RYLA AND GOOD LEADERS
The key to the future is good leaders. Some would say that tomorrow’s leadership will have to repair our mistakes. Whether you agree with that or not, you know that tomorrow’s leaders have tall orders.
So how do we help today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders? Our first goal, as always, must be to avoid stereotyping. It’s so easy to look at teenagers and say, because they listen to loud music and look different, that all teenagers are problems. If we think back though, our parents said that we listened to Elvis or the Beatles and had long hair and that we were like aliens to them.
Look around at today’s youth. In their own way, they are exercising the independence they need and that we really want them to develop. More importantly, you will see, in some of them, the future leaders of our world. All of them, just like all of us, have great abilities, but there are a few that are using that God-given talent and just need to learn how to harness and direct it.
It’s time to think about RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) for those future leaders. Notice the word “Awards” and think about it as you read on. This program is professionally run to develop natural leadership abilities. It is a one-week program held at Camp Grizzly Creek Ranch near Portola. There are many leadership development programs out there, but RYLA is different. Most actually teach leadership traits. How many young people do you know that want more teaching? I’m guessing your answer is none. RYLA is so different. It’s a one-week camp, filled with activities that give the participants various opportunities to demonstrate leadership ability. Pretty quickly, the attendees are learning leadership traits in the real world. Yet, they’re having fun because the activities themselves are fun.
Who’s eligible for RYLA? Incoming high school seniors who have shown leadership ability, Interact leaders, stars from the high school athletic teams, leaders of campus clubs or the outstanding students, gang leaders....No, I don’t mean the ones who have been in and out of juvie. I mean the ones who are obviously leaders but could go either way in life. You see, a leader does not necessarily have to be the stereotype “good kid”. You never know. Send a gang leader to RYLA, and you could be saving his/her life. Honestly, gang leaders have gone in the past and turned their lives around when they realized that someone really did care.*
This year, the camp weeks are June 11-16 and June 18-23. Your club has reserved and will sponsor 2 future leaders. If a student is accepted, paperwork for that student will be due by April 1, 2012. There are only a very limited number of slots available NOW. For the details, contact the District RYLA chair, Barbara Tracy of the Rotary Club of S. Sacramento at (916) 428-0311 or (916) 837-4372 or bjtracy@comcast.net or Hal in the office. And read below the “Reflections from a RYLA Counselor” should YOU have an interest in becoming a counselor!
We were privileged this week to enjoy another testimonial, this time from Travis Baughn, a recipient of services from your Bids for Kids beneficiary, Society for the Blind. Two years ago Travis had a brain tumor removed from his optic nerve which had caused him to lose his sight. Travis has been an excellent student in all four core programs at the Society including Daily Living Skills, Orientation and Mobility, Adaptive Technologies and Braille. We learned that Travis has become an excellent cook with his very popular banana bread. He has also participated in the Societies renowned “summer camp for independence”. He has also taken up the sport of golf, driving to within 18 feet of the pin during his second round. He also enjoys volunteering for the Special Olympics.
You are encouraged to visit the Society’s new campus at 13th and S streets in downtown Sacramento for a tour. Just let them know who you are and it is helpful if you call in advance to make an appointment.
Thanks Norm Marshall for an enticing announcement to donate blood, all tied to losing weight…did we get your attention?..Ask Norm. It had something to do with the correlation of a pint of blood weighing one pound and so in just a couple of years (giving every six weeks) you could lose 13 lbs.!!...almost as intriguing as your beer synopsis at this year’s installation meeting Norm…You are on a roll!
LAST CALL for Rivals Day at Rotary at the CSUS Alumni Center this coming Monday the 14th. You must sign up at the office or on line to attend this festive meeting. We certainly don’t want to turn you away at the door. See you there in your favorite college colors.
The Club was honored once again to be graced by one of our very own as the program, Ward Connerly. Read all about his remarks below in this week’s Pulse.
Thank you Past President Tom Hammer (and his daughter Noel) as Meeting Sponsor, to Denise Mazzucca-Barrett for becoming an exploring Mountaineer completing her 7th Eddie Mulligan, to Pat Harrison becoming a Hiker in recognition of his son’s NASCAR achievements, to Beverly Brautigam as a Couch Potato in recognition of the success of PP Toms Mauritius Islands school project during his presidential term and to Elfrena Foord also becoming a Couch Potato in recognition of the school tour PP Tom’s daughter provided while visiting Mauritius. We are certainly getting lots of mileage out of your school project Tom, this many years later!
Enjoy a terrific week, strive for your summits!
*Borrowed from a training letter from Rotarian Russ Rheam