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   "People will search the universe
                                                                    for a path that is at their feet."
RHODE ISLAND NETWALKING
                          
CONNECTING PEOPLE, NATURE, AND OPPORTUNITY

Here's a little seed I would like to plant with you, and here's the story
behind it...

It's about walking, and it begins with my involvement in ShapeUpRI, 
an award-winning team-motivated fitness program.  In 2008, i had joined
the team formed by the East Greenwich School Department Wellness
Committee.  Our team leader, Paul, proposed a late afternoon team walk
in Goddard Park, and, as it turned out, Paul and I were the only members
to show up...

...which provided the opportunity to have a focused one-to-one discussion,
while walking through the park, our pedometers ticking away the paces.  

Although we saw each other at monthly committee meetings, and
read one another's emails about health education, the afternoon walk
opened the door for a more personal connection.  Paul is a doctor, and  
I consult in group health insurance.  As we walked along, we talked about
a number of issues that concerned us as parents and as healthcare
professionals.  Paul told some riveting stories about some recent
experiences.

Later at home, I got to thinking about one-to-one business encounters. 
Some of us meet in a local Panera, sharing a muffin and a coffee, OR at an 
evening networking event, shoulder to shoulder, sipping on a glass of
wine.  So, why not at Third Beach or on the Riverwalk, with a water bottle in 
hand?  How much healthier would that be?  More natural?  More intimate? 
More open?  Networking while exercising.  While walking.  Outdoors!

NETWALKING!  Since then, I have engaged in netwalks, sometimes with
one person, sometimes with a group of five or six people, sometimes with
myself.  One friend of mine refers to this as stepping outside into "God's
Office."  As such, we benefit by reconnecting with nature and nature's
inspiration.

If you are interested in incorporating networking into a weekend family
outing with other families, have the kids visit woodland friend HOOT on
Twitter for the latest tweets on nature, health, and hiking.
(Hoot was inspired by a half of a black walnut shell, found lying on the
sidewalk.)  
    
    
 
Check out our CALENDAR to find out about walking events all around
Rhode Island, and invite a friend.  Would you invite someone to join you 
on a weekend fundraising walk?  Would you be interested in forming a 
team to compete in ShapeUpRI's Spring 2011 Competition and arrange
one-to-one's within the team?  Registration for this program begins
December.  Maybe you would consider inviting a client or work associate
to take an evening stroll along the River on a Waterfire night? Visit the
WHERE TO WALK page for other suggestions and links to maps and
resources, or send us info about your own event to post on the site. 

Organized group netwalks are a great opportunity for students and job
seekers to meet professionals who can provide information, direction,
and connections.  Rhode Island Netwalking organizes occasional Group
Walks, with the objective of helping you to meet people with common
interests.  See the CALENDAR.  Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes,
and bring a bottle of water (or a travel mug of coffee), and business cards.

If you enjoy walking, I hope you'll join us.

Wendy Fachon

net'walk-ing, n, [MnE] (WEBster's, of course)
  1. the act of networking with energy and forward motion.
  2. the activity of people with similar interests combining business and
physical exercise.
  3. a social system of people who come together to interact with positive
energy and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.

NETWALKRI
P.O. Box 2221
East Greenwich, RI  02818
401.884.1559
email: wendy@netwalkri.com

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