Guest Speaker Sean Nelson -  March 20, 2018

Posted by Al Anile
From left to right: Jason Wicha, club president - Will Dorais, RYLA 2018 participant - Sean Nelson, RYLA Chairman - Andrew Bortey, RYLA 2018 participant - Sam Eckerling, club member, responsible for recruiting Dorais and Andrew.
 
Sean Nelson, Charman of RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) was the main speaker at the March 20th weekly luncheon meeting. He explained how RYLA works, and students RYLA Conference participant Will and Andrew (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley) spoke about their weekend training experience.
 

SEAN NELSON is the Volunteer RYLA Conference Chairman. Sean has been a Wheaton Noon Rotarian for 20 years and has been the conference Chair for the past 15 years. During that time, the conference has doubled in participation and is nearing capacity. 

Sean believes that the speakers at the conference are arguably the best that participants might ever have an opportunity to hear . . . at any price! Sean has been a Rotarian for almost 20 years and currently is the Executive Director for Illinois YMCA Youth and Government. Rotary Clubs sponsor 100% of the students selected to attend.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - or RYLA - is a not-for-profit training program for leaders and potential leaders (Freshman- Senior). As a RYLA participant, sponsored students will attend an all-expense- paid, three day camp. 

The sponsoring Rotary clubs involved in organizing the event determine the specifics of each RYLA program. All programs emphasize leadership skills, personal development, and citizenship. RYLA goes to great lengths to make sure the three day weekend is fun and recreational as well as educational for all involved.