people from all walks of life, including a college professor, a “professor of procrastination.” Procrastination—putting things off—is a big problem. It’s not, however, a time management issue, it’s an emotional coping strategy.
Core strategies for people with ADHD. One is having a support system—a supportive spouse, or a mentor, someone who “gets” you. Exercise is critical, because ADHD is an excess of dopamine in the brain, so exercise does what medication does, but does it naturally. Meditation helps keep the mind on track. And routines are also extremely helpful.