The Light for May 26, 2015 (May 29, 2015)

Meeting Notes from May 26, 2015

President Harold Bauer called the meeting to order. He thanked everyone for the cards and wonderful support after his knee surgery. He also joked about pressing a button at the rehab center when he needed something, and also trying that at home.

Announcements

Harold Bauer told us there is no morning meeting on June 23. We will be meeting instead at 5:30 for the installation of new officers for our club, and the noon Rotary Club. Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Sam Lovering asked us to help with the Golf Road cleanup on Saturday at 8:30 am. He needs eight people to be at T.J. Maxx (corner of Golf and McCormick) to help for one hour.

Steve Goranson asked us to volunteer to walk in the July 4 Evanston city parade. This is a project for the Rotary noon club. Our City manager, Wally Bobkiewicz, who is the incoming president of the noon club, suggested we jointly participate.

Harold told us there is a Board meeting at his house on June 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Fundraiser – June 14: Bill Glader tells us we are one third of our goal for our event. Fran and Malou have been working very hard for our fundraising event, A Taste of Evanston, June 14 at the John Evans Center, from 4 – 7 p.m.. Tickets are $75 and are available on our website. Save the date, and bring someone along with you!

Ann Searles, the Sunshine Lady, mentioned that Darrell Dixon’s wife has had a stroke, and he will be on leave temporarily to help care for her.

Sergeant at Arms: Boasts & Roasts

Brad Weiss mentioned that Sean Nelson has been working for 13 years with RYLA students. Thank you, Sean, for all you have done, and all you have contributed both financially and otherwise.

Steve Goranson told us that he made it through his daughter’s wedding at the Baha’i Temple in Wilmette, and the reception at the Kenilworth Club. It was a great event.

Bruce Baumgartner introduced Vera Mayer, of the Northbrook Rotary Club. Vera is chairperson of the Youth Exchange and co-ordinates the District program – she does an outstanding job.

Ken Green stumped us again with his excellent questions.

Program

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)

Jon Carlisle introduced Sean Nelson, Wheaton Noon Rotary and chair of the District’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) to tell us about RYLA events and the students who are attending our meeting today.

Sean Nelson thanked our club for our great sponsorship of RYLA students. He believes it is a great program. He offered special thanks to Marv Edelstein for all the work he does, and the great effort he makes for all the kids.

RYLA is a three-day program for high school students. In the 90s, the weekend was moved to Camp Edwards in Wisconsin, and still meets there now. We find amazing speakers for the kids to teach them leadership skills, and how to manage responsibility and being in charge of themselves.

We also have a terrific volunteer staff. Some things these high school students do are: participate in a suicide hotline, help children who are orphans of Aids parents, and participate in 20-30 Interact programs.

Sean thanked us again for our generous sponsorship.

The following RYLA students spoke about their experiences: Clara Siebert, Livia Antonelli, Irene Antonelli, Erin Bates, Olawalo Babalola.

Gary Peterson asked how many kids go more than one time.

The group told us that the great thing about going multiple times is you know what is coming, and that you learn something new each time you attend.

Ann Searles asked about the groups – how do you see them?

The group said that you are divided into small groups and you get to bond – get to meet students, and have a chance to know them.

Steve Goranson asked about how they set goals.

The group replied:

Erin stated she is a dancer and the goal setting helped me realize what I want to do and how to get there.

Clara told us about how she wanted to plan a self-defense class and is working with Impact Chicago to do this class.

Ola talked about a girl who came that weekend, who went home and brought roses to her school and gave one to people she thought would have a better day once they received a flower.

Brad Weiss asked about the exercises and what students got to learn about themselves.

The group mentioned you get to learn about what type of leader you are and how we can be effective.

Ann Searles asked the parents of the RYLA’s if they noticed any difference in their children once they attended the RYLA weekend.

Erin Bates’ parents said they believe their daughter learned a lot about herself, and how to set goals.

Chris Siebert, Clara’s dad, told us his daughter learned about philanthropy and the weekend taught her how to be effective. He thanked us for sponsoring her.

The Antonelli sisters told us (after Harold asked is this is something that would go on in Rome) that there is nothing like that there. They would not have had a chance to attend a RYLA weekend.

Brad Weiss asked the group to tell us Ric’s story. (Ric Metzger is a motivational speaker from Ohio who has overcome incredible challenges from a motorcycle accident. He travels the country speaking to high school students. He encourages them to use their God-given abilities to be the best they can be.)

The group said Ric never gives up and he loves being around us and to help us.

Vera Mayer told us that in many other countries, RYLA is for young professionals who are in the 20’s and 30’s. The group here is very unusual.

Sean Nelson and the fabulous RYLA delegates from Evanston Township High School

Visitors and Milestones

Visiting Rotarians:

Vera Mayer, Northbrook Rotary

Sean Nelson, Wheaton Noon Rotary

Tracy Tebear, Rotary Club of Evanston

Club Anniversaries:

Ilana Seligman, 2 years

Ann Searles, 21 years

Greeters:

Next week’s greeters are Don Crost-Fink and Julianne Dieterich