2015 OPEN WORLD PROGRAM
Posted by Andres Puky (Longmont) andres_puky@yahoo.com
Longmont Rotary Hosts Ukrainian Delegation
Once again, the Rotary Club of Longmont had the pleasure of hosting a Ukrainian delegation as part of the Open World Leadership Center program. As noted on the Center’s Facebook page, “Open World Leadership Center, which runs the unique Open World program, brings emerging and established Russian, Ukrainian, and other Eurasian leaders to the U.S. for professional programming in multiple areas of focus.”
The joint effort between the US Library of Congress and Rotary International centered this year on Energy Independence. To start, the Ukrainian community leaders had the opportunity to visit US Congress and meet with the Congressmen representing their American hosting states and districts.
Left to right: Andres Puky, Mykola Keznetsov, Oleksandr Zaika ("Sasha"), "Kate" Shevtsova (facilitator), Taras Boykiv, Tatiana Lukenbill (interpreter), Oleksandr Kryzanivskyy, and Vadym Lytvyn
Not only did the Longmont Rotarians offer the young, successful group of five visitors, their facilitator and their interpreter their homes and a taste of Colorado by taking them to Rocky Mountain National Park, The Leanin’ Tree Western Art Museum, shopping on Pearl Street in Boulder, dinners and visits to Rotary clubs, among others, but they prepared a busy, varied agenda about energy independence.
A highlight of the program was a visit to a self-sustainable, entirely off-the-grid home, where the guests also enjoyed driving a solar-powered ATV type vehicle.
Next, simulating the popular Shark Tank TV show, they created an energy conservation program proposal and a legislative initiative.
They learned about biomass as an alternative energy source and visited the Left Hand Brewery, where beer tasting and fellowship went along with learning about the brewery’s commitment to energy efficiency in all its aspects. A visit to Rawhide Energy Station showed them a station that works primarily with coal, but also with gas, wind and solar units. Learning about legal and political implications of alternative energy development, plus exploration, production and environmental management of oil and gas followed in the agenda.
Other important experiences included a tour of the Eco-Cycle Center in Boulder, which is committed to building zero waste communities and a visit to the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in Golden.
The farewell dinner was a treat for Rotary members and guests as our exhausted Ukrainian friends showered us with gifts, songs, food, anecdotes and impressions. As our own Cindy Noble shared, the delegates most cherished experience was the Rotary Club of Longmont’s weekly meeting. All foreign participants were in awe at the warmth, fellowship and energy emanated by Rotarian members. They said that it was precisely that friendship and energy that motivated them even more.
Rotary International is interested in promoting the Open World program. If you would like to participate and benefit from this rewarding exchange, feel free to contact the Rotary Club of Longmont.