Kelly Bull: Hey Neighbor & Building Community Connections

Bulletin for April 9, 2026

Featured Speaker: Kelly Bull

Executive Director, Hey Neighbor — Building Community Connections

OPENING

Benny led the prayer. Marlene led the Pledge of Allegiance.

“I believe patriotism thrives best when nurtured in our hearts and minds.”

— Clarence Sasser, United States Army Medal of Honor

Guest Christina was introduced. A lighthearted discussion followed about the club tradition of fining members for minor infractions — including “whining.”

CLUB BUSINESS

• Marty’s update: Financial situation stable, but difficulty finding buyers for current real estate listings. Her son has secured a full-time job with Schmidt Construction.

• Board meeting: April 28th at 4:30 PM at the Bank of Bob. Discussion about quorum requirements and whether bylaws permit electronic voting — Jeff confirmed the bylaws were amended during the 2020 pandemic to allow it.

• Cell phone policy: General consensus that phone use is disruptive during the main program and should be limited to the pre-meeting chit-chat period.

• Kevin’s reflection: Kevin shared that he has avoided television for over a decade due to its negative impact on family communication.

• Larry won the big bucks; Kevin won the quarters.

KEYNOTE: KELLY BULL — HEY NEIGHBOR

About Hey Neighbor

Hey Neighbor is a 50-year-old nonprofit, formerly known as CONO. Its mission is to inspire neighbors to build vibrant communities through neighbor-to-neighbor connections. Kelly has served as executive director and currently works alongside five other nonprofits.

The Power of Small Connections

Kelly shared personal stories about how simple acts — bringing baked goods, saying hello, showing up — can break through initial hesitancy and build lasting trust. Neighbors who don’t know each other can’t rely on each other. The goal is to make Colorado Springs the kind of city where people look out for one another.

Current Initiatives

• 150 Tables: To celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary in 2026, the goal is to have residents host 150 gatherings — potlucks, block parties, neighborhood dinners — across Colorado Springs. The kickoff event is September 27th, National Big Neighbors Day. Hey Neighbor provides toolkits and support for hosts.

• Nominate a Neighbor: A program to recognize “super connectors” who go above and beyond in their neighborhoods. Nominations can be submitted on the organization’s website.

• “Join or Die” Documentary: Members were encouraged to attend a screening this Saturday. The documentary examines the decline of social connections in America and the health consequences of loneliness — and makes the case for why community involvement matters more than ever.

Kelly was presented with a bottle of wine at the close of her presentation.

PIKES PEAK CLUB 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

• Date: Tuesday, June 30th at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

• A deposit is due by Saturday — a board vote is required to approve.

• Proposed start time: 5:30 or 6:00 PM for a three-hour event.

• Entertainment options discussed: comedian, magician, or a program on the zoo’s history — which is also celebrating its 100th anniversary.

• Attendees will have the opportunity to feed the giraffes. The zoo is noted for its successful giraffe breeding program, possibly connected to its altitude.

PROJECT AND MEMBER UPDATES

• Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build: No pending delivery orders. Discussions underway to organize a club build event (minimum six people) to increase inventory. A member offered to train others on deliveries — Tuesday afternoons suggested. Lowe’s has partnered with SHP for a round-up donation program at checkout.

• Marlene’s Book: Contentious Custody: Is It Really in the Best Interest of Your Children? was presented to the club. A sitting judge reportedly said that any attorney offended by the book is likely guilty of the behavior it describes.

• John Suthers: John Poyner contacted former mayor John Suthers about speaking again. Suthers noted he gave the same presentation last summer, though John Poyner didn’t recall it (he wasn’t there). Suthers is considering whether to present again.

• Offsite at CC Hockey Arena: Next meeting is a tour of Robson Arena on Thursday at 11:45 AM — includes the equipment room and locker rooms. Parking on the fourth level of the Tejon Street structure.

ART NEWS

Member Becky Langley is creating hand-painted decorative boxes in a show called Backstage. On why boxes? Becky says: “Think about everything a box does for our lives — storage for taxes, old newspapers, stuff we don’t want to throw away. We live in boxes, keep our beer cold in boxes, make speeches from boxes. For all the work a box does, it gets very little praise. But if you turn it upside down, it’s a really cool surface. And this artist loves a good surface.”

NEXT ARRANGEMENTS

• Board vote to approve Cheyenne Mountain Zoo deposit for the 80th birthday party.

• Send out the party menu and finalize entertainment.

• Organize a date for the club to build beds; members interested in delivery training contact Mike.

• Circulate Marlene’s book among members.

• Kelly will send a soft copy of the 150 Tables presentation to Kevin for distribution.

• Consider hosting a table for the “150 Tables” initiative, nominating a neighbor, or attending the “Join or Die” screening.

The Pikes Peak Club · pikespeakclub.com