be nice be kind - bee

Smile, Wave, & Greet campaign

"Reconnecting people one Wave at a time."

Released: April 8th, 2021

"Smile, Greet & Wave 101" Rifle Humanity Restoration Crew - 2021 training video

"RECONNECTING PEOPLE ONE WAVE AT A TIME."

That’s the motto of the City of Rifle Humanity Restoration Crew. Back in the fall, City Manager Scott Hahn created the group to encourage people to reconnect with one another. Years of diminishing human interaction seemed to be exacerbated by the pandemic and the anonymity afforded by wearing masks as well as social unrest and political divisiveness. In response, the crew created a humorous video to encourage people to “smile, wave and greet” when they pass by friends or strangers. 

After an overwhelmingly positive response, the crew is at it again! Another tongue-in-cheek video has been released featuring a parody of higher education in the form of specific classes that “teach” students the basic skills of socializing. Check out both videos at www.rifleco.org/wave.

As the weather begins to warm, Hahn expects to do more “hello rodeos” with the crew out smiling and greeting passing motorists and pedestrians. Everyone is welcome to join these uplifting events. Dates and times will be posted on the City’s social media accounts.

The City of Rifle challenges other communities, schools, and businesses to join the movement to bring “friendly” back. Send us thoughts, videos, and pictures to humanityrestorationcrew@rifleco.org or use #humanityrestorationcrew. If you are a Rifle citizen or business and would like a yard sign or some buttons, please contact Kim Burner at kburner@rifleco.org or call 970-665-6496.

Released: September 28th, 2020

"Making Waves in Rifle" Rifle Humanity Restoration Crew - 2020 music video

"RECONNECTING PEOPLE ONE WAVE AT A TIME."

That’s the motto of the newly formed City of Rifle Humanity Restoration Crew.

City of Rifle City Manager Scott Hahn has watched human interaction continue to slowly diminish over the past few years. Electronics, busy lifestyles and now COVID-19 have reduced once-friendly strangers to people who barely acknowledge one another as they pass on the street. 

Scott wants to see you smile. And wave. And say “hello”. And he has a plan to put that into action. He has created the crew whose mission it is to spread kindness, friendliness and get people to acknowledge one another once again.

“People are thirsty for contact. How can you be a community if you don’t look at one another?” 

There are signs and buttons around town featuring a happy face and positive messages. Members of the crew as well as all City employees are leading by example. 

Some may say that the idea is a tad corny, a perspective the team has embraced. Especially since virtually everyone they speak to wants to be a part of a positive movement. 

“They roll their eyes at first then tell us they love the idea and ask how they can become involved,” the team noted. “Everyone is really feeling the disconnect and divisiveness so prevalent these days.” An article posted earlier this month on bbc.com titled “The Surprising Benefits of Talking to Strangers” explored in detail the positive psychological, sociological and even physiological effects of human interaction. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-48459940 

To spread the message and get people to laugh, the City has created a funny video designed to embrace the silly and help people reconnect. Check out the video at www.rifleco.org/wave or the “Visit Rifle” YouTube Channel.

The City of Rifle challenges other communities, schools, and businesses to join the movement to bring “friendly” back. Send us thoughts, videos, and pictures to humanityrestorationcrew@rifleco.org or use #humanityrestorationcrew. If you are a Rifle citizen or business and would like a yard sign or some buttons, please contact Kim Burner at kburner@rifleco.org or call 970-665-6496.

We can’t wait to see what people come up with!

For updated information on all City matters, please go to our website, www.rifleco.org or our Facebook and Twitter pages. 

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