Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)

RYLA is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-30, but most clubs and districts choose to focus on a narrower age range, such as 14-18 or 19-30.

RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to:

• Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth
• Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
• Encourage leadership of youth by youth
• Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities

Jon King and Jerry Hobby talked about this year's District 5890 RYLA retreat that took place the weekend of Feb 28 through March 1. There were about 75 students who participated. There were speakers on a number of topics. Jerry Hobby spoke about how high school students can plan and develop a real business of their own...rather than just accept the usual "working for someone else" scenerio.

RYLA is quite an experience and the Rotarians who serve as advisors for the weekend say that they come back having learned almost as much as the students have. Like to know more about RYLA? Talk to Jon King, Ken Marsh or Jerry Hobby.

Jerry Hobby, Bill Landers & Jon King	President Bill and Club Humorist Delores Delsign

Guests, Visitors and Other Good News

Lisa Graces from the Skyline Rotary Club was a visitor this week. She filled us in on Skyline, one of the newest clubs in the District and likely the one with the youngest average age for its members. Come again Lisa!

Wayne Staton had returned from his trip to Singapore. He brought back a banner from a local Rotary Club and he had stories about his trip. He said that Singapore has to be one of the cleanest and safest cities he has ever visited. He asked for a group photo of the club members to send back to the club he visited. We took one this week and will take another on Tuesday, March 10th, hoping to have as many memerbers in attendance as possible. PLAN TO ATTEND!

Karen Blakeman did her "lei thing" with Evelyn Hoyer this week. Evelyn is the latest club member to make her Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member contribution for this year. REMINDER: if you have not yet made you contribution for this year please do so no later than April 14th so the District raffle tickets you receive can be forwarded to the District Conference for the drawing April 30 to May 2nd. Questions? See Karen. Give your check to Archie.

Karen Blakeman & Evelyn Hoyer

Heading to Lousisiana

Our 2009 District Conference will be held at L'Auberge du lac Hotel & Casino in Lake Charles, LA, starting on Thursday, April 30th and running through Saturday, May 2nd. This is a wonderful opportunity for Rotarians (oldtimers & newbees) to expand their knowledge of district & club projects, yourth exchange, GSE while enjoying the opportunity to bond with fellow Rotarians.

CLICK HERE for more information on the conference and to make reservations.

Coming Up At Rotary